By Paul Bullock

Two things played a role in my decision to become a financial advisor: moving from big-city Chicago to small-town Arkansas as a child and the famed movie Wall Street. Here’s the story:

The Beginning

When my parents moved our family to Arkansas, they bought a farm. As anyone who has experienced farm life knows, it’s an all-hands-on-deck endeavor. I learned to ride horses, care for cattle, fix fences, and appreciate our strong family values, including the importance of hard work. My parents were passionate about education and believed it was the way out of poverty, but they wanted me to take ownership and reap the rewards of investing in something worthwhile. That’s how I ended up in West Texas, working in the oil fields and paying my way through college. 

I had always been interested in finance, so when it came time to choose a major at the University of Texas, it wasn’t a difficult choice. I earned my bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in finance, as well as my MBA. 

This is where Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas come into play. In 1987, my dad made a career switch and became a financial advisor. He encouraged me to do the same. I had recently seen Wall Street and was fascinated by the inner workings of the financial industry and thought it would be an interesting career choice. It turned out to be so much more than that. 

Shaping My Values

I got my start in the late ’80s when financial advising looked a lot different than it does today. I was taught to cold call people at home in the evenings to sell a product and was more of a salesman than an advisor. I’ve learned a lot since then, namely that caring for people and always putting them first is more important than anything else; building relationships that last for decades brings incredible fulfillment. Through the years, I have seen what an important role my guidance plays in people’s lives and how much my advice impacts their futures. Witnessing my clients reach their goals and live their ideal visions of retirement has become my motivation.

I learned much of this from years of watching my dad serve his clients. In 2013, he passed away from a brain tumor. In his last week with us, I got to hear many more of his stories and ask him questions. I specifically asked: “In looking back over your life, if there is one piece of advice you would give me, what would it be?” He responded: “Learn empathy and treat others with compassion.” He told me that this lesson changed how he looked at his life and other people. 

He also told me it’s unwise to manage your own money because you become too emotionally invested and make unwise decisions when the markets go crazy. As someone who has experienced many market cycles, I can tell you that I have walked countless clients through difficult situations, helping them calm their nerves and stay the course—and then see them succeed when they stick to a long-term strategy. 

Fast-Forward to Today

Now, with over 30 years of experience under my belt, I am CEO of Wellington Advisors, an independent, boutique fiduciary firm serving pre-retirees and university faculty across Indiana. I spend my days helping my clients prepare for the future through excellent service and sound money management advice that’s personalized for them. 

It’s not about beating the market or getting a better return than someone else. It’s about partnering with others as they pursue their goals and giving honest, caring, and tailored advice—not just when times are good, but when they are tough as well. As the famous saying goes, if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. That’s how I feel about my role as a financial advisor. There’s just nothing like making this much of a difference in people’s lives, helping them grow and protect their hard-earned money so they can live the lives they want. 

Take the Next Step

I am always open to meeting new people and seeing how I may be able to help. Whether you’ve already started planning for the future or have yet to put strategies in place, I encourage you to schedule a no-obligation introductory meeting or reach out to me at paul@wellingtoninvestmentadvisors.com or (812) 333-0874 to get started. Be sure to check out what some of our clients say about working with our team at Wellington Investment Advisors to learn more about how we can help you.

About Paul

Paul Bullock is CEO of Wellington Investment Advisors, an independent, boutique fiduciary firm serving pre-retirees and university faculty across Indiana. With over 32 years of financial experience, Paul is committed to building long-term relationships through thoughtful, personalized investment advice and guidance. He focuses on a disciplined tactical asset allocation approach to money management through a strong understanding of economic and market conditions and strives to build trust with clients by providing sound guidance. Paul understands the hard work his clients have put in to arrive at where they are today and wants to see them succeed in their goals for the future. Paul graduated from the University of Texas with an MBA, as well as a bachelor’s degree in finance, and has been dedicated to assisting clients with their financial needs ever since. When he is not working, Paul enjoys time with his family and is also an avid equestrian polo player who helps raise money for over 18 different charities through his playing. To learn more about Paul, connect with him on LinkedIn.