Former local athlete wants to promote financial stability

Thibodaux native Quintarius Queen used to dominate area track and field meets with his speed and agility as a sprinter. 

Now he wants to use those traits help area families get their finances on track.

Queen, a former Thibodaux High School and University of New Orleans track and field athlete, has started working as a financial advisor for the Iron Horse Financial Group in Baton Rouge.

Queen, 21, graduated from LSU with his bachelor’s degree in sports management in May, but instead of going directly into work as a sports agent with professional athletes, he wanted to start his career by helping area families set and reach financial goals while maintaining financial stability.

“I feel like it’s important. When you come from a small town like Thibodaux, I feel like finances are a struggle in a lot of people’s lives,” Queen said. “I want to be this person who you can come to and we’ll figure out what your goals are and how could we get you to that financial goal to ultimately give some type of financial stability.”

Queen said several services offered by Iron Horse Financial are financial organization, retirement planning, college funding, cash flow analysis, investments, individual retirement accounts, social security analysis, life insurance, health insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance and more. 

Queen said he will offer free advice and counseling to anyone who needs assistance with any financial matters. 

“I feel like most people don’t have any idea what all this is, so it’s important being a person who can sit down and help people come to light with these certain financial services that a lot of people need,” Queen said. “I want to get people in a position to live a more comfortable life and understand the resources that are available.” 

Queen said he wants to reach out to anyone who needs assistance, especially those who come from a low-income household like he did. 

While growing up, Queen said he watched many of his family members struggle with debt and other financial problems. He had to use his athletic and academic scholarships out of high school to pay for college, which he said was a blessing to have since it was something that most people from low-income backgrounds don’t get. 

After witnessing his family’s struggles, Queen said he wanted to enter the financial industry to help end financial burden in the community and set people up for future generational wealth. 

“I had no guidance or resources to manage my money, so I took it upon myself to be that person to study this so I could learn about it,” Queen said. “Because of the financial situations in life that I have witnessed from my family, I felt like it was time for somebody to break this cycle. I’ve done that. Now I feel like is the time I can come back and give back. 

“We all may not have the opportunity to become part of the 1 percent, but I strongly believe we all deserve a chance to live and be financially stable.” 

Queen, who is currently pursuing a master’s of business administration in finance from University of North Texas, said he also wants to serve as a role model for area youth to show them that they don’t have to be a famous professional athlete, actor or musician to be considered successful. 

He wants to encourage them to follow their dreams, work hard in school and give back to their communities one day. He also wants to teach them how to set their families up to be financially stable. 

“As a former collegiate athlete now moving into the professional world, I want to give hope and assistance to those everyday people who don't have the opportunity to be a star athlete and are lost and struggle with a variety of financial issues,” Queen said. “I came from where you come from. You can do this too. It’s possible. Some people don’t have hope. I want to be the shining light in somebody’s life that can bring some kind of hope so they can be successful.”

Queen can be reached at 985-713-2243 or quintarius.queen@ironhorse-financial.com. 

He said he just wants to make his community “a better place” for everyone. 

“It’s a dream that I have. I want to save the world,” Queen said. “Finances are a big part of a lot of people’s lives. Coming from somebody who understands it more, I just want to help. This is something I always wanted to do — to find a way to help people and give back in my own way. This is it, so let’s get started.”