New Planner Podcast

Could your strengths lie outside the traditional advisor path? My guest today is Brian Abatemarco, who navigated his career from financial planning into sales, and ultimately into the world of AI startups. From managing clients early in his career to discovering a passion for business development, Brian shares how leaning into your natural strengths can completely reshape your trajectory. Listen in to learn how AI is actually being used inside advisory firms today (and why it's not replacing advisors anytime soon), how automation can transform client service and operations, and what it really looks like to take a risk on something new. If you've ever questioned whether you're on the "right" path or wondered how to pivot without starting over, this episode offers a practical and honest look at building a career that works for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/p4c5dy7n

What do you do when rejection, setbacks, and uncertainty hit early in your career? In this episode, Francesco D'Amore shares how he turned college rejection, uncertainty about his career path, and limited resources into a clear plan to break into the financial planning profession. From teaching himself to pass the SIE exam using only YouTube to transferring schools and landing internships through networking, Francesco explains how curiosity and persistence shaped his journey. Listen in to learn how to stand out as a student or career-changer, why networking conversations matter more than formal applications, and how internships actually turn into opportunities. You'll hear Francesco's long-term plan for becoming a financial planner, pursuing the CFP certification, and building a career in the industry. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3jha4f6b

What happens when your career doesn't go according to plan? Today, James Conole and Erin Varghese join the show to share their very different paths into the financial planning profession. They talk about career setbacks, getting fired, starting over, and ultimately finding the right firm and culture to grow their careers. Listen in to learn how Erin transitioned from banking into financial planning, why starting at a small RIA can accelerate your learning, and how James went from being fired to starting his own firm from scratch. You'll also hear what it takes to build a strong company culture, attract top talent, and embrace imposter syndrome to become a better advisor. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/yxa685fy

How do you build confidence and a successful advisory business when you're just starting in financial planning? In this episode, financial planner Landon Warmund shares his journey into the profession, from growing up with a father who was a financial planner to developing his own path in the industry. You'll learn how an early curiosity about money, a chance discovery of a CFP program in college, and a willingness to put in the reps helped Landon begin building his own client base shortly after graduation. Listen in to hear how he found traction by focusing on a niche serving teachers, nonprofit employees, and clients navigating specific retirement plans, as well as the challenges he faced during his first few years in the business. Landon also opens up about how long it took to feel confident in client conversations, why professional communities played such a pivotal role in his growth, and why helping clients achieve loan forgiveness has become one of the most rewarding parts of his work. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2mb7vp72

What happens when a retired military officer and his son decide to build a financial planning firm together and do it their own way? In this episode, Joe and Spencer Turkal, co-founders of Sierra Hotel Financial, share how they transitioned from the insurance channel to launching an independent firm aligned with their long-term philosophy and values. You'll learn how they evaluated their next move, divided responsibilities based on complementary strengths, and built a client experience rooted in clarity and structure. They also break down how they charge, their three-meeting planning process, the tools they use, and why they chose to remain a virtual firm serving military families. This conversation is packed with insights on succession, adaptability, client acquisition, and how contrasting strengths can become a competitive advantage. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3abyz4p6

Brennon Holleb is a Financial Planning and Wealth Management student at Virginia Tech, and he joins the show today to share why he chose to pursue a career in financial planning. If you're interested in how to intentionally prepare for a financial planning career from the very beginning, or what top students are doing to stand out in today's competitive hiring landscape, this episode is for you! Listen in as Brennon shares how his grandparents introduced him to saving, investing, and the stock market—even arranging a meeting with their financial advisor when he was just 13. You'll learn why he chose to pursue the Virginia Tech financial planning program, the intentional steps he's taking to become a strong entry-level candidate, what he hopes to find in a full-time role after graduation, and his advice for other aspiring planners. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3Mt0Pm9

Robert Jeter is the owner of Back Bay Financial Planning & Investments, and he joins the show today to talk about his career journey to becoming a financial planner and firm owner. If you're interested in understanding how to navigate career decisions, grow within a firm, or eventually make the leap to starting your own, this episode is for you. Listen in as Robert shares how he first became interested in financial planning while in college, what he hoped to find in his first job, and how he convinced his parents that the profession was far different from the stockbroker stereotype. He also talks about beginning his career in a specific channel, finding early success, leveraging mentors, and ultimately working his way up to partner in an existing firm before deciding to leave and launch his own. You'll hear how he now gives back to the profession and practical tips for new planners entering the field. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4bkex4Z

Sten Morgan is the Founder of Legacy Investment Planning and the Elite Advisor Network, and he joins the show to share his journey to becoming a firm owner. If you're interested in what it really takes to find your place in the profession, build a thriving firm, and expand your impact through leadership and coaching, this episode is for you. Listen in as Sten opens up about why he began his career as an intern in the insurance channel, what kept him there for so many years, and what prompted a search for the right fit across several firms. You'll hear how he came to the decision to start his own firm, how he grew the business, and the mistakes he made along the way. Sten also shares why he launched a coaching network, as well as how it helps other advisors streamline their path to success. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4qNDxWA

Emily Koochel is the Manager of Financial Wellness at eMoney Advisor, and she joins the show to share how she found her way in the financial planning world. If you're interested in exploring non-linear career paths in financial planning, blending education and technology, or understanding how fintech is shaping the future of the profession, this episode is for you. Listen in as Emily shares how she was drawn to financial planning for its blend of numbers and people, and how a mentor encouraged her to pursue a master's degree before starting her career at a small firm. She also talks about becoming increasingly interested in the relational side of the profession, which led her to earn another degree and spend time teaching in a CFP program. You'll hear about her current role in fintech, where she helps firms scale through technology, and her thoughts on where fintech is headed next. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/45d8laU

Mark Hansen is a financial advisor at Second Comma, and he rejoins the show today to talk about the ups and downs he has experienced—and how he has shifted his business—since last being on the show two years ago. If you're interested in strengthening your value proposition, reducing client churn, or learning from the real-world lessons of an advisor-turned-entrepreneur, this episode is for you! Listen in as Mark shares how a period of losing clients pushed him to change his business model, hire a coach, and get hyper-clear on his value proposition and service offering. He also opens up about the lessons he learned through the decisions he made, including the mistakes that contributed to an unsustainably high churn rate. Don't miss hearing key insights from Mark's entrepreneurial journey, as well as what any business owner can take away from the challenges he faced and the growth that followed. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/48zziYI

Charlotte Morgan is a financial planner at Creative Planning, and she joins the show today to share her career journey from college student to successful practitioner. If you're interested in navigating early career uncertainty, taking a break and re-entering the profession with confidence, or understanding what it's like to experience an acquisition from the inside, this episode is for you! Listen in as Charlotte shares how she began college planning for a career in accounting or finance, but ultimately discovered financial planning through a family friend. You'll hear how she stepped away after a few years (and later returned by joining her second firm), what it was like when her firm was acquired by a large RIA aggregator, and more. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4iC3UMD

Vincent Clark is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group, and he joins the show today to share how his career trajectory brought him from an information systems major to financial planning. If you're interested in redefining your career path, moving from technical roles into client-facing planning, or learning what it takes to evolve into a mentor for newer planners, this episode is for you! Listen in as Vincent shares how he first chose his career path based on income potential—but soon discovered a deeper purpose after helping a star athlete's family member navigate complex financial decisions. You'll hear how he started his career at a large firm, later pursuing a client-facing position, and ultimately found the right fit at his current firm. Vincent also reflects on his transition into a leadership role, where he now mentors younger planners and helps guide the next generation of professionals. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3LIED6P

Have you ever had to take a step back to move forward? That's exactly what Emily Green did when she left her career as a surgical assistant to pursue financial planning. After realizing she wanted more client connection, Emily explored entrepreneurship, discovered her passion for finance, and found her way to MY Wealth Planners. In this episode, Emily shares what it was like to start over in her 30s, the lessons she learned from her mentor, and how asking the right questions helped her grow into her role as an associate planner. Her story is a reminder that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to something even more fulfilling. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfyd3pu