Greeley-based Edward Jones financial advisors Nick Kenny and Dayna Hazlewood are making a significant impact—not just with their clients’ finances but with their lives.
Through their shared mission to provide meaningful support to clients, they approach their work as “economic therapists,” focused on building lasting relationships with both their clients and the community at large.
“As financial advisors with Edward Jones, we talk with our clients regularly, learn from them, understand who they are, what they want, and how we can help them achieve their financial goals,” Nick explains. This connection typically leads to bonds that extend beyond business.
“We often feel like a part of the family at a point,” Nick adds.
Dayna concurs, emphasizing the role of financial advisors in clients’ lives: “A financial advisor is a trusted resource that you can talk to about your goals, wishes, and fears. We help you plan for the ‘unexpected’ and work towards the future you want—for yourself, your family, and even charitable offerings that go beyond yourself.”
Whether clients are working toward a specific financial target or planning for their legacy, Nick’s and Dayna’s role is to align client goals with actionable strategies.
Both Dayna and Nick made major career shifts in their 30s to pursue the path they share now, similarly motivated by a desire to serve their community.
Originally studying trumpet performance, Nick moved to Greeley to earn a master’s degree at the University of Northern Colorado and later worked his way up to become Executive Director of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra.
“I loved the arts, but working in a non-profit can be tough, especially financially,” he reflects. The rising cost of living and a desire for stability led him to financial advising. “I didn’t want to leave Greeley for a bigger place that may have offered more opportunities for arts administration. Greeley’s my home.”
Dayna, meanwhile, earned a doctorate in optometry and spent five years building her own practice. It was the business side of her work that sparked her interest in financial planning.
“I wanted to help people as much as I could,” she explains. Transitioning to financial advising allowed her to use the same holistic approach from her optometry work to support financial advisor clients in new ways. As she puts it, “Help them think outside the box. I’m helping the whole person—looking at every angle in every situation.”
Nick and Dayna credit Edward Jones for providing the mentorship and structure they needed to succeed. They had strong mentors, including (in both cases) Dayna’s mother, Debbie, who had been with Edward Jones for years.
Now as financial advisors, they are committed to educating clients about making their money work for them, whether they’re nearing retirement or just starting their careers. “People often get so caught up in ‘saving mode’ that they forget to think about what they’re saving for,” Dayna explains. “What does it mean to you to have that money? What do you want to do with it?”
And, for the burgeoning advisors who became friends after starting at Edward Jones around the same time in 2023, what they do is not just for those moving into the latter phases of their lives.
“If we can help people in their twenties understand the power of saving early, they can retire with a significant amount,” Dayna notes.
“We also often hear that people are worried they’re ‘not rich enough’ to start investing,” Nick reveals. “But you don’t have to be rich to start investing. The best time to start is today.”
Nick and Dayna’s work is about more than just financial planning; it’s about relationships. “When our clients meet their financial goals, it’s not just they who celebrate—we do too,” Nick says with his wry smile. “We celebrate with them because we had the privilege of helping them get there.”
Whether it’s guiding a young professional in starting their savings journey or helping a family with retirement planning, Nick and Dayna’s passion for their work shines through. Their deep commitment to Greeley’s families reflects the strong bonds they’ve built within the Greeley community.
Financial Tips from Dayna
Investing for your future is important — but it can be challenging. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone! A financial advisor can help you in several ways.
- Thinking Long Term: A financial advisor can help you develop a long-term financial strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. And your advisor can review your strategy regularly to determine what adjustments should be made, either due to changing financial markets or changes in your own life.
- Getting the Timing Right: An advisor can help you avoid costly investment mistakes, such as trying to “time” the market by always seeking the lowest point to buy and the highest to sell. Such a strategy is almost impossible to follow because no one can really predict these highs and lows.
- Measuring Your Progress: Another way a financial advisor can help you is by measuring your progress toward your goals. Many people assume they should just check their portfolio’s performance against a market index, such as the S&P 500, but a financial professional can employ more personalized benchmarks.
Investing for your future can be exciting and rewarding—you can feel more confident in your decisions when you have someone helping you along the way.
Financial Tips from Nick
Spring is here—which means it’s once again time to wash the windows, organize your cabinets, and steam your carpets. This year, besides tidying up around your house, why not also consider some financial spring cleaning? Here are a few healthy spring cleaning tips!
- De-cluttering: For starters, you could “de-clutter” your investment portfolio. How? Look for duplicate, or near-duplicate investments. If you’ve got several, you might be better off selling some to broaden your investment mix.
- Dusting: Dust off your investment strategy. If you’ve experienced changes in your life, such as a marriage, a new job, or the arrival of new children, you might need to adjust your goals and the methods of reaching them
- Preparing: Just as you may get rid of broken tools or other dangerous items when you clean your house or garage, you should watch out for threats to your financial security, such as a major home or auto repair. You can protect yourself by building an emergency fund containing several months’ worth of living expenses.
Of course, some of these moves can take time—but by getting started on them soon, you can help put your financial house in better shape for the next spring cleaning.