Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Noyola.
Hi Samuel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story begins with the profound sacrifices made by my parents, who hailed from the Dominican Republic with scarce resources. Their upbringing was shaped by rural life, with farming and fishing as primary sustenance. Despite their aspirations, they never had the opportunity to pursue higher education. Seeking a brighter future, they embarked on a perilous journey by boat to Puerto Rico, where I was born. This move separated us from most of our family, who remained in the Dominican Republic. At 16, we ventured to the United States, settling in New Jersey before finding our footing in Cleveland, Ohio. In the US, my family engaged in various entrepreneurial endeavors, from landscaping to small-scale businesses like painting and cleaning. Despite the language barrier, we saw promise in Cleveland and decided to make it our home. Understanding the sacrifices made for my education, I diligently pursued scholarships and started businesses to fund my studies. From selling items online to managing a painting franchise, I embraced entrepreneurship while attending community college. Transferring to Cleveland State University, I focused my studies on accounting and finance. During my junior year, I secured a prestigious internship in finance, which illuminated the importance of financial planning in securing one’s future. Witnessing my community’s lack of financial guidance, I felt compelled to make a difference. This led to the founding of my financial planning practice, driven by the desire to educate and empower others like I wish someone would have done with my parents. Now, after nearly seven years, I remain committed to serving my community, ensuring that everyone has access to comprehensive financial planning regardless of their background.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest hurdles was mastering English to graduate high school. With only a year and a half in the United States, I needed to improve my English writing skills to pass the Ohio graduation test. Despite failing several times, I eventually succeeded and moved on to college. Balancing work and school was another struggle—I worked 30 to 35 hours a week while attending classes full-time, scheduling all my courses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from morning to night, and leaving the rest of the week for work. Spending almost a year in college taking extra ESL classes to prepare for college-level courses in accounting and finance added to the challenge.
Starting my financial planning practice also came with its share of setbacks. I failed the insurance and investments licensing exams four times before finally succeeding. Building a client base was also challenging; coming from a family without college graduates or connections in professional fields made networking difficult. Unlike typical college students, I didn’t have the luxury of participating in campus activities or joining fraternities—I was either working or in class. However, thanks to my parents’ teachings about saving, building credit, and investing wisely, I understood the importance of financial literacy from a young age.
Launching a financial planning practice at 21 in an industry dominated by older Caucasian advisors presented its challenges. But my determination, fueled by the sacrifices my family made for my opportunities, my commitment to my client’s well-being, and my faith, provided the resilience needed to overcome obstacles and build a thriving practice.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Changing Generations Financial?
As the founder and CEO of Changing Generations Financial, I wake up every morning driven by the opportunity to make a lasting impact on families and businesses. We serve clients across 15 states, specializing in four key areas of financial planning: cash flow, protection, wealth accumulation, and preservation. What distinguishes us is our unique approach:
- We prioritize building deep connections with our clients and getting to know them personally, professionally, and financially. We even assist clients in planning their honeymoons, underscoring our commitment to understanding their needs holistically.
- Education is paramount to us. Inspired by my desire to equip families with the financial knowledge I wish my own had received, we go the extra mile to simplify complex concepts and ensure our clients fully grasp their financial plans before taking action.
- Our review process underscores our commitment to accountability and trust.
Every six months, we engage in thorough review conversations with our clients, adapting their plans to align with evolving goals. ‘Changing Generations Financial’ encapsulates our mission: with every client we serve, we endeavor to transform their financial trajectory for the better.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My journey has been supported by numerous mentors and organizations, from my high school graduation to the establishment and growth of my financial planning business. This spirit of gratitude fuels my dedication to community service. I serve on several boards, including the Bridge Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Ohio, the NOACA Emerging Leaders Advisory Council, The Telos Leadership Foundation, and El Club Dominicano De Cleveland. Our commitment to education extends beyond individual clients—we conduct educational presentations across Ohio and beyond, reaching high schools, colleges, first-time homebuyers, and financial literacy programs. Our dedication to community service has been recognized, earning me the title of Rising Star of the Year 2023 by Cuyahoga Community College and Financial Planner of the Year for 2023 in Ohio by Northwestern Mutual’s Cleveland office. Additionally, our team achieved a record for the most clients acquired in a year among financial advisors with less than ten years in business.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuelnoyola13?igsh=MWtmZGtzeW52Y2piZw==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelnoyola?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
