I am Tessa Elrod, co-owner of Next Step Financial Transitions. I fell in love with financial planning from my first semester in the financial planning department at Texas Tech. What I discovered over the tenure of my experience is that my passion truly lies in the impact I am blessed to make in people’s lives. I love witnessing the immediate relief my clients experience when they understand their financial situation and peace of mind that comes with having clear direction. My mission is to bring that emotion to clients of all ages and transitions. 

I hold a BS in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University and am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner as well as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®. In 2008, I took my first step into the professional world with United Capital Private Wealth Counseling, which now comes under Goldman Sachs Personal Financial Management Umbrella. In addition to playing a key role in the development of UCPWC’s advice and planning group in Lubbock, TX I also held the Relationship Manager role in both the Bethesda, MD and Houston, TX offices.  

In 2014, I joined Houston-based Strategic Financial Advisor, where I discovered and developed my passion for family-oriented financial planning and the next generation’s financial needs. As a mother of three myself, I understand how difficult financial planning can be, especially for families with children that have special needs. This is a difficult truth that I have learned from my personal experience. 

My career trajectory also brought me in contact with several people (mostly women) who had difficulty dealing with the financial repercussions of divorce and unjust settlements. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, I helped these people take control of their financial life when I was with SFA. Then in 2018 I started Next Step Divorce Solutions LLC, with a desire to do more during the divorce process.