Headshot photo of Zachary Cole, Volunteer Financial Mentor @ 3rd Decade

Volunteer Financial Mentor

Zachary Cole

CFP®, Series 65, Series 7
Passionate About...
Insurance Investing Outside of Retirement Student Loans

I’ve always been fascinated by people—their stories, their challenges, and the choices that shape their lives. Moving often as a kid, I made friends in countless neighborhoods, schools, and quiet corners of the Ozarks, among families of all backgrounds and circumstances. Those experiences taught me early on that genuine connection is the foundation for understanding—and for helping—others.

From knocking on doors to mow lawns or shovel snow to earning my first paycheck at 14 as a groundskeeper, I learned the value of hard work and the satisfaction of charting my own course.
That same drive eventually led me into finance, beginning behind the teller window. There, I discovered how much of a difference the right guidance can make in someone’s life, and I wanted to be able to offer more. Neither of my parents went to college and I had to take on student loans and grants, yet I pursued my bachelor’s degree in finance with a specialization in financial planning at Missouri State University, a CFP Board Certified Education Partner, and passed the CFP® exam shortly after graduation.

Today, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible individuals and families from every stage and walk of life, from coast to coast, with a special appreciation for those navigating the early steps of building a secure financial future—people who, like me, are motivated to move forward and simply need a trusted partner in their corner. I believe financial literacy should be within everyone’s reach, and my approach blends practicality with optimism: plan well for tomorrow, but make room to enjoy today. Away from the office, I find joy in fly fishing quiet streams, diving into a good book, attending church, exploring new places with my wife, gathering with friends and family, and rooting for the OKC Thunder and Kansas City Chiefs—long before the bandwagons were full.

Get to Know Zachary

What is a book or film that changed your life? Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Ferris’s unapologetic joy for life is a reminder that while planning and preparation are important, you can’t forget to actually live! It’s a lighthearted reminder that oftentimes the most valuable investment is in your own happiness, which comes from neither cars nor money.
What is a quote you like to live by? "“I have no stones to throw.” Inspired by John 8:7, these words remind me to approach others with humility, grace, and understanding."
What is something unique you'd like us to know about you? I never took the ACT or SAT—a choice I wouldn’t necessarily recommend. It made my eventual decision to attend college, and the admissions process, a bit more… creative than most. In hindsight, it’s part of what shaped my unconventional path and reinforced that there’s rarely only one route to where you want to go. It's never too late to better yourself!