Southern Wealth Builders

03/11/2026

Thank you to National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) for the Women to Know 2026 Spotlight. My work at Southern Wealth Builders is centered on one belief: everyone deserves clear, fee-only guidance and a practical path to investing. Whether you’re an athlete, a business owner, or just getting started. Grateful to be part of a community that’s raising the standard for client-first advice.

🌟 NAPFA Women to Know 2026 Spotlight 🌟

Jessica C. McDonald, CFP®, SE-AWMA™, is the founder of Southern Wealth Builders, a financial planning and investment management firm. Jessica specializes in helping small business owners and athletes turn sudden wealth into lasting legacies.

With an education-first and judgment-free approach, she empowers clients, no matter their financial starting point, to make confident decisions for their families and businesses. Jessica is also committed to advancing women in finance, mentoring aspiring female advisors, and fostering a more inclusive, supportive financial planning community.

Join us in honoring Jessica and the inspiring 2026 Women to Know: https://bit.ly/4d817d7

03/06/2026

Reminder: clocks spring forward on March 8, 2026. ⏰

Time changes are a small shift—but they’re also a great nudge to check the bigger picture.

This weekend, as you adjust your clocks, take a moment to think about your money, goals, and future:

Are your plans keeping up with your life, your business, or your NIL income?
Do you feel clear about what you’re building for your family and your legacy?

At Southern Wealth Builders, we offer fee‑only, judgment‑free guidance for athletes and small business owners who are new to financial planning and want real clarity.

Use this time change as your reminder to schedule a conversation and start turning sudden wealth into something that lasts.

03/03/2026

Only one week away! 💙

On March 10, I’ll be part of The Power of SHE Summit Day Meeting at Avenue D—a half‑day event created for women who want to grow in business, money, wellness, and marketing.

I’ll be speaking at 12:45 pm on:
“Women, Wealth, Legacy: Building Financial Power That Lasts.”

I’ll share simple, judgment‑free ways to start building financial power and investing toward the life and legacy you want—no matter your starting point.

But don’t just come for my session—the full lineup is packed with value, and it’s a great way to celebrate Women’s History Month in community with other women.

📅 March 10, 2026
🕛 12:00–3:00 pm
📍 Avenue D

👉 Grab your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-power-of-she-summit-presented-by-lets-make-it-happen-networking-group-tickets-1976008670125?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tag a friend who should join you!

02/26/2026

March is Women’s History Month, and I’m thrilled to be speaking at The Power of SHE Summit here in Birmingham on March 10.

I’ll be leading a session called:

“Women, Wealth, Legacy: Building Financial Power That Lasts”
📅 March 10, 2026 | ⏰ 12–3 PM | 📍 Avenue D

We’ll talk about money and investing in a way that’s clear, practical, and judgment‑free—what it really means for women to build lasting financial power and how to take the next right step from wherever you are.

👉 Details + tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/lets-make-it-happen-networking-groups-58840318093

If you’ve ever thought, “I should be doing more with my money, but I don’t know where to start,” this event is for you. I’d love to see you there (and bring a friend!).

02/24/2026

Southern Wealth Builders is excited to share that our founder was recently featured in InvestmentNews in a story about how financial advisors are supporting student‑athletes with NIL income.

In the article, Jessica talks about the emotional and mental pressure that can come with sudden income, and why it’s completely normal for young athletes to feel unsure or even embarrassed about asking money questions. She also shares how judgment‑free education and clear planning can help them make decisions they feel good about in the moment while still protecting their future.

Supporting athletes and small business owners through big financial transitions is at the heart of what we do at Southern Wealth Builders.

You can read the feature here:
👉

The growth in NIL deals for college athletes is creating a new class of investor, but not all wealth managers are jumping on the opportunity.

02/21/2026

This week was my Featured Presentation Day at BNI, and I loved having the chance to share more about what I do through Southern Wealth Builders and who I serve.

As a Fee-Only, Certified Financial Planner, my focus is on:

Small business owners who are pouring everything into their business, but aren’t always sure they’re doing the “right things” with their personal finances

College athletes with NIL deals who want to make smart choices now so they’re not starting over later

I’m really grateful for a BNI chapter full of professionals who support each other and aren’t afraid to ask real questions about money.

If you know a small business owner or athlete who says, “I know I should be doing more with what I’m earning,” I’d love to have a judgment-free conversation with them.

02/10/2026

Inspire. Connect. Educate.

I had the honor of speaking on the Women in Business panel at Empowering Women In Industry: Unstoppable 2026—a day focused on helping women find their courage in male‑dominated fields.

We talked honestly about building businesses and careers when you’re often the only woman in the room—and how important it is not to shrink yourself to fit in.

Highlights for me:

💬 From surviving to thriving — A needed reminder that rest, boundaries, and caring for yourself aren’t selfish. They’re how you protect your future and your family.

🤝 Building trust over trends — Real influence comes from trust and consistency, not chasing every new trend.

🎯 Personal branding — Owning your story and what you want to be known for matters.

I left feeling encouraged and more committed than ever to helping women—especially athletes and small business owners—turn sudden wealth into lasting wealth and legacy.

If you’re a woman working in a male‑dominated space, drop your industry or role in the comments so I can cheer you on.

02/07/2026

02/07/2026

FamilyWealthReport - Exclusive Intelligence for the family office community

02/06/2026

College athletes are now part of a $2.3B NIL world—but that’s not why I chose this niche.

I’m quoted in a recent Family Wealth Report article on whether the college athlete market is “worth pursuing.” For me, it’s worth it because I care about helping young athletes turn sudden income into long-term confidence and legacy—not just quick spending.

Many are first-generation earners, getting life-changing money and a lot of noise. They deserve clear, judgment-free guidance.

If you’re a college athlete—or you support one—and want help making smart, informed decisions, I’m here.

Read the article here:
https://www.familywealthreport.com/article.php/Is-The-%242.3-Billion-College-Athlete-Market-Worth-Pursuing%3F-

FamilyWealthReport - Exclusive Intelligence for the family office community

02/05/2026

📢Big update from the Alabama Securities Commission:

Advisors like me are now allowed to use client reviews and surveys in our advertising—as long as we follow strict guidelines and keep things honest and transparent.

For Southern Wealth Builders, this isn’t about flashy marketing. It’s about helping athletes, small business owners, and families feel less alone and more confident when they’re making big financial decisions.

If you’ve ever:

🧐 Asked me a money question
👩‍🏫 Attended a workshop
👩‍💻Met with me about your goals
👩‍💼Or worked with me as a client
…I’d be incredibly grateful if you’d share your experience.

Step 1: Answer a few short, questions (kept internal) about your experience (2–3 minutes).
Step 2: If you’re comfortable, you’ll have the option to post a Google review to help others decide if we’re the right fit.

👉 Start here: https://go.levitate.ai/?s=fb4bB74qPP&source=survey

(You’ll see the Google review link after you submit.)

Thank you for trusting me with your questions, your story, and your future!
Your feedback helps me serve the next person who’s just starting their financial journey.