New Planner Podcast

Chris Grellas is the co-founder of ProsperPlan Wealth, and he joins the show today to share his wild college journey that brought him into the financial planning profession. If you're interested in hearing how to navigate career pivots, balance personal challenges with professional goals, or explore transitioning from large firms to small RIAs, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Chris talks about starting as a government major, then switching to business, then finance, before finding his ideal fit in financial planning. He explains how an internship with a local firm solidified his career choice, showing him that financial planning could be done without product sales or sourcing new clients. Chris also discusses how he turned that internship into a full-time role, creating value for his firm in various ways that helped him climb the career ladder.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/40Jn0Jw

Have you ever wondered how to turn a career shift into a successful business? In this episode, Kristin Harad, a Business & Marketing Coach for RIA Leaders and Independent Financial Advisors, shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a Certified Financial Planner with her own firm—while balancing life as a new mom. Kristin dives into how she went from attracting clients to discovering her true passion: coaching other advisors on developing a niche and creating growth strategies.

Listen in as Kristin shares what leaders look for in next-gen advisors and the value of understanding the "business development ecosystem" in financial planning. Her insights reveal the importance of business development at every level and how new advisors can contribute significantly to their firm's success.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/bdpbfdb4

What motivates someone to change their career path after a life-altering event? In this episode, Kaitlyn Laney, Lead Financial Advisor at Trek Wealth Solutions, shares her journey from studying civil engineering to transitioning into financial planning after a personal family tragedy. Kaitlyn talks about her early career, including internships with major firms and how she advanced despite feeling underqualified.

Listen in as Kaitlyn reflects on her decision to start her own financial firm, as well as the challenges of building a client base from scratch. You'll learn valuable lessons about perseverance, client relationships, and how to turn personal hardship into purpose-driven work.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3c5acpwr 

Azure Bradger is an associate advisor at Clarity Financial Group based out of Fort Worth, TX. She joins the show today to share her unconventional journey into the financial planning profession, starting as a biochemistry major before landing an entry-level position at a property and casualty firm and eventually pivoting to a role with a large asset manager. If you're interested in hearing how to navigate career pivots, balance personal challenges with professional goals, or explore transitioning from large firms to small RIAs, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Azure recounts the challenges of failing the Series 7 exam by one point, then later passing it while balancing life as a single mother, working, and studying full-time. You'll also hear why she left a large asset manager for a small RIA firm, her valuable advice for new planners, and more.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3Aj4qNy

Bryan Moylan is a financial advisor at Traverse Private Wealth Group based out of Philadelphia, PA. He joins the show today to share his journey in the financial planning profession, beginning his career at a large asset management firm after college, then changing course multiple times before ultimately starting his own firm. If you're interested in navigating career transitions in financial planning, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Bryan shares why he pursued the CFP certification, as well as what led him to join a small startup. He also explains why the startup wasn't the right long-term fit and how transitioning to a small RIA allowed him to work his way up to Lead Advisor before eventually starting his own firm. You'll hear the challenges and successes he encountered along the way, valuable tips for new planners, and more.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3A3w69i

Today we welcome Jamie Bosse, an author and a financial planner at CGN Advisors, who shares her inspiring career journey and insights into the evolving financial planning industry. Jamie reflects on her experience attending the first Dallas Fort Worth career day 20 years ago, which set her on a path of growth and opportunity. She discusses the importance of building a professional network through a grassroots approach and leveraging industry contacts as she navigated different roles across the country.

Listen in as Jamie dives into her unique career transitions, from the RIA channel to the bank channel—and back again—as she sought to balance her professional aspirations with family life. You'll hear about her passion for writing children’s books and the process behind them, as well as the psychological factors influencing financial behaviors and the importance of staying connected within the industry.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/43bkhr4e 

Zac Cravez is an Associate Financial Advisor at Edge Financial Advisors, and he joins the show today to share how his entrepreneurial father raised him with an appreciation for financial planning. If you're interested in exploring career transitions within the financial planning industry or learning how to align your career with your values, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Zac shares how taking personal finance classes at 14 set the stage for his future in corporate finance and how he navigated his first job after college. He explains why working at a large broker-dealer wasn’t the right fit for him, leading him to resign without another job lined up in his pursuit of joining an RIA. You'll learn the most enjoyable aspects of Zac's current role, what he’s working on now, and valuable tips for new planners.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3BudM9E

Jon Duggan is the Director of Financial Planning for Procyon Partners. He joins the show today to share how he found his way to the financial planning profession, starting with an economics major before discovering financial planning and getting through the toughest parts of the curriculum. If you're interested in learning how to navigate a career change, build valuable experience without internships, or explore the tax-planning side of financial advising, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Jon shares how he compensated for his lack of internships by leading the student chapter of the FPA and working at the Aspire clinic—a peer financial counseling center at UGA—and how these experiences helped him secure his first role at a large RIA. He also discusses the various roles he held at different firms, his struggles, his growing interest in tax planning, and why he didn’t envision himself as a long-term client-facing advisor.

And don't miss where Jon shares comp ranges for the Director of Financial Planning position, which is $100-250k per year. (The lower end of the range will be at smaller firms where the Director of Financial Planning is a hybrid planning specialist and mid-level advisor, while the higher end of the range is going to be at firms where you are either running a large team—think 10+ direct reports—or in roles where you have dual relationship management/director responsibilities.) You'll also hear Jon's best tips for new planners and more.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3XybZHR

Lauren Hong is the President of Out & About Communications, and she joins the show today to share how her firm helps the financial planning profession. If you're interested in learning how to enhance your firm's website, attract top talent, and build a strong personal brand as a new planner, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Lauren shares insights from her career, including how client firms successfully attract and retain talent. She discusses the latest trends in firm websites—as well as how to implement those trends during a website refresh—and offers valuable advice for new planners on setting up their brand and gaining clients. You'll also hear about the types of candidates firms are looking for in today's market, how firms can attract top talent, and more.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3B921VX

George Kinder is the founder of the Kinder Institute of Life Planning, and he joins the show today to discuss his career and how he got started in the financial planning profession. He explains his definition of life planning, addresses critics of his approach, and discusses what excites him most about the profession. If you're interested in learning how to integrate life planning into your practice or hearing from a pioneer in the field, this episode is for you!

Listen in as George shares how he developed the life planning process, built and sold his firm, and transitioned to coaching and training other financial planners in life planning. He also walks us through his famous three questions that reveal clients' aspirations, regrets, fears, and dreams. Don't miss hearing insights from his recent book, The Three Domains of Freedom, and the essential first step for new planners starting their careers.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4eaZbOq