Chris Doughty will tell you that he grew up extremely “wealthy” … just without money or things. His journey in wealth planning first began with a hidden penchant for all things financial, sparked by a desire to help people around him. After pursuing telecommunications in college, he began work in a call centre where he soon realized that his colleagues were confused when dealing with their own finances.
“I found that a phone bill was not that important to a family – but it seemed very important to me,” he tells IN. “I [started] helping a lot of coworkers navigate their financial documents and choices. From there, I was told by several people that I should consider being an advisor. I found that I really wanted to do something that had more meaning and felt that money was at the core of what most people worked for – so why not help them with it.”
This newfound passion for financial planning led Doughty to move from Iowa to Milwaukee, where he began his career with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.
“I took some of their [financial literacy] tests, and they said, 'Oh, you'd be a great candidate for this. Let's go ahead and move forward.'"
In less than eight weeks, Doughty passed the first required licensing exam; well ahead of the typical 12-to-15-week study schedule. From here, Doughty (going from “strength to strength”) tells us of a memorable challenge that defined his approach to financial planning and focus on retirement planning.
"Six months into my career, I was broker of the day and a gentleman showed up at the table that would change my life and career.” Doughty says. “He brought with him a folder".
The man, filled with joy, asked for help with his retirement plan revealing that he was set to retire on Friday, just four days away. As Doughty reviewed the documents, he realized the man had not discussed any of these crucial decisions with anyone.
"He went from super joyous to more somber as I explained what the forms were and how the decisions were irreversible," Doughty says. “The man admitted, "I haven't done any homework on this at all. Can you help me?"’. Doughty’s answer was yes.
Together they navigated the decisions, bringing the man back to joy. It was this encounter which sparked Doughty's passion for creating educational programs on retirement – underscored by a commitment to self-improvement which has been a driving force in his career.
"I've always been a big self-betterment, “Always Getting Better” (AGB) person, since the age of 18," he says. He recalled meeting a gentleman from Al Williams who taught him the basics of wealth accumulation. "He said, 'You could become a millionaire by putting $50 a week away.' I was amazed. Nobody had ever told me that!”
Seeking to learn from the best, Doughty connected with industry leaders like Tom Gau and Ken Unger from the Academy of Preferred Financial Advisors. Through them, he met Dr. Moines who profoundly impacted his approach with a simple statement: "Your words can make you rich." As a young advisor, this concept was revolutionary for Doughty.
“I immediately went back and started crafting better words. My whole life has really been about crafting better words, but also learning to speak them. As profound as Dr. Moines’s message was, what changed my life was realizing your words can make OTHERS rich! That has made all the difference. Instead of looking for all the goals that I want; if I just have a massive effect on helping people, the rest of it comes in the wake. I wanted to be better and better so that I could help people attain whatever they wanted.”
This shift in focus has been a cornerstone of Doughty's 30-year career. By prioritizing the well-being of his clients, he has built a reputation for being a compassionate and effective financial advisor. Now as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and founder of Gentian Financial, he’s never looked back. While advisors have to shift and evolve with the fluctuating market, one aspect of Doughty's approach to financial planning has never changed – a real and overriding desire to help. He believes in the concept of abundance and giving, comparing it to a flowing river rather than a stagnant reservoir. "Abundance flows in one side, and abundance flows out the other side. The more I give, the more I receive. I don't do it because I receive, it just happens.” Doughty says.
Further proof of this mindset is in his ongoing charity work.
“I was actually influenced by a client very early on in my career,” he tells IN. “He gave a full wage away - almost $100,000 a year. And I was amazed by it. He said that he just started giving and that his goal is to give a little more every year. After 40 years, this is where it's gotten - that really struck me.”
In his role at Globall Giving, Doughty aims to make the community and the world better.
"My goal is to make the community or the world better in some way if I possibly can. Globall Giving allows every kid a chance to play. What I've realized is there's a way to give people [more than] money - it's actually an acronym called HEART. Hope, Energy, Attention, Resources and Time. I’m often trying to help my clients realize… their purpose, something they're passionate about and want to contribute again to the world.”
Chris Doughty’s passion, care, and focus in both his internal drive to improve and always acting in the best interest of those around him has built undeniable trust with clients and team members. None of which has been taken for granted, and none taken without gratitude. He has been and will continue to be grateful for everything that happens, both good and “the not so good”, ups and downs, triumphs and mistakes alike. It all happens FOR us, not TO us. We are who we are because of what we have gone through.
Chris Doughty
President, Gentian Financial
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ CFP®
Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. and Gentian Financial, Inc.. Gentian Financial, Inc. is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. | Raymond James is not affiliated with Globall Giving.
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