Steve Nielsen, Principal/Owner, Ascent Wealth Management shares his greatest high-five moment of raising much needed funds for the MS Society of QLD, the positive impact his business has had on people’s lives over forty years and why his four children are his greatest inspiration!
- Why financial advice?Life is too complicated these days. The additional stress and impact of money on people can seem hard to overcome. I’ve been a financial adviser, or around financial advisers for the past 30 years. I’ve seen over this time the life changing impact that good advice can have; it saves families, it provides lifestyle choices and most importantly it removes the anxiety of the client thinking they have to do it themselves.
- What are you most proud of?I’m archiving my client files at the moment. It’s a task that I’ve been avoiding, but now I’m doing it, I’m seeing things differently. Looking at up to forty years of records for some families, I’m enormously proud of the impact my predecessors and I have had on people’s lives. These stories affirm our role as advisers; this makes the new education and compliance requirements merely speed humps. My office is messy, but my heart is full, and I’m excited to be there through the next pages of these lives.
3. Favourite holiday destination?
Family holidays at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast are a regular feature in our calendar. This is probably the most laid-back spot on the coast, and most definitely my family’s ‘Happy Place”.
4.What inspires you?
I love watching my kids as they are growing. Following their sporting achievements whether it’s trampoline and gymnastics competitions, or breaking boards at Taekwon-Do. I get a real kick out of watching them achieve.
5. Your big hairy audacious goal for 2019?
Build my business despite the disruptions. There has been an increase in people coming to us after hearing about their current adviser calling it quits. When I tell them I have 4 kids, three of which are still in school, they know I’m here for the duration!
6. Early or late tech adopter?
I thought I was pretty good until I started talking investment and advice with my twenty-two year old, IT graduate son! But I’m amazed and inspired by the work going on in the product and investment platform spaces at the moment. Our lives are definitely better for this, and it augurs well for heightened focus on the needs and lives of our clients.
7. Most recent ‘high-five’ moment?
My practice has been supporting the MS Society of QLD for the past 10 years. This year we raised $3,500 our biggest effort yet, for research and assistance for people with this difficult road. All I had to do was ride 50 kms – my effort was minimal. My donors are awesome!
