After first job left sour taste, he made career lemonade

The honor is bestowed on less than 2 percent of financial advisers

Ellis, who currently resides in The Woodlands with his wife and daughter, began his career with a job in the oil business soon after graduating from Abilene Christian University, but quickly received some bad news. After only 15 days with his new employer, he, along with the rest of the staff, was told that the company would soon be shutting its doors.

While the clock toward unemployment was counting down, Ellis stayed busy by reading “Money” magazine, a habit his co-workers began to notice. This was the true beginning of his career in financial advising, as he was the person they came to with questions about their futures.

“A lightbulb went off, and I said, 'you know what, this is my passion,'” Ellis said. “My passion is about helping them make good decisions with their money, so let’s go start a business.”

Just a little more than a year after his college graduation, Ellis started his own business, and based on the results, it was a good life decision. He has been able to simultaneously help himself and countless others who have used his services. Ellis makes money by helping his clients save money.

“We all have all kinds of financial decisions that we have to make each and every day,” Ellis said. “We help. (our clients) create a game plan where we’re always looking out one to two years ahead.”

Even though he already has been enshrined in the Hall of Fame, Ellis is not content to rest on his laurels and coast through the rest of his career, instead preferring to constantly innovate and change the way he does business.

“My philosophy is that if you’re not dramatically changing what you do and how you do it about every three years, you’re falling behind,” Ellis said. “I’m a constant learner, and I believe in paying people who know more than me to help me make good decisions.”

While it may not be possible to predict exactly what direction the future will take within the industry, there is little doubt that Ellis will be prepared.

About Byron Ellis
Age: 46
Occupation: Private wealth adviser at Ellis & Ellis Financial Advisors
Community Connection: Lives and works in The Woodlands
Fast Fact: Ellis enjoys photography and traveling in his free time

Chris Marshall is a freelance writer. He can be reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.