From Preservation to Possibility
After nearly five years working with the NH SBDC, financial planner Matthew Sheers has turned Sheer Empowerment Financial from an early idea into a growing, sustainable business.
Before launching his firm, Matt spent 12 years in Boston’s corporate wealth management world, advising ultra-wealthy families. The work was stable and predictable, but something was missing.
“I was much more passionate about advising my peers… people I could better relate to.”
Over time, that feeling became harder to ignore. He wanted to work with people who were actively building their lives, those navigating career changes, raising families, and making complex financial decisions in real time. Instead of focusing on preserving wealth, he wanted to help people create it. That shift in perspective became the foundation for Sheer Empowerment Financial.
Turning that vision into a business, however, was not simple.
Matt began building his firm while still working another job. Like many early-stage entrepreneurs, he found himself stretched thin and unsure where to focus. There was no shortage of ideas, but deciding what would actually move the business forward was a challenge.
“I needed a thought partner… someone to help me smartly focus my energy on high-impact things. That’s where my advisor, Janie Wang, and the NH SBDC came in.”
Working with Janie brought clarity and momentum. Her direct and perceptive approach helped him cut through uncertainty and move past perfectionism. Instead of trying to do everything at once, he began making deliberate, strategic decisions.
Those decisions quickly added up. Matt revamped his website with a designer who understood his brand and audience. He joined the XY Planning Network, which became a major source of qualified leads. He clarified his niche and refined his messaging, so it reflected the clients he truly wanted to serve. He also strengthened his business foundation through SBDC programs like LeAF and shifted his mindset away from bootstrapping toward making targeted investments, especially in marketing.
The impact was immediate.
“After joining XYPN and revamping my website, I’ve seen enormous growth.”
Today, Sheer Empowerment Financial serves professionals in their 30s and 40s, often dual-income households with young families who are still building wealth and looking for practical, proactive guidance. Matt’s work often begins with a comprehensive planning engagement, giving clients structure and clarity as their financial lives evolve.
“The work I do now is about people who are still building wealth… and I find that challenge a lot more exciting.”
With a growing client base and strong momentum, Matt is now focused on refining his processes and building a business designed to last. His goal remains rooted in the same motivation that led him to start.
“Ultimately, I want to make expert financial planning advice more accessible to more people.”
With continued support from the NH SBDC and a clear vision for the future, Matt is not just growing a business. He is creating new possibilities for his clients and for the role financial planning can play in their lives.