Huldah Mathis, 32

After three years of working on a private wealth management team at SunTrust Bank, Huldah Mathis felt the call many others do in finance: to go entrepreneurial.

Mathis took that call to Northwestern Mutual, where she has built up her own financial management practice under a large corporate umbrella. “I wanted to have something I could grow,” Mathis says. “I want this to be my career, not a job.”

Mathis made the switch in 2008 — not the best time to get into a gig advising people on how and where to invest, given the recession that just began. But Mathis has grown her portfolio through word of mouth referrals and a heavy amount of networking. She’s also highly organized and responsive, which she says are two keys to her success. 

Mathis’ client base is diverse, but are mostly people in the pre-retirement phase, people who Mathis says who are successful enough to “let someone else help them with their financial decisions.”

— Mark Gordon

Q&A

Name: Huldah Mathis

Age: 32

City of residence: Bradenton

Twitter handle: I am probably one of the few who actually doesn’t have one

Employer: Northwestern Mutual

Title: Financial adviser

Birthplace: Belleair

Years on the Gulf Coast: 32

Marital status/children: Married to David, first baby due in December.

Alma mater: University of Florida

Best place to network: Any gathering that attracts people who are leaders in their field who love what they do. 

Coolest business experience: Having an opportunity to own a business in a place where most wait a whole career to retire to.

The most important business lesson I’ve learned: Have a short memory on failures and setbacks. Learn from them but move forward without dwelling on them.

One website that makes your job easier: LinkedIn

One community group you’re most involved with: Leadership Manatee (class of 2013/2014) was one of the best personal and professional experiences I have had since living here. I now sit on the board for the alumni association.

Favorite off-hours activity: Great food and wine with great friends.

What you would be doing if you could pick another career: This is a hard one but probably something that combined international travel and photography.

Most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Getting married, moving to a new city and starting a business all in the same year (which was 2008!)

What’s at the top of your bucket list: Traveling to either Spain or New Zealand while we still have friends/family living there and could experience life as a local.

What new skill would you like to learn: A new language. I have a degree in Spanish but would love to learn be able to speak another language.

If I had a magic wand I’d: Bring cooler weather to Florida for more than a few weeks a year!