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 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 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

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

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 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

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

Tamsie Black, Annie Gray, and Marianne Alamos are recent graduates who have stepped into their first full-time financial planning roles at Wealthway Financial Advisors, and they join the show today to share their journeys into the profession. If you're interested in navigating the transition from student to professional, building confidence early, and preparing for the CFP exam, this episode is for you!

Listen in as Tamsie, Annie, and Marianne talk about how each of them discovered financial planning, why they chose it as a career, what excites them most about the profession, and what drew them to Wealthway. You'll hear about gaining early exposure to client meetings and building confidence, CFP study processes and exam goals, and managing the shift from college to full-time work. They also offer practical advice for new planners just starting in the profession.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4aDpAEd