who we are

Our financial story didn’t begin with wealth. It began with a wake-up call.

Early in our marriage, we found ourselves staring at a checking account balance of negative $757. We were working, paying bills, and doing what we thought we were supposed to do—yet somehow, we still had less than nothing. That moment forced us to confront some hard truths about our habits, our decisions, and what we had been taught about money.

We decided we wanted something different—not simply for ourselves, but for the generations that would come after us. Through prayer, discipline, sacrifice, and a commitment to biblical principles of stewardship, we began changing the way we handled money. We learned to budget, save, eliminate debt, live below our means, give generously, and make intentional decisions about our future.

That journey changed our lives. In 2021, we paid off our first home—$297,092 in less than three years. From there, we continued investing, purchased rental properties, built wealth, and eventually became first-generation, debt-free multimillionaires. But the numbers were never the real story. The real victory was changing our family tree.

In January 2016, we founded Fresh Start Financial Education because people kept asking us one simple question: “How did you do it?” What began as our personal journey became a mission to help others experience financial freedom for themselves.

Today, our mission remains simple: educate, equip, and empower people to prosper on purpose. We believe you don’t have to come from wealth to build it, and your past doesn’t have to determine your financial future. With biblical wisdom, practical strategies, and consistent action, ordinary people can make extraordinary progress—and build a legacy that reaches far beyond themselves.

Our story is proof that your family tree can change. And maybe yours starts changing today.

our STORY

Samuel and Kirstie O'Banner, founders of Fresh Start Financial Education