Jay Marshall’s journey into financial planning began from necessity rather than design. As a young man with limited means, he found that most financial advisors were uninterested in his needs. Driven and self-taught, Jay took it upon himself to learn the ins and outs of personal finance. His passion grew into a profession, and he eventually became a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), offering guidance to a small circle of clients. After years of successfully managing his own portfolio, he stepped away from a long career in higher education. In 2021, a meeting with Donald House at a Social Security seminar sparked a shared vision, leading to the formation of Seven Baskets Full Financial Services.

Jay’s route to financial advising is anything but conventional. He earned his undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from Guilford College, followed by a Master of Divinity and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies from Duke University. He completed his financial planning certificate at North Carolina State University. His professional background includes fifteen years in pastoral ministry and two decades as Dean of the Earlham School of Religion, retiring in 2018. These experiences deeply shaped his values and approach to client service.