By Carolyn Howard, CFP®

Life is full of transitions, some exciting and some challenging. Whether it’s a career change, a big move across the country, retirement, or the death of a loved one, it’s important to have a support system to help you through those times.

In my life, I have also experienced many transitions. For instance, I didn’t start my career as a financial advisor; for 17 years I worked in a completely different field, as an educator. It was my experience during that time, particularly with my financial situation, that led me to pursue new opportunities in the financial services industry. My intellectual curiosity, combined with a desire to understand my personal financial concerns and help others pursue their goals, is what ultimately led me to switch careers and become a financial advisor.

From Educator to Advisor

I’ve always loved analysis and had a knack for problem-solving. These skills have served me well both in my teaching and financial careers. While I loved teaching science, I began to realize my late husband and I needed help with our personal finances. So I began to read books and study independently, but I quickly realized I would need to do more than that if we wanted to get ahead. That’s when I decided to retire from teaching and transition to a career as a financial advisor—because there’s no better education than hands-on experience.

I started working for a large financial firm and developed a passion for finance. I realized I could still do what I loved (teaching) while helping others by using my skills of discovery and problem-solving. I was able to leverage my educational background to help clients gain clarity on their financial picture.

Branching Out

After working for another firm for years and obtaining the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, I realized I wanted to specialize as a retirement planning consultant for teachers, small businesses, and nonprofits. So, I started my first financial advising firm, Pegasus Advisors, in Boston, MA.

During this time, my late husband passed away and I eventually sold the company, staying on as a transition advisor for a couple of years. In 2013, I moved to Sarasota, FL, and soon after started my current firm, SeaCure Advisors. While I hadn’t planned on starting another firm, I realized that I still had value to offer by helping others navigate their life transitions as I had done. My son has joined me in this venture as a financial planner, and our firm provides comprehensive financial planning services for individuals and small businesses. We specialize in helping individuals in transition, particularly women after the death of a spouse or divorce, and we are honored to be a trusted partner on someone’s financial journey.

The Best Part

When I started my career in education, I never could have imagined how my life would change and how different it would be from what I had originally envisioned. But sometimes life’s twists and turns bring about better things. One of those is my role as a financial advisor. While the core of what I do hasn’t changed, the subject matter and method have. Ultimately, I’m still an educator.

As an educator in the financial field, I’m passionate about helping others understand their unique financial situation and how they can realize their financial goals. I particularly love working with women as they go through life’s transitions because I can relate to their experiences. It’s an honor to walk with someone through the difficult journey of being suddenly alone and helping to make that transition—at least financially—a little easier.

It Gets Better From Here

Working through the transitions of life can be challenging enough without having to worry about your finances. While you can’t go back to the past and do things differently, you can move forward and make changes that bring you closer to the financial future you dream of. I believe that working with a trusted financial advisor is the best way to help you navigate these decisions with clarity and confidence.

At SeaCure Advisors, our mission is to help people understand their unique financial picture, enjoy the wealth they have earned, and create a plan that allows for stability through life’s transitions. Schedule an introductory call online, call us at 877-328-4037, or email info@seacureadvisors.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

About Carolyn

Carolyn Howard is founder and managing member of SeaCure Advisors, a financial services firm committed to developing custom-tailored financial plans to help clients meet their specific goals and needs. Carolyn specializes as a retirement planning consultant for teachers, small businesses, and nonprofits. She loves educating others to understand their personal finances as they go through life's transitions. And as a widow herself, she understands the challenges women face as they go through widowhood and is motivated to help clients see light in a dark tunnel of grief and hold their hand through this difficult journey.

Carolyn has been featured in The Boston Globe, Money Magazine, and Dow Jones Wire and quoted in The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, among other publications. She is passionate about volunteering and staying active in her community through a number of organizations.

Carolyn holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Kentucky, a master’s degree from Boston University, and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. In her free time, she loves gardening, growing orchids, swimming, and cooking, especially with her grandchildren. To learn more about Carolyn, connect with her on LinkedIn.

Securities Offered through AAG Capital, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Accurate Wealth Management, LLC an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered through Accurate Advisory Group and sold through individually licensed and appointed agents in all appropriate jurisdictions.