Matt Benson is the Founder of Sonmore Financial based out of Chandler, AZ, and he joins the show today to share how he got started in the financial planning profession, why he hired an intern after starting his own firm, and why that intern is a rockstar. If you are seeking an internship or entry-level role in a financial planning firm, then don’t miss this episode! Listen in as Matt talks about how he knew he wanted to pursue a career in financial planning while in high school, as well as what ...
Ep #115: From the Front Lines of Iraq to Passing the CFP Exam with Devoda Owens
Devoda Owens is an Analyst with Linscomb and Williams based out of Houston, TX. He stops by the show today to share how he recently passed the CFP exam and tips for anyone looking to do the same. If you are not sure of what your path to a career in financial planning might look like, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Listen in as Devoda opens up about his experience passing the CFP exam and offers advice for others who plan to take it, as well. We also discuss Devoda’s personal ...
Ep #114: Prepping for the Job Market as a New College Grad with Dana McNulty
Dana McNulty is an aspiring financial planner out of Boulder, CO, and she joins the show today to share her experience attending a financial planning program and securing multiple internships. If you're a college student seeking to prepare yourself for your first opportunity in the financial planning industry, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Listen in as Dana shares how she found her way to the financial planning program at the University of Colorado, what part of the coursework she ...
Ep #113: Transitioning from Banking to a Fee-Only RIA with Brittany Schultz and Michelle Kuehner
Brittany Schultz, Director of Investment Research and Operations, and Michelle Kuehner, President at Personal Money Planning, both join the show today to discuss their unique paths into the financial planning profession. They share how they transitioned out of banking careers, why they believe financial planning was a better fit for them, and how they overcame the challenges often associated with a career change. Listen in as Michelle explains how she developed her skills as an advisor, as well ...
Ep #112: Entrepreneurship and Building Successful Businesses with Alan Moore and Michael Kitces
Michael Kitces and Alan Moore are the co-founders of XY Planning Network, and they join the show today to discuss their journey through entrepreneurship. If you desire to excel in the financial planning profession, then this is an episode you definitely won’t want to miss! Listen in as Michael and Alan share how they entered into entrepreneurship, what they like (and don’t like) about being entrepreneurs, and how they were able to work together to build several successful businesses even though ...
Getting a Head Start on Your Hiring
The beginning of the year into the late spring historically has been a popular time for financial planning firms to hire as firms seek to recruit college graduates graduating in May, bring on additional support for the extra work during tax season, and to service the increase in new clients starting their financial planning engagement with the firm. Even though the market has been down for the last year, we anticipate more of the same type of hiring demand this year, based on the increased ...
Ep #111: From CFP Program to Paraplanner Role with Rose Porter and Jennifer Anderson
Jennifer Anderson is the co-owner at McClarren Financial Advisors based out of State College, PA, and she joins the show today with paraplanner Rose Porter to discuss the ins and outs of hiring new paraplanners right out of school. If you are joining a small RIA firm directly after graduating from a CFP program, this is definitely an episode you won’t want to miss! Listen in as Jennifer shares the “why” behind her firm seeking to hire new paraplanners out of school, how they executed a ...
Ep #110: Office Manager to Paraplanner with Bethany Park
Bethany Park is a paraplanner at Stonebridge Financial Planning Group based out of Orlando, FL. She joins the show today to discuss her path into the financial planning profession from a teaching career. If you are considering changing careers and joining the financial planning profession, this is an episode for you! Listen in as Bethany shares why she transitioned out of her teaching career and into the industry, what got her interested in the profession, and how she secured her first position ...
Ep #109: Nine Months into a New Planner Career with Abby Bennett and Bret Tagg
Abby Bennett is the Director of Financial Planning and Bret Tagg is an Associate Advisor with Verum Partners based out of Charlotte, NC. They both join the show today to share their journeys and experiences through the financial planning industry. If you are looking to get out of a Big Four accounting firm and begin adding value to a financial planning firm right off the bat, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Listen in as Abby walks us through her career path, from leaving a great-fit ...
Ep #108: Giving Up Partnership and Starting Your Own Firm With Ethan Pepper
Ethan Pepper is the Founder and CEO of Orchard City Wealth based out of Los Gatos, CA. He joins the show today to share how he got started as a financial planner—and eventually started his own firm. If you are considering giving up ownership in a firm to start your own, this is an episode for you! Listen in as Ethan shares how family members influenced his career early on, why he pivoted from majoring in corporate finance to personal financial planning, and what it was like transitioning to an ...
Ep #107: Evaluating Compensation and Benefits with Kelli Cruz
Kelli Cruz is the Founder and CEO of Cruz Consulting Group, a consulting firm that specializes in human capital and compensation consulting for the financial planning profession. Kelli joins the show to chat about what she is seeing from the trenches of her consulting work, including the biggest struggle that her clients are facing right now. If you are considering a new opportunity or preparing for a job interview, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Listen in as Kelli shares the type ...
Ep #106: Transitioning from a Small Firm to Large Firm with Scarlett Che
Scarlett Che is a Wealth Planning Senior Associate at Austin Asset based out of Austin, TX, and she joins the show today to talk about how she is progressing in her financial planning career. If you are trying to figure out where you would like to be on the advisory career track, this is an episode for you! Listen in as Scarlett shares her story about immigrating from China, how she got interested in financial planning over other career choices, and how she snagged her first financial planning ...