What are financial planners really worth in today's job market? And what does that mean for firms trying to attract and retain top talent? In this episode, I'm joined by Jesse Lineberry to unpack the latest New Planner Recruiting Salary Survey and what the data reveals about compensation across different experience levels, geographic regions, and firm types. You'll learn how asking salaries have changed since 2021, why experienced CFP professionals continue to command a significant premium, and where compensation is growing fastest across the country.

Listen in as we explore the impact of AI on financial planning recruitment, the growing competition for entry-level talent, and why career changers may become an increasingly important source of future planners. You'll also hear real examples of accepted, negotiated, and rejected offers, as well as what compensation ranges look like for students, paraplanners, associate advisors, and lead advisors. Don't miss getting practical insights for both firm owners building their teams and planners evaluating their next career move.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mpfve4yz

What does it take to go from a college student with a math degree and no financial planning experience to a partner at a wealth management firm? In this episode, Brittany Brinckerhoff shares the unconventional path that took her from an internship she knew almost nothing about to a decade-long career at Hilltop Wealth Advisors. You'll learn how an internship helped her discover financial planning, why she took the Series 7 and 65 while still in college, and how she transitioned from intern to paraplanner—and eventually lead advisor.

Listen in as Brittany offers practical lessons for newer planners on building confidence, finding mentors, networking, and navigating the different stages of an advisory career. She also explains how Hilltop has evolved its career tracks to help newer advisors reach client-facing work sooner, how the firm approaches business development without relying on cold calling, and why she believes the human side of financial planning will remain essential even as technology and AI advance.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/29uhpwxt

How can you decide which path is right for you? Today, I'm joined by Lonniece McDonald, an associate wealth advisor at HIGHLAND Financial Advisors. Lonniece opens up about how she discovered financial planning and earned her CFP, her transition from a large family-office environment to a smaller boutique RIA, and how internships helped her explore different areas of finance.

Listen in to learn what she values about working with a smaller team, as well as what she believes newer planners should focus on as they build their careers. You'll also hear what has been central to Lonniece's development as a planner, her take on AI, and what we can do to increase awareness of the profession and encourage more women to pursue CFP careers.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mr2nhanz

What if the fastest way to build a successful financial planning career isn't going it alone? Victoria O'Tool is Executive Director of the FinServ Foundation and a financial planner at Mercer Advisors, and she joins the show today to share how mentorship, community involvement, and saying yes to unexpected opportunities helped launch her career just months after graduating.

Listen in to learn why finding the right firm matters more than landing the first job, as well as how the FinServ Foundation is helping develop the next generation of financial planners. You'll hear lessons learned from balancing multiple roles while studying for the CFP®, the value of networking, and why experienced professionals have an important role to play in giving back to the profession.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/ze2zhj4d

What if the career you're looking for doesn't exist—yet? In this episode, Tiffiny Hubbard, a financial planner at Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory, shares her unconventional journey into financial planning after spending seven years as a stay-at-home mom. From earning her CFP® designation through self-study to discovering that being client-facing wasn't the only path to a fulfilling career, Tiffiny explains how she built a role that aligns with both her professional strengths and her family life.

Listen in to learn how to transition into financial planning later in life, navigate career changes with confidence, and explore the many opportunities available beyond traditional advisor roles. Tiffiny also offers an inside look at investment trading within an RIA, how she applies financial planning principles behind the scenes, and why flexibility, curiosity, and finding the right firm can lead to a more rewarding and sustainable career.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mpehe7b4

What does it take to completely reinvent your career and break into financial planning from an unconventional background? In this episode, Andrew Bencivenga, financial planner at Brindle & Bay Wealth Management, shares his unique journey from teaching English in South Korea and running a craft brewery to becoming a successful financial planner.

Listen in to learn how Andrew identified transferable skills from his previous careers, earned his CFP while working exhausting hours, broke into the profession through persistence and cold outreach, and accelerated his growth through mentorship and technical expertise. Andrew also shares lessons on finding the right firm fit, building trust, and why showing up consistently can make all the difference for new planners starting their careers.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/575p8eu7

How do you go from an intern ordering office supplies to owning your own financial planning firm? Nick Scheibner shares the journey that took him from accidentally discovering financial planning at university to spending 14 years growing within one firm before taking the leap to launch his own RIA. You'll learn why saying "yes" to every opportunity accelerated his career, how taking on overlooked responsibilities made him indispensable, and why confidence is built one client conversation at a time.

Listen in as Nick opens up about the personal experiences that motivated him to become a business owner, the challenges of leaving a stable career, and the lessons he's learned building his own practice. Whether you're a student, intern, associate advisor, or considering starting your own firm one day, this episode is filled with practical advice on developing your skills, earning trust, building relationships, and creating a career you'll never regret pursuing.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3wtpr535

How can you build a successful financial planning career in your first year after college? In this episode, I sit down with paraplanners Samantha Buchanan and Garrett Welsh from Allegiance Financial Group Advisory Services to explore their journeys into financial planning, how they chose the right firm, and what they've learned transitioning from students to professionals.

Listen in to learn how Samantha and Garrett evaluated career opportunities, why finding the right firm culture mattered, how paraplanners can contribute value from day one, and how technology like AI is changing (but not replacing) the human side of financial advice. You'll also hear practical advice for aspiring planners, including how to build confidence in client meetings and create your own career opportunities.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/ycyp7btc

What does it take to move to a new country, earn an MBA, become a CFP®, and launch a wealth management firm—all in under four years? In this conversation, Imade Iyamu shares how she built Arusha Wealth after immigrating to the United States, and why her mission is focused on helping immigrants and cross-border clients navigate some of the most complex financial systems in the world.

We explore the real challenges behind building financial stability in a new country, from credit systems and taxes to visas, estates, and retirement planning across borders. Imade also breaks down how she went from law to finance, earned her CFP®, and launched an RIA while designing a business model rooted in education, community, and long-term trust. This episode offers practical insight into niche firm-building and what it really means to start a business while still learning the system yourself.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3tjr2xvu

What happens when a software engineer decides to start over and build a career in financial planning? In this episode, Jamie Clark shares their journey from a successful career in technology to becoming a CFP professional and founder of their own financial planning firm. You'll learn how they navigated a major career transition, prepared financially for a significant pay cut, built confidence in a new profession, and discovered that financial planning was the right fit for their long-term goals.

Jamie also discusses what new planners can learn from working with hundreds of client situations, the realities of launching an independent firm, and why building systems, boundaries, and confidence are essential for success. Whether you're considering a career change, working toward your CFP marks, or dreaming of starting your own practice, this conversation offers practical insights into building a rewarding career in financial planning.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/ycbrj9vp