Alex Richey
Alexandra Richey is a dedicated financial advisor and entrepreneur whose career journey reflects adaptability, purpose, and a deep commitment to serving others. With a background in accounting, she began her career in bookkeeping and banking, building a strong foundation in financial systems and analysis. However, during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alexandra realized she wanted a more people-centered path. An unexpected opportunity to transition into financial advising opened the door to a new calling—one that combined her technical expertise with her passion for helping others. After completing her licensing, she fully stepped into the advisory space, quickly recognizing that this was where she was meant to make an impact.
Now the owner of her own practice, AJ Freedom Financial, Alexandra has embraced entrepreneurship and the opportunity to shape a client experience rooted in trust, education, and personalized care. Her approach centers on comprehensive financial planning, with a specialized focus on healthcare-related financial strategies. She is deeply involved in every aspect of her business—from building financial plans and managing client relationships to hosting educational workshops within her community. One of her most notable accomplishments is completing the Certified Financial Planner™ exam in just seven months, a testament to her discipline, drive, and commitment to excellence.
What sets Alexandra apart is her genuine passion for continuous learning and her unwavering focus on her clients. She believes that financial advising is not just about numbers, but about understanding the person across the table and helping them achieve their goals with confidence. Actively involved in her community, she supports organizations such as United Way and Hope Gate, and is committed to expanding financial literacy through workshops and outreach. With a growing business fueled largely by referrals, along with a podcast and media presence, Alexandra continues to build meaningful connections while empowering others to take control of their financial future.
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
• Commonwealth University-Mansfield
Bachelor's degree, Accounting
• Chamber of Commerce
• United Way
• Hope Gate nonprofit
• President and head of fundraising for local high school volleyball team
• President and head of fundraising for local high school volleyball team
• Hope Gate nonprofit supporting women and families with pregnancy and baby resources
What do you attribute your success to?
The biggest blessing I've had is the mentors I've had along the way. I've been really lucky and very blessed to have really good people in my corner to guide my path and guide my opportunities. That's number one, and maybe something other people may not have. And then just innately, I want to learn. That's who I am. I don't think I'm ever going to be stagnant, and especially with financial advice, where the rules and regulations and laws and taxation change so often, you need somebody that wants to learn and wants to continue to push themselves. I think that's just who I am as a person. One of the first people I originally worked with when I decided to transition to an advisor told me something that stuck with me: as long as you're taking care of the person across the table from you, they're going to take care of you. That means always do what's best for the people that you get to work with. So my biggest piece of advice is just to take care of the people that you get the opportunity to work with, and you will be taken care of also. I would also say have a hunger to continuously learn and keep adapting.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the first people I originally worked with when I decided to transition to an advisor gave me advice that has shaped everything I do. They told me: as long as you're taking care of the person across the table from you, they're going to take care of you. What that means is always do what's best for the people that you get to work with. So my biggest piece of advice is just to take care of the people that you get the opportunity to work with, and you will be taken care of also.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Something I've learned along the way is that I don't have to be everything for everyone, but having a network of other professionals makes a world of difference. I have a partnership with another advisor who has an expertise in taxation and tax-saving strategies, and him and I work together frequently. I'll bring alongside the health expertise, and he brings alongside the tax strategies, and him and I together, working with clients together, really gives them the best of both worlds without me having to shoulder all of the things. Having a network of professionals that you can lean on, and lean on their expertise, rather than you having to be the expert in all subject areas, is so important. I would also say always do what's best for the people that you get to work with. As long as you're taking care of the person across the table from you, they're going to take care of you. And have a hunger to continuously learn and keep adapting.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Taking care of the people I work with is at the core of everything I do. As long as I'm taking care of the person across the table from me, doing what's best for them, that's what matters most. I'm also deeply committed to continuous learning and adapting. I don't think I'm ever going to be stagnant, and in this field where rules, regulations, laws, and taxation are constantly changing, you need to keep pushing yourself to learn. Another value that's become central to my work is empowering women through financial education. I'm carving out a niche for women specifically and doing an annual women's event that will be tailored to some of the things that women may be more susceptible to, some of the planning pitfalls they may have. The reason I have the heart for that is because of the experiences I've had with the women in my life and how negatively they've been impacted by poor planning. Even though I'm young and I haven't lived through it myself, my mother, my grandmother, my aunts, family members I've gotten to take a front row seat to see how these types of things affect them emotionally and physically. I'm taking all of those negative things and trying to make some good out of it.