Gideon Sims

What is your superpower?

Deep analysis aimed at adaptive perspective. I look deep and wide and examine all angles and outcomes.

What makes you unique?

Analyzing your situation and goals through multiple lenses. It’s really important in financial planning to not just accept the first answer or the most obvious path. There are lots of ways to get to where you want to go, so I map out all the possibilities.

What are your beliefs about the financial planning profession?

Investment returns are just a small part of what we do.

What’s the most fun part of your job?

My coworkers! Cook Wealth has the best team.

What particular client personality or circumstance are you most drawn to?

Young savers. I empathize, and I like the idea of sharing in their milestone achievement with them over time.

Tell a personal story that has helped motivate you to improve the financial situation of yourself and your clients or community.

My high school didn’t offer any finance classes. My first job was stocking the dairy freezer at the grocery store for minimum wage. The shifts were long and my hands were cold. Stocking the freezer gave me plenty of time to think about what job I wanted someday, how little I knew about money management, and how important it would be for me to master financial planning to build the future I wanted. It occurred to me that I could not only use financial expertise for myself, but also help others along the way.

I knew I wanted to be a financial advisor, but I also knew I couldn’t afford college. It was really important to me to graduate debt-free so I could have the best start toward financial independence, so I enlisted in the Army Reserves.

Serving in the Army has taught me a lot about discipline and work ethic; it’s required me to give my best even when it’s difficult and to find a way to work well with anyone – skills I continue to refine as a planner.

I’m more motivated than ever to set clear goals and monitor my progress. My fiancée and I are making plans and dreaming big, and I’m grateful to help Cook Wealth clients do the same.