Serving as class treasurer all four years of high school might have been a hint that John Collins would pursue a career in the financial industry.
With a degree in mathematics and a minor in education, John thought he might be a teacher, but God had other plans for how he would help people. John began his career as a bank teller, quickly moved to loan officer, and then commercial loans. “It’s amazing how much my banking experience gave me the opportunity to counsel people about loans and how to make the most of their money. I was doing financial planning before I realized that’s what I was doing.”
After 14 years in the banking industry, John joined a financial investment company where he worked for 11 years until he felt the firm grew too big to provide the level of personal service he wanted to give his clients.
John founded Collins Wealth Management in 2003, now celebrating two decades of service to Goldsboro families and extending to 12 states by serving clients’ relatives as referrals. In 2014, John joined Integrated Financial Group (IFG), the umbrella under which he operates his advisory business, which comprises a significant portion of the firm’s work. Estate planning and other financial services are handled through LPL Financial.
An interesting fact about John that few can claim is that he’s also an experienced bus driver, having driven students to and from school and sporting and special events. He did this as a senior in high school and all four years of college at Averett University in Danville, VA. Now, he steers the bus to guide his client’s portfolios and their financial road map.
Born in a small rural town in Virginia, John was taught financial discipline at an early age and developed a strong work ethic from the time he was strong enough to push a lawn mower. His father taught him and his three sisters, “You work hard, make money and one day make your money work hard for you.” His parents also modeled how to treat people well. “I love people, and I love how they think and what they are thinking,” he said. “You shouldn’t be in this business unless you love people.”
When John is not at the office or out meeting with clients, he enjoys spending time at Wildwood Lake, where eagles, bluebirds, cardinals, herons, and other wildlife are his neighbors. “That’s my peace zone and a little bit of heaven on earth,” he said. An outdoorsman, John also enjoys cutting wood at his cabin in Virginia and hiking nature trails with his beloved rescue dog, Jack, a miniature schnauzer, at his side. For recreation, he finds his action on the tennis court as a competitive USTA player in several leagues. John sees good sportsmanship as a way to demonstrate his Christian values. He loves singing old hymns and volunteers his time to sing at nursing homes to bring comfort and joy when he can. He also enjoys Bible study, a good discussion, and listening to Gospel and Bluegrass music.
“I don’t have any plans to retire. I love what I do,” said John. “I spent some 40 years learning to do this the right way, and I want to continue to use that knowledge and experience to help others.”
