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

What does it really take to grow through every stage of a financial planning career—from intern to advisor, from small firm to large firm, and back again? In this episode, Brooke Jackson, an advisor at Painted Porch Advisors, shares her 11-year journey in the profession and the lessons learned through every transition.

Brooke walks through how she discovered financial planning at Texas Tech, what drew her into the profession, and how early mentorship shaped her foundation. She also shares what it was like transitioning between very different firm environments, how her responsibilities evolved from analyst work to advising clients directly, and what ultimately led her to her current role. This episode is a practical and honest look at career growth, adaptability, and finding the right environment to thrive in financial planning.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3kacc7x7

What really happens in your first year as a financial planner when you move from the classroom into real client meetings? In this episode, Krystal LaFollette, Financial Planning Associate at Schulz Wealth in Mansfield, TX, shares her journey into the profession and what it was really like transitioning from student to practicing advisor. From early nerves and imposter syndrome to finding her footing inside a small, hands-on firm, Krystal reflects on the highs, lows, and unexpected lessons of her first year.

Listeners will learn how new planners can build confidence in client meetings, why real-world experience accelerates professional growth, and how mentorship shapes early career development in financial planning. Krystal also breaks down her day-to-day responsibilities—from meeting preparation and client follow-ups to estate planning work and early exposure to trading—and highlights practical strategies for becoming more confident, present, and effective in advisory conversations.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/28zxwun7

What if your first job in financial planning didn't just lead to experience but to a partnership in under three years? In this episode, Hanna Molta, Partner at Seven Hills Financial, shares her unusual and fast-tracked journey into the financial planning profession, starting with zero financial literacy and a chance conversation at a restaurant.

Listen in as Hanna walks through how mentorship, initiative, and a willingness to start with administrative work helped her move from student to advisor to partner in a remarkably short time. You'll learn how she built trust early, transitioned from apprenticeship to client-facing work, and developed her own book of business while still being supported by a collaborative firm.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/436yrypc

What does a successful financial planning career actually look like behind the scenes? In this episode, Preston Henry, Director of Financial Planning at Sugarloaf Wealth Management, shares the winding and unconventional path that took him from golf course conversations and banking roles to becoming a leader inside a growing RIA. Along the way, Preston opens up about the risks, career pivots, mentors, and mindset shifts that shaped his journey through multiple areas of the financial services industry.

Listen in to learn how he navigated transitions from banking and lending into wealth management, why he chose learning opportunities over short-term financial security, and how relationships consistently opened new doors throughout his career. You'll get valuable insight into the evolution of the advisory profession, the importance of CFP education, building operational leadership inside an RIA, and how advisors can position themselves as indispensable team members while continuing to evolve professionally.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mr384j55