Hazel Secco of Align Financial Solutions On 5 Things To Look For When Hiring a Financial Planner or Financial Adviser

First, find an independent financial advisor. Having worked with big agencies and financial institutions, I understand how pay structures and product recommendations are influenced. This is why I chose to become an independent financial advisor. As I grew both personally and professionally, I realized how much I value autonomy. I prefer to learn and discover things for myself rather than being told what to do, even if it’s the right thing. This need for independence didn’t align with the culture of large firms that dictate sales for bonuses. My focus is on serving my clients, not the firms. So, when looking for a financial advisor, prioritizing independence is key.

As part of our series about what one should look for when hiring a financial planner or adviser, I had the pleasure of interviewing Hazel Secco.

Hazel Secco is the founder and CEO of Align Financial Solutions and a Certified Financial Planner passionate about empowering women to take control of their financial futures with confidence. With over a decade of experience, she has observed a significant disparity in the relationship between female clients and financial advisors. Hazel is dedicated to closing this gap by providing high-quality advice and advocacy for women.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to ‘get to know you’ a bit more. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Thank you so much for having me. I started my career right after college, where I majored in psychology because I was fascinated by how people make decisions and wanted to understand my own family dynamics. When I thought deeply about what I was most passionate about and how I could make the greatest impact, I realized it was about relieving people’s anxiety and stress about their finances.

Growing up, I was always stressed about money and had a constant fear of becoming homeless due to my father’s gambling addiction and my parents’ unstable and unhealthy relationship. This background gave me a form of PTSD around money, where I always felt I needed more to feel secure. That’s when I became determined to help others avoid these feelings and reach their financial freedom by providing clear, efficient pathways.

Can you share a story about the most humorous mistake you made when you were first starting in the industry? Can you tell us what lesson or takeaway you learned from that?

This isn’t necessarily humorous, but looking back, it’s funny to remember how terrified I was of not knowing everything during client meetings early in my career. I always made sure to have a more experienced financial advisor with me to avoid being caught off guard by something I didn’t know. During the meetings, he would keep asking me questions, and I still felt the need for his presence in case I tripped up. What I realized was that it wasn’t about my skill set; it was my imposter syndrome kicking in, making me believe everyone else knew more. The lesson I learned is that when we acknowledge our weaknesses and bring them to the surface, they lose their power over us. Now, when I feel scared about not knowing everything, I think about this situation, laugh, and remind myself that I can do it.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

I created the Women’s Wealth Club to normalize conversations about women and money. While there’s a lot of talk about pay and health equity, I believe there’s also a need for “advice equity.” Even today, women are significantly underrepresented in financial advisory spaces. Women breadwinners, single women, and women in major life transitions often don’t receive the same quality of advice as their male counterparts because traditional financial advisors would typically only focus on men. I want to change this trend and empower women by elevating their wealth and reclaiming their financial independence and power.

Are you able to identify a “tipping point” in your career when you started to see success? Did you start doing anything different? Is there a takeaway or lesson that others can learn from that?

The tipping point in my career happens every day. It might sound cliché, but I genuinely believe in learning something new and experiencing micro successes daily because I want my clients to see that for themselves too. Not just financially speaking but in life, we need more celebrations, especially as women. We are amazing at celebrating others but are often stingy with ourselves. If I were to answer the question you meant to ask, the tipping point for me seems to be after two years of new projects. You plant the seeds and might not see results immediately, but persistence and belief in your core mission eventually lead to success.

I am a very impatient person. I mean, I am Korean — haha! (Korean people are known for being antsy and impatient). Building a business while raising two active toddlers has definitely taught me incredible lessons about patience.

What three pieces of advice would you give to your colleagues in the finance field to thrive and avoid burnout? Can you give a story or example?

Avoiding burnout in this field is really challenging. The financial services industry is constantly evolving with AI, new software, and changing standards. It often feels impossible to keep up. Remember, there’s never a time when you have nothing to do. As your business grows, so will your responsibilities.

My first piece of advice is to take mindful breaks. Growing up in South Korea, I learned to always go faster and keep doing more. I call this the “Korean disease.” But it’s crucial to give yourself a rest for both business operations and your own health. If necessary, schedule days off in your calendar. Spend these days with family or friends, away from the office and your phone, to recharge and refresh your mind.

Second, treat yourself with the same care you give your clients. You need to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. It’s hard, but it’s necessary for long-term success. Third, establish boundaries. Whether it’s not responding to clients or staff after 6 pm or setting other limits, stick to them to reclaim your personal time.

I feel like I’m talking to myself here, but these three tips are crucial: take breaks, care for yourself, and set boundaries. Our clients depend on us, so we need to take care of ourselves too!

Ok. Thank you for all of that. Let’s now move to the core focus of our interview. As an “finance insider”, you know much more about the finance industry than most consumers. If your loved one wanted to hire a financial advisor (not you :-)), which 5 things would you advise them to find out about before committing? Can you give an example or story for each?

First, find an independent financial advisor. Having worked with big agencies and financial institutions, I understand how pay structures and product recommendations are influenced. This is why I chose to become an independent financial advisor. As I grew both personally and professionally, I realized how much I value autonomy. I prefer to learn and discover things for myself rather than being told what to do, even if it’s the right thing. This need for independence didn’t align with the culture of large firms that dictate sales for bonuses. My focus is on serving my clients, not the firms. So, when looking for a financial advisor, prioritizing independence is key.

Second, look for a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). The title “financial advisor” isn’t well-protected, and anyone, including many insurance salespeople, can claim it. This is why financial advisors sometimes have a reputation for being pushy. However, those who are genuinely committed to their profession and passionate about providing the best service will have earned their CFP designation. This certification ensures they have the proper knowledge and dedication to help you effectively.

Third, ensure your financial advisor acts as a fiduciary. This ties back to choosing an independent financial advisor and a CFP. A fiduciary is legally obligated to act in your best interest, above all else. While the term is becoming more familiar to the public, many people still don’t think to ask. Unfortunately, there are still many unqualified advisors who often sell some products and then disappear. That’s not the experience you want. Your advisor should understand you and prioritize what’s most important to you.

Fourth, consider their specialization. Depending on your stage of life and your most important financial goals, you should look at the specific demographics they work with or their areas of expertise. This ensures they are familiar with your specific concerns and the financial areas you want to optimize. For example, I work with single women and women breadwinners, and I have a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designation. I help women prepare for their financial future while navigating the divorce process, focusing on what’s important to them in their new financial life. So, don’t hesitate to ask about the typical clients they work with.

Fifth, ensure the advisor collaborates with your estate planning attorney and accountant. A financial advisor plays a crucial role in your overall life, including estate planning and taxes. They should be able to communicate with these professionals when needed and act as a liaison to effectively convey your wishes, ensuring your financial plan aligns with all aspects of your life.

I think most people think that financial advisors are for very wealthy people. This is likely not actually true. Can you explain who would most benefit from hiring a financial advisor and why? Can you give an example?

Traditionally, financial advisors were primarily for the wealthy, but today, many offer hourly consulting or ongoing financial planning without requiring assets under management. The key is to find one that best fits your needs, depending on your life stage and what you hope to gain from the professional engagement.

People who are coachable and open-minded about new strategies and ideas benefit the most from working with a financial advisor. If someone wants to maintain complete control over their finances and is resistant to outside advice, they might not be ready for this partnership. Financial planning is also highly effective for those who want to be organized and learn new skills to manage their life more efficiently.

If you’re going through a life transition, it’s especially important to consult with a financial advisor. For example, if you’re suddenly widowed, not taking proactive steps can sometimes be costly, as there is a short window to take advantage of tax benefits during the year of your spouse’s death. Similarly, women going through divorce often struggle with the emotional and financial aspects simultaneously. Knowing what you want or need financially and communicating that effectively to a lawyer can be challenging.

I’ve seen many things go wrong during these major life transitions simply because people don’t know the right steps to take. That’s when you need a strategic partner to lean on and make collaborative decisions. Your future self will thank you.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

My husband, Rob, is someone I am extremely and forever grateful for because I couldn’t do it without him. Raising two little humans with him has been the best part of my life. I can’t imagine life without that because my focus is on making sure our children get the best, which means we empower ourselves to be the best version of ourselves, even when it’s difficult. Without my husband, I couldn’t have become the mom I am today, the business owner I am today, and the empowerer I am today. He believes in me more than I sometimes believe in myself. When I doubt myself, he’s there, encouraging and cheering me on. He told me I could when I didn’t think I could start my own company, and he supported me through my fear of giving birth in the surgery room. He lets me be who I am and who I want to be. He is my inspiration.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

A movement that would bring the most good to the most people is one that empowers more female leaders and increases women’s wealth. Join our Women’s Wealth Club, where we are all about that. As a woman, a mom of two daughters, and someone in a male-dominated industry, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of financial stability and empowerment. Having witnessed my family’s financial struggles, I understand the need for more power and wealth in the hands of women.

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hazel-secco and follow our company page: www.linkedin.com/company/align-financial-solutions.

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.