How do you get clients as a financial planner without buying leads or relying on referrals?

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes interviews Jak Ali, Managing Director of J.A. Financial Planning Ltd, a Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management.

Jak shares exactly how he generates clients as a financial adviser using creative, confident, and relationship-based business development. He has built his entire client base without depending on lead providers or a legacy client book.

After training as a barrister and working on a death penalty case in California, Jak switched careers and moved to Dubai, where he began his financial planning career in a pure business development role. No leads. No shortcuts. Just hard work and smart strategy.

It was there he learned a powerful truth:

If you can master business development, you will never need to rely on anyone again.

He later joined St. James’s Place at age 26, going straight into self-employment with full confidence that he could build a book of clients himself. And he did.

Check out St James Place Academy here - https://www.sjp.co.uk/academy

One of his most inspiring stories?
Jak saw a Vodafone executive on LinkedIn, but calls and emails went unanswered.
So he flew to Luxembourg, waited by the stage at a tech summit with two cans of Irn-Bru (the exec was Scottish), and landed a 20-minute meeting.
That conversation led to a new client and a mindset shift that changed everything.

In this episode, you will learn:

🔹 How to get clients as a financial planner using creative prospecting
🔹 Why business development is the most important skill in financial advice
🔹 The truth about going self-employed with St. James’s Place
🔹 How to niche into sectors like education and generate leads at scale
🔹 Why Jak mentors aspiring financial planners on confidence and psychology
🔹 How to create a lifestyle-first model built on faith, family, and finance

Jak no longer chases clients. They come to him.

Whether you are just starting your career, exploring self-employment, or trying to grow your client base, this episode is your blueprint for building a financial planning business on your terms.

you can also watch this episode on the finanical planner Life YouTube channel

📍 Hosted by Sam Oakes, Founder of Financial Planner Life, the UK’s leading podcast for careers in financial planning.  If you want to start your own podcast or appear on the finanical Planner Life podcast, reach out - [email protected]. 

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

Mortgage Adviser Explains Why She Went Self-Employed, and Will Never Go Back!

👉 “I left my job after 16 years, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.” That’s what Carly Naylor, Mortgage and Protection Adviser at Foster Denovo, told me when we sat down to record this episode of Financial Planner Life.

Carly’s been in financial services for over two decades. She started her journey in high street banking, moved into mortgage advice, and spent 16 years with one firm before making a leap that changed her life completely. She went self-employed under the Foster Denovo umbrella.

She didn’t make the jump just for more income. It was about freedom. About ownership. And more importantly, about finally finding the balance between work and being a mum without compromising on ambition.

But let’s be honest. That golden phrase, “work-life balance”, gets thrown around a lot, especially in self-employment circles. So we ask the question head-on in this episode:

Can you really find work-life balance as a self-employed mortgage adviser, or is it just a myth?

👇 In this episode, we cover:

🟢 Why 16 years in the same job was enough

🟢 The mindset shift from comfort to growth

🟢 How Carly built recurring income through protection advice

🟢 The emotional and financial impact of going self-employed

🟢 Managing motherhood and a business without burning out

🟢 What Foster Denovo provides that made all the difference

🟢 Mentoring young talent and building something meaningful

🟢 What real balance looks like when you choose how you work

Whether you're a mortgage adviser stuck in a rut, a mum wondering how to make a career work around your kids, or someone on the edge of going self-employed, Carly’s story will hit home.

It’s real. It’s relatable. And it might just give you the nudge you need.

🔗 Helpful Links & Mentions

👩‍💼 Learn more about careers at Foster Denovo:  click here
Follow Foster Denovo Talks - a podcast produced by Financial Planner Life.  

📩 Want to feature on the podcast or start your own? Reach out: [email protected]

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

If you’re a newly Level 4 Diploma qualified financial adviser with or without CAS status, an experienced financial planner wanting to run your own practice, or a mortgage broker looking to expand into financial planning, this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast is a must-listen.

This week, host Sam Oakes speaks with Mark Hobbs, founder of New Leaf Distribution - an IFA network that supports advisers at every stage of their career. From helping mortgage brokers future-proof their income by transitioning into IFA, to supporting financial planners ready to launch their practice, and guiding newly qualified advisers without CAS into successful self-employment, New Leaf is redefining what a supportive network looks like.

With over 60% of New Leaf’s 108 financial advisers coming from a mortgage background, many have seen huge success in year one, some building six-figure incomes by adding financial planning services alongside mortgages. This approach helps advisers not only boost revenue but also safeguard their careers against the rise of AI in mortgage processing.

We’re also proud to produce The New Leaf Podcast — over 30 testimonials from members sharing the highs and lows of self-employment, and how New Leaf’s hands-on, family-first culture has supported them every step of the way.

Whether you’re curious about becoming self-employed, scaling your advice business, or making the leap from mortgages to IFA, you’ll hear real-world success stories, practical advice, and why so many advisers choose to call New Leaf home.

Links & Resources:
🔗 Connect with Sam Oakes: LinkedIn | 📧 [email protected]
🔗 Learn more about New Leaf Distribution: Website
🎙 Listen to The New Leaf Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
📺 Subscribe on YouTube

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

What if your advisers could serve 20–30 more clients, save 45 minutes per meeting, and reduce suitability report time from 3 hours to 10 minutes - all without hiring more support staff?

That’s what Saturn AI is already delivering for over 600 financial planning firms  ( 1600 Advisers ), and in this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with co-founder Rohit Vaisha to explore how.

But this isn’t another “AI will replace advisers” narrative.

Saturn’s mission is to enhance human connection, not remove it, using AI as fuel to scale trust, proactivity, and personalised client care.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Saturn AI boosts adviser productivity and efficiency across the advice journey
• Why paraplanners and compliance teams are key to scaling with AI
• The rise of proactive, always-on client engagement (and what advice firms can learn from Instagram and Netflix)
• The “universal adviser” model - what it is, and why it’s the future
• Why AI is only as good as the problems it’s solving — and the partners implementing it

💡 Whether you're an adviser, paraplanner, compliance lead, or business owner, this is your blueprint for using AI to grow your firm without losing the human touch.

👉 Book a meeting with Saturn AI: here

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

Thinking about a career in financial planning?

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Miriam Murphy joins Sam Oakes to share her powerful career switch story, from Executive Assistant to qualified financial planner, with support from the St. James’s Place Academy.

Miriam opens up about her early money mindset, paying off debt, buying a home, and how mentorship from Rob Gardner helped her see the potential she hadn’t yet recognised in herself. If you're considering becoming a financial planner or making a career change, this is the episode for you.

We cover:

• How the St. James’s Place Academy supports career changers
• The emotional journey from debt to financial freedom
• Why executive assistants make brilliant financial planners
• The power of mentorship in shaping your career
• How financial planning changed Miriam’s life
• Building a business with purpose and empathy
• The mindset shifts that make you better with money
• Creating a niche offering as an Executive Financial Assistant (EFA)

👉 Interested in finding out more about the St. James’s Place Academy?
Click here: https://www.sjp.co.uk/academy

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

 Wayne Griffiths | One Financial Solutions | Financial Planner Careers

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes sit down with Wayne Griffiths, Managing Partner at One Financial Solutions, to explore how he’s creating meaningful, supportive career paths for self-employed financial planners.

We also dive into the ongoing debate: what’s better, restricted or IFA? Wayne shares his honest views and explains why the best advice always comes down to trust and intention—not just labels.

Wayne also opens up about his journey from financial planner to business leader, his passion for life cover and protection advice, and how his firm supports advisers at every stage of their journey - whether you're starting out, looking to grow, or transitioning your career.

If you're an IFA or employed financial planner considering your next step, this episode is packed with insights about control, earnings, and working within a values-driven firm.

In this episode:

• Building careers in financial planning
• The value of protection and life cover
• Self-employed IFA career support
• IFA vs. restricted advice
• Why One Financial Solutions stands out
• Advice for new and experienced financial planners

Interested in joining One Financial Solutions? Click here or reach out to Wayne directly.

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

From Admin to Self-Employed Financial Planner with £10M AUM by 26! 

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Lawrence Bearman, a 26-year-old Chartered Financial Planner at Westminster Wealth Management who's gone from admin assistant to managing £10 million in assets, all within his first year of self-employment.

We unpack:

• Why Lawrence chose to go self-employed with just £3M AUM
• How he tripled his assets in 12 months without cold calls or networking events
• The £10K personal investment he made to become a better communicator
• His laser-focused niche: high-earning lawyers - book a meeting here 
• Why Westminster Wealth gave him the freedom to build his business his way

Lawrence’s story is packed with actionable insight for both aspiring advisers and experienced professionals ready to take control of their financial planning careers.

https://linktr.ee/wwmrecruitment

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

From Critical Illness to £60M Practice: Russell Cook’s Story of Resilience, Mindset and Career Growth at Foster Denovo

In this special partnership episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast with Foster Denovo, we speak with Russell Cook — a senior partner, self-employed financial planner, and two-time survivor of life-threatening illness.

Russell shares how he built a thriving £60 million practice advising 120 clients, despite facing a rare blood cancer diagnosis and later, a brain tumour. His story is a powerful reminder that success in financial planning is as much about mindset and support as it is about knowledge and advice.

We cover:
 ✅ His seven-and-a-half-month hospital stay battling cancer
 ✅ How a critical illness policy helped him and his family stay afloat
 ✅ The power of team support under the Foster Denovo partner model
 ✅ Running multiple marathons post-recovery and raising £28,000 for charity
 ✅ Preparing for retirement while ensuring continuity and client care
 ✅ The role of Foster Denovo in his success and succession planning.             

This episode is about resilience, gratitude and the value of doing work that truly matters. If you’re a self-employed financial planner or considering a career at Foster Denovo, don’t miss it.

🎧 Plus, discover more stories from those building successful careers in the Foster Denovo ecosystem on their new podcast: Foster Denovo Talks.

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, host Sam Oakes reconnects with Emmanuel Asuquo, a leading financial planner, TV personality, and social media educator. Emmanuel was Sam’s second-ever guest when the podcast launched, making this a special full-circle conversation.

They dive deep into Emmanuel’s journey from growing up on a council estate to becoming one of the UK’s most recognisable financial planners, using platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to educate and entertain audiences.

Discover how Emmanuel built a purpose-driven career in financial planning, leveraged social media to attract clients, and became a trusted voice for financial education across the UK.

Topics include:
 ✅ How to use social media for client generation
 ✅ The importance of authenticity and storytelling
 ✅ Why niching down builds stronger engagement
 ✅ The future of careers in financial planning
 ✅ Building trust through “edutainment”

If you’re a financial planner looking to grow your business, build your brand, or attract the next generation of clients and talent, this is a must-watch (or listen).

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.

In this episode of the financial planner life podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Katie, a former Army officer who transitioned into a successful financial planning career with the St. James’s Place Academy.

Katie’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and building a business that fits around life’s big moments, including becoming a mum mid-way through growing her firm.

We cover:

✅ How military skills like leadership, discipline, and resilience translate into financial planning

✅ What it’s really like going through the St. James’s Place Academy (and how Katie passed her exams in just 6 months)

✅ The importance of mentorship and building your support network

✅ How social media, especially Instagram Stories, has helped her win new clients

✅ Balancing business growth and motherhood, and how becoming a parent opened new networking opportunities

✅ Why financial planning needs more diverse voices and more women in leadership

✅ Tips for using LinkedIn and Instagram for business development

✅ The power of storytelling and human connection in financial services

Whether you’re ex-military, thinking about a career change, or wondering how to balance parenthood with self-employment, this is a must-watch.

Be sure to follow Financial Planner life on YouTube for extra content about career development within Financial Planning.

Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production.

Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? drop Sam a message.