By Ember E. Martin, CFP®
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. While we may start off in one career, our experiences might show us other areas we want to pursue or open doors to new opportunities. That’s exactly how I found my way into my career as a financial planner.
First Steps
How does one start out in a hospitality career, move into international trade, then end up in financial planning? Let me tell you quite the tale! After graduating from UC Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy, I traveled the world, spending time in the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and Asia before starting a career in the hospitality industry. My first job was managing a boutique hotel in Sausalito, CA, and then a major luxury hotel in San Francisco. In 1989 I created an innovative Spanish restaurant called Sol y Luna, which was San Francisco’s first authentic Spanish restaurant.
My second entrepreneurial venture was exporting vintage American motorcycles to Japan. I did this for a handful of years before changing course, answering an ad from Smith Barney seeking entrepreneurs. Thus, a financial planner was born!
Branching Out
My time at Smith Barney gave me a solid foundation for a career in the financial industry, and was where I developed a passion for helping people experience financial health and achieve their goals. I experienced the market crash of 2001-2002 as an advisor, which gave me a new perspective on risk management and what it means to be accountable to clients. That pivotal time is when I knew I wanted to be a financial planner, not just a broker. I wanted to do everything I could to help clients manage their life journey.
I eventually became a Registered Investment Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and gained over a decade of experience in investments, financial planning, and wealth management for a variety of firms. In 2010, I decided to step out on my own, establishing Vested Wealth Advisors after years of witnessing clients not receiving measurable value or accountability in the guidance they received from their advisors.
My Career Today
Now I spend my days as founder and managing principal, working to create a company that can offer a single go-to advisor who proactively coordinates every moving part of my clients’ financial lives. I provide comprehensive financial planning services with the goal of helping my clients achieve a higher quality of life, a life built on decisions and experiences that are aligned with their most important values.
Even more than that, I am passionate about educating my clients along the way, giving them the tools they need to develop a critical understanding of money management, investing, and how to reach their goals.
Hurdles And Triumphs
No job is without its challenges, so even though I wouldn’t trade my career for anything else, it can be difficult to manage expectations and help clients buckle in for the long haul. In an instant-gratification culture, I seek to show people the value in building for the future, not just today. On the other side of things, there is no greater satisfaction or fulfillment than when a client sincerely thanks me for being their guide and counsel over the years. I do this job for my clients, so when the work I do helps them live a better life, that’s all the motivation I need!
What’s Your Story?
Now that you know a bit about me, I’d love to hear your story. Let’s discover the obstacles in your path, the dreams you want to make a reality, and if I can help you make your money work for you instead of the other way around. Schedule a free 15-minute introductory phone call online or reach out to me at 844-548-2887 or info@vestedwealthadvisors.com. I can’t wait to hear from you!
About Ember
Ember E. Martin is founder and managing principal at Vested Wealth Advisors, an independent financial planning firm. With over 20 years of investment managing and financial planning experience, plus his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) credential, Ember strives to help his clients live a high-quality life through customized advice and an unmatched level of personal service and confidentiality. Ember has become known for providing personalized guidance, creative solutions, and results-driven services that go beyond what many have come to expect from traditional financial advisors. When he’s not working, Ember enjoys sharing life with his high school sweetheart, Donna. You can also find him cooking, reading, traveling, hiking, playing chess, and spending time with his two teenage daughters, Lucie and Truly. To learn more about Ember, connect with him on LinkedIn.