Financial Planner has deep roots

By Pam Windsor

As a longtime financial planner, Jeremy Sweeney enjoys helping people chart a course for the future. 

“I’m a huge believer in financial planning,” he says. “And working with each client to figure out what’s best for them and most important in their lives.

His focus on helping and serving others comes from his deep roots in the community. He was born and raised in Franklin, his mom is a well-known local realtor, and his grandfather ran a grocery store and deli in Burwood, popular for its sandwiches, and much more.

“My grandad was a gentleman named Ken Huff, and he owned Huff’s Grocery, which still exists today,” Sweeney explains. “It’s run by my Uncle Charlie. And prior to Ken Huff owning it, it was owned by my great-grandad, Robert Huff. So, it goes back to the 1930s.”

Sweeney developed his work ethic and values from spending a lot of time in that family store. 

“As a young kid, I worked behind the counter ringing people up, making sandwiches, or taking bags of farm supplies or groceries to people’s vehicles. And I think I really got the desire to help and serve people and do what’s in their best interest from my grandad.”

After high school, Sweeney attended college at MTSU, then went to work for American Express Financial Advisors, which later became Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. He’s still with the company today. In 2002, he became a Certified Financial Planner. This designation follows two years of study around things like retirement planning, estate planning, and education planning.

Most of his client base includes those who’ve demonstrated financial success and are looking for professional guidance. The goal is to tailor a plan specific to each person in times of economic turmoil that’s more important than ever before. 

“Today’s uncertain, right?” Sweeney notes. “We have the stock market, the high cost of living, and global conflicts. So, we help people navigate that and give them confidence about the future.”

During his 24 years in the business, he’s helped clients work through a number of different economic challenges. 

“We had the tech bubble and saw tech stocks implode in 2000,” he says. “Then, September 11th in, 2001, which was followed by a huge period of uncertainty. I worked with clients through 2007 to 2009 during that downturn, that recession. And then, fast forward to the pandemic. If you make sure your plan is sound, there are ways to take advantage of this and make moves that are advantageous in the long term.”

He works from his office in Berry Farms alongside his two team members, Melanie Suelflow and Grant Mowrer. Although he’s been a financial planner for decades, Sweeney moved to this newer office less than a year and a half ago. It was designed specifically to offer easy access and make clients feel welcome. It’s not the normal high-rise building with corporate offices and a big parking lot, one often associates with wealth planners. 

“It’s kind of a throwback, almost like a mini-Main Street,” Sweeney says. “There are five businesses on the lower level and a residence above that. You can pull up right on the curb and walk inside.”

It reflects both Sweeney’s approach and values.

“Our office is glass, so it’s transparent. I wanted it to express both the transparency of the advice we give and how we charge, as far as fees. You can drive up and see inside.”

It sends just the right message about what matters most.

“We’re a small intimate team who really wants to know our clients and have a close relationship with them.”

www.ameripriseadvisors.com/jeremy.r.sweeney