Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Roberge, the founder of Beyond Your Hammock. Just like a personal trainer, Eric helps you create a customized program to achieve your financial goals, providing guidance and support along the way.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Eric. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
10 years ago, at age 27, I made a decision that surprised my friends and family and made a huge impact on my life. I left my comfortable job as an investment analyst at JP Morgan Chase to venture out into the unknown. I started my career as an independent financial planner in 2007, right before the economy crashed.
The next few years were financially challenging to say the least, and my situation forced me to pay close attention to my finances. I learned firsthand the difference proper money management can make, and how focusing on the fundamentals can lead to financial success. At the same time, I also learned that the only way to create the life I envisioned was to work on myself, and to never settle for what seemed adequate, both personally and professionally.
After spending 6 years in my new career working for several small financial planning firms and developing the right money habits for myself, I became frustrated that I couldn’t provide objective advice to my peers, professionals in their 30s and 40s making good money and in need of sound financial guidance.
It was then that I realized that I needed to take yet another leap and start my company. So, at the age of 33 I learned the true meaning of the term boot strapping. I found a job as a waiter at a restaurant in Salem, MA (where I lived at the time) to earn enough money to (barely) cover the rent while I created my vision.
BYH isn’t your traditional financial planning firm, and I wish I could have captured the looks and comments I received from traditional financial advisors when they heard about what I was doing. “You can’t work with younger people,” they’d say. “Most of them don’t have enough money. Plus, they don’t need financial help until they are ready to retire.” They would then tell me my business model wasn’t going to work. That’s because I charge for my services in a different way. I actually offer a monthly subscription service (like a gym membership), which is virtually unheard of in my industry. This was just more proof that the financial planning industry was broken.
It turns out they were wrong. My business model does work and I have 4 years of success to prove it. I now spend my days helping clients organize their finances and create practical financial strategies that provide clarity and peace of mind. I also educate students about the value of money and speak to other financial planners at conferences across the country to transform the way financial advice is delivered in our society.
Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” I’m here to help those who think they can achieve financial freedom actually do it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The short answer is, no. This hasn’t been a smooth road. There were many times when I thought I had made the worst decision of my life. That’s what happens when you hit a rough patch after taking a major detour in what looked like a promising career in the corporate world.
I remember lying awake at night too anxious and stressed to actually go to sleep. And then when I did fall asleep, I woke up feeling exhausted. All I could do was get out of bed and continue to work toward my vision. It’s really hard to continue to build something from scratch when there is no existing business that has proven that it will work. You just have to keep the faith that you’re moving in the right direction.
Sometimes I’d feel success was just around the corner. But then I’d suffer a setback with the business and suddenly everything would get cloudy again. Or, I’d come across a success story about how another person built an amazing business and that hit me hard. I’m very competitive and seeing others succeed is bittersweet. I couldn’t help but think it was great for them, but at the same time, I would beat myself up over the fact that it wasn’t me. Building a business is as much about handling your emotions as it is about making sound business decisions. The two go hand in hand.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Beyond Your Hammock story. Tell us more about the business.
My company provides objective financial guidance to successful professionals in their 30s and 40s. I don’t sell products or make commissions which means that there isn’t an inherent conflict of interest built into my advice. I help my clients choose the best strategy for them after we lay out all the options.
To the average person, the above may seem ordinary. Except, it’s not. Most financial advisors are not true fiduciaries, which means that their advice doesn’t have to be in your best interest. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. And those who do provide objective advice are typically doing it for older, wealthier clients. They don’t focus much on the up and coming people who are starting families, creating businesses, buying a first home or merging their finances with a spouse. And, that’s what I do best.
My goal is to help as many people as I can. It’s what drives me to do what I do. I do that by being authentic and real with people. If I can’t help you, I’ll tell you so, but then I’ll connect you to the person who can. It’s all about karma. What you put out into the world comes back to you.
I am creating a life that I love while simultaneously helping other people do the same thing. It’s an amazing place to be and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.
- Beyond Your Hammock was named one of the 17 Best Financial Advisors in Boston in 2017 by Expertise.com
- One of 2016’s “40 Under 40” financial advisors by InvestmentNews
- One of 2016’s top 10 CFPs under 36 by Wealth Management Magazine
- One of 2016’s Top 10 Young Advisors to Watch by Financial Advisor Magazine
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is a mindset. Some people might see a negative occurrence as bad luck. I see it as an opportunity to learn and improve for the next time. When something negative happens to us, we have a split second before we react. In that split second, we can choose to react negatively and continue the downward spiral, or we can react positively and begin to move forward.
Certain people may have more good things happen to them than others, but that’s not by accident. Good luck is about preparation. The better prepared you are, the more luck you will have.
Contact Info:
- Address: 50 Milk Street, 15th Fl
Boston, MA 02118 - Website: www.beyondyourhammock.com
- Phone: 978-273-3135
- Email: eric@beyondyourhammock.com
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