Plan. Plan. Plan. This is one of the most important words in Stephanie Hawkins’ vocabulary. As Regional Director, Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor for FTB Advisors for over 21 years, she uses the word quite often.
“My primary mission is serving my fellow community members to help them be successful in planning and meeting their overall financial dreams,” she said. “I want to help them plan and attain all of their goals.” FTB Advisors is part of the First Horizon National Corporation (FHN) family of companies. FHN has a 154-year legacy in the Tennessee market of helping customers with their financial needs over a lifetime. “People may be surprised to learn that we offer a comprehensive complimentary financial planning product,”
Hawkins explained. “In addition, through our relationship with First Tennessee, we also offer the ability for our customers to access private banking client services.” Hawkins also noted that the company’s values and her own personal values are in complete alignment. “We strive to be the best at serving our customers one opportunity at a time. This is supported by our principles of accountability, adaptability, integrity and relationships. We all know the market and life have ups and downs; we are here to not only help our customers get through them, but to thrive while doing so.”
Having graduated from the University of Tennessee and being a long-time resident of Knoxville, Hawkins has a true appreciation for the area. “I absolutely love the Knoxville community. I love the diversity, the spirit of those I meet every day and this beautiful part of the country,” she stated. “I also love the change of seasons and how the community comes together to showcase its beauty and traditions. From downtown and Market Square to the great Smoky Mountains, we truly have it all.”
It is this appreciation for the area that drives Hawkins to want to give back. “In previous years, I participated with the Department of Human Services in the foster care program as foster parent. This was as much about receiving love as giving it,” she said. “Currently, I enjoy giving back to the community by working through FTB Advisors in our Volunteer Hours Initiative which supports multiple programs. I really appreciate working side by side with my FTB colleagues.”
In addition to helping the overall community, Hawkins feels it is important to pay it forward to those newly entering the financial services industry. “While attending the University of Tennessee, I was offered the opportunity to participate in an internship program. I had several mentors along the way that educated me to start my own savings plan even before I received my first paycheck. They encouraged me to never stop learning, to study every day and to always strive for new certifications and opportunities,” she fondly recalled. “My mentors challenged me to pay it forward by becoming a mentor myself. And mentoring quickly became the most rewarding part of my career.”
Throughout all the aspects of her life, Hawkins always manages to circle back to planning. Her advice to those just starting out, or even to those starting over, is that it is never too late to plan. “It is never too late to learn and to begin saving for the next stage of life regardless of your current financial status,” she advised. “Ask smart questions and insist on answers. Define goals so you can achieve them. Invest with a purpose and hold yourself accountable for spending. Have a plan, be accountable to it and measure your success.”