Do It For Yourself with Stephen A. Taylor, JD, CFP®

The road to doing it for yourself can take many paths. While it's common for people to think about it a long time before pulling the trigger, how would that change if the job you were working in was focused on coaching and guiding those contemplating just that! In this episode, our guest Jessica Boudreaux, https://www.boudreauxdesignstudio.com/, tells her story of how she started her career in a position where she was coaching artists and creatives on what it took to go out on your own. When her career took her to a crossroad in the design job she absolutely loved, she made the decision to lean on the advice she gave others and launch her own firm! Listen in as Jessica tells us about that journey and how her passion as a lifetime learner has led her to learn important business tips from her clients, "If they can afford me, they must know what they are doing!"

Please let us know what you think and if you have any interest on becoming a guest, idea for a topic or anything else, reach out to us at [email protected].

If you'd prefer to watch Jessica's interview by video, please click here for our You Tube Channel.

If you'd like to learn more about Jessica, click here to visit her linked in profile.

While many people have a tough time holding down one job, how do those who have 2 or 3 do it? One possible explanation is, they were raised that way. In this episode, I sit down with Scott Grondin who has started two business from the ground up while growing a full time career as a firefighter. How did he find the time? In his words, he simply was raised that way and just learned to "fall forward." For those who may have a job that provides a lot of flexibility by may not check all the boxes for yourself professionally, listen in to Scott's journey to how he was raised to value hard work and realizing early on that choosing a career with flexibility would allow him to pursue his passions. While taking your time to learn the ropes in your new business, Scott strongly believes "The one thing to not do slow is to Start fast!"

If you have any feedback or to be a future guest on the show, please reach out to us at [email protected]

There is nothing more expected than the unexpected. This past week has been an eerie reminder of the ghosts of recessions past.  First and foremost, the recent bank collapses is for reasons very different than the financial crisis of '08 and '09.  For a more in depth explanation of what happened, click here, https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/si... We know this situation has left a lot of people wondering what actions they can take to try to anticipate more unexpected events. In this video we discuss FDIC Protection, SIPC Protecting, and the difference between owning the underlying asset or just a "deposit account" with a bank.    For information on the FDIC, click here,   • Deposit Insurance...  For information on how SIPC Protection works, click herehttps://www.sipc.org/videoFor a more in depth discussion on the difference between Custody with a Bank or a Brokerage firm, click here https://www.usbank.com/financialiq/pl... I hope you found this helpful and please reach out to your bank, financial advisor or us if you have any additional questions.

It's that time of year where everyone is busy getting their tax documents together to give to their CPA to get their tax returns for 2022 filed.  I'm not sure but we would guess for most people the process can feel as painful as going to the dentist.  What makes the process so challenging is that if you feel like you had a great 2022, you fear what your tax bill is going to look like!  If you are one of those people, you likely don't work with a Certified Financial Planner.  All too often people view their CPA as their financial advisor of sorts and that's simply not what a CPAs job is.  As well meaning and well intentioned as your CPA may be, the vast majority are there to "account" for what has happened but not to "plan" for where you are or where you are going.  

Please let us know what you think at [email protected] whether you agree with us, disagree with us or think we missed the point!

"Train the Monkey to Juggle first!"  Many would be entrepreneurs struggle to be able to translate their understanding and expertise in the "gaps" of an industry to an actionable business plan.  For those that have, they really got to that point by many hours, weeks, months and even years painstakingly doing research and getting feedback on trying to find that "proof of concept."  In this episode, our guest Christine Simone, co-founder of Caribou (www.getcaribou.com), talks to us about her journey of finding the gaps in the "Health Insurance Advice" industry and coming up with a whole new way of helping people through that journey.  While her business model evolved through the research and development process, it was the hard work and effort put in before asking investors for money which was key to their development.  As new challenges presented themselves at every step, she learned to focus on "training the monkey to juggle first" as a metaphor to focus on the most important and highest priority items to keep moving in the right direction.

It's hard to find many people that like to talk about death.  If you do, you probably don't want to talk to them about any topic!  One of the most misunderstood phrases used by professionals is "Estate Planning."  When used, most people don't think it applies to them because; First, they are going to live forever, Second, they don't have any Estate to be concerned about or, Third, they told someone what they want and that takes care of that.  In this episode, I sit down with Jose Selaniko, Esq. and we talk about some of the planning items to be taken into account throughout the various stages of your life.  Instead of calling it "Estate Planning" call it "Life Planning."  When you are single and starting out on your own, things are simple and your focus is simple, you!  As you meet the love of your life, decide to have kids, open a business or simply just accumulate "stuff", complications set in.  Listen in as we walk through some simple steps to start out your Life Plan and some recommendations of when things may need a solid re-look.

In this Episode Steve is joined by Alejandro Brito, Esq., www.BritoPLLC.com, to talk about his decision to open his own law firm after over two decades of working in a partnership. Alejandro recounts his early days in the practice of law of "doing whatever it takes" which led to his rapid rise to be a partner in his old partnership.  He learned early on that preparation and reputation were the most important items to grow his law firm.  In deciding to finally take the plunge to create his own law firm, he outlines his three priorities that he focused on making his decision.

While many may think that all of a sudden you "wake up and go" to do it for yourself, Alejandro talks about how he spent 8 years thinking about it until he felt the time was finally right.  Be sure to listen to the end where Alex shares with us what he would tell his younger self if he had the opportunity.

If you like what you hear, let us know!  Please email us at [email protected] with your praise, critiques, suggestions for future shows or request to be a guest.  You can learn more about Steve and his firm at www.MeritedWealth.com