A Woman's Clarity®

Women have made significant contributions to the financial services industry, and we hope that through increased recognition and support, even more women will follow. In celebration of International Women’s Day, host Kirsten Schlumbohm, VP of Annuity Sales at C2P, chats with Mary Sterk, CFP® CPFA, CEO, owner, and founder of Sterk Financial Services. Together they discuss Mary's journey from facing personal and financial challenges to founding Sterk Financial Services and getting where she is today — being named the #1 financial advisor in South Dakota by Forbes in 2024. Mary shares the key factors, strategies, and lessons that have led to her success. Tune in for practical ways to continuously improve your personal and professional development as an advisor and empower women in the financial industry. Top of Form

Resources:

• Episode 1 of A Woman’s Clarity: Empowerment Through Mentorship
• SmartOffice: Cloud-Based CRM and AMS for Advisors and Insurance Agents
• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones book
• The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy book
• Outlive: The Science & Art Of Longevity book
• Ladies Get Paid: The Ultimate Guide to Breaking Barriers, Owning Your Worth, and Taking Command of Your Career book

Imposter syndrome definition: The pattern of doubting one's own skills, talents, or accomplishments.

In this episode of A Woman's Clarity, host Kirsten Schlumbohm is joined by Kelly Barnard, Life coach and recovering workaholic to discuss Imposter Syndrome, specifically, is it real and can we overcome it? Tune in as Kirsten and Kelly uncover the layers of this mental phenomenon for a real conversation on how it can affect our mindset and self-esteem as a working professional.

What does successful networking look like for those in the financial services industry, and why does it matter? It’s more than just attending a mixer and collecting business cards! Join Kirsten Schlumbohm, Vice President of Annuity Sales at C2P, and special guest Julie Pinkerton, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF®, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Member of Evozen. They discuss the importance of networking, becoming referable, and the unique challenges within the industry, particularly for women and minorities. Pinkerton shares her journey from starting in financial services to founding the ClientFirst™ platform, aimed at enhancing the visibility and success of financial professionals by fostering a more inclusive and supportive community. Tune in for insightful strategies to grow your practice and make impactful connections in the financial industry.

Resources

• ClientFirst™ — Digital community platform for financial professionals
• Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) conference

Sources

https://www.knoxnews.com/story/money/business/2021/10/14/your-professional-image-starts-great-headshot/5797101001/

It’s been one year of A Woman's Clarity and while there have been many esteemed guests sharing their expertise, we thought the best way to celebrate this milestone was to go back to the beginning. Kirsten Schlumbohm, VP of Annuity Sales at C2P, is joined by Mary Sterk, CFP® CPFA, CEO and owner of Sterk Financial Services, and Karin Alvarado, CFS, CPFA, Managing Partner at New Aspect Financial Services. Listen to discover how these guests found their unexpected paths to success in the industry and why they champion mentorship as a means to grow. Don't miss this insightful episode filled with wisdom and encouragement for anyone looking to thrive in the world of finance.

In a world of constant comparison and where many believe their self-worth is determined only by their net worth, it’s easy to feel like you can never measure up enough. Host Kirsten Schlumbohm, BPC, , is joined by Manisha Thakor, MBA, CFA, CFP®, founder and author of MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your “Enough," to challenge this problematic mindset and offer a liberating solution. Sharing insights from her book, Thakor emphasizes the importance of financial health and emotional wealth and how they can intersect to create a state of "MoneyZen." Through her journey of overcoming a “never-enough” toxic mindset in her own life, she identifies the profound impact traumas, cultural influences, societal pressures, and evolutionary biology have on our financial behaviors. Tune in to discover Thakor’s powerful framework for living a more balanced and healthier life.

Most financial advisory firm owners plan on an internal succession, but many delay the planning process, losing out on substantial profits and time saved both immediately and in the long run. Host Kirsten Schlumbohm, BPC, Vice President of Annuity Sales at C2P, and special guest, Kathryn, “Kem” Taylor, CBEC™, consultant at FP Transitions, team up to discuss the critical topic of timely succession planning. From G1 (founders) to G2 (next-generation owners) and even G3 advisors, they cover the challenges and opportunities of setting up a firm for lasting success. Taylor also highlights the importance of creating a clear career path and cultivating a culture that fosters growth and diversity in the industry. Tune in for practical advice and strategies for empowering the next generation of financial advisors and creating a thriving, inclusive industry for all.

Although women live longer than men on average* meaning they have more retirement years to fund, they remain a significantly underserved group for financial advisors. Additionally, widows or divorcees have unique personal and financial circumstances that require a different approach. Host Kirsten Schlumbohm is joined by skilled professionals, Jeannette Bajalia, President, and Founder of Woman's Worth®, Sarah Soria, MBA, CFP®, Financial Planner and Managing Partner at Encompass Financial Planning, to discuss how to speak the language of women who are in these life transitions. Tune in to learn how financial advisors can cater their process to empower divorcees and widows to make strategic financial decisions on their own.

Resources:

• Journeying through Grief — Books to share with newly widowed clients
• Wi$e Up Women: A Guide to Total Fiscal and Physical Well-Being by Jeannette Bajalia

Sources:

• https://www.fa-mag.com/news/don-t-give-female-clients-reason-to-leave-69978.html

Most women will outlive their husbands, usually by the average age of 59.* Who is left to care for these primary caretakers when they need it as widows? Life insurance is key to protecting those we love and preserving their legacy. In this episode, host Kirsten Schlumbohm, Vice President of Annuity Sales at C2P, is joined by Tamara “Tammy” Taylor, Insurance Specialist at Hammer Financial Group, to discuss the importance of proactively purchasing life insurance. Together, they discuss how holistic advisors can approach these conversations within the Bucket Plan® framework and help educate their female clients on the benefits and functions of life insurance today.

Episode resources and statistic sources:

• https://www.forbes.com/advisor/life-insurance/life-insurance-statistics/#:~:text=Life%20Insurance%20Ownership%20Among%20Men%20vs.%20Women%201,very%20knowledgeable%20about%20life%20insurance.%20...%20More%20items
• https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/602892/widows-move-forward-on-their-own-but-not-alone *
• https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/long-term-care-statistics/
• https://www.thestreet.com/retirement-daily/nextgen-money/widowed-too-soon

So many lives are touched by someone with special needs. These families require advanced financial plans and considerations to ensure their affected loved ones will remain well cared for and financially supported through the unique challenges they may face. In this coffee break episode, Kirsten Schlumbohm, Vice President of Annuity Sales at C2P, and guest Betsy Larson, WMCP®, of Special Needs Advanced Planning, discuss how to help financial advisors approach and navigate this sensitive topic with their clients. You’ll also hear great questions from Dave Alison, CFP®, EA, BPC, Partner and President at C2P, inquiring about what financial strategies, accounts, and tools are best to support family members with special needs.

Resources:

ICE Key USB Flash Drive: https://c2pe.info/3Q1k7OL

Special Needs Advanced Planning with Betsy Larson: https://c2pe.info/46yKsJf

Conversation Circles are a powerful tool any financial advisor can leverage to uncover the values of their clients and prospects to offer a more personalized experience. When you host one of these small-group events featuring a structured conversation, you can build years’ worth of rapport in a short period of time. Having held over 100 Conversation Circles, Ashley Ilardo, Regional Director & Vice President of Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA), and Mia Hanson, Associate at DFA’s Global Client Group, provide a crash course on hosting these events and making them authentic to your firm. In this special edition of A Woman’s Clarity, we’re sharing an insightful webinar recording featuring this inspiring topic. Listen and follow along with the slides below as our special guests teach you how to add these intimate conversations into your business model for stronger client relationships and referrals. 

Resources

 Dimensional Fund Advisors Conversation Circles Presentation: https://c2pe.info/circles