Chris Simich: Mastering Comprehensive Financial Planning at American Heritage Financial

Ever wondered what it takes to create a rock-solid financial plan tailored just for you? Join us on the Good Neighbor Podcast as we sit down with Chris Simich, managing partner and financial advisor at American Heritage Financial in Hoover. Chris's journey from a summer job caddying in Chicago to becoming a seasoned financial expert is nothing short of inspiring. He shares how a mentor’s advice to master both financial services and insurance products has shaped his comprehensive approach to financial planning. Prepare to have your misconceptions about the industry shattered and discover why a personalized strategy is essential for financial success.

In this episode, Chris also reveals a personal story from his high school basketball days that taught him the importance of perseverance and resilience. Standing at six feet tall as a freshman, his coach doubted his potential, but Chris's determination and a fortunate growth spurt propelled him to play not only through high school but also in college. His story is a testament to hard work and dedication, qualities that he brings to his role at American Heritage Financial. Tune in to learn how these life lessons translate into his approach to helping individuals, families, and businesses secure their financial futures. #GNPBirmingham #ChrisSimich #AmericanHeritageFinancial #FinancialAdvisor #BirminghamFinancialAdvisor #BirminghamWealthManagement #Birmingham #HooverWealth #HooverInsurance #HooverFinancialAdvisor #Wealth #Retirement #RetirementPlanning

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Patricia Blondheim.

Speaker 2: 0:14

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. I'm your host, patricia Blondheim, and today we have good neighbor Chris Simich, and Chris is the managing partner and financial advisor for American Heritage Financial here in Hoover. Chris, if you'll just give me a moment, I'll go ahead and read the disclaimer here, which is offered through One America Securities Incorporated, a registered investment advisor member of FINRA SIPC. American Heritage Financial is not an affiliate of One America Securities and is not a broker dealer or registered investment advisor. Provided content is for overview and informational purposes only and is not intended and should not be relied upon as individualized tax, legal, fiduciary or investment advice. Chris, how are you today?

Speaker 3: 1:09

I'm great, Patricia. How are you doing this morning?

Speaker 2: 1:12

I'm doing a lot better. My tongue is all loosened up after that long disclaimer. But let's get to the fun part and talk about what it is that you do Tell us about your business.

Speaker 3: 1:33

Yes, so American Heritage Financial is a holistic financial planning firm. We help individuals, families and or businesses create a financial strategy to meet their protection and or accumulation goals, based upon their unique and specific goals.

Speaker 2: 1:44

Based upon their unique and specific goals. Chris, what inspired you to become a financial planner?

Speaker 3: 1:55

Can you tell us a little bit about your journey? Yeah, so I think people sort of stumble into the insurance and financial services business, which is me included. But my summer job was caddying in Chicago and I caddied for an individual who worked for a different financial services firm who gave me an opportunity. I really was interested in the markets but wanted to learn so much more on helping people create confidence in their future. So I had a mentor within that financial services firm early in my career and he told me that I needed to complement my learning, meaning just not just the financial services side, but to also include understanding how insurance products can or need to be an integral part in creating a comprehensive strategy for individuals, families and or businesses. My 20 plus years within the industry, within the insurance and financial services industry, has given me extensive experience, but also the understanding and knowledge of the vast array of products and services available to really be a thorough financial advisor for those we serve here at American Heritage Financial.

Speaker 2: 3:10

Chris, you must run into a lot of misconceptions. I mean, this is an industry that people are a little bit misinformed about and sometimes afraid, so let's counter that with some information. What sort of myths and misconceptions do you hear about your industry?

Speaker 3: 3:32

Well, I can only speak for myself and our organization. But we are not just trying to sell a product to somebody. When we meet with them, we are really and truly wanting to know each and everyone's individual story. We're not limited to just one company, but have many options to find the proper tools to build a customized and holistic financial plan for them.

Speaker 2: 4:01

Chris, can you describe a hardship or a life challenge that you vaulted over? You know that made you a different person and stronger Sure.

Speaker 3: 4:12

No, absolutely. I know we're doing a podcast here and you can't see me, but I am six foot six inches tall and I'm going to go back to my high school days, and it was my freshman year of high school and played basketball. And my basketball coach said that I would not make it playing basketball. And at that time I was six feet tall. I truly loved the sport and wanted to succeed at it. I knew that I wanted to play, not only throughout high school, but also in college. I could have given up on that, but that is not in my DNA, and knew that. You know what? I had to work diligently to get better every day to prove them wrong, Again them saying that I wasn't going to make it. And that was the point that I knew that either I had to work hard to achieve what I wanted or let someone else determine my path. I decided to work as hard as possible to achieve what I wanted to do, which was play, and give it everything I had.

Speaker 3: 5:14

I also had a growth spurt between my freshman and sophomore year of five inches, which really helped my cause, but I did continue to play throughout high school and it also provided me a path to play in college as well. When you want to achieve something, you determine what path you want to go and not let someone else's opinion dictate your path, and this is really the same mindset that I've had throughout my life and my career professional journey Work hard and go after what you want to go after.

Speaker 2: 5:45

Well, what would you like our readers to take away and remember about American Heritage Financial?

Speaker 3: 5:52

Yeah, I think it circles back to the myths and misconceptions that we spoke about earlier, but truly not everyone is trying to sell you something you know. With us here at American Heritage Financial, we take pride in listening first to what our clients are saying, then asking questions and working with them to build a financial plan that is tailored to them specifically. Each individual family and or business we speak and work with are unique in their own way, and our goal is to make sure that they have a roadmap in place that fits them, and not just trying to sell them something that does not fit their goals.

Speaker 2: 6:35

Chris, how can our listeners learn more about American Heritage Financial and reach out and contact you?

Speaker 3: 6:42

Well, I appreciate that, patricia. I can be reached at area code 205-602-7916 or via email at chrissimich at ahfplannerscom, and that's C-H-R-I-S-S-I-M-I-C-H at A, as in Apple H, as in Henry F, as in Frank plannerscom. Our office is located in Hoover, which is 1855 Data Drive Suite 250 in Hoover, alabama near the. Galleria. We would welcome the opportunity to sit with anyone to hear their story and see if we are able to help in any way.

Speaker 2: 7:28

And I will link to that inside the show notes. Chris, Thank you so much for coming by. I really enjoyed getting to know you and learning more about American Heritage Financial.

Speaker 3: 7:38

Well, patricia, I thank you for the opportunity. It's been a pleasure getting a chance to talk to you and meet you as well, and I enjoyed our conversation this morning.

Speaker 1: 7:49

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpbirminghamcom. That's gnpbirminghamcom, or call 205-952-0148.