A New Chapter: Moving into Financial Planning
Changing career after 20 years is not something I took lightly.
Before joining Ella Rose Financial, I spent two decades as a professional musician and educator. It was a career I genuinely loved. Touring internationally, experiencing a wide range of musical projects, and working with different people every day.
That variety and human connection were a big part of what made it so rewarding.
But it was also a career that gave me first-hand experience of how unpredictable and unstructured finances can feel, particularly within creative industries.
That experience is a big part of what led me to financial planning.
Why Financial Planning?
My interest in personal finance has been there for a long time, but what really drew me into this profession was something broader.
It wasn’t just about understanding money.
It was about what money supports.
The decisions people delay.
The uncertainty they carry.
The feeling of not quite being in control.
What I’ve come to realise is that financial planning, done properly, is about helping people bring clarity and structure to their lives - so they can make more confident decisions over time.
In many ways, it also reflects what I enjoyed most about my previous career - working closely with people, understanding their individual situations, and being part of something that supports them in a meaningful way.
Learning While Doing
Alongside starting my role at Ella Rose Financial, I’m continuing to study towards my qualifications.
What’s been particularly valuable is being able to connect what I’m learning with what I’m seeing in practice. Concepts that can feel quite theoretical when studied on their own start to make much more sense when you see how they apply to real people and real situations.
It’s given me a much clearer understanding of how everything fits together - from the technical side of planning through to how advice is delivered in a way that’s personal and meaningful.
The First Few Weeks at ERF
Even in the first couple of weeks, I’ve been exposed to a wide range of experiences.
I’ve had the opportunity to:
Sit in on client meetings
Build cashflow plans and see them come to life in practice
Start getting to know different providers
And begin to understand the importance of compliance in everything we do
It’s been a steep learning curve - but a really valuable one.
Being able to observe how financial planning is delivered in practice has been particularly insightful. It’s one thing to learn theory, but seeing how it’s applied to real people and real situations brings it to life in a completely different way.
Learning from Experience
I’m learning a huge amount from Ella Davies, both technically and in how she works with clients, which has been incredibly valuable so early on.
Having the opportunity to learn from someone with her level of experience in my first role is something I really value.
What stands out most is the focus on people.
Understanding clients, their families, and what matters to them, before any recommendations are even considered.
A Different Perspective
Coming from a non-traditional background, I’m aware that many people don’t feel that financial planning is “for them”.
This is especially true for those working in creative industries, or for anyone with income that isn’t predictable or straightforward.
Part of what I hope to do as I progress in this profession is help make financial planning feel more accessible - less intimidating, and more relevant to real life.
Looking Ahead
There’s still a lot to learn, and my brain has definitely felt it over the past couple of weeks, but in a good way!
I’m looking forward to continuing to build my knowledge and experience, and to playing a part in helping people feel more confident and in control of their finances over time.