Alexa Von Tobel is a certified financial planner, a New York Times bestselling author of “Financially Fearless: The LearnVest Program for Taking Control of Your Money” and is the founder and CEO of LearnVest.com, a financial planning company launched in 2009. LearnVest has been featured in “The New York Times,” “The Wall Street Journal,” “FORTUNE”, “Forbes”, “Fast Company” and “Bloomsberg Businessweek.” Von Tobel grew up in Jacksonville and will be returning to her hometown this week to lecture at The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital Art & Antiques Show taking place Dec. 3-6 at The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. Von Tobel will be lecturing Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6:45 p.m. For more information about The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital Art & Antiques Show or to purchase tickets, call (904) 202-2886 or visit www.womensboardwch.com.
Where are you from originally?
I actually grew up in Jacksonville! I’m a local.
Where do you live now?
I currently live in Greenwich Village in NYC with my husband and 8-month-old daughter Toby.
Did you enjoy your time living in Jacksonville?
I have the absolute best memories of growing up in Jacksonville. My mom, Darlene, and one of my brothers, Travis, live here so I try to come back often! It’s been wonderful to bring my daughter down here to enjoy the warmer weather.
Where did you attend to high school?
I graduated from the Bolles School.
What will you lecture on at the Wolfson Children’s Hospital Art & Antiques Show?
I’m really excited to be part of the show! I’ll spend some time talking about my background, my experience as an entrepreneur, and building LearnVest.
Will this be your first time as a guest speaker at the art show or have you lectured at a previous show?
This is my first time speaking at the art show, and I’m excited to be involved! How could I not take the opportunity to work with such a truly wonderful organization, especially one that is based in my hometown? Also, it was a great excuse to sneak away from the NYC chill and visit my family down here.
How did you get into financial planning? Would you say that it’s a passion of yours?
I’ve been obsessed with personal finance for as long as I can remember. I’ve always known that I wanted to be in control of my financial life. But when I graduated from college, I was immediately inundated with questions like, ‘how many credit cards should I have?’ ‘What goes into a credit score?’ I did my research, and I really felt like I didn’t have access to a trusted, unbiased source of information. I started LearnVest because it was exactly the type of product that I wanted for myself. I’ve always considered myself client number one.
Tell me a little about the company you started, LearnVest.
LearnVest is the fastest growing financial planning company in the country, and we are dedicated to making financial advice accessible, affordable and delightful for families and individuals across the country. We match clients with dedicated LearnVest financial planners, who utilize our unique software to put together holistic financial plans and help them make progress on their money. And, we do this in a new, easy, tech-centric way!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My daughter was born this past spring, so my husband Cliff and I have been busy being new parents! And in general, I love to spend as much time as possible with family and friends. There is no greater way to unwind.
