An interview with Melissa Wissler and Lyle Hershey of Master’s Wealth Management on why they support the Gifts that Give Hope Fair.
by Marian Pontz
Doing Great and Beautiful Things With What You Have
Doing great and beautiful things with what you have and having the vision to see more than just what's in front of you. These were the thoughts running through my brain as I stood in the beautifully renovated, once-abandoned mill now home to Master’s Wealth Management on Oregon Road in Leola. As I waited for my interviewees, Melissa Wissler and Lyle Hershey, I stood staring at the old picture of the mill in its heyday, before the fire, before the years of disuse. I smelled the new-construction wood, drywall, and paint, and touched the sturdy original stone walls, history, and the present, converging to define the space and the goals of this company: do great and beautiful things with what you have and see more than just what's in front of you.
Why Master’s Wealth Management Invests in the Gifts That Give Hope Fair
This interview had a simple goal: asking Lyle and Melissa why they invested in the Gifts that Give Hope Fair. Melissa explained that she has worked with the founder of the Gifts That Give Hope Fair’s parents as their financial advisor and has become aware of the fair, visiting it each year with her daughter. Her values as a financial advisor, of recognizing that money is a tool with lasting influence, could be seen in both shopping at the fair and investing in it. When Melissa presented the idea of Master’s Wealth Management investing in the fair, Lyle was all in. As he explains, “We give locally. We invest in our community. Everything has been a gift to us, and we want to spread the love.”
Aligning Money With Personal Values
Lyle and Melissa go on to explain why what they do at Master’s Wealth Management is a perfect partner for their clients. They work to align their clients' values with their goals. Instead of simply using investment products, Master’s Wealth Management helps their clients invest in their personal values-family, health, religion, philanthropy, and more. They take the time to do a deep dive into their values, ultimately helping their clients use money as a tool to create a lasting impact. As Lyle explains, he and the other certified planners serve as guides for their clients’ “financial” hikes. They help them avoid the pitfalls but also experience the beauty and sights not to be missed.
A Shared Vision for Meaningful Giving
It occurs to me that Master's Wealth Management and The Gift that Gives Hope Fair are also perfect partners. We both value the impact many can have in supporting their clients' values. The fair also helps guide and explain how best to support their goal of giving an impactful gift.
What Visitors Can Experience at the Gift Fair
As I explained to Lyle, who has never visited the fair but hopes to this year, there are approximately 30 nonprofits set up in the main area. The representatives can explain and showcase the impact your gift can have. There are international, national, and local non-profits. Your gift from $5.00 to $5,000 has lasting, positive effects that align with your values or the recipient's values. Then there are twenty-five market vendors you can shop. These are certified B Corps, Fair Trade, or environmentally friendly shops- from jewelry to candles, to chocolates, and more. Outside, seven food trucks are serving up delicious treats. If you have children, there are activities, from scavenger hunts to books to be won. Every choice a Gift Fair participant makes will have a long-lasting positive effect. There are no bad choices and nothing to fear. You make your choices based on your values and goals, with the fair there to support you, answer your questions, and guide you in learning new ways to use your money as a tool for the lasting influence you want to make.
