This profile highlights one of
At one point in his early career as a financial advisor, Uziel Gomez looked up and found himself seated across from clients who were already financially literate and had built their wealth.
Something felt off.
As a first-generation child of parents who emigrated from Mexico, he had watched his parents navigate the financial ecosystem "with little to no guidance," an experience that left an impression.
"I was always aware of what our financial situation was," he said.
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Eventually, Gomez realized what was missing from his client base: people like his family and community members he interacted with while growing up.
"Everyone else in our immediate circle was in survival mode," he said. "Nobody discussed investing or saving for retirement."
Rather than let it go and carry on at the firm, Gomez left and set out to carve a new path for his career.
Three years ago, he opened
"This is a big demographic being overlooked," he said.
Getting in with clients on the ground floor or those who are just starting out takes both courage and patience, and rising to the challenge involves having a light touch while educating people who might not otherwise have a grasp on finances.
"I'm very intentional about creating a very safe space," he said.
It has also meant taking a pay cut. Gomez charges fees that align with his clients' current financial levels. For instance, some clients are future doctors currently working in fellowships or residencies, and Gomez anticipates his fees will rise as their incomes do.
"I get more satisfaction helping someone understand concepts and set up a foundation and good financial habits early on," he said, "and building with them as they're getting started."
Giving back is also paramount to his work. Gomez has volunteered for several organizations, including
His involvement with the Los Angeles chapter of the Financial Planning Association includes serving as NextGen director, in which he hosted networking events for students, career changers and early-career professionals. At the start of 2026, he assumed the role of chapter president.
Shanelle Sua works alongside Gomez on the FPA Board as president-elect and director of membership.
"Uziel is consistently reliable and cares so much about financial planning and those coming up in it," she said. "He does all this great volunteer work while running his firm and serving as a speaker at conferences. He's an all-around great guy and someone who is easy to work with."
By going back to his roots, Gomez has found new meaning in the role of financial advisor. "Everything just naturally falls into place for you if you're really leading with a big heart and an intention to do good by other people," he said.
