PYSK: Mindy McCubbin

Get to know Mindy McCubbin, Owner, Founder, and Financial Advisor, Truman Wealth Advisors

Job description

Every day, I try to inspire my tribe to live a life of “TruWealth.” I focus on empowering clients to compound both their money and their knowledge about their money.  

Professional background

I started my career in financial management at The Boeing Company. Thirteen years ago, I moved to Columbia and embarked on an amazing adventure managing investment portfolios for Shelter Insurance. Truman Wealth Advisors started as a “side gig,” leveraging my institutional knowledge to help individuals with their wealth. It evolved into a full-time venture earlier this year. I have a degree in finance from Truman State University and an MBA from Saint Louis University, as well as the chartered financial consultant certification. I spent six years on the Truman State University Foundation Board as chair of the investment committee, and I am currently on the board of the Heart of Missouri United Way.

Hometown

Belleville, Illinois.

Quote you live by

“Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.”  — Maya Angelou 

A Columbia finance leader you admire and why

I admire Kathleen Bruegenhemke, the chief operations and risk officer at Hawthorn Bank. She is strong, smart, and fun. I know that it’s not easy to be a woman executive in financial services, but she makes it look easy.  

How you got into your profession

I have always been a bit obsessed with the concept of compound interest and finding ways to make money work for you (so you don’t have to work for money). When I started working in investment management, I found myself drawn to the intellectual challenge of portfolio theory combined with the art of designing a portfolio for a specific purpose. Finally, I am a “relational” person, so I like working on a human level directly with clients. This led me on the path to starting my own investment and financial planning firm.

Why you are passionate about your job

There is nothing more satisfying than guiding a client to achieve a truly meaningful financial goal. Whether that is embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, establishing a charitable foundation, or investing and planning wisely so they “emancipate” themselves from work for the rest of their lives — getting to see client dreams become reality is what ignites me. I am wildly passionate about delivering successful outcomes for my clients.  

The next challenge facing the finance industry

The financial services industry is on the cusp of the biggest wealth transfer in history. Women control a third of all wealth today, but another $30 trillion is set to change hands in the next three to four decades. Women are both climbing the career ladder faster than ever and, given higher life expectancies, will likely inherit wealth from their spouses and aging parents. At the same time, the financial advisory profession is rapidly aging and dominated by male advisors. I started my firm recognizing the need for more women advisors that could connect to this expanding market.  

Family

I am happily married to Travis, my husband of 20 years. We have two wonderful and messy children: Riley, a junior at Rock Bridge High School, and Tyler, a fifth grader at Rock Bridge Elementary. We have a Second Chance mutt named Rogue that we all adore. My in-laws are lifelong Boone County natives (and distant relatives of Daniel Boone)!

Favorite place in Columbia

I love running the beautiful Columbia trails with a fantastic group of amazing women runners. We have traveled many miles together, and we always talk and share our stories and struggles while we run the MKT trail and Rock Bridge State Park.   

If you weren’t doing this for a living, you would

I would love to be a full-time surfing instructor, but I don’t have either the talent or the ocean in my backyard to make that a reality. Maybe someday!

An accomplishment you’re most proud of

Becoming a registered advisor and starting my own firm. Only 16% of financial advisors are women. Firms owned by women and/or minorities manage just 1.3% of the $69 trillion under management by the industry. It was an enormous risk to start a business in the middle of a pandemic, but I have the support of an amazing group of women from Equita Financial Network, which I am a member of.

A surprising fact about yourself

I have a hidden breakdancing talent, and every once in a while, I will bust out “the worm” on the dance floor.

Your goals for the future for Truman Wealth Advisors

I want to continue to build and expand the TruWealth community. My goal is to start not just a company, but a movement. True wealth is focused on optimizing your finances and investments and focused on creating a better design for your life. I started my company because I believe that exceptional people deserve true wealth. They deserve to live life by design and not by default. And, I am committed to guiding my clients who are motivated to achieve it.

Greatest strength

I am very competitive and enjoy the challenge of portfolio management. I could geek out on investment strategies, economics, and financial markets all day. But, I also like to simplify complex financial ideas for clients too.

Greatest weakness

Buffalo chicken dip.

Your favorite volunteer/community activity to do in Columbia

The United Way Day of Caring. I miss the “one community” feel of events like the Day of Caring, especially given the challenges of COVID-19. I am looking forward to a time we can have it in person again.

Biggest lesson you’ve learned through your career in finance

Your net worth does not equal your self-worth.  

Financial advice for others

If you don’t save your money, your money can’t save you. And while it’s important to save, you must also have a quality plan for how you want to be joyful in spending your wealth, both today and in the future. The most important element for financial happiness is knowing how your wealth can deliver more freedom, greater peace, and richer meaning in your life and for your family. That is what finding TruWealth is all about!