Your Name: Helen Hogan
Business Name: Sunset Financial Services, a financial planning service for professionals
Type of Business: Financial
Business Location: Red Bank, New Jersey, United States
Website www.helen-hogan.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/helen.hogan.142
Reason for starting
After my mother passed away in a nursing home (after 2 years), I decided to help people be protected in case they ended up like her. I quickly realized that I could use my Project Management expertise to help people put together a financial plan for their own future. I got my licenses in 2004 and started full time at the end of that year. I am truly passionate about helping people manage their finances and take control of their financial future.
How do you define success?
Educating and helping people. Getting hugs and compliments after presenting my analyses and recommendations. Making enough money to pay my bills and save for a time when I can’t work. Having enough time to be with my family/friends and having FUN!
Biggest Success
Having my son’s math teacher (he was never good in math) tell me that he had excelled in their latest module. Then having the teacher remember what I do for a living and saying, “Oh, I forgot your a financial advisor. No wonder he did so well in the credit card and budgeting module”! I was thrilled that what I do is ‘spilling’ over into my son’s knowledge base.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
I need more administrative support so I can focus more on my clients. I have been searching for a replacement for my previous assistant. On April 11th, we’re all getting together to do a knowledge transfer. I’m excited about not having to chase paperwork after that.
Who is your most important role model?
There are so many… Professionally= Diahann Lassus. I can only hope to some day be close to her success as a financial planner. Spiritually= Barbara Fuller. Her faith and stamina inspire me. Women Supporter= Heather Suarez, Esq. She is truly a woman of inspiration with all of the non-profits she supports. Celebrities: I had the privilege of seeing Maya Angelou at the NJ Gov’s Conf for Women. She truly inspired me. Hilary Clinton (never met) is an example of strength, no matter what!