who we are

Samuel and Kirstie O'Banner, founders of Fresh Start Financial Education, LLC being interviewed on Fox Business Interview.  

our STORY

Fresh Start Financial Education was founded by Samuel and Kirstie O’Banner in January of 2016.  Since their marriage in July of 2014, the O’Banners have been committed to being good stewards over the resources that God had entrusted to them and began aggressively paying off their debt. However, this was not always their way of handling money.  Both coming from single parent households, where money was scarce, neither Samuel or Kirstie had good examples to follow as it relates to finances.  Poor money management followed them into their adult years where they both struggled in this area.  From credit cards to cash advances and all kinds of other debt , Samuel and Kirstie borrowed their way into crippling debt.​

In early 2011, Samuel began studying biblical financial principles.  What he learned changed the way he saw and thought about money.  He immediately began budgeting and paying off his personal debt.  After one year of countless sacrifices, Samuel paid off $13,910.39 and became completely debt free!  Shortly thereafter, he began enlightening his friends and family while also facilitating financial courses that taught the same biblical financial principles that helped him to get out of debt. 

When Samuel and Kirstie met in January 2014 she was open about her personal debt and Samuel quickly began sharing with her the financial principles that changed his life.  As the relationship blossomed, they decided to marry in July 2014.  They immediately began the process of eliminating their debt.  Diligently working together, they were able to pay off $50,531.83 in just fifteen months of marriage!

After sharing their debt free announcement with friends via Facebook, their post quickly went viral and inspired thousands of people all over the country.  They received countless messages from friends and strangers asking how debt freedom could be achieved.  Refusing to ignore the many calls for help, Samuel and Kirstie decided to launch Fresh Start Financial Education, LLC.