Chris Hopkins, a lifelong learner and co-founder of Apogee Wealth Partners, shares his inspiring journey from selling vacuums at age 6 to navigating the finance world. He discusses his passion for music and reading, revealing that he devours 2-3 books a week. Chris opens up about his life-changing heart attack at 39, the emotional rollercoaster of receiving a heart transplant, and the importance of relationships and resilience through adversity. His optimistic outlook serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of personal growth and connections.
Chris Hopkins attributes his entrepreneurial spirit to his upbringing in an agricultural community, shaped by family history and hard work.
His journey through significant health challenges, including a heart transplant, highlights the importance of resilience and a positive mindset in overcoming adversity.
As a co-founder of Apogee Wealth Partners, Chris emphasizes a fiduciary model focused on client relationships and transparent financial planning.
Deep dives
Roots in California
Chris Hopkins shares his background growing up in Whittier, California, where he lived in a suburban community once thriving with agriculture. His family history is intertwined with the local economy, as his grandparents worked in packing houses during tough times, emigrating from Missouri and Arkansas during the Great Depression. Chris narrates how Whittier's agricultural landscape transformed over the decades, evolving from being a major producer of citrus and walnuts to a quieter residential area. This rich history greatly impacted his upbringing and shaped his entrepreneurial spirit from a young age.
The Power of Family and Music
Chris reveals that he comes from a musical family, with his father being a talented musician who played various instruments and wrote songs. His experiences in music deeply influenced him, as he formed a family band called 'The Hopkins Family,' where they performed Western and gospel music together. This musical environment fostered creativity and collaboration, establishing strong familial bonds that have lasted through the years. The lessons learned from music and family relationships often inform Chris's approach to both life and work.
Navigating Career Transitions
After an injury sidelined his aspirations in sports, Chris redirected his energy into the arts and eventually attended college, pursuing degrees in physics and economics. He had a successful career in manufacturing before a heart attack at 39 led him to transition into the financial services industry. He realized that he was more suited for the advisory model of financial services, prompting him to gain further qualifications and establish himself as a fiduciary advisor. This journey highlights the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning in navigating career changes.
Overcoming Health Challenges
Chris discusses his extensive health challenges following a heart attack that led to ongoing heart issues and complications requiring a heart transplant. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude through adversity, as he focused on the elements he could control, such as his response to health challenges and engaging in physical rehabilitation. His incredible story includes a life-altering heart transplant that underscored his resilience and determination to improve his situation. This experience deepened his faith and commitment to living a purposeful life, further inspiring his work with clients.
Building a People-Centric Advisory Business
After forming Apogee Wealth Partners with colleagues, Chris emphasizes their fiduciary obligation to serve their clients' best interests. His approach reflects his life experiences and the lessons learned from overcoming adversity, leading to a client-centric business model that prioritizes relationships. The firm aims to provide transparent financial planning and advisory services to clients of all backgrounds, continuously striving to improve their financial well-being. By focusing on meaningful connections and community service, Chris articulates a vision for a business that prioritizes helping others.
Chris Hopkins is a lifelong learner, committed to helping others and keeping an optimistic view on life.
In this episode, Chris shares his career highlights - all the way back to age 6 when he was selling vacuums with his grandmother, to being a plant superintendent right out of college, and selling his business and getting into the finance industry. We also discuss his passion for music and reading… including his western swing band that played at Riverbend a few times, and how he reads two or three books a week.
Chris also opens up about the massive heart attack he had at the age of 39, how he recovered from it, and what it was like to receive a heart transplant and meet the donor’s family.
Chris Hopkins is the Co-Founder and Principal of Apogee Wealth Partners. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has been in the finance industry since 1998. You can learn more about Chris and Apogee on his website (apogeewp.com/team) and you can connect with him on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/chris-hopkins-cfa-7751745).
If you liked this episode, we think you’ll also like:
