Hidden Gems: Meet Jean Marie Dillon of Freedom Financial Counseling, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Marie Dillon

Hi Jean Marie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
On March 10, 2000, I worked in human resources for a nonprofit hospital. This time was also known for the dot.com bust–when the tech stocks plummeted, and fortunes disappeared in a day. After this tragic event, a nurse working at the hospital came into my office crying. She told me she couldn’t retire because she lost almost 75% of her retirement account in the dot.com bust. Fifty-seven years old and only a few years from retirement, she invested all her 401(K) in a tech fund.

She asked me for advice. I was powerless to help her. It was at that moment that I realized something needed to be done.

I endeavored to offer more for employees. I earned my CFP® certification five years later and became a CFP® Professional. I devoted the rest of my career to financial literacy and education, first in the workplace, offering education to employees, and then in my private practice, Freedom Financial Counseling, LLC.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My purpose in obtaining CFP® certification became my North Star. I knew my destination.

However, I lacked confidence in myself, not my abilities, but what I had to offer had value to others. Money matters to a client can be very personal and sometimes shameful. People often need help but are afraid to ask for it. I had to dig deep down to find truckloads of empathy and make clients feel comfortable with me. Over the years, I realized I had much to offer, that it wasn’t me; clients must overcome distrust before they are willing to come forward and open up about their money issues.

As you know, we’re big fans of Freedom Financial Counseling, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As a CFP® Professional and Accredited Financial Counselor®, I aim to help my clients learn to help themselves. Believing everyone should have the tools and skills to shape their financial future, I offer my clients counseling and education to help them achieve their goals and dreams.

I provide a sales-free approach.

Whether you have student loans, credit card debt, or thousands to invest in, it doesn’t matter. My clients are not turned away for failing to have a minimum net worth because I offer counseling in a sales-free practice. I maintain a vetted network of legal and investment professionals.

I offer Inclusive counseling.

I have worked with military service members and their spouses, minorities, individuals, couples, college students, and employer groups. Anyone wishing to improve their financial well-being through financial counseling is welcome.

I achieve successful results.

My clients have overcome anything from five-figure credit card debt to systematically paying off six-figure educational loans. They have invested and grown their retirement, emergency, and college savings through structured guidance. Together, my clients and I meet their goals.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Make sure to take time for yourself. Throwing yourself into entrepreneurship will suck all of your time. Be sure to offer yourself grace, self-compassion, and self-love. Know when to take a time-out. Know when to curl up with that book you want to read. Veg out with that Netflix series that you have wanted to binge. Don’t let your business consume you; it will if you let it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.freedomfinancialcounseling.org
• Instagram: @jeanmdillon
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedomfinancialcounseling
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/Puxy2kJ1bmY