Welcome back to Together at the Top, where Nick is thrilled to have Elliott Dutro, Vice President at the Northern California based BEVL Group, join him for a highly impactful conversation here today. This episode isn't just about money, though financial well being is front and center. It’s a deep exploration of how finding the right financial advisor, someone with mentor-like qualities, can shape not just your portfolio but your entire life. They discuss the journey into the financial world, the critical nature of trust in an advisor-client relationship, and what truly underpins a successful life and career - important stuff.

The conversation unpacks the idea that a financial professional is much more than a "stock jockey," they're a personal board chairperson, guiding through life's financial complexities with wisdom gathered from countless client experiences. Elliott shares his unexpected path to becoming a financial advisor, from an inspiring high school algebra class to understanding the human side of financial decisions during the mortgage crisis. They touch on identifying the right career path, the power of good relationships, and the often unseen traits, like impulse control, that lead to lasting success, as well as how understanding all aspects of a client's life, not just their assets, is absolutely fundamental.

Episode Highlights:

• The immense value of a trusted financial advisor as a guide for life’s financial journey.

• Elliott Dutro's personal story of finding his passion in finance and helping people achieve their goals.

• Building profound trust: a cornerstone for any successful advisor client dynamic and how it's earned.

• Beyond asset management: why a holistic understanding of a client’s life is crucial for top tier financial advice.

• Identifying "right fit" careers and how being in one dramatically impacts personal fulfillment and success.

• Key traits of successful individuals, including a sense of purpose, feeling "behind," and strong impulse control.

• The impact of mentors, both positive and negative, especially those found in unexpected places, like clients.

• Navigating challenges like work life balance and the importance of a strong personal foundation to avoid burnout.

Key Takeaways:

"Your financial advisor is the chairperson of your personal board of directors."

"Setting people up in the right career is a really critical part of establishing that foundation for a great life."

The quality of my advice is limited by my knowledge of the client’s entire situation."

"There’s nothing more critical to an advisor-client relationship than having that trust because sometimes the advice that’s given is counterintuitive."

"Relationship management, basic financial management, and career selection. When you have those things put together... That’s eighty percent of success."

"I think if I had to identify one thing that held people back from reaching their full potential, it would be a lack of openness and vulnerability with themselves and with others."

"It’s so important to build a good personal life so that your professional life doesn’t become a default escape from your personal life."

"A great firm cannot make up for a subpar advisor."

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting: https://www.nickwarnerconsulting.com/

Elliott Dutro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-dutro-208531117/