Why I Started LaunchPad Financial

I grew up never really learning how money worked. School didn’t teach it. My family didn’t talk about it. When I served in the Army, I saw how common these struggles were. Many of my peers were living on their own for the first time, and the temptations hit hard. Soldiers were signing up for high-interest loans on brand-new cars, running up credit card balances on bar tabs every weekend, or financing gaming consoles and computers they couldn’t afford. The cycle of debt was everywhere, and there was no real guidance on how to break it.

By the time I graduated college and started my career, I was already carrying thousands of dollars in credit card debt and stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. I remember the stress of watching my account balance drop every month, wondering how I’d cover the next bill. I knew I had to find a way out, so I threw myself into learning—reading books, watching YouTube creators, and listening to podcasts. Slowly, I paid off every dollar of consumer debt and started building real savings and long-term wealth.

When I looked for professional help, financial advisors were nowhere to be found. Their services came with impossible barriers—$250,000 minimum portfolios, sky-high fees, and an attitude that wealth was a prerequisite to even sit at the table. The people who needed guidance the most—people like me and my peers back then—were completely overlooked.

So I started talking openly about finances, and others began to notice my passion for the subject. Friends and family asked me questions and for help with some of their money mysteries. We built budgets, made debt plans, dug out from payday loans, and celebrated the small wins that eventually became big changes.

That’s what LaunchPad Financial is about. It’s not about managing millions—it’s about giving people the tools, clarity, and confidence to take control of their money and start living without constant financial stress. Because when you’re not worried about the next paycheck, you finally have space to focus on what really matters: living fully and building memories with the people you love.

If you’re ready to launch your personal finances, I would love to help you land amongst the stars. Schedule your free Mission Briefing session today to start building your financial launch plan!

– Adam Garrelts
Founder, LaunchPad Financial