New Planner Podcast

What does it take to go from a college student with a math degree and no financial planning experience to a partner at a wealth management firm? In this episode, Brittany Brinckerhoff shares the unconventional path that took her from an internship she knew almost nothing about to a decade-long career at Hilltop Wealth Advisors. You'll learn how an internship helped her discover financial planning, why she took the Series 7 and 65 while still in college, and how she transitioned from intern to paraplanner—and eventually lead advisor. Listen in as Brittany offers practical lessons for newer planners on building confidence, finding mentors, networking, and navigating the different stages of an advisory career. She also explains how Hilltop has evolved its career tracks to help newer advisors reach client-facing work sooner, how the firm approaches business development without relying on cold calling, and why she believes the human side of financial planning will remain essential even as technology and AI advance. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/29uhpwxt

What if the fastest way to build a successful financial planning career isn't going it alone? Victoria O'Tool is Executive Director of the FinServ Foundation and a financial planner at Mercer Advisors, and she joins the show today to share how mentorship, community involvement, and saying yes to unexpected opportunities helped launch her career just months after graduating. Listen in to learn why finding the right firm matters more than landing the first job, as well as how the FinServ Foundation is helping develop the next generation of financial planners. You'll hear lessons learned from balancing multiple roles while studying for the CFP®, the value of networking, and why experienced professionals have an important role to play in giving back to the profession. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/ze2zhj4d

What does it take to completely reinvent your career and break into financial planning from an unconventional background? In this episode, Andrew Bencivenga, financial planner at Brindle & Bay Wealth Management, shares his unique journey from teaching English in South Korea and running a craft brewery to becoming a successful financial planner. Listen in to learn how Andrew identified transferable skills from his previous careers, earned his CFP while working exhausting hours, broke into the profession through persistence and cold outreach, and accelerated his growth through mentorship and technical expertise. Andrew also shares lessons on finding the right firm fit, building trust, and why showing up consistently can make all the difference for new planners starting their careers. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/575p8eu7

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

What if the key to standing out in your career is starting before you feel ready? In this episode, Cassidy Vines, a financial planning student at Temple University and winner of the 2025 New Planner Recruiting Tuition Scholarship, shares how she took the initiative early to build real-world experience before graduating. You'll learn how she discovered financial planning, why she made the switch from marketing, and how she turned curiosity into a clear career path. Listen in as Cassidy shares how she secured multiple internships (including through cold outreach), how hands-on experience accelerated her learning, and what she's looking for in a future employer. From leveraging part-time jobs into transferable skills to building confidence in interviews, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to break into financial planning and stand out while doing it. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2s43d7np

What if you could experience multiple financial planning firms, real client meetings, and industry experts all in one internship? In this episode, Hannah Moore, CEO of Guiding Wealth Management and creator of the Amplified Planning Externship, shares how a unique program started during the pandemic and quickly grew into one of the most recognized learning experiences for aspiring financial planners. Listen in to learn how the Externship works, what participants actually do during the eight-week program, and why the community and real-world exposure make such a big impact on career direction. You'll learn who the Externship is for, what skills participants develop, and what to expect this year in terms of timing, pricing, and registration. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/727erpwe

What does it really take to leave a stable, high-level career and start over in financial planning? In this episode, Lisa Schaefer shares her journey from working in public policy to becoming a financial advisor. You'll learn how mentorship played a critical role in her transition, why starting with the Series 65 helped her test the waters, and how she navigated the uncertainty of breaking into a completely new industry. Listen in as Lisa opens up about the realities of taking a pay cut, working in a high-pressure, commission-based environment, and ultimately finding the right firm fit that prioritized mentorship and long-term growth. You'll hear about the pivotal moments that helped her make the leap and get practical insights for anyone considering a career change into financial planning. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/bdz8p7dm

What would make someone walk away from a 21-year engineering career and a good salary to start a financial planning business from scratch? In this episode, Aubrey Williams of Open Path Financial opens up about the personal and professional journey that led him to leave engineering and pursue financial planning full-time. You'll learn how his role gradually shifted from technical work to management and financial decision-making, sparking an interest in personal finance that would ultimately change his career path. Listen in as Aubrey explains how a difficult life transition pushed him to educate himself about money, which eventually led him to help others in similar situations. He walks through the steps he took to launch his firm—including starting as a financial coach while still working full-time, building a client base from scratch, and finding his niche within communities of engineers and DIY investors. He also shares how speaking at events, creating content, and embracing an advice-only hourly model helped him grow his practice to $20K per month in revenue, and why combining the emotional side of money with clear financial guidance can truly change people's lives. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3k3jd64r