Phillip Clark, ChSNC®
Chartered Special Needs Consultant
Get to know Phillip
What motivates you every day?
The work we do for families with a loved one with special needs directly impacts whether they experience peace or constant uncertainty about their child's future—and that responsibility is what drives me every day. Growing up with a younger sister with Down syndrome, I saw how overwhelming and confusing planning could be for families like mine. As I watched my parents try to navigate those conversations, it wasn't just the complexity that weighed them down—it was the uncertainty of not knowing if they were making the right decisions, and the feeling that they had to figure it all out on their own. My faith plays a big role in how I see this work. I believe every person is created on purpose, for a purpose—and that belief shapes how we help families think about their child's future with more possibility and less limitation. Today, I'm motivated by helping families move out of that uncertainty and into clarity. When they go from feeling overwhelmed to having a clear, coordinated plan—and they can finally breathe—that's what drives me. More than anything, it's about giving families back something they didn't realize they had lost: margin—financially, emotionally, and with their time. That margin allows them to be present with their family, create meaningful memories and experiences, and pursue opportunities that matter—while still creating a meaningful, fulfilling future for their child. On a personal level, my wife Chelsea and our daughters, Emma and Everly, are a constant reminder of why this work matters. They bring everything back to what's most important—being present, creating memories, and building a life that isn't defined by fear or uncertainty.
If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?
If I could instantly master one skill, it would be communicating with complete clarity, confidence, and empathy as a leader. The work we do carries a lot of weight—for families and for our team—and I want to make sure people feel clear, supported, and confident in every conversation. I've come to believe that strong communication builds trust, creates alignment, and moves people forward. That's something I'm intentional about improving every day.
What is a career "low point" that actually set you up for success?
One of the biggest turning points in my career came when I was essentially given an ultimatum early on. I had been approaching planning in a way that I believed truly served families—focused on the bigger picture and planning for abundance for the entire family including their loved ones with special needs. But after multiple warnings from the firm I was with at the time to narrow my approach, I was ultimately given a final ultimatum. The message was clear: conform to their approach or leave. I was told to stop having broader, big-picture conversations and focus only on specific aspects of planning tied to the products the firm offered. In that moment, I realized I had a choice: conform to a model I didn't believe in, or step into the unknown and build something different. My wife and I had talked many times about the need for a better way to serve families—but up until that point, it was always something we thought would happen "someday." That moment made the decision clear. We didn't have a clear plan for what came next—but we knew we couldn't keep doing it the same way. Looking back, that moment forced me to fully commit to the vision I believed in. It pushed me to build something that truly serves families in a more complete and meaningful way—leading to the creation of ENABLE Special Needs Planning and alignment with a team at Invst that shares that same philosophy.
What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to keep moving forward—and trust the conviction I felt, even when things didn't make sense. There were a lot of points in my journey where things felt uncertain and didn't come together in the moment. I didn't have a roadmap, and I definitely didn't have everything figured out—but I felt a strong pull in the direction I was being led. Looking back, those moments were necessary. They forced me to grow, to think differently, and to build something that didn't already exist. It's easy to get stuck focusing on what's not working, but those are often the moments where you're being stretched and prepared for what's ahead. Stay focused, keep taking the next step, and trust that clarity will come over time.
Fun Fact
A fun fact about me: I enjoy things that come with a little bit of risk—riding motorcycles, snowboarding, and anything that gets me moving fast or a little outside my comfort zone. With two young daughters, I'm looking forward to creating those kinds of memories with them and helping them grow up confident enough to take on challenges without fear.