Category: Business Planning
Ep 57: Guiding Women Through Divorce – With Steph Wagner

Ep 57: Guiding Women Through Divorce – With Steph Wagner

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While divorce rates have decreased over the last 20 years according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the rates of divorce among baby boomers are increasing. Because family wealth tends to be much higher at this age, these divorces may present complex problems for clients.

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain speak with Steph Wagner, Director of Women and Wealth at Northern Trust. They explore the meaningful impact that advisors can make – both financially and emotionally — when guiding women through major life changes and steps,  advisors can take proactively to ensure couples are prepared for any unexpected transitions. 

Steph shares: 

  • Her own story of working through an unexpected transition
  • The risk of giving up your seat at the family financial table
  • The power story telling has on igniting conversations of hypothetical events
  • What to do if there appears to be financial infidelity in a relationship
  • Things to consider when a family business is involved
  • What to do – and not to do – when helping clients through a transition
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Steph Wagner:

Connect With  Laura Gregg: 

Connect With  David Partain: 

About Our Guest:

Steph Wagner, director of Women and Wealth at Northern Trust Corporation, has long advocated for women who find themselves single due to divorce or the loss of their spouse. She leads the firm’s advisory practice for women who are facing unexpected transitions and oversees our women’s initiative by elevating women. Over the years, Steph has developed a specialized expertise in utilizing financial strategies and empowering women with the resources they need to become effective stewards of their own wealth. She has worked extensively with women across the country to help them address the financial impact of widowhood, to secure equitable settlements, and marriage disillusions. And she has helped them establish a solid foundation for their next chapter

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Ep 56: Assess Before Building A Diversity & Inclusion Program – With Kemy Joseph, CEO of F.E.A.R.S Advantage

Ep 56: Assess Before Building A Diversity & Inclusion Program – With Kemy Joseph, CEO of F.E.A.R.S Advantage

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“Assess before you make a mess,” is what Kemy Joseph, CEO and DEI Strategist at F.E.A.R.S. Advantage tells Laura Gregg and David Partain in this episode of The Flexible Advisor.

Kemy talks about the stress that firm leaders face when it comes to the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and why it’s critical that firm leaders understand the current culture that exists within their firm before implementing DEI change. Once existing staff and leaders feel safe, trusted and included, then consider adding other diverse hires in an intentional way to strengthen your firm’s culture. The conversation covers data from FlexShares latest diversity study and how Kemy works with firm leaders identify appropriate goals for their firm’s DEI program that lead to measurable business benefits

Listen to learn: 

  • Why trust is a critical underpinning for building a successful DEI program.
  • Confusion that DEI is just about hiring people of different skin colors or genders
  • The difference between DEI committees and DEI clubs
  • Building a DE&I program based on specific outcomes firms desire
  • The four measures of safety within an organization 
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Kemy Joseph:

Connect With  Laura Gregg: 

Connect With  David Partain: 

About Our Guest:

Kemy Joseph is the CEO and DEI strategist at F.E.A.R.S. Advantage LLC. He works with firm owners and leaders within the financial services space to help them better understand how to create diversity, equity and inclusion programs that will yield results, both business and social. He’s on a mission to help around 5 million business leaders advance equity in their organizations by 2030 to create company culture where people of all backgrounds can work safely and thrive.

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Ep 55: Consumer Preferences In Hiring a Financial Planner — With Dr. Miranda Reiter, CFP®, Texas Tech University

Ep 55: Consumer Preferences In Hiring a Financial Planner — With Dr. Miranda Reiter, CFP®, Texas Tech University

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What’s most important when choosing a financial planner?  Does race and gender outweigh other characteristics like age, years of experience or levels of trust?

Dr. Miranda Reiter, CFP®, from Texas Tech University, is studying this topic and shares her findings on what’s most important to consumers. Listen as Laura Gregg and David Partain compare and contrast data with Dr. Reiter’s about her work and the FlexShares’ 2021 study on diversity in advisory. Where were findings similar and where did they diverge and why? 

Topics covered: 

  • Dr. Reiter’s journey from banker to financial planner and entrepreneur to college professor.
  • What sparked her curiosity to study the impact of race and gender in hiring a planner?
  • Where does trust rank in the decision process?
  • How planning students are engaging in digital advisor technology
  • Covid’s impact on virtual engagements and reach in finding a planner
  • Why to consider improving your cultural competency
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Dr. Miranda Reiter

Connect With  Laura Gregg

Connect With David Partain

About Our Guest:

Miranda Reiter, CFP® is an assistant professor of financial planning at Texas Tech University. Her research interests in financial planning and consumer finance include race, diversity, and gender issues. She has worked as a financial planner and a banker at several Fortune 500 firms. Miranda recently received recognition for her work including 2020 Omicron Nu Research Fellowship, 2020 Center for Financial Security Junior Scholar, 2019 Financial Planning Association Best Research Award and 2019 Under 40 Award! 

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Ep 54: Finding Your Ideal Clients Through Content Marketing — With Samuel Deane

Ep 54: Finding Your Ideal Clients Through Content Marketing — With Samuel Deane

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How do conversations with your prospects start? Is it about their needs or about your firm?

Samuel Deane, CEO of Deane Financial Partners, talks about his experience as an immigrant seeking the American dream and why taking a traditional wealth management path wasn’t a fit for him. At 25 he started his own firm focused on addressing the unique needs of Millennial tech executives. Samuel talks with Laura Gregg and David Partain about how he’s grown his firm through a laser focus on his ideal client and a robust content marketing program which has led to his insights being featured in major national media outlets. 

In this episode, we cover:

  • How to narrow your target market
  • The power of educational content marketing
  • The importance of creating an intentional user experience
  • How Sam has succeeded with Millennial tech executives
  • Why it’s critical to understand your clients’ money stories
  • Sam’s candid views on why this industry isn’t inclusive
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn how targeted business and content marketing plans can help drive ideal clients to your firm!

Resources: FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Laura Gregg | David Partain | Deane Financial | Samuel S. Deane

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Ep 53: Finding and Retaining Women Advisors — With Jana Gregorek, Visionary Wealth Advisors

Ep 53: Finding and Retaining Women Advisors — With Jana Gregorek, Visionary Wealth Advisors

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FlexShares research continues to confirm that high-net-worth clients prefer advisors with a similar culture and gender and whom they feel will understand their unique needs.

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain speak about the growing importance of women advisors with Jana Gregorek, Chief Growth Officer at Visionary Wealth Advisors. They discuss how firms can attract and better retain women advisors. 

In this episode, you will learn about:

  • The power of teaching financial literacy at an early age 
  • Breaking down barriers of entry to financial advisory for women 
  • Rethinking the idea of work/life balance 
  • How an advisory team can support retention of women in the industry
  • Enabling your team members to be their authentic selves at work
  • And more!

Listen to learn ways that your firm can recruit and retain women advisors!

Resources: FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Laura Gregg | David Partain | Visionary Wealth Advisors  | Jana Gregorek | FlexShares Research Studies on Diversity

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Ep 52: Conquering Stress Through Flexible Work Arrangements — With Lauren Oschman, CFP®

Ep 52: Conquering Stress Through Flexible Work Arrangements — With Lauren Oschman, CFP®

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As vaccinations ramp up and offices are re-open, many firms are facing a dilemma: 

Bring the entire staff back, create a hybrid team model or go fully virtual?

In this fourth episode of our Advisor Wellness series, Laura Gregg and David Partain speak with Lauren Oschman, CFP®, Partner, Chief Experience Officer and producing Advisor at Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors. They discuss the power of building an intentional firm culture that embraces flexibility in both work location and hours and how this ultimately can promote greater productivity while reducing stress for the team and its partners.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The bold way Vestia is recruiting remote hires
  • Using remote/hybrid work models to help alleviate stress and build diversity
  • Why culture matters and how to build it virtually
  • How a virtual model has increased the retention of physician clients
  • Insights into how virtual engagement can actually deepen client relationships
  • Strategies to effectively onboard remote hires
  • And more!

Listen in now to discover how to create an optimal mix of virtual and in-office staff!

Resources: FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Laura Gregg | David Partain | Lauren Oschman | Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors | Episode 18: Serving Medical Professionals During COVID-19 – With Lauren Oschman

Investment advisory services offered through Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors, Vestia Retirement Plan Consultants, and Vestia Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor with the SEC. Securities offered through Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., 5187 Utica Ridge Rd, Davenport, IA. 52807 (563)326-2064. Member FINRA/SIPC. Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors, Vestia Retirement Plan Consultants, Vestia Advisors, LLC and Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. are independently owned and operated.

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Ep 51: Conquering Stress with Productivity — With Patty Kreamer, CPO®

Ep 51: Conquering Stress with Productivity — With Patty Kreamer, CPO®

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Is work getting the best of you? Do you wish you had more control over your life and time?

In this third episode of our advisor wellness series, Laura Gregg and David Partain talk with Productivity Coach, Patty Kreamer. Patty helps financial advisors develop personalized systems to get more done in less time while clearing the brain clutter that blocks success through her firm Productivity Uncorked, LLC. 

Everyone has a vision of what life was supposed to look like but not everyone has made it happen. Patty shares actionable steps for creating efficiency with work space, email, time, and attention that can help free up time for the things that bring you joy. 

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Simple steps that can lead to more efficiency and less stress
  • The new look of business development
  • What’s behind the stress advisors are (still) feeling
  • Productivity coaching strategies that work
  • What to look out for if you are adopting a hybrid work schedule
  • And more!

Tune in to learn about Patty Kreamer’s tips for building and maintaining an efficient business so that you can spend more time on the what brings you joy! 

Resources: FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Laura Gregg | David Partain | Patty Kreamer | Productivity Uncorked | Productivity Quiz | Your Ideal Day | Ep 48: Conquering Stress and Coming Back Stronger — with Dr. Jack Singer | Ep 49: Conquering Stress: Harnessing the Power of Your Anxiety — With Dr. Chloe Carmichael

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Ep 50: FPA’s NexGen and LGBTQ Outreach — With Joey Stemmle, President, FPA NexGen

Ep 50: FPA’s NexGen and LGBTQ Outreach — With Joey Stemmle, President, FPA NexGen

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The Financial Planning Association (FPA) is taking action to drive change in our industry through both its NexGen and Pride Planners programs. 

In this episode, Laura Gregg and David Partain speak with FPA NexGen President Joey Stemmle about his new leadership role and what he hopes to accomplish. He also talks about the growth of the FPA’s Pride Planners and how it is helping advisory firms create more inclusive environments for LGBTQ employees and clients. 

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How the FPA is working to change the financial planning landscape
  • The ways different generations can learn from one another 
  • Why an inclusive workplace can support talent retention and client acquisition  
  • What companies should be doing to assist the new generation of advisors  
  • And more!

Tune in to discover how the new generation of advisors is going to change the industry — and what employers should be doing to help them along the way! 

____

Resources: FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Laura Gregg | David Partain | Joseph Stemmle | FPA NexGen | FPA Diversity and Inclusion | FPA Chapters

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Ep 49: Conquering Stress: Harnessing the Power of Your Anxiety — With Dr. Chloe Carmichael

Ep 49: Conquering Stress: Harnessing the Power of Your Anxiety — With Dr. Chloe Carmichael

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Advisors are stressed, and female advisors report the higher levels of stress. But is that necessarily bad?

This is the second in a series of episodes focused on Advisor Wellness where we talk with experts who provide tips to help you manage your health and wellbeing. In this episode we speak with Dr. Chloe Carmichael, a clinical psychologist whose private practice in New York City focuses on stress management, relationship issues, self-esteem and coaching.  Dr. Chloe is the author of the recently published book, Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety. 

Laura Gregg, David Partain and Dr. Chloe explore what’s behind advisor stress and anxiety and why reporting being stressed may actually be a sign of good mental health. Dr. Chloe offers tips for women – and all advisors feeling overwhelmed — on how to ask for help and get it.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • You’re stressed out.  Now what?
  • Are women really more stressed than men?
  • Powerful words to use when asking for help.
  • How to harness the power of your anxiety.
  • Tips for leaders to help teams navigate uncertainty.
  • And more!

Tune in today to discover how to effectively channel your stress and anxiety in ways that will help your business and relationships!

_____

Dr. Chloe Carmichael holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. Her private practice focuses on stress management, relationship issues, self esteem, and coaching. Dr. Carmichael sees clients in her Manhattan office or via video. She is the author of Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of  Your Anxiety (in press, Macmillan, 2021)

Resources: FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Laura Gregg | David Partain | Dr. Chloe | Connect with Dr. Chloe Carmichael on LinkedIn | Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety

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Ep 48: Conquering Stress and Coming Back Stronger — with Dr. Jack Singer

Ep 48: Conquering Stress and Coming Back Stronger — with Dr. Jack Singer

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As an advisor, you work hard to lessen your clients’ financial stress. But, how can you reduce and manage your own stress to prevent burnout? 

This is the first in a series of episodes focused on Advisor Wellness where we talk with experts who provide tips to help you manage your health and wellbeing. In this episode we speak with Dr. Jack Singer, PhD., a clinical/sports and organizational psychologist who authored The Financial Advisor’s Ultimate Stress Mastery Guide. Listen for his easy-to-implement behavioral changes that can help advisors boost their psychological immunity.  

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How financial advisors are similar to professional athletes
  • Ways Dr. Jack coaches advisors around their unique stressors
  • Tips for adjusting your mindset and behavioral patterns 
  • How to recognize toxic self-talk — and what you can do to prevent it
  • And more!

Tune in today for tips and strategies on preventing stress and burnout! 

Resources: FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds | Laura Gregg | David Partain | Resources on Advisor Wellness | Connect with Dr .Jack Singer on LinkedIn | The Financial Advisor’s Ultimate Stress Mastery Guide | Dr. Jack Singer Email

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Before investing, carefully consider the FlexShares® investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses.  This and other information is in the prospectus and a summary prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by visiting http://www.flexshares.com.  Read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

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Investing involves risk including possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee that specific strategy will be successful. ETF’s are subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the underlying strategy of the fund. These risks could include liquidity risk, sector risk, as well as risks associated with fixed income securities, real estate investments, and commodities, to name a few.

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