Business of the Week: Stephanie Cohran Builds Trust and Plans for the Future at Edward Jones

For Stephanie Cohran, financial planning is about much more than retirement accounts and investments. It’s about helping people achieve the things that matter most to them, whether that means sending a child to college, purchasing a dream property, or enjoying a well-earned retirement.

That personal approach has earned the Fayetteville Edward Jones financial advisor recognition in two categories of The Citizen’s 2026 Citizens’ Choice Awards: “Who Do You Trust to Help Your Money Grow?” and “Who Helps You Feel Prepared for Whatever’s Next?”

The Citizen’s Choice Awards are powered by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce.

“I’m very proud of that,” Cohran said. “That’s what we do here. That’s who we are. And for our community to see that that’s what we’re about, it makes me feel really happy.”

Building Relationships Through Listening

Cohran believes the foundation of successful financial planning begins with listening.

“Building trust is really about listening to the clients,” she said, explaining that understanding their needs, following through on commitments, and protecting their confidentiality are essential to her practice.

Rather than approaching every client with the same financial goals, Cohran begins by asking what they want their money to accomplish.

“When we sit down and talk to clients, we ask them, what are your priorities and what are you planning for? What do you need help with making happen in your life for your family?” she said.

Retirement planning is a significant part of her work, but her clients’ goals extend well beyond their working years.

Some are young parents saving for their children’s education. Others want to purchase a car or boat, take an extended family vacation, or make a major lifestyle change.

One recent client, she said, was able to purchase farmland out West and plans to relocate there.

Cohran also recognizes that even the best financial plans need room to change.

As life throws curveballs, Cohran said, her job includes adjusting financial strategies to help clients continue working toward what matters most to them.

An Unexpected Career That Became a Calling

Cohran never imagined she would spend more than three decades working in financial services.

A Georgia native who grew up in the Riverdale, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, and Hampton areas, she attended what was then Clayton State College, earning both an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree.

She was also a trained cosmetologist, and financial services wasn’t a career she had initially considered.

After placing her résumé in the college’s placement office, she learned that a local Edward Jones branch needed a branch office administrator. She applied, was hired, and began what would become a lifelong career with the firm.

That was in 1995.

After approximately two decades working in branch administration, Cohran transitioned into financial advising nearly a decade ago. In 2025, she earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, adding the CFP® credential to her professional qualifications. She also holds the Accredited Asset Management Specialist™ (AAMS®) designation.

Now, 31 years after joining Edward Jones, Cohran says she has found a career that combines her professional work with her lifelong commitment to helping others.

“Helping people has always been what I’ve been about, and being part of the community and making sure people can thrive,” she said.

Edward Jones gave her the opportunity to carry that commitment into her professional life.

“It’s just such a fulfilling job that it really doesn’t even feel like a job anymore,” she said. “It just feels like I’m helping other people.”

A Commitment to the Fayetteville Community

Although Cohran lives in the Clayton County portion of Hampton, Fayette County has been central to much of her professional and volunteer life.

Her office is located at 795 East Lanier Avenue, Suite A, in Fayetteville, and she has spent much of her working life serving the surrounding community.

Her involvement extends well beyond her office.

Cohran currently serves on a City of Fayetteville steering committee helping develop the city’s next master plan. The committee brings together business owners, residents, nonprofit representatives, developers, and other community stakeholders to help shape Fayetteville’s future.

She has also participated in the Alzheimer’s Walk and Relay for Life, along with numerous community events at City Center Park and around Fayetteville’s downtown square.

One of her longest volunteer commitments was with the Fayette Humane Society, where she served as president for approximately 10 to 12 years.

Her love of animals continues at home, where she has a 12-year-old dog and two 16-year-old cats who are brothers.

Cohran has also helped organize seasonal Easter Bunny and Santa photo opportunities in Fayetteville’s arts district, activities that bring families and visitors into the community.

Whether she is representing Edward Jones at a local event or simply attending a festival, she enjoys supporting the place where she has spent so much of her career.

Family, Travel, and Life Outside the Office

Cohran and her husband, Larry, married in 1998 after meeting the previous year. Together, they have two adult children and two grandchildren.

When she isn’t working or volunteering, Cohran enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, and being outdoors.

Her favorite destinations include relatively close getaways to Nashville, North Carolina, and Florida, although she and her husband have also begun enjoying international travel.

“I just like experiencing life and the outdoors,” she said.

That appreciation for experiences also connects with her approach to financial planning. For Cohran, helping clients prepare for the future means understanding not only what they need financially, but also what they hope to experience in life.

Grateful for the Community’s Trust

Winning two Citizens’ Choice Awards carries particular significance for Cohran because both categories reflect the qualities she considers central to her work: trust and preparation.

She sees the recognition as an affirmation of the relationships she has developed over the years.

“I would like to say thank you for the trust that I have earned from them,” Cohran said, expressing appreciation for her clients’ confidence and the opportunity to work with them toward their goals.

She also praised The Citizen’s Citizens’ Choice Awards for recognizing local people and businesses whose work benefits the community.

“I think it’s amazing to highlight those people in our community who are going above and beyond for the betterment of the community,” she said. “We have an amazing community, and I love to see our community being represented in such a way.”

Stephanie Cohran, CFP®, AAMS®, is a financial advisor with Edward Jones at 795 East Lanier Avenue, Suite A, in Fayetteville. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit her Edward Jones website or call (470) 944-5431.