Why I Became a Financial Advisor
By Will Paustian, CFP®
I still remember when I first got interested in stocks in the second grade. I used to walk with my dad to Costello’s Travel Cafe on NE Broadway and pick his brain about investing and choosing stocks. I was fascinated with the world of financial planning and bought my first stock, Procter & Gamble, because I used their soap and toothpaste every morning.
Of course, my strategies have evolved significantly since those first days of learning about the market, but some of the principles I learned then are still relevant to our clients today.
How I Got Started
I have always been interested in business and economics and graduated from the University of Oregon’s Robert D. Clark Honors College and the Lundquist College of Business with a major in finance and entrepreneurship and a minor in economics. I also spent time in the UK studying behavioral economics at the University of Oxford. I then went to work at a SaaS company in San Francisco that helps top commercial real estate investment and development firms make sound investment decisions.
After leaving the Bay Area, I returned to Oregon, where I joined the JGP Wealth Management team as a financial advisor.
My Role Today
There’s a reason all my paths led me back to Oregon and my work at JGP Wealth Management. Financial advising is my passion and what I enjoy doing, and in my role at the firm, I help clients look at their financial picture holistically to make confident decisions with our guidance.
As a CFP® professional, I have the knowledge and skill set to serve many clients but specialize in working with entrepreneurs, specifically in the food and beverage industry. We have such a robust wine ecosystem here in Oregon that it’s no surprise that we work with many clients in this field. I enjoy helping business owners navigate milestones in their business, from helping coordinate the windfall of a sale to growing the company.
Because we only work with select business owners and families, we can give each client the time and attention they deserve. We always serve in our clients’ best interests and are here for them throughout every financial milestone in their lives.
Why I Love What I Do
As the old adage goes, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” and I truly feel like this represents what I do at JGP Wealth Management. I love all aspects of my job, from connecting with clients to educating them on their options to celebrating their victories, both big and small. I’ve helped clients take the vacation they’ve always dreamed of, retire early, watch their children graduate from college debt-free, and navigate the sale of their businesses. No matter what your goal is, we can help you get there.
In addition to the financial planning aspect, I really enjoy connecting with our clients on a personal and professional level. I’m always finding new and creative ways to engage clients, both in person and virtually. My empathy, diligence, and caring nature are a few reasons why clients enjoy working with me.
I feel so lucky to do what I do every day as I help our clients pursue their goals.
Meet the Team at JGP Wealth Management
I work with an amazing team at JGP Wealth Management, and we would love to share our stories about how we got started in this industry with you. If you’d like more information about working together, reach out to me at wpaustian@jgpwealth.com or 503-446-6450.
About Will
Will Paustian is a financial advisor at JGP Wealth Management, an independent, fee-based financial advisory firm in Portland, Oregon. Since joining the JGP family in 2020, Will has played an integral role in the firm by combining his knowledge of the financial world with a strong and dedicated work ethic in order to help our clients achieve their financial goals. Will is known for his commitment to walking our clients through everything they face in their financial lives, celebrating their victories along the way. He specializes in serving executives and entrepreneurs, specifically in the food and beverage industry and business owners planning to pursue an exit, tailoring his solutions to fit their unique financial challenges and opportunities.
Will graduated from the University of Oregon’s Robert D. Clark Honors College with a bachelor’s degree in finance and entrepreneurship, minoring in economics and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He was awarded the Stamps Leadership Scholarship and served as a student trustee on the University Board of Trustees. He also spent time abroad in the UK studying behavioral economics at the University of Oxford. When not in the office with clients, Will enjoys a wide variety of activities, from hiking and fishing to cycling and traveling. He, along with his family, enjoys the sights and sounds of Oregon, cheering on the Oregon Ducks and the Portland Trailblazers and exploring the unique restaurants and businesses around the Portland area. To learn more about Will, connect with him on LinkedIn.