Equita Financial Network, a privately held entity that offers a proven business platform for women-led, independently owned, and operated fee-only financial planning firms, announced three new member firms have joined its signature platform, bringing the number of signature firms to ten. Mountain Wealth Planning, led by Amy Hamasaki, CFP; Equila Financial, led by Ann J. Shubert, CFP; and Your Story Financial, led by Shehara Wooten, CFP, have all been added to the Equita community in recent months.
These three firms are full-service fiduciary financial advisory firms. Mountain Wealth Planning was opened in 2020; Equila Financial launched just a few months ago, and Your Story Financial launched in 2016. And all integrate financial planning, investment management, and coaching for small business owners, professional women, STEM professionals, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Shubert and Wooten come from STEM backgrounds, and Hamasaki is well-versed in tax strategy. All three enjoy serving women in transition and anyone navigating pre-retirement and retirement.
Shubert has an undergraduate degree in Physics from Princeton University and a Master’s in Astrophysics from Caltech. She had a 30-year career in the defense industry when she decided to shift gears. Becoming a financial advisor gave her the opportunity to combine a long-term interest in investing with her extensive experience in planning and risk management to help people improve their financial lives.
Wooten has a B.S. in electrical and computer engineering from Ohio State University. She started her advisory career in 2004 as a Variable Annuities internal wholesaler and, in 2009, became a financial advisor in a role that limited who she could serve (excluding individuals who didn’t meet certain high asset criteria). Branching out on her own in 2016 to become a fee-only fiduciary financial planner was the best option for her to help women and former STEM colleagues gain access to robust financial planning without any barriers.
Hamasaki has 20+ years of experience working with individuals and businesses to create effective financial plans. And she gained insights while working at a larger national wealth management firm. Plus, She has extensive tax experience as a former Enrolled Agent with the IRS and in controlling a real estate holding company for nearly ten years.
All three firms meet with clients virtually. Shubert from her Albuquerque, NM office; Wooten from her office in the Dayton, Ohio area; and Hamasaki who resides near Colorado’s Winter Park ski resort.
KEY QUOTES:
“This great momentum for Equita reflects a positive trend in the industry, and increases the professional support available to those who have historically been underserved by traditional financial services firms. Equita is thrilled to support the growth of these women-led firms. We have watched other women financial advisors on our platform do just this, and their success has been remarkable.”
- Bridget Venus Grimes, CFP, co-founder of Equita
“My Equita membership gives me access to a wonderfully supportive group of independent, financial planning-focused women advisors to learn from and bounce ideas off of while I still can structure my business the way I choose. It’s the best of both independence and community!”
- Ann Shubert
“I joined Equita Financial Network to gain significantly more back-office support. I’m excited to focus on the work that I enjoy and, that is, helping my clients craft their amazing financial success story.”
- Shehara Wooten
“I joined Equita to collaborate and synergize with other like-minded women who are passionate about helping people achieve great financial outcomes, and I have not been disappointed. The ability to meet on a regular basis about how to better serve our clients and grow our practices has been an incredible experience, and I very much look forward to the future with this amazing partnership!”
• ⁃ Amy Hamasaki
