Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Haskell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Absolutely! My journey into finance wasn’t traditional. While bartending in college, a friend suggested I start investing some of the money I was making. After 9/11, when the markets dropped, I bought four stocks. Watching them grow lit a spark in me and I realized how powerful investing could be. That’s when I knew I wanted to help individuals, not just corporations, build their financial futures.
I went on to study personal financial planning at Texas Tech University and started my career as a junior planner. After more than a decade as a wholesaler, I shifted into financial planning at Wells Fargo in 2018—failure wasn’t an option, and I quickly became one of the fastest-growing Financial Advisors in Houston. Along the way, I earned both my CFP® and CDFA® designations.
In 2022, my partner Brandon and I launched the Houston branch of Wealth Partners Alliance to create a firm where we could put clients first and truly serve their best interests.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. When we launched, we started on one platform and quickly had to transition to a different platform and firm—an expensive, stressful process that tested our clients’ trust. Starting your own firm is full of unknowns, but those challenges strengthened us. Brandon and I joke that we’ve been through hell and back, but it brought us closer and made WPA what it is today.
Being a woman in finance also brings its own hurdles. I’ve had people assume I was the assistant instead of an equal partner, which can be frustrating. I’ve learned to stand firm in who I am—if someone doubts me, I outwork them until they can’t ignore me. Thankfully, I have a partner who champions me and makes sure my voice is recognized.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At WPA, we provide comprehensive financial planning for individuals, families and businesses at all stages of life. We help clients with things like preparing for retirement, navigating life transitions such as divorce, inheritance, or liquidity events and creating planning strategies that support their long-term goals.
What really sets us apart, though, is the way we build relationships. We’re not interested in quick transactions—we want lifelong partnerships. We take the time to truly understand our clients, their families, and their stories. That connection drives us to keep innovating and thinking outside the box, whether it’s incorporating alternative investments, AI tools, exploring different planning approaches, or simply being there when life changes.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Mentorship has been key for me, and now I try to give that back. I serve on the board and lead the women’s group for the Houston chapter of the Financial Planning Association, and I work with Texas Tech’s Personal Financial Planning program to mentor and hire interns. Supporting women in finance is something I’m deeply passionate about.
I believe building a strong network is imperative to being successful in business. As my mom always says, “It’s all about who you know!” So always be kind and help others along on their career journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wealthpartnersalliance.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wpa_htx/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyhaskell/
