Why I Became A Financial Advisor

Not many people can point back to their preschool years and say, “That’s when I knew what I was going to do with my life.” And while I may not have been able to communicate my desire to be a financial advisor at the ripe old age of 4, that’s when my interest in finances began. That’s thanks to my mom, who creatively assigned a dollar amount to household chores, which motivated me to work hard to earn money for what I wanted to buy. 

But my career choice goes deeper than just interest. What makes me passionate about what I do is the inspiration behind my choice—the lure of possibility. As the grandson of Italian immigrants who left everything they had to pursue a better life for future generations, I grew up with the message that hard work and being willing to face the unknown can help you achieve all that’s possible. That, in a nutshell, is why I became a financial advisor—to walk with my clients into the unknown so they can build the life they dream of. 

Making It A Reality

With an increasing interest in money as a child, I started a landscaping business at the age of 10, experienced the wonder of compound interest at 16 when I bought my first certificate of deposit (CD), and figured out how to buy my first rental property with only $500 when I was 23. So it’s no surprise that I went the business and finance route in college. I earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Ohio University and spent some time working in banking and cash management for small and mid-size businesses.

However, soon after graduating from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University with an MBA, I had an opportunity to return to my passion for investments and started working at a regional brokerage firm. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for me to realize that a career pushing products as a salesperson wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life. Thankfully, all hope was not lost, due to a colleague who was doing amazing work for his clients by integrating and coordinating all forms of financial planning into his services. I saw the potential impact this kind of work could have on peoples’ lives and I found myself inspired once again. 

With a goal of helping people implement smart strategies with their money instead of trying to sell them the hottest products wholesalers were pushing me to sell, I earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™(CFP®) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designations so I could have the expertise to assist clients with every piece of their financial picture.

My Career Today

Now, 20 years after joining the financial industry, I am managing principal and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ at Calamita Wealth Management, where I spend my days helping clients create clarity and vision around their unknown future so they can work toward their retirement dreams. I see so many people get caught up in the day-to-day busyness of life and lack the time, money, and energy to invest in what they truly love. Through our relationship-based process, we help carry the financial burden for our hardworking pre-retiree and retiree clients so they can get back to pursuing their purpose in life and feel confident in their financial future.

I love helping people manage the many moving parts of their financial life, making the puzzle pieces fit so they don’t run out of money or risk losing their current lifestyle. There tends to be so much uncertainty about money in retirement, and I work hard to make sure they don’t carry that emotional load alone. 

The Best Part

Hands down, the most fulfilling part of my job is seeing the joy and relief on someone’s face when they realize they can successfully end their career and start living out their ideal retirement lifestyle because of all the work we’ve done together to prepare them for this milestone. I come to work every day motivated to keep doing what I’m doing because I frequently hear clients say things like, “I don’t know what we would have done without you,” or even, “You need to add ‘life coach’ to your job description!” 

Are You Ready To Stop Worrying About Your Retirement?

I’d love to help you stop worrying about your financial future by giving you clarity and empowering you to make decisions that make your dreams a reality. If you’re not already a client or don’t already have an advisor helping you do that, schedule an introductory phone call using our online calendar or reach out to us at (704) 276-7325 or todd@calamitawealth.com.

About Todd

Todd Calamita is the founder and managing principal of Calamita Wealth Management, an independent, fee-only wealth management company located in Charlotte, NC, serving people locally and across the country, that focuses on providing wealth management solutions to affluent individuals over age 50 and their families. Todd has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and is passionate about helping people have a better life by designing and implementing customized financial plans that bring clarity and confidence. Todd is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™(CFP®) and CERTIFIED DIVORCE FINANCIAL ANALYST® (CDFA®) and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University and a Master of Business Administration from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. He has authored a book, Plan Smart: Conquering 10 Common Money Traps, as well as numerous articles on wide-ranging personal finance topics, from taxes to retirement accounts. He has also been featured in a Financial Boot Camp TV series as a volunteer showing people how to make smart decisions with their money. When he’s not working, you can find Todd spending time with his wife, Teresa, and their two sons, Colin and Cameron. He enjoys rock climbing, swimming, and traveling, and he has a black belt in Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art. To learn more about Todd, connect with him on LinkedIn.

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