Michele Welch brings nearly a decade of experience to her role as a Private Wealth Advisor at Zarra Wealth Management. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Hunter College, Michele's educational background has equipped her with a deep understanding of human behavior and decision-making, which she leverages to provide personalized and empathetic financial guidance to her clients.
Background and Inspiration
Growing up in the Bronx, NY, Michele's journey to becoming a financial advisor was inspired by her personal experiences and a desire to help others navigate the complexities of personal finance. After witnessing the transformative power of sound financial advice early in her career, Michele became determined to be a guiding force for her clients, helping them simplify their financial situations, minimize their lifetime tax burden, and create sustainable income in retirement.
Expertise and Specializations
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner, Michele specializes in retirement planning strategies, women's financial strategies, family finances, and legacy planning. Her investment philosophy is straightforward: the client's interests always come first. She prioritizes integrity and transparency in every decision, focusing on recognizing and mitigating risks while creating customized portfolios that reflect each client’s unique goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.
Career Milestones
Michele's career journey took a significant turn when she transitioned from restaurant management to financial advising. She became licensed just three years after starting in the financial industry and earned her CFP ® designation a few years later. Her path has been incredibly rewarding, and she finds great fulfillment in helping others navigate their financial journeys.
Personal Life and Interests
Michele currently resides in Hewlett, NY, with her family, including her son Ethan, daughter Samantha, and their beloved Whoodle, Tucker. Outside of work, Michele enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, learning new things, and engaging in animal welfare initiatives. She is also a food and wine enthusiast and enjoys travel and adventure sports.
Client Expectations
Michele approaches each conversation with warmth, friendliness, and a spirit of collaboration. Her top priority is to understand her clients—their goals, dreams, and the concerns that keep them up at night. She carefully looks for gaps in their financial lives that, if addressed, could lead to meaningful improvements for them and their families. Working together, they create an initial plan to begin moving toward realistic, personalized goals and outline clear next steps.
Transparency is central to Michele’s approach. She ensures clients know exactly what to expect from their work together and how the partnership will unfold. Her goal is for clients to leave feeling heard, understood, and confident about their financial future.
Michele offers this straightforward advice: Don’t let stress, distractions, or lack of information stand between you and the financial life you deserve. And remember—retiring without a plan is like throwing a dart blindfolded. Don’t leave your future to chance.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Michele and begin your journey to financial well-being, please click below.
