BRANDON L. LEONARD

My path to becoming a financial advisor was not traditional, but it was shaped by real-life experience. I earned a degree in communications in the spring of 2008, right in the middle of the Great Financial Crisis. My first career was in journalism, which took me to Texas. When I returned to South Carolina, I worked several different jobs before landing at a local weekly newspaper. That paper shut down just before Christmas in 2012, and I suddenly found myself unemployed and uncertain about the future.

While freelancing and figuring out what would come next, a fellow member of Rotary introduced me to the idea of becoming a financial advisor. I earned my licenses by May 2013 and entered the field. Those early days were hard. I remember sitting in my car before a prospect meeting, wondering how I was going to pay the bills. But then I thought about the clients I had already worked with and the small wins we had achieved together. That gave me the motivation to keep going.

My interest in investing started long before that. At age fifteen, I opened my first account and was recognized in high school for managing a mock portfolio. But it was not until I started working directly with clients that I truly saw how meaningful this work could be. One early experience that stays with me is meeting with a couple at their kitchen table to review their retirement outlook. As we talked through the numbers, I could see their worry begin to fade. Watching their confidence grow in real time is something I have never forgotten.

My personal financial journey has had its challenges. I took a nontraditional path through college, changed careers more than once, lived in a single-income household, and even had to move back in with family. These experiences gave me empathy for the financial stress many people carry and helped me understand how short-term choices can shape long-term outcomes. That perspective allows me to connect with clients on a very real level.

In 2015, I joined Huddleston & Associates. I was drawn to the team’s values and their commitment to doing what is right, paying attention to the details, and continuously improving. Those are the same principles I bring into every client relationship. Whether I am helping someone plan for retirement, navigate a major life transition, or build a stronger financial foundation, I approach each situation with care and a steady hand.

What I enjoy most about this work is helping people solve problems and gain clarity. Every client has a unique story, and every plan is built around that story. It means a lot to be someone my clients can rely on, especially when the stakes are high. My goal is always to help them feel informed, supported, and confident in the decisions ahead. I believe clients deserve advice that is clear, honest, and tailored to their lives. I take pride in getting the details right, communicating openly, and creating plans that adapt as life changes. My focus is always on what is best for the client, both today and for the road ahead.

My path to becoming a financial advisor was not traditional, but it was shaped by real-life experience. I earned a degree in communications in the spring of 2008, right in the middle of the Great Financial Crisis. My first career was in journalism, which took me to Texas. When I returned to South Carolina, I worked several different jobs before landing at a local weekly newspaper. That paper shut down just before Christmas in 2012, and I suddenly found myself unemployed and uncertain about the future.

While freelancing and figuring out what would come next, a fellow member of Rotary introduced me to the idea of becoming a financial advisor. I earned my licenses by May 2013 and entered the field. Those early days were hard. I remember sitting in my car before a prospect meeting, wondering how I was going to pay the bills. But then I thought about the clients I had already worked with and the small wins we had achieved together. That gave me the motivation to keep going.

My interest in investing started long before that. At age fifteen, I opened my first account and was recognized in high school for managing a mock portfolio. But it was not until I started working directly with clients that I truly saw how meaningful this work could be. One early experience that stays with me is meeting with a couple at their kitchen table to review their retirement outlook. As we talked through the numbers, I could see their worry begin to fade. Watching their confidence grow in real time is something I have never forgotten.

My personal financial journey has had its challenges. I took a nontraditional path through college, changed careers more than once, lived in a single-income household, and even had to move back in with family. These experiences gave me empathy for the financial stress many people carry and helped me understand how short-term choices can shape long-term outcomes. That perspective allows me to connect with clients on a very real level.

In 2015, I joined Huddleston & Associates. I was drawn to the team’s values and their commitment to doing what is right, paying attention to the details, and continuously improving. Those are the same principles I bring into every client relationship. Whether I am helping someone plan for retirement, navigate a major life transition, or build a stronger financial foundation, I approach each situation with care and a steady hand.

What I enjoy most about this work is helping people solve problems and gain clarity. Every client has a unique story, and every plan is built around that story. It means a lot to be someone my clients can rely on, especially when the stakes are high. My goal is always to help them feel informed, supported, and confident in the decisions ahead. I believe clients deserve advice that is clear, honest, and tailored to their lives. I take pride in getting the details right, communicating openly, and creating plans that adapt as life changes. My focus is always on what is best for the client, both today and for the road ahead.