Born in a small New Hampshire town, Josh St. Laurent's early years were filled with hockey games, dirt bike rides, and adventures in the woods. The value of hard work was instilled in him from a young age; he entered the workforce at 15 and soon found himself juggling multiple jobs. While his work ethic set him apart, he realized he was working harder, not smarter. This realization ignited his quest to truly understand the world of finance.

The Shift to Finance

Josh self-financed his education through community college, increasingly focusing on finance. He later transferred to a local university to complete his bachelor's degree. His first professional experience in finance came with a role at a national insurance provider. Although enlightening, the job left him yearning for a more holistic approach to financial planning.

Overcoming Obstacles

After 18 months and seven job applications, Josh finally secured his dream job at a national financial firm. However, an unsettled credit card dispute from his teenage years led to the rescinding of his job offer. Undeterred, Josh spent months navigating the complexities of credit bureaus to rectify the issue—a humbling and educational experience. His persistence paid off, and he rejoined the firm six months later, marking the first time he would earn an annual salary exceeding $30,000.

A Diverse Financial Education

Over the next eight years, Josh gained a wealth of experience, working in various departments across multiple states. He specialized in different types of accounts and offered advice both over the phone and in person. During this period, he completed his bachelor's degree, earned his CFP certification, and began a master's program. His roles allowed him to interact with a diverse clientele, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the financial challenges and goals people face.

The Turning Point

Josh's last two and a half years in Silicon Valley proved transformative. He realized that helping the 99% catch up to the top 1% was far more fulfilling than making the wealthy even wealthier. Disenchanted with the impersonal, profit-over-people approach of the corporate finance world, he knew it was time for a change. This led to the birth of Wealth In Yourself, a firm that puts people and their life goals at the forefront of financial planning.