“Wealth Beyond Money: Time” with Brittany Brinckerhoff
Brittany Brinckerhoff’s journey at Hilltop Wealth Advisors began as an intern. Today, she is a Partner at the firm, one of its most actively engaged community builders, and serves on the board of the local Financial Planning Association (FPA).
Her leadership both inside and outside the firm reflects something she believes deeply: wealth extends beyond money.
At Hilltop, we frequently talk about the 5 Pillars of Wealth. The first pillar of wealth is time.
Below, Brittany shares how her understanding of time has evolved throughout her career — and why ownership of time may be one of the most valuable assets an advisor can have.
Wealth Beyond Money: Time
When I started at Hilltop as an intern, time felt like something to prove myself with.
I said yes to everything. Every opportunity was a chance to learn. Every meeting was exposure.
At that stage, time meant growth. It meant building credibility and gaining experience. As I’ve grown in my role – and now as a Partner – my understanding of time has changed. Today, time isn’t about proving myself. It’s about protecting what matters and being intentional about where my energy goes.
That shift has been one of the most important evolutions in my career.
The Advisor Time Trap
One of the biggest pain points I see, and have personally felt, is how easily advisors become time-poor. Between client meetings, planning work, compliance, business development, networking, and leadership responsibilities, it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day.
Serving as President of the Triangle FPA for the past two years only heightened my awareness of this. Leadership at that level requires commitment, preparation, and presence. It requires you to be disciplined about your time — because if you aren’t intentional, something important will suffer.
Early in my career, it was easy to operate reactively. Fill the calendar. Respond quickly to what’s urgent. Say yes because you feel like you should. But over time, I realized that being busy isn’t the same as being effective, and it certainly isn’t the same as being fulfilled.
For many advisors, the real frustration isn’t workload. It’s the feeling of not being in control of how their time is allocated. And control over time is deeply tied to professional satisfaction.
From Proving Myself to Protecting My Priorities
People sometimes ask why I commit time to organizations like the FPA when advisors already have demanding schedules. The answer is simple: because it aligns with my values and long-term vision for this profession – and, honestly, it’s fun to be involved!
Serving as FPA President wasn’t just about adding something to my résumé. It was about contributing to a community that shapes the future of financial planning. It’s about mentorship, standards, advocacy, and connection.
When I evaluate how I spend my time, I ask myself:
Is this aligned with who I want to be as an advisor?
Is this building something bigger than myself?
Will this make a long-term impact?
If the answer is yes, it’s an investment. Time well spent isn’t about how full your calendar is. It’s about whether your time reflects your priorities.
The Importance of Autonomy
One of the greatest gifts in my career progression from Hilltop intern to Partner has been increasing ownership over my time. Autonomy isn’t just about investment philosophy or branding. It’s about designing your days in a way that reflects your values.
Being part of a firm that supports leadership development and community involvement makes a significant difference. When you have the right infrastructure and team around you, you can step into roles like FPA President without sacrificing the quality of your client relationships or personal life. That kind of support allows you to lead intentionally, instead of constantly feeling stretched thin.
The Asset You Can’t Replenish
Money will always matter in our profession. But over time, I’ve come to believe that real wealth includes:
Time to lead and serve the profession
Time to build meaningful client relationships
Time to mentor younger advisors
Time for family and personal priorities
Time aligned with your purpose
Earlier in my career, I thought success meant a full calendar. Now, I believe success means an intentional one.
If I could offer one piece of advice to advisors, especially those feeling overwhelmed, it would be this: protect your time the way you protect your clients’ portfolios. Because time is the one asset we cannot replenish. And when you begin to treat it as wealth, everything changes.
Read Brittany’s bio and connect with her on LinkedIn!
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as investment, legal, or tax advice. Options strategies involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. There is no guarantee that any strategy will be successful or achieve its intended objectives. Investment outcomes depend on market conditions, individual circumstances, and the structure of the strategy. Investors should consult with qualified financial, tax, and legal professionals before implementing any investment strategy discussed herein.