Why I Became a Financial Advisor

Why I Became a Financial Advisor

May 25, 2016

I have always been fascinated with money, especially learning how to manage assets and be more efficient with investments. But growing up, money was often a source of stress for my family. With a father in law enforcement and a stay-at-home mom, we didn’t have a lot of disposable income. Despite this, my parents instilled a strong work ethic in me, offering me an allowance in exchange for chores around the house. I quickly learned that I needed to work hard and that I had to spend my money wisely, saving for a rainy day as opposed to purchasing things I didn’t need.

Despite my interest in financial planning, throughout my schooling, working as an advisor hadn’t crossed my mind. I interned with several large companies, including A.G. Edwards, Merrill Lynch, and State Farm Insurance, before graduating from college and taking a job with Franklin Templeton in their Fund Information Department. I worked in various departments before returning to graduate school to obtain my MBA at USC’s Marshall School of Business. When I graduated in 2002, the economy had changed. Jobs were scarce and, while I was passionate about personal finance, I wasn’t sure if I could make a living as an advisor.

Opportunity Knocks

It wasn’t until I was offered the opportunity to work as an advisor with Trilogy that I thought it would be an incredible opportunity to continue learning about building wealth and teach what I had learned to others.

Because it is an independent firm, I knew Trilogy wouldn’t force me to sell certain products and would allow me to be honest with my clients. Joining the company is one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I’ve been with Trilogy since 2002.

Harnessing My Passion

Today, my passion for serving my clients is strong as ever. In the simplest of words, I love my job. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that I am making a difference in people’s lives. In all that I do, I want to provide a meaningful impact on the lives of my clients and the people they care most about, including helping them plan to have enough money to be financially independent and leave a legacy for their children, enabling the next generation to start their lives a step ahead of the previous one.

As a father and family man myself, I understand this desire to teach one’s children healthy financial habits and leave them a legacy. I’m always happy to help out multiple generations, helping a client’s children efficiently manage the wealth their parents have left them.

From helping Gen Xers and Millennials to pre-retirees and retirees, I never get tired of hearing, “Wow, it’s hard to believe how much I have saved.” I’ve been there for my clients in good times and bad, during celebratory events and times of chaos and strife. Whether a client is struggling or succeeding, I am always there to help, to provide financial advice or just offer a shoulder to lean on.

Looking Toward the Future

It’s hard to believe I have already been in this industry for more than two decades, and I look forward to many more decades building my practice and nourishing strong, multi-generational relationships with my clients. I’m first and foremost a father and husband, and I hope to one day leave my practice to my children so they can continue building what I’ve started. My greatest dream is to one day see my kids working with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of my clients.

Based in Irvine, California, most of my clients are spread across California, both in Orange County and the San Francisco Bay Area. However, I also have clients across the country in Nevada, Texas, and Illinois. Whether you’re local in Orange County or based in another state, I’d be happy to meet with you in-person or on the phone to discuss your goals and see how I may be able to help you and your family.

About Mike Loo


Mike Loo is an independent financial advisor with more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. His mission is to provide a meaningful impact on the lives of clients and the people they care most about, help them make educated decisions with their money, and build a strong financial foundation for both themselves and their next generation. Mike is committed to meeting a high standard of excellence, taking the time to listen to clients’ needs, and designing strategies that aim to help clients save money and reduce debt. He seeks to fit a client’s investments into their life and educate them so they’ll understand their investments. To learn more about how Mike may be able to help, connect with him on LinkedIn, call his office at (949) 221-8105 x 2128, or email him at michael.loo@lpl.com.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Trilogy Capital, a registered investment advisor. Trilogy Capital and Trilogy Financial are separate entities from LPL Financial.