Advisors Off Script

At just 21, Lauren Oschman started her career as a financial advisor. Years later, she made an even bolder move—launching her own firm and stepping into the CEO role. But leadership isn’t just about titles. It takes vision, resilience, and the courage to own your success.

In this episode of Kick It Open, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Lauren, now CEO of Vestia Wealth Advisors, to talk about what it really takes to step up, own your expertise, and lead with confidence. She shares her journey from advisor to CEO, how she built a niche serving physician clients, and the mindset shifts that helped her break barriers in a male-dominated industry.

💡 If you've ever questioned whether you have what it takes to lead, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

🔹 Episode Highlights:

🔥 00:00 The Courage to Become CEO
🚀 02:15 Starting in Wealth Management at 21
💡 03:43 Launching a Firm & Carving a Niche
💎 06:11 Breaking Through Industry Challenges
🎯 07:30 Why Niching Down Leads to Growth
🤝 13:18 Building Trust & Deep Client Relationships
📈 25:29 Stepping into the CEO Role with Confidence
⚖️ 35:10 The Reality of Balancing Leadership & Life
🎭 43:36 Glass Balls vs. Rubber Balls: What Really Matters

✨ This conversation will challenge you to think bigger, lead boldly, and step into the role you were meant for.

Hosted by Shelby Nicholl. Produced and edited by Aaron Sherman. Operations and Guest Coordination by Shelly Hadel.

If you can’t find the perfect firm, should you build it yourself? That’s exactly what Chuck Failla did. With over 25 years in the industry, Chuck started as a “cold-calling cowboy” in the ’90s and went on to launch Sovereign Financial Group, an SEC-registered RIA built on transparency, independence, and client-first values.

In this episode of Kick It Open, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Chuck to explore what it really takes to start your own firm. They break down the advantages of the RIA model, the resources available for advisors going independent, and why client demand for fiduciary services is shaping the future of wealth management. Plus, Chuck shares why conferences and industry events are game-changers for staying ahead of trends and building a strong community of like-minded advisors.

If you’ve ever wondered whether to stay put or take the leap into independence, this conversation is packed with insights to help you decide.

Hosted by Shelby Nicholl. Produced and edited by Aaron Sherman. Operations and Guest Coordination by Shelly Hadel.

The way financial advisors charge for their services is evolving—but with so many models out there, how do you choose the right one?

In this episode of Kick It Open, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Julia Lilly, founder of Ryerson Financial, to cut through the confusion. Julia shares her journey from the broker-dealer world to launching her fee-for-service financial planning firm, built on transparency and client empowerment.

We dive into the pros and cons of different pricing models, the rise of advice-only planning, and how Julia built her firm from the ground up—including the tech she uses to power her unique client experience.

If you’re an advisor rethinking your revenue model—or a client wondering what you’re really paying for—this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 Introduction to Financial Health Checkups 

00:22 Welcome to the Kick It Open Podcast 

00:29 Meet Julia Lilly: Wealth Management Expert 

01:23 Julia's Journey in Wealth Management 

02:37 Understanding Financial Planning Models 

05:20 The Fee for Service Model 

06:07 Client Impact and Transparency 

07:04 Empowering Clients in Financial Planning 

09:19 Challenges and Rewards of Fee-Only Planning 

15:46 Solopreneurship and Mastermind Groups 

23:02 Tech Tools and Cybersecurity 

25:02 Future Growth and Trends in Financial Planning 

31:11 Advice for Aspiring Financial Planners 

33:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 

Hosted by Shelby Nicholl. Produced and edited by Aaron Sherman. Operations and Guest Coordination by Shelly Hadel.

High performers don’t just rely on talent—they train their minds for success. In this episode of Kick It Open, Dr. Ellen Reed, mental toughness expert and co-author of Relentless Solution Focus, shares the science behind rewiring your brain for confidence, resilience, and high achievement.

We dive into:
🧠 Breaking free from problem-centric thinking and replacing stress with solution-driven focus.
💡 Visualization techniques used by elite athletes—and how business leaders can apply them.
💪 Building unshakable self-confidence with simple, daily mental workouts.

Dr. Reed’s insights can help anyone—from athletes to advisors—develop a winning mindset and unlock their full potential.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:39 Ellen's Journey to Mental Toughness

04:03 The Power of Visualization

09:36 Understanding Mental Toughness and Relentless Solution Focus

13:03 Overcoming Problem Centric Thought

25:58 Building Self-Confidence and Success

30:02 Practical Tools for Mental Training

34:16 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

Hosted by Shelby Nicholl. Produced and edited by Aaron Sherman. Operations and Guest Coordination by Shelly Hadel.

Leadership isn’t something you do—it’s who you are.

In this episode of Kick It Open, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Sheila Bast, a leadership coach with the Cohen Leadership Group, to explore what it truly means to embody leadership in all aspects of life—not just at work.

Sheila shares her personal journey in financial services and her passion for developing real leaders—not just performers. Together, they dive into key leadership traits like influence, executive presence, and empathy, while breaking down the difference between “acting” like a leader in certain moments versus being a leader all the time—whether you're in the boardroom or ordering coffee. Because leadership isn’t situational—it’s a mindset and presence you carry everywhere.

This episode also unpacks:
✅ How to navigate organizational politics and the glass cliff phenomenon
✅ The differences between male and female leadership styles
✅ Practical steps to level up in leadership roles
✅ Why mentorship and sponsorship are critical for career growth

Plus, Sheila shares her favorite leadership reads and the quote that defines her approach: “We convince by our presence.” by Walt Whitman

If you're ready to stop performing leadership and start being a leader in every part of life, this conversation is a must-listen.

Recommended Resources
Sheila suggests a few books during the episode: 

·      Finding Time to Lead by Leslie Peters: A short, insightful read on the shifts necessary for leveled-up leadership. 

·      Dare to Lead by Brené Brown: A profound exploration of vulnerability and authentic leadership. 

Hosted by Shelby Nicholl. Produced and edited by Aaron Sherman. Operations and Guest Coordination by Shelly Hadel.

Women are already expert negotiators—they just don’t always realize it.

This episode of Kick It Open starts with a simple but powerful text: a reminder that negotiation isn’t just for boardrooms—it’s a skill women use every single day.

Host Shelby Nicholl is joined by Kathryn Valentine, CEO of Worth More Strategies, to break down the science of negotiation and why traditional advice often fails women. Kathryn shares research-backed insights, personal stories, and a holistic negotiation strategy designed to increase impact without increasing burnout.

This conversation covers:
✅ Why women already have the skills to be rockstar negotiators
✅ How to advocate for yourself as effectively as you advocate for others
✅ The power of body language, silence, and understanding what the other party values
✅ A game-changing reframe of stress and “non-promotable” tasks—so you can ask for (and get) the resources you need

If negotiation has ever felt stressful or intimidating, this episode will change the way you see it—and show you why you’re already more skilled than you think.

Resources mentioned in the episode:
To access Kathryn’s courses and the “75 Things to Negotiate” visit her website at: https://worthmorestrategies.com/

Claudia Goldin’s book Career and Family is incredible!  A bit of a history lesson but full of great info we should all know.

Linda Babcock, Brena Peyser, Lise Veterlund and Laurie Weingart’s collective book “The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead End Work”

To connect with Shelby Nicholl, reach out to her via LinkedIn or at [email protected]. 


About this podcast: 
If you're a woman in wealth management (or any male-dominated industry), this podcast is for you. 
Muriel Siebert (first woman member of the NYSE ) said, "When a door is hard to open and nothing else works, sometimes you just have to rear back and kick it open.”  After decades of sluggish progress, it’s time for us to kick the door open on women’s success.

Hosted by Shelby Nicholl. Produced and edited by Aaron Sherman. Operations and Guest Coordination by Shelly Hadel.

Widowhood isn’t just a personal loss—it’s a financial turning point.

With the average age of widowhood at just 59, too many women face a financial and identity crisis during what should be their peak earning years. In this powerful episode of Kick It Open, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Megan Kopka, CFP, RLP to discuss how the wealth management industry can—and must—do better in serving modern widows.

Megan shares her own experience of early widowhood, offering a deeply personal look at the emotional and financial challenges widows face. From navigating loss and financial decisions alone to finding support through organizations like the Modern Widows Club, this conversation sheds light on what widows truly need and how advisors can step up.

This episode explores:
✅ The financial and emotional realities of widowhood
✅ The economic impact of losing a spouse in midlife
✅ How peer communities provide critical support
✅ The role of grief literacy in financial advising
✅ Practical ways advisors can better serve widowed clients

Plus, we highlight key resources for widows, including the Modern Widows Club, Wings for Widows, and Savvy Ladies, which offer financial education and peer support.

Whether you’re a woman, a financial advisor, or simply someone with women in your life—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Resources mentioned during the episode:

·      Kathi Balasek trains financial professionals in grief literacy and empathy. Learn more about Kathi, access course and more at: Grief Literacy and Communication Education for Financial Professionals (kathibalasek.com)

·      Modern Widows Club is a national organization with local chapters all over the country. Sign up for their newsletter and learn more about the organization at: Home - Modern Widows Club.

·      Wings for Widows – Provides coaching and financial education services especially for men and women who are widows. Learn more at: Financial Planning For Widows | Wings for Widows

·      Savvy Ladies provides financial education to women. Learn more at: Free Financial Education & Advice | Free Financial Advisors (savvyladies.org)


About this podcast: 

If you're a woman in wealth management (or any male-dominated industry), this podcast is for you. 

Muriel Siebert (first woman member of the NYSE ) said, "When a door is hard to open and nothing else works, sometimes you just have to rear back and kick it open.”  After decades of sluggish progress, it’s time for us to kick the door open on women’s success.

Hosted by Shelby Nicholl. Produced and edited by Aaron Sherman. Operations and Guest Coordination by Shelly Hadel.

Are you making critical mistakes that are weakening your executive presence and limiting your impact?

In this episode of Kick It Open, host Shelby Nicholl and Jackie Knolhoff, Executive Director of Communications at Wells Fargo, break down a Forbes article by Terina Allen titled “Executive Presence: 8 Warnings Signs That You Don’t Have It.” 

Shelby and Jackie bring decades of leadership experience to this conversation, sharing real-world insights on what executive presence truly means—and how to avoid the subtle mistakes that can undermine your influence.

They explore:
✅ The 8 warning signs that signal weak executive presence
✅ How small missteps can short-change your success and leadership impact
✅ The communication strategies that help leaders command a room
✅ Why brand and image matter in shaping executive presence
✅ The role of media and visibility in positioning yourself as a leader

You'll be entertained by:

• Shelby Nicholl:  She's a 25-year corporate vet who rose to SVP at LPL Finanical and Director at Edward Jones.  She hosts the Kick It Open podcast.  She founded Muriel Network in 2023 and launched the Muriel Network community app in Feb. 2024.  If you're not part of the community yet, DM her on LinkedIn.  
• Jackie Knolhoff serves as Executive Director of Communications at Wells Fargo.  She has decades of experience working with media and helping advisors build their brands and images. Fun fact: She and Shelby worked together at Edward Jones where Jackie was a member of media relations team.  During Jackie’s tenure, the firm emerged as a truly national player within the wealth management industry. 

Muriel Siebert (first woman member of the NYSE ) said, "When a door is hard to open and nothing else works, sometimes you just have to rear back and kick it open.”  After decades of sluggish progress, it’s time for us to kick the door open on women’s success.
 

Hosted by Shelby Nicholl. Produced and edited by Aaron Sherman. Operations and Guest Coordination by Shelly Hadel.

As we gathered around the microphone, Stephanie McCarthy, and I, Shelby Nicholl, couldn't help but reminisce about the piggy banks and lawn-mowing gigs of our past. Our bonus episode of Kick it Open turns into an intimate affair, as we exchange tales of our financial roots, revealing the impact of our early money memories on the fiscal philosophies we uphold today. We laugh, we reflect, and we even admit to the odd discomfort we've felt discussing our own finances, despite spending our careers in wealth management. It's a paradox we're ready to unpack, and we invite you to listen in on this rare glimpse into the (our) personal side of money management.

Hosted by Shelby Nicholl. Produced and edited by Aaron Sherman. Operations and Guest Coordination by Shelly Hadel.

"Women can do money. We can make it. We can save it. We can invest it."

That’s the belief driving Melissa Reaktenwalt, founder of EViE Financial, whose fast-growing financial practice is proving that emotion-based conversations are the future of wealth management—especially for chronically underserved women clients.

In this episode of Kick It Open, host Shelby Nicholl and guest co-host Stephanie McCarthy sit down with Melissa to explore:
✅ How money stories and financial trauma shape financial confidence
✅ The conversations that unlock real wealth-building opportunities for women
✅ How Melissa ensures her own energy and resilience while growing her practice
✅ The future of financial planning and why personalization matters more than ever

If you’re ready for a fresh take on financial advising that prioritizes women, emotions, and real conversations, this episode is a must-listen.

Resources: 

Learn more about Melissa’s Practice EViE Financial. EViE’s values are in their name: Education, Vitality, Independence and Empowerment. 

 You'll be entertained by:

• Shelby Nicholl:  She's a 25-year corporate vet who rose to SVP at LPL Finanical and Director at Edward Jones.  She hosts the Kick It Open podcast.  She founded Muriel Network in 2023 and launched the Muriel Network community app in Feb. 2024.  If you're not part of the community yet, DM her on LinkedIn.  
• Stephanie McCarthy:  Stephanie is a former broadcast journalist who became a marketing researcher and spent the last decade listening to investors and advisors about what they wanted in their financial services firms. She loves to talk about the future of the industry.  
• Melissa Reaktenwalt is Founder and leader Advisor at EViE Financial. With nearly two decades of experience, Melissa founded EViE in fall 2018 with a goal of providing accessible financial services to all.  Her personal money mantra is simple: earn all you can; save and invest all you can; give all you can. 

About this podcast: 

If you're a woman in wealth management (or any male-dominated industry), this podcast is for you. 

 Muriel Siebert (first woman member of the NYSE ) said, "When a door is hard to open and nothing else works, sometimes you just have to rear back and kick it open.”  After decades of sluggish progress, it’s time for us to kick the door open on women’s success.
 
 
 

Hosted by Shelby Nicholl. Produced and edited by Aaron Sherman. Operations and Guest Coordination by Shelly Hadel.