We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ekua Anyanful. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Ekua , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Volunteering my time serving my community as part of my Rotarian team on various projects or just by myself; as well as providing my services pro-bono to individuals and small businesses that need financial planning but have limited resources to pay for the service.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
EA Wealth Management is a financial planning and an investment advisory firm that started in December 2011. Women , especially women of color are the 1% minority in the industry and have needs that are different and have to be address better, so as the founder and CEO who has been a Financial Adviser affiliated with American Express Financial Advisors, JPMorgan Chase, and Smith Barney since 2002, I started the research to go independent in 2007. I saw how financial advice was delivered with a focus on assets and I wanted to personalize and humanize advice and focus on helping women and business owners achieve their financial goals.
Hence, EA Wealth Management (EAWM) was born to provide financial planning, investment management and insurance services to individuals, non-profit and for-profit businesses. Our expertise is rooted in helping our clients plan to reach their financial goals by collaborating with them to achieve their desired financial objectives.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My father JKM Anyanful always believed, that girls and boys should share equal household chores and responsibilities. Having been born and raised in Ghana, this is not a common phenomenal, since they believe in gender roles as do some households here in the US. My father always enabled me to have a voice and allowed me to share my opinions and believes even at an early age. I remember my siblings chuckling in family meetings when I had the floor. My Dad’s response? “Let my baby talk” I am who I am today because of the profound impact he had on my life by instilling values of gender equality, confidence, and community service. His progressive mindset challenged traditional gender roles and shaped me into the dedicated and capable person I am. My dad also introduced me to acts of service earlier on in life, thereby fostering my passion for volunteering.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Dreams, goals, hopes, and aspirations change overtime. Learn to be flexible and embrace change since that will lead to your true destiny and happiness. I had always wanted to be an architect. I tried twice to gain admission into the program offered at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, (Ghana) but I ended up with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and English. (Obviously not the same as a degree in architecture) I proceeded to get an MBA and now as a Certified Financial Planner with my own practice and company I have never been happier. I obviously did not envision this, and it took growing pains to be where I am today, but I wish I had had the foresight to be patient with myself and embrace the changes earlier on in life.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Truth and honesty. It doesn’t matter how ugly the truth is, do not try to shield me from it, since it will breed distrust and resentment. I know people say trust is earned and you can rebuild trust; for me that is not the case. I will trust you until you have proven not to be trustworthy and once that trust is broken it is not repairable with me. I am direct and my friends are honest, truthful and direct as well. We do not feed each other what we believe the person wants to hear and true friendship values trust and honesty.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I would like people to talk about and focus on the pro bono education and financial planning analysis that I provided for women and business owners who needed financial planning services but had limited resources. I would hope that my mission to help women and business owners create wealth and financial independence materialized for several people. I would also hope my vison to provide access to resources and educate women and business owners on the process of creating and maintaining wealth became a reality in each of my clients’ lives putting them in a position to pass on the knowledge to generations as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eawealthmanagement.com/
- Instagram: ea_wealthmanagement
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekuaanyanful/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EkuaAnyanful
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eawealthmanagement
Image Credits
Rachel DeLira
