FAIRMONT — Jason Reynolds can’t get enough of financial planning.

After being away from his hometown for many years, Reynolds just returned to Fairmont and started a business here. The Financial Planning Practice of Jason T. Reynolds, with securities offered through Kovack Advisors, officially opened at 207 Fairmont Ave. on Sept. 1.

Reynolds, a financial advisor and business financial advisor, offers three types of services at his office.

He can help with personal financial planning, which involves learning about a client’s goals and concerns, building a strategy, and discussing the pros and cons of the available options. Reynolds will work with the client to continually update and modify their personal financial plan and track their progress.

Business financial consulting is another aspect of Reynolds’ practice. He has assisted many businesses during his career, and commented that each one is unique and has different needs.

In addition, Reynolds provides 401(k) management for companies. He can help offices understand their 401(k) plans and make sure they’re investing correctly.

Reynolds, born and raised in Fairmont, got interested in finance at 12 or 13 years old because of some money he had earned shoveling snow and mowing grass. His mother, Diane, told him to either save or invest those funds. His father, Jerry, owned Reynolds Plumbing in Fairmont for 30 years.

The teen began to research investments and called several different brokers to request information.

“I just fell in love with the stock market, everything about it,” Reynolds said. “I just started absorbing everything like a sponge, and there was just no looking back after that."

By the age of 15 or 16, his mom’s friends were asking him for advice about the stock market.

“It was a very natural thing for me,” Reynolds said. “This is what I was born to do."

After graduating from high school, he went on to obtain an associate’s degree in finance and investments from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I., and at 19 became one of the Rhode Island’s youngest stock brokers ever.

Reynolds received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Stern School of Business at New York University in New York City and worked for Chase Manhattan Wealth Management and Merrill Lynch Private Client Group. In 1998, he relocated to Los Angeles, Calif., where he was employed with McKinsey & Co. and later Homestore.com, now Move.com.

Five years later, Reynolds decided that he wanted to get back to his passion — educating people and businesses on financial matters — and build a business of his own.

“I was looking at a more holistic approach,” he said. “I really wanted to be a financial consultant, a financial planner. I really wanted to show families how to get from Point A to Point B financially.”

He joined forces with Ameriprise Financial, which allowed him to start a successful practice as a comprehensive advisor to families and individuals.

After helping many families in Rhode Island, New York and California, Reynolds made the choice to move home to the Friendly City to be closer to his own family and friends he grew up with. He sold the majority of his practice in Los Angeles, and is hoping to repeat the same type of success in Fairmont.

“I think now coming back to Fairmont is the right time for me in my life,” he said.

Reynolds wants to support the residents of this region, from Bridgeport to Morgantown and everywhere in between.

“With my experience and compassion, I want to be able to help the people here and build the same type of practice I had out in Los Angeles,” he said.

In the future, he plans to expand his office with associate advisors.

Reynolds said he likes to see clients grow financially and reach their financial goals. He wants to be there for his customers through the ups and downs of life and help them sleep better at night knowing he’s on their team.

He likes the fact that his career combines his love for both finance and public speaking. He enjoys talking to people about finance every day and said it never gets boring.  

“Financial planning can be painless and it can be stress free if you have the right person on your team that you can trust to help get you to where you want to be,” he said.

Reynolds has planned several upcoming “Lunch and Learn” events where people in the area can meet him, find about his services and ask questions.

Informal luncheons are scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Muriale’s Restaurant, and Thursday, Sept. 16, at Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant in downtown Fairmont, both at noon. He will also meet potential clients for happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. at River City Grille on Sept. 17 and at the Aquarium Lounge on Friday, Sept. 24. Interested persons must RSVP.

All first consultations with clients are free. Reynolds is offering several grand opening promotions right now, including discounts on services and an offer from Majic Touch Auto Detailing for anyone who comes into the practice for a consultation. He hopes to establish relationships with other local businesses.

The Financial Planning Practice of Jason T. Reynolds is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to set up an appointment, call the office at 304-694-7200.

E-mail Jessica Borders at jborders@timeswv.com.