About Marie 

I grew up with one clear lesson about money: there was never enough of it.

From an early age, I learned about evictions, repossessions, and financial hardship — long before I could even fully understand the terms. I watched my mother make choices that reflected the constant struggle for resources. She would write checks she knew wouldn't clear, and the field trip permission slip was an exercise in futility because there was no money for me to go. Too often, we had to choose between essentials like food or wants like lottery tickets and cigarettes, with the latter often taking priority.

At the time, it was frustrating to witness — but as I grew older, my career in financial services and the lessons I've learned in financial therapy helped me understand the deeper "whys" behind those choices. I came to realize that there was more to money management than simple numbers. It was often shaped by emotions, fears, and ingrained habits.

The financial struggles I faced growing up ultimately led me to a choice: I could repeat the same patterns and struggle throughout my life, or I could use my experiences to make smarter, more informed financial decisions. I chose the latter, and it set me on a path to financial services.

I stumbled into the industry during college and am now a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®. My journey has taught me the power of financial knowledge, and I'm passionate about helping others navigate their own financial challenges. What I love most about what I do is the ability to empower people to make informed decisions, break free from financial stress, and create a brighter future for themselves.

When my youngest was born premature, everything shifted. Returning to full-time, in-office work simply wasn't going to work for our family — and I wasn't willing to walk away from an industry I'd spent 15+ years building a career in. So I did what felt most natural: I found a way to stay in it, on my own terms. I'm a doer and a helper at my core, and it didn't take long to realize that solo advisors were out there trying to grow their practices with no support on the back end. That gap became Maker City Paraplanner — contracted paraplanning support for advisors who are ready to grow but aren't quite ready to hire. Two years in, it's been the best career decision I've ever made.

My family and I moved back to Michigan in the summer of 2025 to be closer to aging family after spending 11 years in beautiful Knoxville, Tennessee. We love spending time outdoors simply enjoying nature. I'm a proud mom to two active boys, and in my very limited free time, I am passionate about coffee, reading, exploring new places, and staying actively involved with the financial planning industry.