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

What happens when a psychology major discovers financial planning and decides to completely rethink how advice can be delivered? In this episode, Andy Baxley shares his journey from teaching English in South Korea to working at large financial institutions, discovering the fee-only RIA world, and ultimately launching his own firm, Two Trails Financial Planning. Andy opens up about the career pivots, self-doubt, and entrepreneurial lessons that shaped his path, along with the mindset shifts that helped him finally make the leap into business ownership.

We also dive into how Andy is using AI to create more personalized, high-quality client experiences rather than simply automating tasks or reducing costs. He explains how advisors can use AI tools to build bespoke solutions for clients, why understanding psychology and communication is becoming even more important in the age of AI, and how newer planners can find the right career path based on their personality, strengths, and long-term goals. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, career growth, financial planning, or the future of AI in advice, this episode is packed with practical insights you won't want to miss.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxxx5jw

What does it really take to build a successful financial planning career, and how much of it comes down to education, persistence, and understanding human behavior? In this episode, Gary Clement shares his unconventional journey from a math major with an interest in investments to an experienced financial planner, educator, and PhD holder. He walks through his early days in the industry, the lessons learned from working in high-pressure sales environments, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his transition into financial planning and education.

Listen in to learn why behavioral finance is becoming central to the future of advice, how advisors can help clients overcome suboptimal decision-making, and why understanding human behavior is just as important as technical knowledge. Gary also unpacks how real-world experience, licensing, and continuous education can shape long-term career success in financial planning. You'll hear about career strategy for new planners, the importance of early job experience, and how to build momentum in a competitive industry.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3tk7yawv

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