Today we’d like to introduce you to Trevor Johnson.
Hi Trevor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Twenty years ago, my plan was actually to become a financial planner right out of college. The problem was, at 22 years old, I could not imagine someone trusting their life savings to a kid with very little real world experience. Around that same time, I was offered a great opportunity in corporate finance with Northrop Grumman, so I took it and spent years building experience in the corporate world.
Even then, financial planning never really left me. In college, I had a professor who did pro bono financial planning for people who needed help, and I always respected the impact that had on families. That stuck with me. Over the years, friends, coworkers, and family members came to me with financial questions, retirement concerns, and big life decisions. I genuinely enjoyed helping people make sense of their money and feel more confident about their future.
Eventually, I realized this was what I was meant to do. I founded Dream Weaver Financial Planning to create the kind of firm I would want for my own family. A place where people feel comfortable asking questions, where advice is honest and practical, and where clients are treated like real people instead of account numbers.
Today, I primarily help people who are close to retirement or recently retired answer the questions that keep them up at night: “Can I retire?” “Will my money last?” “Am I making any big mistakes?” My goal is to help bring clarity and confidence to what can otherwise feel overwhelming.
I also teach as an adjunct college instructor, which has been incredibly rewarding because education has always been a big part of how I approach financial planning. Whether someone is preparing for retirement or simply trying to make smarter financial decisions, I love helping people feel more in control of their future and more confident about where they are headed.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Not long after launching Dream Weaver Financial Planning, our family was hit with every parent’s worst nightmare. My 3 year old son Levi was diagnosed with leukemia, and it changed my perspective overnight. You quickly realize how fragile and unpredictable life really is, and I was no longer on the sidelines of something like this, I was right in the middle of it.
At first, I worried I might lose clients because of everything going on at home. Instead, I did not lose a single one. Even more than that, people showed up for our family in ways I will never forget, offering help with the kids, rides to activities, and meals while we were at the hospital. It reminded me what real relationships are supposed to look like.
In a strange way, it has made me a better financial planner. A lot of clients have been through similar hardships, and it is something I can genuinely relate to. It reinforces that financial planning is not just about numbers, it is about helping people through real life.
Levi’s diagnosis has also shaped how we move forward as a family. We are choosing to stay positive, and I truly believe we will come out of this stronger, closer, and more grateful for the time we have together. Levi has already inspired a lot of people with his strength, and I believe his story will continue to do so.
We are also committed to raising and contributing funds for pediatric cancer research. It is important to us that this becomes something meaningful beyond our own experience. This entire journey has reinforced one thing for me more than anything else, tomorrow is never guaranteed, which is why I care so much about helping people prepare financially while also actually enjoying their lives today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dream Weaver Financial Planning is focused on helping people move into retirement with clarity and confidence, not confusion and stress.
I primarily work with people who are close to retirement or already retired who are trying to answer the big questions like, “Do I have enough to retire?”, “When should I take Social Security?”, and “Is my portfolio invested properly for retirement?” Most clients come to me with accounts spread across different places and no clear plan tying everything together. My job is to simplify that and create a clear, workable retirement strategy.
What sets me apart is that I focus on real life planning, not just numbers. Money decisions are personal, and I take the time to make sure clients actually understand their plan and feel comfortable with it. I keep things simple, practical, and focused on what really matters.
I also work directly with clients through my 6 week Ready for Retirement course. It is a step by step process where we go through the key decisions people need to make before retirement so they can clearly understand where they stand and what adjustments, if any, need to be made. In my opinion, everyone should go through this before they retire.
I also bring a real world perspective shaped by life experiences that have reinforced for me how unpredictable life can be. Because of that, I tend to connect with clients on a deeper level, especially those going through transitions or unexpected challenges.
What I am most proud of is the trust and long term relationships that develop. Clients are not just accounts, they are people I walk through major life decisions with over time.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple. Help people feel more confident about their financial future so they can actually enjoy the retirement they worked so hard for.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
A big part of my journey goes back to my college finance professor, Professor Atra.
He made financial planning interesting and simple, and he showed how good financial decisions directly lead to a better life. More importantly, it led me to see the connection between money and control of your most important asset, time, and how it gives people options in life to do what they actually enjoy before the sand runs out of the hourglass.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dwfinancialplanning.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568785719557
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFg6XLPPz2YK4hUP4b1LCQ
