Only Fee-Only

Ever grappled with the complexities of the American financial system as a foreign-born individual? Today, we bring our conversation with Jane Mepham, a financial planning maestro who turned her personal struggle in understanding systems like 401ks and credit cards into a mission to aid others in similar situations. Jane, originally from Kenya, is the founder of Elgon Financial Advisors, her firm dedicated to guiding foreign nationals and tech professionals through America's fiscal labyrinth. Together, we unravel the perplexities of budgeting, retirement planning, and financial issues that foreign workers often face.

Venturing into the second part of our conversation, Jane imparts her wisdom about the nuances of building a successful advisory business. Her tried-and-tested client acquisition strategies run the gamut from writing articles and building relationships with immigration lawyers to maximizing the power of SEO. Learn how content creation forms a crucial aspect and what specific planning questions foreign nationals often face. Lastly, we take a tour of Jane's experience in starting her financial planning firm. From navigating the choppy waters of compliance and E&O to the significance of continuous learning, Jane provides a comprehensive lens into her field. Get ready to be inspired by how Jane envisions her firm's growth into a boutique business with advisors eager to tackle complex cases. You don't want to miss this episode.

Jane's Kitces Article: 

https://www.kitces.com/blog/investing-for-work-visa-holders-nonimmigrant-challenges-foreign-workers-h1b/

Jane's Podcast:

https://www.theimcafe.com/

Jane's Social:

Twitter - @ElgonFinancial

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemepham/

Have you ever wondered how someone goes from being a physics major and 2x National Championship football player to a financial advisor? Today, we're having a chat with Kyle Newell, the founder of Newell Wealth Management. He's got a unique story, transitioning from the football field to financial planning. Particularly interesting is his focus on Disney employees and their families. Kyle will share how his experiences at the University of Florida's national championship teams influenced his career path.

In our conversation, Kyle shares some light-hearted stories about moving from engineering to finance and the unexpected lessons along the way. He'll talk about his time learning the ropes at big names like Merrill Lynch and TIA, especially in selling his services. He'll also discuss his 'project 100, 200' strategy for building business. To wrap up, Kyle gives us a glimpse into his work with Disney employees, discussing the challenges, benefits, and how crucial referrals are in his field. Join us for an insightful episode filled with financial wisdom and life lessons from someone who's truly a great person!

Ever dreamt of a retirement filled with baguettes in France, or basking in the rustic charm of an Italian villa? Today, we're chatting with Tommy Sikes, the mastermind behind Wander Wealth and the Traveltirement newsletter, where he guides us through the intriguing process of retiring abroad, and the financial planning that goes into it. No journey is complete without a few challenges, and we'll also touch on the potential hurdles you might face when considering a retirement lifestyle in a different country.

If the thought of a lower cost of living, healthier food, and a better quality of life sounds appealing, you won't want to miss our discussion on the growing appeal of retiring in Europe. 

From budgeting to spending an extended period in a different country, we'll explore the various forms of travel experiences people seek. We'll also touch on the idea of using travel as a means to create a lasting legacy for future generations. So, if you've got a case of the travel bug or you're dreaming of a peaceful retirement overseas, join us for a journey through the wonders of travel and the excitement of retiring abroad.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-sikes/

Twitter: @wander_wealth

Could rewiring your thought patterns be the key to success? Stephanie Bogan, founder and Chief Possibility Officer at Limitless Advisor Coaching, shares her journey from founding her first company at 24, to being part of the executive team of a Fortune 500 company, and eventually to designing a life she loves. She brings her considerable experience and wisdom to bear as she discusses how she successfully harnessed a growth mindset and best business practices to achieve her goals.

We delve into the fascinating realm of mindset and success coaching as Bogan offers insight on overcoming mental roadblocks to achieve desired outcomes. She shares the power of curiosity and challenge in fostering growth, and how she has applied this knowledge to make a significant positive impact on her clients' lives. Learn about the profound influence of early formative beliefs on our worldview, and how questioning these ingrained thoughts can lead to breakthroughs.

As we conclude our compelling discussion, Bogan sheds light on the science behind our thought habits, explaining how our brains craft narratives to process information, and the profound significance of a compelling "why" behind your plans for success. The conversation reveals the importance of taking control of our mindset, time, and vision to chart a clear path to success and positive change. Through engaging stories of her clients' victories, Bogan illustrates how mindset and personal agency can propel exponential growth. This episode promises to be a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration for anyone seeking to elevate their life through the power of the mind.

We're thrilled to bring you an exciting conversation with our newest team member, Josh Passler. Josh is no ordinary addition to the team – he's a former financial advisor turned graphic designer with a passion for educating people about the complex world of finance in a visually compelling way. This episode promises to take you on a unique journey as Josh shares his transformative career shift, from financial advising to advisor marketing, and his vision to revolutionize the BC brand.

You won't want to miss the insights Josh brings to the table about the power of visuals in making abstract financial concepts more understandable. His distinctive skillset positions BC brokerage to stand out from other agents and his role as a team member allows him to focus on creating relatable visuals that help our clients better comprehend the insurance terrain. Furthermore, we delve into his grand plans for the BC brand, aiming to shift perceptions and break down negative stigmas around the insurance industry. Get ready for a lively discourse that mixes finance, art, and a fresh perspective on insurance. 

Picture this: you're a financial advisor in the heart of sunny California. Sounds like a dream, right? Our guest, Scott Frank, founder of Stone Steps Financial in Encinitas, California, shares his fascinating journey from his beginnings in Noblesville, Indiana to becoming a sought-after name in the financial planning industry. Buckle up as we explore his alliances, his commitment to active listening, and his take on the CFA and CFP certifications.

Transitioning a business is never easy. Scott talks about the decision to leave pervious firms and what led him to that decision. He provides valuable advice to advisors finding the partnership promise short of reality, highlighting the importance of a clear plan and action steps for a successful transition. 

Finally, we delve into why Scott believes in sharpening communication skills in financial advising. He shares his involvement with the XY Planning Network and thoughtfully explains his unique marketing plan. Despite being a well known figure in the industry, Scott acknowledges his thoughts on growing an enterprise and why he has chosen to keep his firm small. We also get a glimpse into Scott's social media presence and find out what he believes is the best platform to reach his target audience. If you're ready to see the world of financial advising through Scott's lens, join us for this captivating conversation.

Ever wondered how some people manage to retire earlier than anticipated? Financial whiz Steve Drost joins us in this episode, revealing his innovative pre-retirement planning approach that has left many of his clients in awe, retiring ahead of their schedules. He provides a captivating account of his journey, transitioning from a financial planning intern to co-founding Drost Financial. Steve's story is a testament to ambition, landing the right job, and the power of resilience when nurturing a clientele base. His team is mighty efficient, featuring a key player - his mom serving as an advanced admin. 

Ready to revolutionize your service delivery as a financial advisor? Get an inside look at Steve's other venture, Quiver CRM, developed in tandem with his brother. Designed as an all-in-one solution for swift delegation, this platform is a game-changer for small firms. Steve's goal was clear - make enough money to do what he wanted while having the freedom to do just that. So, he invested in building Quiver CRM - a tool that keeps everything in one place and enables rapid delegation. Hear how this tool is helping advisors deliver top-notch services to their clients. While you’re at it, get a peek into Steve's life as he balances his work with his family. Join us for this amazing chat with Steve Drost who is redefining retirement and financial planning.

Want to safeguard your cleint's income from unforeseen circumstances? In this episode, Dr. Rodney Mogen and Peter Ciravolo shed light on how disability income insurance can be a great financial safety net. Promising to guide you away from the complex jargon and into the heart of what truly matters, they decode the language of insurance policies, and help you see why it's more about income protection than disability insurance. They navigate through the different scenarios that could affect someone's ability to work and discuss the importance of being ready for them.

Looking for a deep-dive into the mechanics of disability income insurance and group coverage? There's no better duo than Rodney and Peter, who will walk you through the two primary ways of obtaining disability insurance. They'll breakdown the various definitions of disability and the complexities of group coverage, including taxable income and caps. They’ll give you insights into the importance of understanding the details of a policy before signing on the dotted line.

Finally, we'll explore the intricate partnership between your income and disability insurance. We'll talk active versus passive income, and the impacts of different income sources like rental properties and dividends on the total coverage people can get. Rodney and Peter also emphasize the importance of considering a client's complete financial picture. This is an episode designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to navigate the world of DI intelligently. Get ready to empower yourself to make informed decisions about disability income insurance for your clients!

Imagine trading your comfortable desk job for the unpredictable world of finance - that's precisely the leap our guest, Allen Mueller, founder of Seven Saturdays Financial, took. Allen found his calling in the movement of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early), transitioning from engineering to corporate finance, and launching his firm in the midst of a pandemic. He shares the incredible journey he undertook to gain control over his time and carve a path towards financial independence.

In the second phase of our chat, Allen gets candid about the initial struggles he faced in growing his business. He recounts the pivotal moment of investing in a sales training course during a business dry spell, which sparked remarkable growth and set a course for future expansion. We also touched on a critical discussion about the role of transparent pricing and reducing conflicts through flat fee models in financial advisory. Strap in for fascinating insights from a man who dared to break the mould, chase financial independence, and navigate the world of financial planning on his terms.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenrmueller

Twitter: @7Saturdaysaweek

Ever wondered how to grow a financial planning firm from a start-up to an enterprise-level success? Today, we're giving you an exclusive seat at our enlightening chat with James Conole, the founder of Root Financial Planning. Imagine managing over 250 million AUM – James  and his team do just that and he shares the insightful lessons he learned on his journey. 

We explore the intriguing paths available to entrepreneurs in the fee-only community. James gives us a firsthand account of his innovative strategies: how he leverages his platform, expands into various platforms, and maintains a consistent, reliable, and positive client experience. He unveils the secret of the Sequoia System developed by Root Financial Planning. No stone is left unturned as we discuss the challenges of managing an inflow of prospects, building a successful team, and hiring the right people to support growth. 

Finally, a discussion with James wouldn't be complete without delving into the vast opportunities available in the financial planning industry. Are you considering a career in this field? Root Financial is hiring. James shares his experiences and offers invaluable advice on finding the right fit and fosters an engaging conversation about the role of the Sequoia System in enhancing a successful client experience. Get ready for an episode packed with expert insights and transformative advice you won't want to miss!

Social:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesconole/

Twitter: @jamesconole



Music in this episode was obtained from bensound.