Interview with Ellen Rogin, Wealth Manager and Abundance Activist

Ellen Rogin is a Chicago based entrepreneur and financial expert and has curated a long standing reputation upholding the title of abundance activist, business owner, author and more. Ellen is a certified financial planner and certified public accountant who aims to motivate people to financial security and education. Her New York Times bestselling book Picture Your Prosperity: Smart Money Moves to Turn Your Vision into Reality inspires money awareness, and financial control. Additional work includes: Great with Money: 6 Steps to Lifetime Success & Prosperity along with numerous other contributions to a variety of publications. 

For a snippet into Ellen’s tips and strategies, you can find more in her TEDx Talk here! As a keynote speaker at multiple events, Ellen extrapolates on the importance of gratitude. Her platform supports the idea that gratitude directs our thinking away from scarcity and directs it towards being thankful and that this can be life changing. Continue reading below for more insight from Ellen and learn a bit about how her approach to living generously, courteously, and gratefully has solidified her success. 

 You can also continue learning more about how you can be more financially savvy by reading below and engaging with Ellen and her work. 

What do you do for a living? 

I show people how to create prosperity on purpose. I do this through speaking to groups, consulting with companies, and through my books. I spent many years as a financial advisor helping people to plan for and reach their financial and life goals. Over the years I came to realize that how people think and what they believe about their money and success has a huge impact on their results. I’ve taken this learning to create processes and systems for people to look at their money and businesses.

 What lessons has your work life taught you?

 From growing and ultimately selling a successful wealth management firm, I learned that when my focus is on adding value and serving others we both win. When my business plan was based solely on my own success I never hit my goals, but after 9/11 and the following recession I pivoted all of my focus to how I could serve my clients and ease their angst around money. My business grew 39% that year. 

Can you tell me about someone who has had a big influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you? 

Early in my career I met a woman, Suzanne Stone, who taught me how to network. She said “Ellen, you want to be that person who gives so many referrals to others that everyone in the group wants to know you. What you sow you reap.” This was sage advice. I always look at how I can help someone else and of course be willing to accept support from others as well. 

What do you feel most grateful for in your life?  

I am grateful for so many things. Each day I start my day by focusing on at least three things that I am grateful for. When our kids were young before they would go to sleep we’d share five things we were grateful for – even at young ages they shared really beautiful things … “I’m grateful for my teachers, for my friends, for our family being so happy and healthy.” There’s more about how I’m thinking about gratitude these days here. 

 Can you tell me about one of your happiest memories? 

What a great question! Mine is such a simple memory. Our daughter Amy was about 7 years old and I remember sitting on her bed with her and hugging. She’s an amazing hugger. I remember feeling so much love going between us during that hug. Amy is 22 now and still gives loving, full body hugs – they are the best!

 What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned in life? 

What goes around comes around. I realize, more than ever, what I put out in the world is what is reflected back to me. The times I’ve been judgmental, I've experienced either feeling badly, or in some cases a fury of judgement being thrown back at me. When I’m generous, I not only feel good, but always have good opportunities flow back my way – and not typically from the person I helped. 

Who is your favorite designer? What is your favorite piece of clothing?

The picture I sent to you is my favorite jacket. I love the color and the look and feel of it.