December Member Spotlight
Company: John Fiege, CFP®
Location: 34 Market Street
Onancock, VA 23417
Member Since: 2003
Family & Background
John’s family includes his wife Lisa (Office Manager of Onancock), youngest daughter Mackenzie (12- 6th grade), middle daughter Abby (25- writer/office manager), and son AJ (33- underwater welder). His mother taught English, Latin, and Academic Bowl at Nandua (Latin @ Arcadia) and has helped John in business since the beginning, his Dad gave him big shoes to fill as the first president of ESCC and initiator of our local YMCA, and his Brother Bill is also a community leader and his family of four are softball all-stars.
John is also the 2020 United Way Fundraising Chairman.
What inspired you to pursue the career you have today?
My career was inspired by God through prayer. I was in Virginia Beach in 2000. As I prayed, it suddenly became clear that I should move back to the Shore and start my own financial planning business to help the citizens of our Shore.
Afterward, I started to read the local newspaper and saw an ad for ODU’s professional financial planning course, in which I enrolled the same day. Following the completion of the courses and three years of experience, I passed the CFP® exam and several years later became a NAPFA™-Registered Financial Planner, an association for planners who do not sell products on commissions.
Hard to believe I’ve been doing this for over 18 years now!
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
The Ten Commandments.
Favorite Eastern Shore activity?
Relaxing with friends while eating grilled steak, steamed clams and freshly shucked oysters and enjoying a lovely beverage at Cross Creek Cottage, our Airbnb.
What is one thing you would tell your younger self?
Invest sooner – after building an emergency fund. Don’t start your first business right out of college- give yourself a little more experience and build up more savings first.
Favorite holiday tradition?
Christmas morning with family opening presents with kids and Thanksgiving Dinner with family and friends – we’ve held it at my Mom’s house around the corner from our home and just last year Lisa and I starting cooking in our new kitchen designed especially for larger family events and parties.