Getting to Know the Mishawaka Team: Meet Hannah Ash
My purpose is to spread positivity. I create meaning by focusing on the good and making others feel valued.
Hannah Ash joined Howard Bailey Financial in August 2018. Since then, she’s been a valuable member of the team and the Mishawaka office. Hannah helps bring positivity and is a welcoming face to clients at the office and live events. We talked to Hannah about her background in financial planning, why she loves being a part of the First Impressions Team, and what she enjoys most about the Mishawaka area.
Q: Where did you go to school? What did you study?
A: I went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and I studied financial planning. My major was in agriculture and consumer economics, but I had a concentration in financial planning. It’s a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) board-certified program, meaning I could sit down for the CFP® exam at any time and take it.
Q: What drew you to Howard Bailey Financial?
A: I knew I didn’t want to work for a broker/dealer, so I was looking for a firm that offered more comprehensive financial planning. I came from a family-owned employer, so I was looking more for that environment than “corporate” America. The family atmosphere that was shown through the website and during the interviews really appealed to me.
Q: What does your average workday look like?
A: It’s different every day. Not one day is the same, which is nice because it keeps it exciting and interesting. I greet clients when they come in, talk to them and get to know them. I field calls from clients, make sure all files are pulled and ready for reviews, and schedule appointments. I try to help out where I can, when I can.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
A: The most rewarding part of my job is hearing peoples’ stories. We help them reach certain goals or realize they can retire. It’s really rewarding seeing clients from the beginning of the relationship with us, to the current status of their relationship.
Q: What role do you play at live dinner events?
A: I work all the live dinner events here in the Mishawaka area, which has been nice. I’ve had to work on my public speaking a little bit, and that’s been a good challenge – to hone in on my public speaking skills. I always like to meet all the people that come to the events and chat with them. I sit and talk with the clients for a while and try to get to know them – I try to leave an impression on them that we’re there not to just schedule an appointment, but also to get to know them on a deeper level.
Q: We know you have a pet dog. Can you tell us about him?
A: Oskee is a 2 ½-year-old Black Golden-Doodle and he’s the best dog ever! People always ask where his name comes from. Oskee comes from where I went to college. It’s part of the fight song at the University of Illinois. He’s very cute and fluffy. He’s the best, my pride and joy.
Q: You've also just bought a new home. How is homeownership going?
A: Homeownership has been a whirlwind. There’s a lot that goes into it and it’s been a real eye-opening experience. I like to garden and plant all my spring flowers. My favorite flowers are hydrangeas; we planted a few bushes and it’s been exciting to see those start to pop up. I like to do projects around the house. Gardening is relaxing and it’s fun to do.
Q: Do you have any other things you like to do in the Mishawaka area?
A: We go to the dog park a lot. We go and get coffee and take our fur-baby, Oskee, on a walk in the dog park. There are a few state parks we’ve gone to around the area, like Potato Creek State Park. We have a lot of great neighbors so we will spend a lot of time with them, which has been really nice.
Q: How would you define your purpose and meaning?
A: My purpose is to spread positivity. I create meaning by focusing on the good and making others feel valued.