Meet Omar Aguilar

We were lucky to catch up with Omar Aguilar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Omar, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

The strength I have inside me? It didn’t just appear; it was built, brick by brick, from the stories of my parents’ incredible fight. Their lives before America was vastly different then my own, one filled with challenges I only began to grasp as I grew older.

When I was a kid, around 8 or 9, their past felt like a hazy storybook. I knew they worked hard, but the real weight of their struggles to give us a good life was something my young mind couldn’t fully understand. Still, those faint tales of hardship and hope planted seeds in me.

As I got older, I became a detective, wanting to piece together how my parents made their way to the US. The story of my dad’s teenage years hit me hard. In their home of Los Azulitos Jal. life was simple but tough. Then, my grandpa got diagnosed with cancer. Money was tight, and the cost of treatment felt like an unclimbable mountain in a town whose fortunes bloomed and withered with the crops, leaving little margin against the harsh realities of life and weather.
That’s when my dad, barely more than a boy himself, made a daring choice: he would immigrate to the US illegally. Imagine the fear each time he was caught by authorities, the cold grip of those officers hands on his arms. But the picture of his sick father, waiting for treatment, burned in his mind. He had to succeed.

While on this journey he encountered many individuals that looked down on him, people that treated him different because of the way he looked and the way he spoke. This world can be cruel to a young boy struggling to find his footing in a new land. But it can also be kind.

My dad not only tells me stories about the injustices he met, he also tells me the kindness he encountered from complete strangers, people that saw a young, scared boy and were willing to lend a helping hand.
When I was old enough to get my first job, I remember him saying “You have something I never did, you speak two languages. If you see someone struggling, help them. Because I remember what it felt like to be them, lost and scared. When you help them, you’re helping the young man I used to be.”

Those words have become my identity, a guidepost in my own life. Later, when I started working in finance, I met so many people with similar stories – people who had come to this country chasing a dream, working tirelessly to build a new life. In their determination, I saw the same fire that burned in my dad.

Now, looking at my life – my wife, my kids, my business, the times I volunteer – I know it all rests on the strength my family passed down to me. Their journey shaped everything. Compared to the mountains they moved, opening a financial planning firm feels like a small hill. When I face a tough challenge, I just think, “Did they give up?” The answer is always a clear no, so I keep pushing. Life throws curveballs, but my attitude, my choices, and my refusal to quit all come from the amazing example of my parents.

And so, when I help families plan their futures, a part of me is still honoring my mom and dad and the bold journey they took. By offering guidance and support, I hope to help others build their own success stories, just like my parents did in this new land.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My path to becoming a financial advisor wasn’t the usual one you might imagine. Growing up, I saw how confusing money could be for everyday people – kind of like how my parents had to figure out a whole new way of life when they came to America. That’s why I started Blue Ladder Financial Planning, LLC. The name says it all: I want to help everyone take those first strong steps up to a better financial future.

What really gets me excited about my job is seeing that ‘aha!’ moment when someone finally understands something that used to stress them out about money, like investing or budgeting. I remember this one time I helped a young couple who were drowning in debt. After we worked together, they not only had a plan but also felt like they could actually breathe again. Seeing that change in people – that’s what keeps me going.

Giving back to the community I grew up in is also super important to me. That’s why I volunteer with different groups and give free talks about money, both in English and Spanish. It feels good to give people the knowledge they need to make smart choices about their finances. For me, it’s like paying it forward. And just like I want my clients to feel secure, my family – my wife and our three kids – are my rock. When I’m not talking about budgets and savings (which if you know me, I do a lot), you can probably find me enjoying the outdoors with my family, jogging or playing baseball with friends.

At Blue Ladder Financial Planning, we’re always trying to find new ways to help our clients and our community. We want to be more than just the people you call about money; we want to be your partners in building a strong financial future.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back at my journey, I can see three things that really pushed me forward.

First, it’s got to be empathy – that ability to truly understand what someone else is going through. Seeing my parents’ struggles when they came to this country taught me a lot about the challenges people face, especially when starting over. And my dad’s advice to help others because I was once in their shoes? That stuck with me. It helps me connect with my clients on a real level, to see their worries and dreams as if they were my own. For anyone just starting out, I’d say really listen to people’s stories. Try to walk a mile in their shoes. You’ll be surprised how much you learn and how much better you can help.

The second thing is definitely resilience – that never-give-up spirit. Watching my dad face so many setbacks and still keep going to provide for his family hammered that into me. When things get tough in my own business or life, I think about my mom, she has this “nothing is impossible attitude” and if you fail, “so what, get up” and it reminds me that most obstacles can be overcome if you just keep pushing. My advice here is to see challenges as chances to learn. Don’t be afraid to stumble; just get back up and figure out what you can do differently next time.

And finally, being able to communicate with different people, especially in both English and Spanish, has been huge. It’s the reason my journey in finance was possible. Because when I was a young 18-year-old, I answered a job post looking for a bilingual teller. It’s like having a key to connect with so many more folks and offer them the help they need. If you have a chance to learn another language or just get better at talking and listening to people, grab it.

Remember, no one is self-made, network, make many friends. Find a mentor, and when you are successful be that helping hand you once needed.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

When I think about the person I really love to help at Blue Ladder Financial Planning, it’s someone who’s looking to build a better financial future, no matter where they’re starting from. They might feel a little lost or confused about money, but they have a real desire to learn and make smart choices for themselves and their families. They don’t have to be rich or have a lot of fancy investments. What’s important is that they’re willing to work together, ask questions, and be open to new ideas. Just like my parents came to a new country wanting to build a better life, my ideal client has that same kind of drive and hope for their financial well-being.

I also really connect with people who value honesty and trust. Financial planning is a partnership, and it works best when we can be open and upfront with each other. Someone who appreciates clear, straightforward advice, without all the confusing Wall Street jargon, is a great fit. And honestly, if someone has a good heart and cares about their community, like I do, that makes working together even better. It’s about more than just numbers; it’s about helping people achieve their goals and feel more secure, so they can focus on what truly matters to them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blueladderfp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueladderfp/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blueladderfp/