What does it really take to build a successful financial planning career when you're starting from scratch? In this episode, Evan Fears, CFP at Vision Financial Group Georgia, shares how he entered the financial planning industry straight out of college with no guaranteed salary, no inherited client book, and plenty of obstacles standing in his way. From being mistaken for a high school student while meeting with clients to navigating the pressure of building trust as a young advisor, Evan opens up about the realities of growing a business in the early years of his career.

Listen in to hear how he found his niche working with educators, why grassroots relationship-building mattered more than flashy online marketing, and how he steadily built confidence, credibility, and a loyal client base that eventually led to becoming a partner at just 29 years old. Evan also offers insights on mentorship, culture fit, finding the right niche market, and what he says is one of the most important skills for new planners entering the profession today.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mvk22jvs

What happens when you stumble into a career you didn't even know existed and end up building a business entirely on your own terms? In this episode, Kaleb Paddock, founder of Ten Talents Financial Planning, shares his unconventional journey into financial planning and the lessons he learned along the way.

From discovering the profession through third-party administration work to earning his CFP and gaining hands-on experience at an RIA firm, Kaleb walks through the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Listen in to learn how he made the leap to entrepreneurship, the challenges of starting from scratch in a new state, and how he evolved his business model into a virtual family office designed to better serve his clients.

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

Could your strengths lie outside the traditional advisor path? My guest today is Brian Abatemarco, who navigated his career from financial planning into sales, and ultimately into the world of AI startups. From managing clients early in his career to discovering a passion for business development, Brian shares how leaning into your natural strengths can completely reshape your trajectory.

Listen in to learn how AI is actually being used inside advisory firms today (and why it's not replacing advisors anytime soon), how automation can transform client service and operations, and what it really looks like to take a risk on something new. If you've ever questioned whether you're on the "right" path or wondered how to pivot without starting over, this episode offers a practical and honest look at building a career that works for you.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/p4c5dy7n

What if the key to standing out in your career is starting before you feel ready? In this episode, Cassidy Vines, a financial planning student at Temple University and winner of the 2025 New Planner Recruiting Tuition Scholarship, shares how she took the initiative early to build real-world experience before graduating. You'll learn how she discovered financial planning, why she made the switch from marketing, and how she turned curiosity into a clear career path.

Listen in as Cassidy shares how she secured multiple internships (including through cold outreach), how hands-on experience accelerated her learning, and what she's looking for in a future employer. From leveraging part-time jobs into transferable skills to building confidence in interviews, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to break into financial planning and stand out while doing it.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2s43d7np

What do you do when rejection, setbacks, and uncertainty hit early in your career? In this episode, Francesco D'Amore shares how he turned college rejection, uncertainty about his career path, and limited resources into a clear plan to break into the financial planning profession. From teaching himself to pass the SIE exam using only YouTube to transferring schools and landing internships through networking, Francesco explains how curiosity and persistence shaped his journey.

Listen in to learn how to stand out as a student or career-changer, why networking conversations matter more than formal applications, and how internships actually turn into opportunities. You'll hear Francesco's long-term plan for becoming a financial planner, pursuing the CFP certification, and building a career in the industry.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3jha4f6b

What if you could experience multiple financial planning firms, real client meetings, and industry experts all in one internship? In this episode, Hannah Moore, CEO of Guiding Wealth Management and creator of the Amplified Planning Externship, shares how a unique program started during the pandemic and quickly grew into one of the most recognized learning experiences for aspiring financial planners.

Listen in to learn how the Externship works, what participants actually do during the eight-week program, and why the community and real-world exposure make such a big impact on career direction. You'll learn who the Externship is for, what skills participants develop, and what to expect this year in terms of timing, pricing, and registration.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/727erpwe

What happens when your career doesn't go according to plan? Today, James Conole and Erin Varghese join the show to share their very different paths into the financial planning profession. They talk about career setbacks, getting fired, starting over, and ultimately finding the right firm and culture to grow their careers.

Listen in to learn how Erin transitioned from banking into financial planning, why starting at a small RIA can accelerate your learning, and how James went from being fired to starting his own firm from scratch. You'll also hear what it takes to build a strong company culture, attract top talent, and embrace imposter syndrome to become a better advisor.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/yxa685fy

What does it really take to leave a stable, high-level career and start over in financial planning? In this episode, Lisa Schaefer shares her journey from working in public policy to becoming a financial advisor. You'll learn how mentorship played a critical role in her transition, why starting with the Series 65 helped her test the waters, and how she navigated the uncertainty of breaking into a completely new industry.

Listen in as Lisa opens up about the realities of taking a pay cut, working in a high-pressure, commission-based environment, and ultimately finding the right firm fit that prioritized mentorship and long-term growth. You'll hear about the pivotal moments that helped her make the leap and get practical insights for anyone considering a career change into financial planning.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/bdz8p7dm

How do you build confidence and a successful advisory business when you're just starting in financial planning? In this episode, financial planner Landon Warmund shares his journey into the profession, from growing up with a father who was a financial planner to developing his own path in the industry. You'll learn how an early curiosity about money, a chance discovery of a CFP program in college, and a willingness to put in the reps helped Landon begin building his own client base shortly after graduation.

Listen in to hear how he found traction by focusing on a niche serving teachers, nonprofit employees, and clients navigating specific retirement plans, as well as the challenges he faced during his first few years in the business. Landon also opens up about how long it took to feel confident in client conversations, why professional communities played such a pivotal role in his growth, and why helping clients achieve loan forgiveness has become one of the most rewarding parts of his work.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2mb7vp72

What would make someone walk away from a 21-year engineering career and a good salary to start a financial planning business from scratch? In this episode, Aubrey Williams of Open Path Financial opens up about the personal and professional journey that led him to leave engineering and pursue financial planning full-time. You'll learn how his role gradually shifted from technical work to management and financial decision-making, sparking an interest in personal finance that would ultimately change his career path.

Listen in as Aubrey explains how a difficult life transition pushed him to educate himself about money, which eventually led him to help others in similar situations. He walks through the steps he took to launch his firm—including starting as a financial coach while still working full-time, building a client base from scratch, and finding his niche within communities of engineers and DIY investors. He also shares how speaking at events, creating content, and embracing an advice-only hourly model helped him grow his practice to $20K per month in revenue, and why combining the emotional side of money with clear financial guidance can truly change people's lives.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3k3jd64r