Networking & Building Relationships

In this episode of Torch Talk, Lindsey sits down with Drew Gooding, financial advisor and certified financial planner with Edward Jones, to talk about how real success in business is built on relationships, not transactions. Drew shares the lessons, mentors, and moments that shaped his relationship-first approach to business and life, from shadowing mentors as a college student to leading his own financial practice in Millersburg.

He opens up about starting his career during the pandemic, learning to build trust virtually, and why empathy and curiosity matter more than ever in a field built on money and emotion. Drew also offers honest advice for young professionals finding their path, the power of mentorship, and what it means to serve people before selling to them.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
 • How Drew built his business through trust, consistency, and genuine care
 • The mentors who shaped his leadership and perspective
 • The balance between financial planning and emotional intelligence
 • What younger professionals should ask before choosing a career
 • Why leading with empathy changes everything at work and at home

This conversation is a reminder that the best businesses and the best leaders start with relationships.