AmyJo Young McElfresh

I attribute my success to my parents. My father would never let me give up until I had tried 88 times. I came to find out that he chose 88 because there are 88 counties in Ohio - he and my mom were both from Ohio. When I finally learned the background, I jokingly asked, 'Do you mean you were tormenting a Michigander because there were 88 counties in Ohio, and that's why I could never give up?' (There is a huge Michigan -Ohio rivalry!!) That persistence and determination he instilled in me from a young age has been the foundation of everything I've accomplished. He taught me to keep pushing forward, to keep trying, along with my mother's favorite words "Appreciate the moment!" Regardless of the hurdles life throws your way, you can always find silver linings and sparks of gratitude. Both of these were the foundation of the 8 and a half years I spent caregiving my father and awakening him from dementia. In addition to my children, taking care of him has been one of life's greatest blessings.

When I graduated from college, I had a dean that I was talking to, and she said, 'Do you think I knew how to be a dean before I was a dean?' That really made me realize that you just take that next step, and you're always learning. You don't wait until you learn everything - you keep growing and keep learning. That advice has stayed with me throughout my career and given me the confidence to step into new roles and challenges even when I didn't feel fully prepared. It's about embracing the journey of continuous growth rather than waiting for perfect readiness.

A lot of us didn't have female advisors or female mentors - I had great male mentors, but that female perspective was missing. My advice would be to find a way to find a balance. Make sure you take care of yourself as well as you take care of everybody else. This is so important in our industry where we're constantly focused on serving others and meeting client needs. You can't pour from an empty cup, and maintaining that balance between caring for others and caring for yourself is essential for long-term success and fulfillment in this field.

I think there is a lot of consolidation in the field right now, which presents both challenges and changes to navigate. At the same time, I also think there's a tremendous area of opportunity. There's a phenomenal need for what we do - helping people find financial peace and security has never been more important. The consolidation may be changing the landscape, but the fundamental need for trusted, heart-centered, holistic financial guidance continues to grow, and that creates significant opportunities for those of us committed to serving clients with integrity.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity and being heart-centered. Integrity guides every decision I make and every interaction I have with clients. Being heart-centered means I approach my work with genuine care and compassion for the people I serve. It's not just about the numbers or the transactions - it's about truly understanding what matters to people and helping them achieve peace of mind. These values shaped how I cared for my father during his battle with dementia, and they shape how I work to serve my family and every client who trusts me with their financial future.