We’re honored to interview the leaders of the XYPN Diversity Committee - Shehara Wooten, Miguel Gomez, Ryan Frailich, and Abel Soares - on the show today. These wonderful XYPN members have all served on our Diversity Committee over the past 12 months and are on the show today to discuss: the value of the CFP® designation; their own personal journey pursuing it; and ultimately the scholarships and opportunities the XYPN Diversity Committee offers to advisors both in and out of the Network to make the CFP® more accessible, achievable, and utilized within our industry.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/267

We’re honored to have XYPN members Jan Schalkwijk and Erica Blake on the show today to talk about how they've incorporated Socially Responsible Investing (SRI/ESG) into their firms. While Erica and Jan run their own RIAs, they met each other when Jan put a call out in the XYPN Member Forums about forming a study group around this investment focus.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/266

Join us as we discuss Jocelyn Wright’s experiences being the first and only Black person in many rooms over the years in her industry, and how she has viewed it as an opportunity to lean in by networking. Learn from Jocelyn's passion for her work and the importance of our current environment for making real change in our industry. Finally, listen to her message around diversifying the industry and how if we don't act now, we may lose this opportunity forever. 

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/265 

We’re thrilled to welcome back XYPN co-founder and Industry Guru, Michael Kitces, to the show today to talk through XYPN’s lawsuit against the SEC. As you may be aware, in September 2019, XYPN challenged the Regulation Best Interest rule in federal court. After months of litigation, we officially received a ruling against us in late June 2020. Today, Michael shares what that ruling means and how XYPN plans to respond to it. 

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/264  

We’re excited to have XYPN member Levi Sanchez, founder of Millennial Wealth, a fee-only firm in Seattle, Washington on the show today. Like many advisors, Levi got his start in this industry immediately after college at Merrill Lynch and went through their advisor training program. Although he only spent about three years there, he speaks highly of the experience and credits it for training him on establishing real personal rapport with clients.  After starting his CFP® curriculum and leaving Merrill, he decided to open up his own RIA with a then-business partner, both when they were just in their mid 20s. Although the partnership only lasted for about a year, Levi serves over 60 clients today on his own.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/263   

We’re excited to have XYPN member Therese Nicklas, owner of Wealth Coach for Women, a fee-only firm in Rockland, MA, on the show today. With 40 years of experience in this industry, Therese has spent time working in the insurance business with employee benefits as well as a substantial stint at LPL. However, it wasn't until 2016 when Therese decided to sell her commission business and open up her own fee-only firm.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/262   

We’re excited to have XYPN member Leslie Ransom, owner of Indie Financial Planning, a fee-only firm in Chicago, IL, on the show today. Having spent nearly two decades on the sale and distribution side of the music industry, working with bands and music labels all across the nation, Leslie was first introduced to the concept of managing money and providing advice when the music economy began to move to digital and the U.S. economy headed into the 2008 recession, and found herself without a job.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/261   

We’re excited to have XYPN member Tyler Landes, owner of Tandem Financial Guidance, a fee-only firm in Kansas City, Missouri, on the show today. Tyler has a really unique experience building his firm. In 2014, Tyler became a founding member of XY Planning Network and joined the then-group of 30 financial advisors and discovered how he wanted to build his own firm. Being a planner, however, Tyler wanted to launch and run his firm while remaining cash flow positive, so unlike a lot of advisors, Tyler took a part-time job to make the dollars work.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/260   

We’re excited to have XYPN member Dave Rowan, owner of Rowan Financial, a fee-only firm in Bethlehem, PA, on the show today. Dave is a career changer; he spent a majority of his professional life at Crayola - yes, the Crayola - as the Director of Research and Development, and though he loved his work, he found that he was drawn to financial planning and decided in 2010 to start his own firm on the side.

While Dave remained employed full time at Crayola for seven years while he ran his firm part time, he found that he was having trouble balancing all of his personal and professional responsibilities, and ultimately, his mental health declined. Dave became restless, anxiety-ridden and depressed, which ultimately led to his decision to leave Crayola and focus on a career that gives him the most fulfillment.

Join us as we discuss the mental health stigma and Dave’s career-path, from having a high-level position in a corporate environment to running his own firm. Learn how he has prioritized happiness and ways to practice self-care through meditating, eating right, and more. Finally, listen as we talk about embracing what he calls an “experimental attitude” and having fun discovering what serves you in order to ultimately serve your clients more authentically.

If you're interested in hearing about how to take care of yourself personally during these turbulent times, this episode is for you.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/259  

We are thrilled to have XYPN member, Angie Furubotten-LaRosee, owner of Avea Financial Planning, a fee-only firm in Richland, WA, on the show today. Angie shares her unique experience in the world of entrepreneurship, having launched her firm once in 2011 and then again in 2018 and she expresses the challenges she and others have faced when starting a business, particularly in those first few years.

Join us as we talk extensively about niches: from 2018 when Angie’s niche was college planning to today, where she now serves women in the STEM industries. Listen as she discusses how she leverages the support of coaches, training, and her network to help her not only stay motivated, but to hone her message and her niche.

If you're interested in understanding how to pivot a niche, then this podcast is for you.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/258