VALUES, MONEY, AND THE UNTHINKABLE

I have always been interested in money, and at the age of nine, my mom remembers me saying I was going to live in a big city and work with people’s money. Other career aspirations came and went, but the one that stayed strong was financial service. As my interest in money and markets increased, so did my thirst for success and to make a lot of money. Despite being raised in a rural, blue-collar town where having lots of money is not necessarily a thing, I knew I wanted financial independence by landing a six-figure compensation plan early in my career and become a multi-millionaire before reaching retirement. At the time, I did not put much thought on my values surrounding my dream, but instead, I simply focused on the steps to attain my dream.

Fast forward to the end of my senior year at Miami University where I secured a position with a global investment company as a financial advisor. My position had me staying in Cincinnati, but I would travel to New York City for three weeks to complete my required training. While Cincinnati was not the big city I dreamed of working in, at least, I was going to get a taste of one of the most amazing cities with the hopes to secure a permanent position later in NYC. I was definitely headed in the right direction to make big money and fast.

The Unthinkable

Tuesday, September 11, 2001, was my second day of training in the World Trade Center South Tower. After our first training session, we took a short break where I could see the Statue of Liberty on the most beautiful day from the 61st floor conference room. I remember thinking to myself, “What an opportunity!” That is how I started that morning that I would like to forget but can’t.

A moment later, people were drawn to the window with confusion and stunned faces. From afar, I could see burning papers floating outside the window with trails of smoke. Immediately, I reacted by grabbing a co-worker and telling him that we needed to get out now. I remember I asked a corporate trainer where the nearest staircase was located, ran to grab my cell phone and headed to the staircase where I started running and jumping down the stairs as fast as I could. I had to slow down as more people filled the narrow staircase, too.

Then, an eerie, hollow, ringing sound of steel and aluminum clinging together filled the air. The staircase shook as if the massive tower was Jell-O and the sounds of fear from floors above rang down the staircase along with the smell of gas. I was scared, but I stayed calm and prayed silently as I continued down the staircase to safety. Eventually, I reached the bottom of the staircase that led to the pitch-black mall area, and thankfully, there were a few officers guiding us toward the exit.

Once I got outside the tower, I was hit with a whirlwind of police, firefighters and sirens and ran across the street that was filled with people looking up at the towers in shock and horror. Within seconds, I saw two co-workers that I recognized from Ohio, and as I ran over to them, that is when I saw the devastation of the North and South Towers. That image coupled with a sense of urgency lead me and my two co-workers to start walking a few blocks away. Thankfully, I listened to my intuition because shortly after vacating the area, the South Tower started to collapse and crumble.

Looking Back

The next morning as I was heading back to Cincinnati, I looked back at Manhattan’s skyline filled with smoke and ash. It felt surreal that I survived a terrorist attack, and within thirty six hours, I would be consumed with an outpouring of love, well wishes, and hugs from family and friends. I was happy to be home, but I knew that there was a lesson to be learned from this horrific event which in time would come to me.

The months after I returned home, I took time to reevaluate my life by taking a slower pace. I prayed, spent time with family and friends, and served as a substitute elementary school teacher. As the months progressed, I realized I still wanted financial independence and success, but the missing piece was including my personal values parallel to my professional journey. When I started to lead a value-laden life alongside my professional aspirations, my life clicked.

Three years after September 11th, I married the love of my life, Cassie, and I started a new career with an investment firm in Kentucky that lead me to live in Philadelphia, PA for almost five years. That professional transition opened up opportunities for great financial success while maintaining and improving my values of family, community, acceptance, patience, and faith. I learned that it is not all about making it big, but you need to have a strong foundation of values to help you along the way.

How My Experience Affected Me

I am beyond grateful that I survived the September 11th attacks, and I was given more time to experience life and fulfill my dreams. I now am a father to three beautiful sons and happily married for almost 15 years. I have traveled the world, shared laughs with friends, lived in three different cities, volunteered with youth athletics, obtained my CFP® certification, and now as an advisor and CFP®, I incorporate my professional goals with my passion and values of helping others plan by assisting my clients to align their financial goals with their core values. It is not just about money. I remind my clients when money and professional goals are connected with personal values, it shapes how they save, spend, invest, and grow professionally. Values and money go hand-in-hand, and I am thankful to learn that lesson and share that message.

In addition, JP Williams is the Founder of Pillar Wealth Group who lives and works near Columbus, Ohio. JP founded Pillar Wealth Group with over 17 years of experience and specializes in financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, risk management, college planning, and estate planning. Contact us today to get started with your financial wellness journey. Contact us today to schedule an introductory meeting!