Advice for first-gen financial professionals

In Episode #33 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with Uziel Gomez, CFP®, AFC®, Founder of Primeros Financial, a virtual, fee-only financial planning firm dedicated to empowering first-generation wealth builders, helping them take control of their finances and use money to live life by design—intentionally and aligned with their values.

Gomez shares his personal and professional journey as a first-generation wealth builder and next-generation financial planner, highlighting the unique challenges that minorities and first-generation professionals face when building wealth without a family blueprint. He highlights themes such as navigating complex financial systems with little to no guidance, balancing cultural and familial responsibilities, and reconciling the tug-of-war between scarcity mindsets and overspending tendencies.

Gomez speaks openly about the emotional pressures that come with being both a provider and a trailblazer - where many first-generation wealth builders are quite often also serving as a de facto "retirement plan" for their parents - while also building their own financial futures. The conversation explores how guilt surrounding spending, cultural expectations, and obligations to family members can complicate financial decisions, as well as how the right financial strategy can bring peace of mind and balance. He emphasizes the importance of financial literacy not just as a technical skill, but as a form of empowerment that enables individuals to make informed choices and pass down both generational wealth and knowledge.

Gomez also discusses the value of mentorship and volunteerism in opening doors and creating opportunities, particularly for historically underserved populations. He reflects on his own journey – from growing up in a household with limited resources to becoming a CFP® professional and firm founder – and shares how giving back through mentorship and leadership within organizations like NAPFA and the Financial Planning Association has been central to his purpose. Throughout the episode, his message is clear: by leading with intention, staying true to their personal story, and focusing on community impact, first-generation professionals can turn obstacles into strengths that propel them forward.

In a nutshell: •

• First-generation wealth builders, especially minorities, often face a lack of guidance, no family financial blueprint, and the difficulty of navigating systems they've never been exposed to before.
• Money mindsets of growing up in lower-income households – developing a scarcity mindset that leads to hoarding cash or, conversely, overspending to compensate for childhood deprivation.
• Many first-gen professionals feel pressure to support parents, siblings, and future generations simultaneously, often becoming their families' "retirement plan," which can create both pride and guilt.
• Teaching clients not just about strategies but also the why behind them, ensuring they gain knowledge they can pass down as generational wisdom alongside wealth.
• Leading with intention to inspire others, mentoring the next generation, and serving through volunteer leadership – proving that obstacles can become strengths.

Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.

Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.