Chelsea Ransom-Cooper: Guiding Clients Through their Financial Lives by Discussing the ‘Why’ Behind Each of their Financial Goals
“Money was always important to me and served as a focal point.”
Meet Chelsea Ransom-Cooper, a trailblazing financial advisor. Chelsea, the visionary force behind Zenith Wealth Partners, specializes in offering specialized assistance to female founders and professionals in the technology industry, assisting them in navigating the complex world of financial planning with elegance.
Chelsea and her experienced team at Zenith Wealth Partners provide a wide range of services, including smart stock options and RSU planning, as well as meticulous tax strategies, investment management, debt payback, and intelligent cash flow analysis. Chelsea advocates for an accessibility and inclusion mindset, seeking to make financial planning accessible to everybody, with a focus on solving the unique issues that her clients encounter.
Chelsea's impact transcends the confines of her practice, as her expertise and insights have been featured in top-tier publications such as CNBC, NPR, Marketwatch, and the Wall Street Journal. Recognized for her exceptional contributions, she has been honored with prestigious accolades, including the AAAA 50 Under 50 award, the Investment News 40 Under 40 award, and being named one of NerdWallet's 9 Black Financial Influencers to Follow. With a commitment to shaping a future where financial empowerment knows no bounds, Chelsea Ransom-Cooper stands as a beacon of guidance and inspiration in the world of finance.
Nurturing Financial Acumen: A Journey of Early Inspiration
Chelsea's interest in finance began at a young age after she witnessed her mother's financial difficulties. Chelsea grew up in Northern New Jersey, where her mother worked as a fashion designer and her father as a mortgage broker, and she was acutely aware of the consequences of her mother's reliance on others for financial decisions, which were frequently detrimental to her. Chelsea reflects on this, saying, "My mother inspired me to become interested in finance." I was only observing some of her problems, and I wanted to learn more so I could help."
Chelsea's early exposure to financial struggle established in her a strong sense of fiscal responsibility. Even in her adolescence, she had a prudent approach to money, carefully considering her purchases and exhibiting a proclivity for saving. Chelsea recalls her frugal ways, "I would get money for my birthday, and I would literally sit on it for a year until I found something that I deemed worthy enough to buy." Her industrious nature was further demonstrated when she landed her first job at the age of fourteen and continued to work part-time throughout her academic career.
Notably, she moved into entrepreneurship, starting a modest business by selling chocolates from her school locker. "Money was always important to me and served as a focal point." Chelsea confirms, "I was kind of subconsciously always making sure I had some," emphasizing the ongoing importance of financial knowledge in her life journey.
Embarking on a Financial Journey: From Exploration to Expertise
Chelsea's foray into the realm of finance commenced during her tenure at Syracuse University, where she pursued studies in corporate finance. While the university lacked specific programs in financial planning, Chelsea found herself drawn to the pathways paved by prestigious entities like JP Morgan, Ernst & Young, and PwC. Initially embarking on a traditional trajectory in accounting finance at Ernst & Young, Chelsea soon realized her true calling lay elsewhere.
In a pivotal moment of self-discovery, Chelsea found herself gravitating towards assisting her mother and friends with their financial matters, particularly student loans and retirement planning. These interactions ignited a passion within her, prompting a profound realization of her desired career path. While aggressively researching various avenues within the financial landscape, Chelsea stumbled upon a serendipitous encounter with financial advisor Douglas Boneparth via Twitter. Their transformative conversation illuminated the intricacies of financial planning, paving the way for Chelsea's pursuit of the Certified Financial Planner® designation.
Undeterred by the challenges inherent in breaking into the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) space, Chelsea embarked on a journey of professional development and growth. Joining a prominent RIA in San Francisco, Chelsea immersed herself in the nuances of investment management, honing her skills under the guidance of seasoned mentors. Through unwavering dedication and perseverance, Chelsea attained her CFP® designation and Series 65 certification, earning recognition and trust from her firm, which entrusted her with a burgeoning book of business. This pivotal moment marked the culmination of Chelsea's journey from exploration to expertise, propelling her towards a future illuminated by boundless possibilities in the world of financial planning.
Vesting Women Through Equity: Chelsea's Vision
Apart from her successful career in the RIA industry, Chelsea's belief in empowering others also prompted her to create Women with Equity, a vibrant Instagram community that supports and encourages women in their wealth-building pursuits. Chelsea uses her financial knowledge to empower and inform women about different ways to develop equity—through stock market investments, real estate, partnerships, and other means. She does this through her organization, Women with Equity.
The platform produces engaging videos elucidating equity-building techniques and features interviews with accomplished women across diverse professions, including CPAs, lawyers, and real estate professionals. By fostering authentic and relatable conversations, Women with Equity endeavors to democratize financial knowledge, empowering women to grasp control over their financial well-being.
Reflecting on her journey, Chelsea offers invaluable advice to aspiring financial planners, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and proactive engagement. Encouraging fellow professionals to seek guidance from experienced mentors and industry peers, Chelsea underscores the transformative impact of seeking insights and wisdom from others. With a profound belief in the perpetual nature of learning, Chelsea advocates for a mindset of continuous growth and exploration, affirming that the journey toward financial mastery is one of ongoing discovery and evolution.
The Vision of Zenith Wealth Partners
Driven by a profound annoyance with the inadequate availability and caliber of financial counseling and education, Zenith Wealth Partners was founded as a stand-alone, fee-only, fiduciary investment management and financial planning company. Zenith is dedicated to providing customized financial solutions for a wide range of consumers, emphasizing the importance of providing an outstanding client experience while enabling people to make educated decisions.
Central to Zenith's ethos is a dedication to inclusivity and empowerment within the financial advisory landscape. By providing a platform for high-performing advisors to expand their reach and impact, Zenith seeks to bolster the industry's talent pipeline while fostering a supportive environment for advisors who have historically faced discrimination. Through this approach, Zenith aims to catalyze a positive ripple effect that resonates for generations to come.
As a 100% minority-owned enterprise, Zenith is driven by a mission to dismantle systemic wealth inequality by delivering accessible, unbiased advice that cultivates financial prosperity for its clients. With a steadfast commitment to equity and excellence, Zenith Wealth Partners endeavors to be a beacon of empowerment and transformation within the financial services industry.
Chelsea Ransom-Cooper: Managing Partner & Director, Financial Planning, Zenith
Chelsea Ransom-Cooper leads a drive to democratize financial planning outside of conventional bounds in her role as Managing Partner and Director of Financial Planning at Zenith. Having previously worked with wealthy families, Chelsea started Zenith in 2020 to provide her skills to a wider range of customers.
Based on her conviction that financial planning is a journey rather than a sprint, Chelsea cultivates long-lasting connections with her clients by creating customized financial plans that complement their current requirements and long-term goals. Chelsea has received recognition for her contributions to the financial community, as seen by her inclusion in the Investment News 40 Under 40, Financial Advisor Magazine's Young Advisor to Watch, and the Association of African American Financial Advisors (Quad A) 50 Under 50 list. Beyond her career endeavors, Chelsea enjoys traveling and frequently visits places like Trinidad.
In a pivotal moment of self-discovery, Chelsea found herself gravitating towards assisting her mother and friends with their financial matters, particularly student loans and retirement planning. These interactions ignited a passion within her, prompting a profound realization of her desired career path.
