Gwinnett Daily Post

I have been toying with writing a blog for women for months. When the Gwinnett Daily Post proposed a blog for women on financial topics I jumped at the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience. “What qualifies me?” you ask. I could give you my professional credentials such as J. Jerri Hewett, CERFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™, LPL Registered Principal, LPL Investment Advisory Representative, Certified Divorce Financial Practitioner, trained Financial Professional in the Collaborative Law process and wealth manager. Accolades such as being named to the Barron’s Winner’s Circle for Female Advisors four years in a row and being a Pinnacle Award winner awarded by the Gwinnett Chamber last year will convince you I have had a high level of success in the field. You get the point. Professionally I am qualified but personally matters more.
Yes, I am a woman but more importantly I am a woman that has supported myself since I was 14 years old, been married and divorce once, had the experience of helping to care for a mom diagnosed at 64 of Alzheimer’s and a dad passing away at 74 from cancer all before I was 50. I have run a business successfully for 18 years and managed and invested millions of dollars for me and my clients through markets since 1994. I have walked through many transitions with my clients such as divorce, death of a spouse, starting, buying, selling businesses, and retirement. I have seen a lot and given direction that helped actual people, (many times women) move from terrified to transformed with ‘the confidence to move forward.’ “The Confidence to Move Forward” became the tag line of my wealth management firm in 2008. We were all deer in headlights that fall into spring of 2009 watching the financial credit markets freeze and the stock market decline A little healing was beginning to happen then the summer of 2010 hit us with high gas price, European credit issues and mortgage defaults. A few steps forward and the summer of 2011 the market suffered the results of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, more European debt crisis, and the downgrading of the United States of America credit rating. What shoe will drop next or is the worst behind us?
I do not know the answer to that question. No one on this earth does. We can do one thing and that is muster the confidence to move forward. We have to. We have husbands, parents, children of all ages, co-workers, and siblings depending on us. I tell my clients, no matter what their situation, the world will keep turning. Another day will dawn. If it does not, then all of our problems are solved. In case that it does keep spinning we must get a good night’s sleep, wake up tomorrow and fight the fight. Navigate our way to the future the best we possibly can. Make the best decisions we can with the information we have now. My recommendations of steps to gain the confidence to move forward are 1) Know where you are. Don’t stick your head in the sand and hope everything will get better. Knowledge is power. That is my mantra. I am solution driven but you must face the facts first. 2) Your financial story should reflect your values. Do you value security but are putting yourself and your family in an insecure situation? Do you value family but are spending all your time and energy trying to stay employed? Where are your stresses? Where are your successes? 3) What is Plan A? What is Plan B? We all need to have contingency plans today. Nothing is guaranteed as we have seen. What is our back up plan?
I recently explored my top strengths with a group of people I trust. We used a book called Strength Finders 2.0 by Tom Rath. It is an easy and inexpensive way to take a highly scientific, individualized personality test. You buy the book which comes with a personalized code for your test results. The premise of the book is to encourage us to focus on our strengths and not spend so much trying to improve our weaknesses. It makes sense to me. It also seems like an easier way to live our lives by focusing on what we are naturally good at and putting our energy into improving those areas.
My top strength is that I am a strategic thinker. Quoting the commentary on this, my top strength, “The Strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large.” That describes how I think to a tee. I look at the big picture and find the way forward or in the case of my clients, especially the many wonderful women, the way to help them gain the confidence to move forward! What is your strength? How can you become empowered to move forward through the fear, the change, the insecurity and instability? What is the gift you have to share with those around you that depend on you for direction?
I look forward to helping educate you about the world we live in today and the financial implications.
Be blessed and present today,
Jerri J. Jerri Hewett, CFP® www.wealthhorizoninc.com>

Securities offered through LPL Financial/Member of the FINRA/SIPC NOTE: The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) would be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of any future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.

• J. Jerri Hewett, CFP® was one of approximately 400 financial advisors who were selected to attend and participate in the conference. Jerri has been named to the Barron's Winner's Circle for Female Advisors, representing the top 500 female Advisors in the US, for the past five years. (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012). For more information on Barron’s Winner circle, visit www.barronsmag.com/conferences/Top_Advisors_Summit/overview

**Wealth Horizon, Inc has been named one of the “Top 25 WINNERS” of the 2011 Pinnacle Small Business Awards among all of Gwinnett County small businesses. The Gwinnett Chamber is one of the top three (3) metro chambers in the United States according to ACCE. This chamber represents more than 7,200 members and is the Southeast’s 6th largest chamber. For more information on the Pinnacle Small Business Awards, visit www.pinnaclesmallbusinessawards.com