WomenShare

Celebrating Community and Facing Change: The Future of WomenShare

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 01:45:00 -0400

"What is meant for us won't miss us. And whatever the future is for us as individuals, for the podcast, for the industry, all of that, the only thing we can do is show up as the most authentic versions of ourselves with that calming kind of mission — and a whole lot of trust." — Leah Alter, WomenShare

Welcome to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In this very special episode, hosts Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter reflect on nearly two transformative years of building a platform devoted to sharing women’s stories, building community, and catalyzing change in the financial services industry.

This episode serves as both a heartfelt look back and an honest assessment of where WomenShare stands today. Since its inception, WomenShare has operated as a true passion project, bootstrapped by Joanna and Leah’s commitment to amplifying women’s voices and providing a much-needed platform in a traditionally male-dominated field. As the show hits its 49th episode, the hosts speak candidly about the inflection point they're at — balancing the emotional fulfillment of past conversations with the practical realities of sustainability and growth.

Key Takeaways:

Purpose-Driven Content Can Build Powerful Communities: WomenShare’s success is rooted in authenticity, resilience, and genuinely valuing stories that often go unheard in financial services. Even a niche podcast can be a wellspring of connection and influence.
Sponsorship and Partnership are Essential for Growth: For WomenShare to continue, the next step is securing long-term sponsorship. The team invites listeners, organizations, and individuals to reach out and help sustain the platform for future episodes and generations.
Industry Momentum is Real — But There’s More to Do: While progress has been made in the representation and visibility of women in financial services, much work remains. The WomenShare community has an active role to play in breaking down silos and rowing collectively toward a more equitable future.
Authenticity > Perfectionism: Personal and professional growth comes from embracing imperfection and showing up authentically — a lesson modeled by Joanna and Leah both behind the mic and in their careers.
The Power of Trust and Letting Go: Both hosts convey that true impact and fulfillment come not just from strategy and grit, but from faith in the journey — trusting that what is meant for you genuinely won’t pass you by.

Get Involved:

WomenShare is at a pivotal juncture. If you or your organization resonate with the show’s mission and are interested in becoming a presenting sponsor or a pay-it-forward episode sponsor, please reach out at WomenSharepodcastmail.com. Partnership is essential to keeping this community and important conversation alive.

Thank You to the Community:

To every listener, past guest, supporter, and champion who has helped WomenShare reach this point: thank you. Your engagement, encouragement, and advocacy are what have made this journey so impactful. Whether or not WomenShare returns for more episodes, Joanna and Leah remain passionate advocates for change, cheering on every woman in financial services as the industry moves forward.

Feminine Energetics and Creating Space for Women in Wealth Management

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 02:00:00 -0400

"There's a part of me that can help me make decisions that are in alignment with my best interest. And even though I’m used to overriding that part of me or ignoring that part of me, I can—now that I’m aware of it—learn how to listen to that part." – Amy Young

Welcome to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In this episode, hosts Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman are joined by Amy Young—a transformative speaker, intuitive, and coach who specializes in guiding women to reclaim their power and lead from their intuition. Amy is the creator of Invincible, a rite-of-passage experience for women ready to step into their most authentic selves.

This episode explores how the divine feminine—a concept rooted in embracing intuition, being, and authentic emotional expression—can bring profound change to industries often dominated by conventionally “masculine” models of success. Amy’s personal journey dovetails with the experiences of many women in financial services who find themselves out of step with traditional industry norms and in search of a more aligned, fulfilling leadership style.

Leah and Joanna connect the dots between Amy’s teachings and the realities of life in financial services. Citing industry research and personal stories, they discuss how many women have started their own advisory firms after feeling out of place at larger institutions. Amy illuminates this "forced entrepreneurship" as a natural creative response, rooted in feminine energy’s urge to build something more aligned.

Throughout the episode, Amy shares her own awakening—moving from experiencing burnout as a business owner, to discovering the importance of slowing down, listening to her inner knowing, and allowing her feminine energy to guide decision-making. She describes the challenges and rewards of reorienting her life and work around these values—including navigating the fear of change, being okay with messiness, and modeling transparent leadership for others.

Key Takeaways

Embracing Divine Feminine in Finance: Amy explains how embracing the feminine principles of being, feeling, and creation can help women navigate industries that prioritize action, achievement, and logic. Recognizing and honoring these energies brings a sense of homecoming and new appreciation for women’s unique strengths.

Why Burnout Isn’t Your Fault: Many high-achieving women blame physical exhaustion on health or capability, when often it’s the result of operating in a model that doesn’t honor natural cycles or ways of working. Smaller, more cyclical bursts of productivity paired with intentional rest can lead to more sustainable success.

The Power of Creation: Leaving ill-fitting workplaces and starting new ventures is not just a necessity, but also a manifestation of feminine energy’s drive to build belonging, connection, and innovation.

Universal Balance: Every individual, regardless of gender, contains both masculine and feminine energies. The key is not to suppress one in favor of the other, but to seek balance—this leads to healthier workplaces and more fulfilling careers.

Leadership Through Vulnerability: Amy and Leah discuss the value of showing up transparently—even (and especially) when navigating messy periods of change. This models resilience and gives others permission to honor their own journeys.

Permission to Be Messy and Evolving: Transitions are rarely clean or immediate. Both Amy and Leah recount how giving themselves time and grace in career transitions led to more authentic alignment and personal growth. Trusting the process, even in phases of "unrest and destruction," paves the way for genuine renewal.

Courage to Challenge Industry Norms: Financial professionals don’t have to choose between certainty and authenticity. By integrating honesty about uncertainty with expertise, advisors can deepen trust and connection with clients, especially in unpredictable times.

Self-Fulfillment is Essential, Not Optional: One of Amy’s most profound early lessons was to never neglect creative fulfillment and personal needs, even in pragmatic, business-oriented environments. Prioritizing what feeds your soul has ripple effects on professional success and client relationships.

WomenShare is committed to sparking essential conversations at the intersection of finance, well-being, and women’s evolving roles. Subscribe for candid insights, actionable strategies, and a celebration of women leading with courage and heart.

Trusting Your Gut: Nina Smith on Navigating Career Transitions and Healthy Departures

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 02:00:00 -0400

“Don’t run away from something, but run towards something.” — Nina Smith

Welcome to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. Today, hosts Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter sit down for an insightful and heartfelt conversation with Nina Smith: a seasoned growth and business development leader known for her marketing ingenuity and her passion for community leadership. Nina joins the show at a pivotal transition point in her career, moving from a seven-year tenure at boutique firm Kendall Capital to an exciting new role at global powerhouse UBS.

The interview kicks off with Nina’s signature career philosophy—never fleeing, always advancing. Nina traces her decision to leave a role she genuinely loved at Kendall Capital for a bigger stage at UBS, sharing the inner workings of her decision-making process, the value of listening to your gut, and the importance of not waiting until you’re dissatisfied to make a bold move. Her story powerfully reframes what courage and timing look like for women aiming high in financial services.

Joanna and Leah also dive into Nina’s playbook for leaving jobs on great terms, maintaining relationships, and nurturing a robust network that pays dividends throughout one’s career. Nina reflects candidly on her New York agency days, her pivotal years at Capital One, and her success in fostering long-lasting professional connections—including turning former bosses and clients into references and partners.

You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at Nina’s “Women and Wealth” client development program—rooted in community, fun, and low-pressure engagement. From pickleball socials to lavender farm gatherings, Nina explains how she prioritized authentic relationships over transactional networking, with an emphasis on events that create belonging and loyalty rather than sales quotas.

As the discussion turns personal, Nina opens up about the challenges and joys of balancing her role as a mom with her professional ambitions. She reveals her strategies for managing the ever-evolving demands of work and home, and the critical importance of asking for help, cultivating a supportive community, and modeling ambition and adaptability for her children.

Key Takeaways

1. Run Toward, Not Away: Nina’s anchor advice—credited to her close friend and HR executive Melanie—reminds women not to wait for unhappiness to drive career decisions. Instead, look for opportunities that inspire excitement, and don’t be afraid to revisit doors you once closed.

2. Relationships Are Your Legacy: Professional moves can be amicable and even mutually empowering. Nina’s career is a testament to the value of keeping bridges unburned and actively sustaining relationships with references, mentors, and colleagues, especially among women in financial services.

3. Healthy Departures Require Honesty and Openness: Both Nina and Leah share how transparency—with the right timing—about growth ceilings or changing ambitions can lead to smoother transitions and continued support from previous employers and peers.

4. Community-Focused Client Development Works: The most successful business development efforts are about genuine connections. Nina’s “Women and Wealth” events emphasize fun and wellness, swapping hard pitches for experiences that foster trust and a sense of belonging. Her approach demonstrates that a light touch and consistency build better business than aggressive prospecting.

5. The Power of Women’s Networks: From ex-bosses to clients to peers, Nina’s story demonstrates how investing in long-term, supportive female relationships opens doors and creates opportunities—personally and professionally.

6. Balancing Ambition and Family with Flexibility: Nina is transparent about the demands of raising children while pursuing growth. Her mantra: First, be a mom—everything else follows. With organizational support and a little help from her “village,” career transitions become possible, desirable, and ultimately inspiring for her kids.

7. Role Models Matter—And So Does Gut Instinct: Surrounded by accomplished women—her mother, sisters, and peers—Nina credits her success to a circle that challenges and supports her in equal measure. She also champions the importance of honoring one’s intuition and not second-guessing decisions in the pursuit of growth.

Investing in Women: Cokie Cox on Building Inclusive Wealth and Perfect Days

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 21 May 2025 02:00:00 -0400

“My framework for everything I do right now in my life is about investing in women. Not because I'm anti male, because I believe that diversity brings better outcomes for me, for Joe, for Steve, and Tom, all of us.” — Cokie Cox

Welcome to another episode of WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In this week’s episode, hosts Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by trailblazer Cokie Cox, founder and CEO of AlphaVest LLC. With nearly three decades of experience, Cokie stands out as a passionate advocate for women’s advancement and equity in wealth management, bringing fresh perspective and a tangible framework for meaningful change.

Cokie Cox’s journey into finance didn’t start with passion—it began with practicality and a desire to take charge of her own financial future. From her candid story about fighting for her book’s original title (“I majored in finance so I wouldn’t get screwed”) to her eventual embrace of the industry’s potential for impact, Cokie’s narrative is both authentic and relatable.

Throughout the episode, Cokie unpacks the philosophy behind her book, Perfect Day: A Guide for Overcoming Lifestyle Deficit Disorder, and the innovative planning process she developed to help clients reclaim wellness, growth, and a sense of contribution in addition to financial stability. This lifestyle-forward approach turns traditional wealth management on its head, empowering women to design fuller, more integrated lives.

Listeners will be inspired by Cokie’s commitment to cultivating an all-female advisory firm, AlphaVest, and her mission to create a ripple effect of opportunity and mentorship for women in an industry still grappling with gender imbalance. As wealth is poised to shift increasingly into women’s hands over the next decade, her call to “invest in women” is both timely and essential.

Key Takeaways

Redefining Wealth Through Lifestyle-Forward Planning: Cokie’s Perfect Day framework moves beyond spreadsheets and dollars, encouraging clients to prioritize wellness, personal growth, experiences, and giving back—alongside financial strategy. Her “4/1/1” routine (taking a small step in each area before 11 AM) empowers individuals to claim agency over their days, their well-being, and their impact.

The Power and Necessity of Investing in Women: AlphaVest’s all-female approach is not about exclusion but about correcting a systemic imbalance. With women expected to control two-thirds of U.S. wealth in coming years but still vastly underrepresented in advisory roles, Cokie is building a firm that matches the needs and preferences of future clients.

Mentorship, Community, and Pathways Forward: Cokie, Leah, and Joanna dive into the importance of mentorship, frameworks for retention, and community-building that go beyond just hiring more women. With references to studies like the Carson Group’s Women in Wealth Management and their own lived experiences, the conversation advocates for creating clear, supportive pathways for women at every stage of their careers.

Outcomes That Matter: Diversity Drives Performance: Citing twenty-year data and industry research, Cokie makes a strong case: Diverse and female-led financial teams don’t just create better workplaces, they deliver better investment outcomes and manage risk more effectively. For firms and clients alike, the message is clear—empowering women isn’t just fair, it’s smart business.

Personal Agency and Self-Care: Cokie’s advice extends to working mothers and professionals navigating multiple roles. Through the story of wise words from a seasoned colleague, she underscores the importance of giving oneself permission to build a sustainable career—knowing that “children need you at 13,” not just in their baby years, and planning your career with foresight.

Celebrating Wins, Big and Small: As a passionate alpine climber, Cokie shares her joy at overcoming knee surgery and heading back to Nepal—reminding listeners to honor personal milestones and embrace the fullness of life outside the workplace.

Cokie Cox challenges the status quo in wealth management with practical frameworks for both career and life design, all viewed through the lens of investing in women. By sharing real-world stories and solutions, she inspires listeners to take actionable steps—whether they’re seeking career advancement, balanced living, or ways to uplift each other within the industry.

If you’re a woman in financial services, someone aspiring to join, or an ally seeking to drive change, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Want more WomenShare? Subscribe on your favorite platform, and check out our sponsor, Axtella, for a network that truly elevates financial professionals.

Leading With Heart: Jania Stout’s Journey to Empower Women in Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 07 May 2025 01:30:00 -0400

“A lot of organizations wanna hire women. They just aren't getting as many applicants for it. So I think that what we have to do then is pull them in in some cases, and I've done a lot of that over the years. One of my best hires, I reached out to the University of Maryland's head women's lacrosse coach and said, hey. Let me talk to your seniors. So I hired this girl who was a premed, no finance background, and she was a rock star.” – Jania Stout

Welcome to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In this episode, hosts Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman sit down with Jania Stout, President of Prime Capital Retirement and Prime Capital Wellness, for a rich and candid conversation about following your intuition, championing women in finance, navigating career-defining transitions—and why taking the leap is sometimes the most powerful move you can make.

Jania Stout brings nearly three decades of expertise in the retirement plan space. This episode charts her career journey, beginning with thriving at Fidelity on the recordkeeping side, to taking bold, non-linear paths—including major pay cuts and the gut-wrenching decision to leave a billion-dollar book of business. As the show’s first retirement plan adviser guest, Jania shares unfiltered insights on what it means to build, leave, and lead with courage in a male-dominated industry.

You'll hear firsthand how Jania’s choices spring less from calculated risk and more from an unwavering belief in following your heart and intuition. With characteristic warmth, she reveals how personal values—not just business metrics—shaped her biggest decisions, including starting at Prime Capital and letting go of mentorship “crutches” so her team could fly solo.

Key Takeaways:

Navigating Change with Courage: Jania recounts navigating emotional and professional turmoil—from being the “mom” of her old team and fearing to let them down, to surviving a protracted legal battle after leaving her previous firm. Her story is a testament to resilience and to trusting that, when you act with integrity, the right opportunities will follow—even if they arrive as “hippie-ish” moments of serendipity.

The Power (and Necessity) of Proactive Female Recruitment: Quite simply, women aren't applying for finance roles at the rates organizations desire. Jania breaks down why leaders need to go beyond passive recruiting. Her proactive strategies—such as recruiting nontraditional candidates like a women's lacrosse player with no finance background—demonstrate the untapped potential in overlooked talent pools. She urges listeners, “Don’t sit on your laurels and wait—go out there and find them.”

Mentoring and Modeling Success: Jania’s passion for mentorship, especially for women returning from career breaks, sets her apart. Through personal anecdotes, she details how she “shoots confidence” into women, offering real roles of responsibility (not just administrative support) and encouraging them to do things before they feel ready. Her philosophy: “Do it scared.”

Embracing Your Strengths—Not Mimicking the Status Quo: Drawing from her own experience, Jania encourages women—and the men who champion them—not to suppress emotions or adopt exclusively “male” professional norms. Diversity in approach and perspective, she argues, results in healthier, more innovative teams and client solutions.

Industry Evolution & Advocacy: The episode spotlights positive changes: from NAPA events where women’s presence has grown from mere handfuls to 30%. Still, the path forward depends on deliberate action—outreach, tailored encouragement for young women (and those pivoting careers), and helping new generations realize the creative, relationship-driven rewards of financial advisory work.

Jania also shares the impact of her mother’s role modeling, why she believes in second chances for both people and love (celebrating her second wedding anniversary!), and why generosity—of time, mentorship, and belief—fuels the progress of women in finance.

We’re grateful to sponsor Axtella for helping elevate the profession—and to our WomenShare community for listening, learning, and leading the way together. If this mission inspires you, be sure to subscribe and join us for more stories from trailblazing women in finance.

How Values-Driven Branding Is Transforming Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 02:00:00 -0400

“At the end of the day, you're asking somebody to trust you with your money. But in reality, there is so much commonality. Putting your authentic self out there and getting people to know who you are to build that relationship is going to have a bigger impact for you in the long run.” — Michelle Borkowski

Welcome to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In this episode, hosts Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter sit down with Michelle Borkowski, Head of Marketing at F2 Strategy, to explore the evolving intersection of human connection, brand storytelling, and innovation in the finance industry.

Michelle brings to the table more than a decade of leadership in financial services marketing, with a career that spans architecture, nonprofit, and strategic creative direction. Her unique blend of creativity and industry insight makes this episode a must-listen for professionals who want to elevate their brands while maintaining deep, purpose-driven client relationships.

This episode dives into how the most successful financial firms establish lasting brand loyalty—not just through superior services, but by expressing authentic values and forging genuine human connections. Michelle explores the power of authenticity in a highly regulated industry, the creativity that flourishes within constraints, and the increasingly crucial role of alignment between client and adviser values.

From her own unexpected journey into financial marketing to current trends in technology-driven strategy, Michelle gives listeners an insider look at what it takes to build powerful brands in finance today. She also shares tactical insights into when firms should bring in external experts, how to leverage proprietary research, and the delicate balance between data-driven decisions and instinctive creativity.

Key Takeaways

1. Authenticity Trumps Uniformity in Financial Marketing

Michelle underscores that, despite a crowded industry where offerings often appear similar, genuine human connection and personal storytelling create differentiation. She advocates for brands to “lead with the need” and focus on showing empathy and alignment with clients’ life goals—not just selling solutions. This authenticity, she explains, is especially resonant with younger, values-driven investors.

2. Creativity Thrives with Constraints

For marketers and firms navigating heavy regulations, Michelle reframes limits as fertile ground for problem-solving and innovation. “You have the puzzle or, like, the sandbox, and you've got to make it work within the confinements of what you have. And I think that's where people produce their best work too.” By embracing these creative constraints, marketers can unlock truly distinct and effective campaigns.

3. Relationship Building Is Central to Brand Loyalty

The most enduring brands in financial services are rooted in strong relationships and mutual trust. Michelle shares how her passion for partnership has shaped her own career and why, across the industry, relationship-based marketing generates far greater impact than transactional approaches.

4. Brand, Technology, and Insights Must Work in Concert

Michelle discusses F2 Strategy’s philosophy of integrating brand narrative with technology and actionable insights. Client experience—both external (such as user interfaces) and internal (adviser workflow efficiencies)—is a core part of brand delivery. Furthermore, leveraging data and proprietary research ensures that marketing strategies remain responsive to evolving client needs and industry trends.

5. Data-Informed Decisions Enhance, Not Replace, Human Instinct

Regularly reviewing data on campaign performance and client engagement is crucial, but Michelle advises firms to avoid knee-jerk reactions to short-term fluctuations. Instead, a balanced approach of data analysis and marketer intuition yields the most sustainable and impactful outcomes.

6. When to Bring in Outside Marketing Strategy

Michelle shares that the optimal moment for a firm to engage with an agency like F2 Strategy is often at an “inflection point”—after establishing initial growth, but before scaling challenges begin to erode previous successes. Working collaboratively, agencies can provide fresh perspectives, targeted messaging, and channel strategies that break free from industry clichés and move the needle.

7. Celebrating Team and Personal Well-Being

In alignment with WomenShare’s mission, Michelle closes by celebrating her supportive team at F2 Strategy, emphasizing the importance of robust internal culture for professional sustainability and personal fulfillment.

Whether you're a marketer, an advisor, or a leader aiming for next-level growth, tune in to this episode for actionable inspiration on building brands that put relationships, authenticity, and strategic innovation first. Subscribe to WomenShare on your favorite podcast platform, and join the movement to elevate the financial services industry—one authentic connection at a time.

A Roadmap to Change: Diversity, Inclusion, and Women in Wealth Management

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 02:00:00 -0400

"I really love the idea of taking down the barrier that keeps people from getting to what we all need, and that's financial health and well-being." – Dr. Lisa Toppin

Welcome back to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In this episode, we had the privilege of talking with Dr. Lisa Toppin, a prominent figure in the HR and diversity landscape, who is currently redefining workforce strategies at the Carson Group. With her extensive experience in leadership roles at firms like Illumina and Charles Schwab, and as a fractional Chief People Officer, Dr. Toppin brings unmatched insight into how diversity can shape the future of financial services.

Dr. Toppin opens up about Carson Group's progressive research focused on women in wealth management, aimed at understanding their pathways to success. The initiative is set to launch findings in the second quarter, promising to shed light on effective strategies and inspire women advisors.

This conversation extends into broader themes across multiple industries, highlighting mentorship, sponsorship, and how shared experiences can dismantle barriers for women. Dr. Toppin shares her personal journey in navigating the financial world as a Black woman, observing the positive shifts in inclusivity, while also pinpointing areas needing further work. Her optimism and actionable insights offer a roadmap for cultivating a more supportive and diverse environment in wealth management.

Key takeaways:

Research-Driven Support for Women: Dr. Toppin discusses Carson Group's commitment to understanding women's experiences in financial advisement to provide better support and pathways for success. The forthcoming report promises new insights into creating successful advisory practices for women.
Mentorship and Community Building: The episode underscores the importance of mentorship and community among women in financial services. Dr. Toppin emphasizes that candid discussions can challenge and change industry norms, enhancing growth opportunities for women.
Cultural Sensitivity in Client Relations: Dr. Toppin highlights the importance of understanding diverse client backgrounds and tailoring financial advice to fit cultural and individual needs, fostering trust and building long-lasting client relationships.
Strategic Industry Positioning: With an imminent adviser shortage and a diversifying client base, Dr. Toppin's role at Carson Group exemplifies how firms can strategically position themselves for sustainable growth through inclusivity and proactive HR practices.
Optimism in Diversity: Despite the challenges faced, Dr. Toppin remains optimistic about the evolving landscape of financial services. Her message is one of encouragement and action—enabling women to rise, mentor each other, and forge paths through traditionally male-dominated spaces.

Dr. Lisa Toppin is not just shaping the future of Carson Group but also inspiring women across financial services to break barriers and lead with empathy and expertise. Her approach demonstrates the power of inclusivity and strategic empowerment, setting a benchmark for the industry as a whole. Join us for this deep dive into the intricacies of diversity, support systems, and career growth for women in finance.

Taking Charge: Becoming the CEO of Your Life and Career

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 02:30:00 -0400

"Surely, by now, we should be teaching people it's your career to run. You are the CEO of your life and career."

Welcome to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In this episode, co-hosts Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman sit down with Liz Ryan, CEO and founder of Human Workplace, to discuss transformative shifts in career dynamics and Human Resource practices. Liz, recognized globally for her forward-thinking approach to work and career management, invites listeners to rethink the paradigms of employment, career growth, and personal empowerment.

In this conversation, Liz shares her journey from opera student to HR executive, highlighting how her diverse experiences shaped her pioneering outlook on career treks. With over 3 million members in the Human Workplace movement, Liz is championing a work-life evolution where individuals are encouraged to lead their own career paths and embrace their roles as the CEOs of their lives.

Key Takeaways:

Transforming Career and Life Management: Liz opens up the conversation by re-emphasizing that each individual is the CEO of their own career and life. She encourages listeners to take active roles in shaping their career trajectories to align with personal goals and values, rather than conventional corporate expectations.

Human Resource Practices Reimagined: Drawing from personal experiences, Liz narrates her initial encounters with dysfunctional corporate practices and how these ignited her passion to transform HR into a more human-centric and empowering function within organizations.

Shifting Mindsets and Breaking Boundaries: Liz challenges listeners to break free from the outdated paradigms and fears imbibed in traditional work cultures. She highlights the importance of embracing freelance and entrepreneurial mindsets, even within corporate roles, for authentic and successful career journeys.

Empowerment Through Personal Power: Empowering individuals to step into their personal power is highlighted as a pivotal element Liz promotes, where she stresses the need for professionals to reclaim their narrative, assert their worth, and pursue meaningful career paths that reflect personal authenticity.

Managers and Leaders as Enablers: Liz shares transformative insights into effective leadership, focusing on how true leaders are those who remove obstacles, foster environments where talent thrives, and allow individuals to organically develop their strengths

Join us in this conversation and let Liz Ryan's insights transform the way you navigate your career journey. Because when women embrace their power and careers, industries revolutionize. Let’s keep pushing these boundaries together.

Explore more from Liz Ryan and her innovative approach at Human Workplace. Visit humanworkplace.com to dive deeper into the resources and community she has built. Also, for more enriching episodes, subscribe to WomenShare on your favorite podcast platform.

Empowering Your Team: Building a Self-Sufficient Firm with Erin Botsford

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 02:45:00 -0400

"I don't know why this memo never made it to our industry, but in every single other industry, bar none, maybe the exception of real estate agents, but every other industry, the owner of the business hires other people to do the work of the business."

Welcome to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In today's episode, we sit down with Erin Botsford, a trailblazer in the financial advisory field. Erin has revolutionized her professional journey from being in the Barron's top 100 advisors to developing systems that empower other advisors to achieve remarkable success. She's the founder of the Elite Advisor Success System and author of "Seven Figure Firm: How to Build a Financial Services Business That Grows Itself."

This conversation dives into Erin's transformative career path, starting from humble beginnings filled with personal adversity to selling her successful advisory practice. Her story is not only inspiring but also offers a fresh perspective on constructing a financial firm that thrives independently. Erin emphasizes the importance of building a business that holds value without relying solely on one individual's direct involvement. Her systems and teaching focus on training advisors to elevate their skills, broaden their market, and empower their teams effectively.

Additionally, Erin shares her expertise on strategic business structuring and why planning for your practice's enduring value should begin on day one. She talks about overcoming industry norms, educating new advisors straight from college, and building a firm that continues to succeed even in the absence of its founder. Erin presents insights on focusing on risks as opposed to merely investments — a model that has helped her reach high-worth clientele successfully.

Key takeaways:

Value-Driven Business Models: Erin discusses the significance of establishing a business that can sustain itself beyond the founder’s involvement. Advisors should focus on creating systems that delegate client interactions to a well-trained team, ensuring the business retains its value in the marketplace.

Empowering Advisors for Growth: The episode highlights the significance of skill enhancement and personal development in order to attract high-net-worth clients. Erin emphasizes training on the "risk side" of the balance sheet, which addresses vulnerabilities that affluent clients often overlook.

Team Structure and Client Interaction: Erin introduces a transition method to gradually entrust junior advisors with client relationships. Her process aims to enhance the efficiency of the firm while ensuring that the quality of service remains uncompromised.

Mentorship and Confidence Building: The journey from being just an advisor to owning an advisory firm is about more than just financial acumen. Erin shares how mentorship and training can break barriers and foster a culture of confidence and ambition among women in finance.

Philanthropic Pursuits: Beyond her advisory triumphs, Erin invests in philanthropic efforts, supporting thousands of orphans in Zambia. Her story extends beyond financial growth, highlighting her commitment to humanitarian causes and creating a legacy of giving back.

As we align with these insights and lessons from Erin Botsford, we spark transformative conversations and advocate for more strategic empowerment in financial services. By embracing new paradigms for growth and inclusion, we aim to reshape the industry from within.

Breaking Bro Culture: Preparing for the Shift to Female Financial Power

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0400

"I've always felt that being a woman in this industry is a strength, and that's how I've always been. So I've taken my being a female and used it for good in this industry."

Welcome to another episode of WomenShare, where we highlight and celebrate the outstanding contributions of women in the financial services industry. In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Cary Carbonaro, a leading Managing Wealth Advisor with Ashton Thomas Private Wealth. Cary isn’t just an advisor; she is a beacon of financial empowerment, especially for women. Her extensive background includes ambassador roles with the CFP Board and an impressive portfolio of leadership positions at top-tier firms like Goldman Sachs. She is also an accomplished author dedicated to advancing financial literacy and empowerment for women.

With women expected to control two-thirds of the nation's wealth by 2030, Cary sheds light on the evolving role of women in finance and the crucial changes needed in the industry to become more inclusive. This episode also explores Cary's personal journey, from her passion for helping women from a young age to using her career setbacks as a catalyst for change.

Our conversation doesn’t just stop at industry dynamics. We address the existing barriers within financial services that women face, discuss misconceptions about female clients, and explore the pervasive bro culture that has steered industry narratives for far too long. Highlighting some key misconceptions that often impede progress, Cary provides insights into how the industry can better serve its increasingly female clientele.

Key takeaways:

Future Female Wealth Holders: With an anticipated $30 trillion wealth shift to women by 2030, financial services must evolve to become more female-centric, addressing the unique needs and perspectives of women clients.
Barriers and Bias: The industry’s existing framework often overlooks women, marked by unconscious and implicit biases. Addressing these can foster a more inclusive environment welcoming to women, both as clients and industry professionals.
Building Emotional Rapport: Developing genuine connections through empathy and understanding is key to gaining the trust of female clients, who often value relational interactions in financial advisory roles.
Navigating Bro Culture: Cary shares her insights on overcoming prevailing bro culture and structural biases, drawing from personal experiences, including her transformative time at Goldman Sachs.
Actionable Strategies for Inclusion: Through initiatives like the "see it to be it" campaign by the CFP Board, Cary emphasizes the importance of visibility for women in finance. Encouraging women to enter and stay in the financial industry, the initiative aims to make financial advisory a welcoming and lucrative career opportunity.

This episode invites listeners to reflect on their own roles in fostering change and advocates for a collective effort towards a more inclusive industry—because when women are empowered, financial services flourish, and clients thrive.

Join us in this engaging discussion and be part of the journey towards financial empowerment for women. Follow Cary Carbonaro on her social media platforms for further insights, and don’t forget to preorder her impactful new book, "Women and Wealth, a Playbook to Empower Clients and Unlock Their Fortune," which promises to be a valuable resource in navigating the financial landscape as a woman.

Be sure to subscribe to WomenShare for more enlightening episodes as we continue to champion the voices and stories of women reshaping the financial world.

Marketing With a Personal Touch in Financial Services with Kalli Fedusenko

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 02:15:00 -0400

"Building a business or a career is not done in a silo. It's a community thing."

Welcome to another episode of WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In today's episode, hosts Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter dive deep into the world of digital marketing with Kalli Fedusenko, founder of the Kalli Collective. Kalli is transforming the way financial advisors connect with their clients in the digital age by marrying authenticity with effective marketing strategies.

Kalli shares her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the transformation from a one-person firm to a thriving agency employing subcontractors and serving numerous financial advisors. Her mission is to simplify the complex world of marketing while infusing personal elements that resonate with audiences. Kalli emphasizes the importance of advisors embracing niche marketing strategies and integrating genuine, personal touches into their content.

Key Takeaways

The Importance of Personalization in Marketing: Kalli emphasizes that the most engaging content includes personal stories and insights. Financial advisors need to cultivate a personal touch in their digital strategies to differentiate themselves and build authentic client relationships.
Navigating Time Constraints: Advisors often face time barriers in implementing content strategies. While marketing agencies can handle the bulk of content creation, the unique personal elements must come from the advisors themselves to truly engage clients.
Embracing Niches for Effectiveness: While many advisors fear that focusing on a niche might limit their reach, Kalli recommends this approach. It allows for more targeted, resonant marketing strategies that effectively engage and attract the desired clientele.
Utilizing Technology and Modern Platforms: The episode touches on the necessity for financial advisors to adapt to new technologies and platforms, ensuring that they meet the evolving preferences of their clients and stay competitive in a digital-first world.
Sharing Unique Services: Kalli advises highlighting unique aspects of the advisor’s services, which can set them apart in a saturated market. Tailoring the marketing message to reflect these unique services can drive client interest and engagement.

Marketing is a dynamic, evolving field, particularly within financial services, where building trust and rapport with clients is essential. By focusing on authenticity, targeted content, and leveraging new technologies, advisors can create meaningful connections with their clients. Kalli Fedusenko’s insights provide a roadmap for advisors seeking to broaden their impact and foster long-lasting client relationships.

Join us in celebrating Kalli's dedication to empowering financial advisors and enhancing their marketing effectiveness. For more insights, visit KalliCollective.com and connect with Kalli for tailored marketing solutions.

Building Confidence and Shattering Stereotypes in the Financial Services Industry

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:15:00 -0400

"It just takes one woman to just open that door, break that barrier so that we can bring along other women in the process."

Welcome to another inspiring episode of WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. In today's episode, our hosts Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman sit down with Sheena Yap Chan, a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, award-winning podcaster, and keynote speaker who is on a mission to close the gender confidence gap. Sheena is the creator and host of the Tao of Self Confidence, a globally top-ranked podcast with over 1 million downloads, and she has interviewed hundreds of women from celebrities to eight-figure CEOs about their journeys to self-confidence.

In this episode, Sheena shares her remarkable journey and mission to empower women by helping them tap into their leadership potential and move beyond limiting beliefs. Sheena's insights and experiences resonate profoundly with those in the financial services industry, where women are striving for representation and leadership roles.

Key Takeaways:

Empowering Through Representation: One of Sheena's driving motivations for starting her podcast, "The Tao of Self Confidence," was the glaring lack of representation she observed growing up in North America. She emphasizes the importance of offering support and visibility, especially for Asian women who often face stereotypical challenges that undermine their confidence.

The Healing Power of Storytelling: Sheena discusses how the act of sharing personal stories can be healing and empowering. Allowing women to voice their journeys creates a shared sense of struggle and triumph, which can inspire and motivate others to overcome their own obstacles.

Themes in Building Self-Confidence: Throughout her interviews with over 800 women, Sheena identifies recurring themes such as self-love, gratitude, and the importance of hitting a "boiling point" where one realizes the need for change. The stories reveal that growth is not a linear process but a messy, yet rewarding, journey.

Navigating Stereotypes and Self-Promotion: Sheena explores the limiting stereotypes Asian women face, such as being labeled as submissive or overly accommodating. She highlights the need to dismantle these views by sharing stories and being the representation they want to see in the world. Self-promotion is another critical topic, challenging the notion that it is unladylike and emphasizing its necessity in professional growth.

Collaboration Over Competition: Sheena discusses the importance of women having each other's backs in professional settings, drawing parallels with how men often support one another to advance. Transitioning from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance is crucial for women to lift each other up and achieve greater collective success.

Adapting to Change: Reflecting on the lessons from the pandemic, Sheena underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability. Change is inevitable, and building the confidence to navigate through uncertainty can lead to unexpected and fulfilling opportunities.

Addressing Imposter Syndrome: In her upcoming book, "Bridging the Confidence Gap," Sheena delves into the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome among women. She aims to equip women with the confidence to embrace leadership roles, highlighting the massive economic and societal benefits of having more women in leadership.

As Sheena poignantly puts it, when one door closes, another one opens. Her journey serves as an inspiration for women worldwide to overcome their fears, embrace their vulnerabilities, and step confidently into their potentials.

For more empowering discussions and to join us in our mission to celebrate and elevate women in financial services, subscribe to WomenShare on your favorite podcast platform. With inspiring stories like Sheena's, we can all learn to thrive, embrace leadership, and revolutionize our industries.

Thank you for joining us, and we'll catch you on the next episode of WomenShare!

A Voice of Reason: Insights on Wealth Management and Community Impact

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:15:00 -0400

"Always have your money work for you. Don't work for your money."

Welcome to another episode of WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In today's episode, we're joined by Tish Berbaum, who is known by her clients as their voice of reason. She is the founder and wealth advisor at Blue Sands Wealth and is here to discuss her journey, her philosophies, and her impactful work in the financial industry.

Throughout the episode, Tish shares how her family's entrepreneurial and educational background ignited her passion for investing as a child. Since entering the industry in 2008, she has developed a niche in assisting business owners with exit plans and empowering widows to manage finances independently. Tish's commitment extends beyond finance; she volunteers with community projects alongside her daughter, embedding a culture of giving back in her personal and professional life.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of openness, asking questions, and aligning business practices with personal values. Tish discusses the significance of fostering collaborations among peers with diverse strengths and the power of community. She underscores the importance of creating systemic changes and highlights her involvement with national boards and local organizations aimed at advancing literacy and financial education.

Key Takeaways:

Balancing Professional and Personal Goals: Tish Berbaum opens up about how founding Blue Sands Wealth has allowed her to achieve a work-life balance, making time for her family while meeting her professional goals.
Significance of Partnering for Support: Tish highlights the value of her partnership with RFG Advisory, which provides the necessary tools, technology, and investment management support to enhance client experiences and maintain business compliance.
Educating and Empowering Clients: Emphasizing the role of education, Tish aims to empower her clients, particularly widowed women, to be involved in financial decisions, securing their independence and control over their financial futures.
Community and Collaboration: Community engagement is central to Tish's approach. She involves estate attorneys, accountants, and trustees to provide comprehensive support to her clients, ensuring concerted efforts toward clients' financial well-being.
Embracing Vulnerability and Openness: Throughout the conversation, the importance of vulnerability and openness within a supportive group is reiterated. Tish believes that such an environment fosters sharing, learning, and collaboration.
Supporting Women’s Career Advancement: Tish's work on national boards and local nonprofit efforts showcases her commitment to advancing women's careers in finance. She advocates for more inclusive policies and practices from grassroots levels to executive boards.
Authenticity and Reciprocal Relationships: Authenticity in professional relationships and the importance of reciprocation in mentorship and support circles are critical aspects discussed, showcasing how genuine connections can propel individual and collective success.

Tish Berbaum is proof of how women in finance can navigate their careers while making impactful societal contributions. As we continue to advocate for more inclusive spaces and celebrate female empowerment in the industry, let's keep the conversation going. Because when women thrive, industries revolutionize.

You can find Tish at bluesandswealth.com or by email at tish@bluesandswealth.com. Don't forget to subscribe to WomenShare on your favorite podcast channel for more inspiring stories and insights from leading women in financial services.

2024 Wrapped: The Best Advice of the Year for Female Financial Advisors

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:15:00 -0400

Welcome back to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services, and welcome to 2025.

WomenShare was launched in the Fall of 2023, so 2024 was our first full year as a podcast. During this year, WomenShare has transitioned from a focus on marketing best practices to celebrating the multifaceted experiences of women in the financial sector. This shift has led to richer conversations and a remarkable 284% growth in listenership, along with a 413% rise in streams in 2024.

In this episode, we're looking back on some of our favorite moments from 2024, featuring amazing guests Julie Ragatz, Shannon Schlotter, Terri Kallsen, and Atricia Roberts.

Key Takeaways:

1. Diversity in Financial Planning

Atricia Roberts' reflections brought attention to the slow progress in diversity, emphasizing the need for significant industry changes. Despite being in the industry for over 20 years, she often remains the only Black female advisor at conferences. She highlighted the critical importance of organizations like the Certified Financial Planning Board promoting diversity and fostering a more inclusive environment.

2. Mentorship and Career Development

Atricia shared her powerful personal journey back into the financial industry with the mentorship of Bernie Wolfe. This mentorship not only rekindled her career in investment management but also built her confidence, helping her embrace authenticity and self-assurance. This underscores the significant impact that mentorship can have on one's career path and personal growth.

3. Challenges in the Wealth Management Industry

Julie Ragatz from Carson Group highlighted the ongoing challenges women face in the wealth management industry, including "forced entrepreneurship." This trend, wherein women start their own businesses due to dissatisfaction with corporate environments, speaks volumes about the need for more inclusive and adaptable corporate structures. Notably, this trend is both empowering and a reflection of accessibility issues, as not all have the resources to start their own ventures.

4. Experimentation and Self-Care during Transitions

Shannon Schottler discussed the importance of embracing experimentation and self-care, especially during life transitions. Her personal anecdote about her daughter learning to bake underscores the beauty of imperfections and learning from 'messiness.' The idea of treating life changes as experiments, as discussed by Joanna, supports personal growth and adaptability, which is essential for professional and personal development.

5. Impact of "WomenShare" and Future Directions

We reflected on the positive impact of the podcast in 2024, celebrating its growth and the richness of discussions facilitated by diverse guests. We expressed gratitude and optimism about the increasing alignment towards diversity and inclusivity in the financial industry. The call for community support and potential sponsors signals the show's commitment to continuing its mission, driven by community engagement and support.

Small Actions, Big Changes: Career and Life Advice from Marcia Miller

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:30:00 -0400

"As advisors, we miss the opportunity to teach clients how they can use their wealth to live purposefully now, you know, in the moment. We may or may not have forever."

Welcome to WomenShare: A Celebration of Women in Financial Services. In today's episode, hosts Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter sit down with the extraordinary Marcia Miller, a wealth advisor with over 25 years of experience at RFG Advisory.

Marcia, who is celebrating 11 years cancer-free from breast cancer, shares her journey of gratitude, highlighting personal and professional triumphs. She discusses the power of small actions leading to significant change, the generosity of people, and the importance of seeking guidance from knowledgeable individuals.

We dive into the unique challenges faced by female veterinarians, a profession where women represent 80-90% of the workforce, and how Marcia's podcast, "Making Hay," offers tailored financial advice to support their demanding careers. She emphasizes the importance of purposeful living, making memories, and enjoying life without financial stress.

Join us as we explore the evolving role of women in financial services, the impending "great wealth transfer," and how women are redefining financial priorities and client-advisor dynamics. Don't miss this captivating conversation with Marcia Miller, a true advocate for empowering women through empathy, financial education, and purposeful living.

Tune in, subscribe, and be part of the WomenShare community as we celebrate women's unique contributions and transformative journeys. Thank you to RFG Advisory for supporting our mission and to Marcia for sharing her incredible story with us today!

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Small Actions and Generosity: Leah Alter and Marcia Miller emphasize that small actions can create significant change. Marcia highlights the importance of seeking guidance from knowledgeable individuals, showcasing the generosity and willingness of people to help.

2. Personal Health Journeys: Both Leah and Marcia share their impactful personal health stories, with Marcia celebrating 11 years cancer-free from breast cancer and Leah discussing her experience as a BRCA1 carrier who underwent preventative surgery. Their stories underscore the importance of gratitude and proactive health management.

3. Financial Empowerment for Women: Marcia underlines the significance of empathy, clarity, and eliminating feelings of guilt and intimidation for women regarding financial issues. Budgeting and self-care are portrayed as essential aspects of a fulfilling financial life.

4. Purposeful Living and Wealth Management: The episode stresses the value of connecting money with personal purpose and rewarding experiences. Marcia advocates for enjoying and spending wealth during the peak years of happiness rather than hoarding it for potential future inheritances.

5. The Evolving Role of Women in Finance: Marcia discusses the cultural shift in the financial industry, noting increased female representation and opportunities. She highlights the unique contributions women bring to financial advisory roles and the importance of acknowledging women clients, particularly with the upcoming "great wealth transfer."

Building Emotional Connections: Julie D'Anastasio on Community and Retention Strategies

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:15:00 -0400

"What we tend to forget is that business relationships are still relationships, and in no other way do we act transactionally in our relationships to maintain them."

Welcome to WomenShare: A Celebration of Women in Financial Services. This week, we're joined by Julie D'Anastasio, a remarkable expert in creating memorable events and retention strategies. Julie focuses on fostering emotional connections and building communities, particularly in the tech-driven financial services realm.

Throughout this episode, Julie shares invaluable insights on a range of topics, from the importance of human connection in business to creative event planning strategies. Julie highlights her own personal and professional journeys, offering listeners an abundance of wisdom and practical advice.

Key Takeaways:

The Importance of Human Connection: Julie underscores the significance of creating intentional and consistent human connections in business. Over-reliance on digital communications can erode meaningful relationships, whereas thoughtful gestures, like themed events and personalized client interactions, can foster loyalty and community.

Innovative Event Planning: Julie shares effective strategies for building a sense of belonging through events. She emphasizes the need for creative and intentional experiences that transcend mere social drinking. For instance, themed events like the widely successful carnival, which brought joy and nostalgia to participants, including host Leah Alter.

Authenticity in Business Relationships: Authenticity is a pivotal theme in this episode. Julie and the hosts discuss how being genuine, true to one's values, and embracing one's strengths can inspire others. Julie introduces the concept of being an "inconvenient woman," a woman who stands up for herself and knows her worth, as opposed to conforming or people-pleasing.

Practical Tips for Connection: Julie offers simple yet impactful tips for breaking the ice and fostering connections at events. Using name badges with conversation prompts and colored lanyards to differentiate groups are practical suggestions that help ease networking and build rapport.

Evolving Work and Inclusion: Julie discusses the evolution of work from impersonal, factory-like jobs to roles driven by passion. Integrating emotions and human elements into the workplace is essential for creating more inclusive, satisfying career experiences.

Career Advice and Women Empowerment: Julie shares invaluable career advice, encouraging women to embrace their unique skills—like multitasking and crisis management—in leadership roles. She calls for recognition of women's contributions and stresses the importance of not settling for what is merely convenient for others but instead striving for authenticity and excellence.

Thoughtful Gestures in Client Retention: Both Joanna and Julie emphasize that thoughtful gestures—such as sending Thanksgiving pies or congratulatory cookies—can significantly enhance client experiences and foster long-lasting relationships. They argue that community building and emotional connections are key retention strategies, especially in industries like financial services.

Special Initiatives for Community Engagement: The hosts highlight successful initiatives like "Cocktails for a Cause," which emphasize community support without direct sales pitches. Julie and Leah discuss balancing heart-driven efforts with data-driven outcomes, showing that authenticity often leads to unexpected positive results.

Looking Forward: The episode concludes with appreciation for Julie's participation and encouragement for listeners to subscribe to WomenShare for more empowering content.

Subscribe to WomenShare to keep up with more inspiring conversations and practical advice tailored for women in financial services and beyond. Join our community, and let’s continue to support and empower each other!

Keep the conversation going by connecting with Julie D'Anastasio on LinkedIn to learn more about her consulting and contracting opportunities. Celebrate her successes, and embrace the concept of being an "inconvenient woman"—true to yourself and authentic in all your endeavors.

Remember: When women thrive, industries revolutionize. Thank you for tuning in, and we look forward to sharing more empowering stories and insights with you in future episodes!

Supercharging Growth with Effective Marketing Relationships

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:15:00 -0400

"You wanna make sure that it's someone who aligns with your values, someone who recognizes the value that you bring to the table, someone who's willing to to contribute to achieving the goals that you set out to do together."

Welcome to another episode of WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In today’s episode, we're exploring the evolving landscape of financial advisory with Marissa Comerford and Kerry Davis. Marissa and Kerry, both senior vice presidents from Gregory FCA, share their expertise on promoting proactive career growth, leveraging technology in marketing, and managing work-life balance effectively.

In this episode, Leah and Joanna highlight the importance of internal efforts and resources in campaign success. They discuss with Marissa and Kerry the growing trend of financial advisors utilizing social media to share authentic, personalized content rather than relying on clichéd and recycled materials. Kerry Davis emphasizes the role of AI in enhancing content creation efficiency while maintaining authenticity. Marissa Comerford applauds the proactive adoption of new marketing strategies and technologies within the industry.

Key Takeaways:

Importance of Internal Investment: Leah Alter emphasizes that the success of any campaign is directly linked to the effort and resources dedicated internally. Organizations that prioritize internal investment are more likely to see substantial returns.
Proactivity in Career and Life: Kerry Davis highlights the significance of being proactive. She advises against waiting for promotions or directions and encourages seeking out opportunities and presenting them. This proactive approach applies to both professional advancement and personal growth.
Role of AI and Social Media in Financial Services: The discussion with Kerry Davis and Marissa Comerford underscores the increasing use of social media by financial advisors to present authentic content, moving away from canned material. They also touch on the positive role of AI in enhancing content creation efficiency without compromising authenticity.
Balancing Professional and Personal Life: Both guests share insights on maintaining a work-life balance. Kerry Davis and Marissa Comerford discuss their routines involving self-care activities like fitness, cooking, baking, and reading. Emphasis is placed on celebrating personal milestones and ensuring time for self-care amidst professional responsibilities.
Effective Collaboration with Agencies: The episode delves into fostering productive relationships with agencies like Gregory FCA. The hosts and guests highlight the importance of alignment in values, goals, and approaches between clients and agencies. Effective collaboration and ongoing engagement are vital for successful marketing and PR strategies, emphasizing an integrated partnership rather than a vendor-client relationship.

This episode underscores the importance of proactivity, authenticity, and strategic partnerships in the financial advisory landscape. The discussion provides valuable insights and actionable strategies for women in financial services, encouraging them to take control of their careers, embrace technological advancements, and maintain a healthy work-life balance for overall success.

Listen to the full episode to gain deeper insights into these topics. Don’t forget to subscribe to WomenShare and share our mission to empower women in financial services. For more information about Gregory FCA, visit their website or connect with them on LinkedIn. Special thanks to our sponsor, Catchlight, and check out their platform "Grow Organically" for more on wealth management growth.

Because when women thrive, industries revolutionize. Join us in creating inclusive spaces and celebrating strides towards female empowerment.

Ignoring Advice and Achieving Success in Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 00:30:00 -0400

"Most of the career advice I received, I ignored. That might have been the secret to my success."

Welcome back to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. Today, hosts Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman bring you an inspiring conversation with Mary Beth Franklin, a trailblazer who turned skepticism into success. Mary Beth Franklin, a seasoned journalist and certified financial planner, shares her unconventional journey in the financial services industry.

Known for her expertise in Social Security and Medicare, Mary Beth defied the advice of experts who dismissed her niche focus as too narrow. Instead, she trusted her deep knowledge and harnessed it to build a wildly successful business, culminating in the creation and hosting of the television program "Social Security and You." Despite initial doubts, Mary Beth’s intuition proved right, as her insights found a ready market eager for her specialized knowledge. Mary's achievements recently earned her a prestigious Telly Award, a testament to her influence and expertise.

Throughout the episode, Mary Beth recounts her dynamic career trajectory, from her early days breaking norms in journalism to becoming a go-to authority on Social Security and Medicare. Initially launching her career in the bustling hub of Washington, D.C., she honed her skills in various roles, including as a Capitol Hill reporter and public information officer. After transitioning to freelance work to balance family commitments, she discovered her niche in writing about personal finance for older adults—a topic few had ventured into.

Mary Beth’s breakthrough came with an article on maximizing Social Security benefits, garnering widespread attention and cementing her niche. Her career continued to flourish as she negotiated a unique arrangement with Investment News, allowing her to combine her journalism with speaking engagements. Now selectively engaging in speaking opportunities, Mary Beth continues to influence and educate, demonstrating the power of specialization and intuition in career success.

Key Takeaways:

Belief in Niche Expertise: Mary Beth Franklin’s success story underscores the importance of trusting your deep knowledge and finding the right market for it. Despite initial skepticism, her insights into Social Security and Medicare proved to be highly sought after.
Career Flexibility and Innovation: Mary Beth’s ability to negotiate a flexible work arrangement allowed her to balance journalism with speaking engagements, exemplifying innovative career management in the financial services industry.
Importance of Mentorship and Diversity: The episode highlights the growing need for supportive environments and mentorship, especially for young and aspiring female CFPs, to foster diversity and inclusion within the profession.
Impact of Technology and Flexibility: The COVID-19 pandemic spurred the use of technology like Zoom for client engagement, offering geographic flexibility and enhancing work-life balance, particularly benefiting women with caregiving responsibilities.
Career Adaptation and Resilience: Mary Beth’s journey from traditional journalism to becoming a certified financial planner and public speaker showcases the importance of resilience and adaptability in career advancement.
Support for Women CFPs: As an advocate for increasing diversity, Mary Beth emphasizes the need for more women in the financial planning industry, arguing that a diverse profession better serves a diverse client base.

For more about Mary Beth Franklin’s work, including her books, shows, and speaking engagements, visit her website at marybethfranklin.com, where you’ll find valuable resources on Social Security claiming strategies.

Lastly, a big thanks to our sponsor Catchlight, who supports WomenShare and offers tools for lead conversion prediction, enhancing efficiency for financial advisors. Don't forget to check out their podcast, "Grow Organically," hosted by Dan Gilmartin.

Subscribe to WomenShare on your preferred podcast platform and join us in celebrating the dynamic achievements and insights of women in financial services. Let’s keep the conversation going and continue to revolutionize our industry together.

Restore, Reflect, Experiment: A Guide to Managing Major Life Changes

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:15:00 -0400

"You ask yourself this question: What am I holding to that it wants to be released in my life right now?"

Welcome to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. In today’s episode, hosts Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter sit down with Shannon Schottler, a professional coach specializing in life and career transitions. Shannon leads us on a journey through the complexities of embracing new identities and managing life’s big transitions with confidence.

Shannon Schottler: A "Zingy Lemon Sorbet" to Embrace Change

Shannon Schottler uses the metaphor of “zingy lemon sorbet” to describe the exhilarating and experimental phases of transitions such as promotions, impending births, or marriages. These moments are brimming with excitement and a dash of trepidation as individuals dive into new roles.

Fighting Imposter Syndrome

Both Joanna and Shannon discuss the common phenomenon of imposter syndrome, particularly prevalent during significant life changes. Feelings of self-doubt often come to the forefront, yet Shannon offers insights on building confidence through intentional experimentation, self-compassion, and active support.

Support Strategies During Transition

Shannon's advice centers around restoring oneself through self-care, reflecting on experiences, and embracing experimentation. She likens this restorative process to maintaining a full tank of gas, essential for navigating transitions smoothly and effectively.

Experimentation Mindset: Taking Action

Transitioning from planning to action is crucial. Shannon advocates for hitting the ground running with small, manageable trials rather than succumbing to overthinking. This approach stands as a practical means to combat hesitation and uncertainty in new ventures.

Imperfect Beginnings and Supportive Environments

Embracing the messiness of new endeavors is necessary. Shannon shares a heartfelt story of her daughter learning to bake, underscoring that growth flourishes in environments that accept imperfections. Surrounding oneself with a supportive community is vital for healthy transitions.

Integrating Personal Identity: Shannon as the Farmer

A highlight of Shannon’s journey includes her transition to becoming a farmer, an identity rooted in her upbringing on a Wisconsin farm. This new role, filled with hands-on skills such as building fences and driving a skid steer, not only fulfills her personally but enriches her coaching practices, bringing grounded, relatable metaphors to her clients.

Financial Transitions: Common Pitfalls and Strategies

On the financial front, Shannon illuminates three major pitfalls in transitions: succumbing to generic financial fears, viewing transitions as permanent, and engaging in cyclical worrying. She advocates for fact-based, present-focused planning and strategies to manage fixed versus variable expenses effectively during these periods.

Creating a Culture of Contributions and Self-Care

Shannon's coaching philosophy transcends mere financial success. She encourages building a culture where contributions are celebrated over accolades or wealth accumulation. Importantly, she reiterates the necessity of self-care, equating it to having the energy needed to embrace life changes fully.

Key Takeaways

Excitement of Transition ("Zingy Lemon Sorbet"): Embracing the thrill and experimentation during life transitions.
Combatting Imposter Syndrome: Techniques to overcome self-doubt through trial and support.
Practical Experimentation: Importance of acting on small, manageable trials to navigate new paths.
Restoration Through Self-Care: Necessity of maintaining mental and physical well-being during transitions.
Imperfect Beginnings: Growth through accepting imperfections and receiving support from a nurturing community.
Financial Transition Strategies: Avoiding common pitfalls and managing present-focused financial planning.
Culture of Contributions: Emphasizing meaningful contributions over monetary or accolade-driven success.

We wrap up the episode with Shannon sharing a celebratory note from her personal life, underscoring the joy found in everyday moments and achievements. For more insightful episodes, don't forget to subscribe to WomenShare and keep the conversation around women’s empowerment and transitions alive.

How Female Leaders of Catchlight are Transforming Financial Services with AI

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:15:00 -0400

"I've never had to think about what it is like to be on a leadership team where there are no other women or there are no women at all."

Welcome back to WomenShare: A Celebration of Women in Financial Services. In today's discussion, our hosts Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman sit down with industry trailblazers Meredith Lambert and Yelena Melamed from Catchlight, an innovative firm dedicated to transforming how financial advisers manage and convert leads using AI.

In this episode, we celebrate Meredith and Yelena’s recent accolade from wealthmanagement.com and dive into the dynamics of their successful collaboration, focusing on mutual respect and aligned goals. They share invaluable advice for women striving to shine in tech and finance – touching on courage, confidence, and the power of failing elegantly.

Join us as we explore Catchlight’s groundbreaking lead routing model, which revolutionizes adviser-client matching through data-driven insights, enhancing both efficiency and client satisfaction. Meredith and Yelena also discuss their personal milestones, celebrate small wins, and offer inspiration drawn from their own professional journeys.

Let’s dive in to discover how diversity, trust, and innovative thinking are shaping the future of fintech, while our amazing guests highlight the importance of seizing opportunities and believing in one’s capability to thrive in a male-dominated industry. Stay tuned for an empowering conversation packed with actionable insights and uplifting wisdom.

Key Takeaways:

Improvements in Advisor-Client Matching: Catchlight’s data-driven matching model enhances adviser-client relationships, leading to better satisfaction and outcomes.

Importance of Diversity: The episode stresses the need for more women in financial services and the benefits diversity brings to the industry.

Confidence and Opportunity: Both guests encourage women to trust their abilities, step into opportunities, and not let self-doubt hinder their career progression.

Failing Elegantly: Embrace failures as learning opportunities, and use them to innovate and solve problems creatively.

Building Your Own Table When No One Gives You a Seat

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:45:00 -0400

"Screw waiting for a seat at the table. I'm going to build my own table."

Welcome to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. In today’s episode, we had the honor of speaking with Mahalene Dulay, founder of Modern Wealth Collective, which offers a holistic, community-focused approach to financial advising. Mahalene joined us to dive deep into her journey of creating an inclusive financial advisory firm that serves historically underrepresented communities with authenticity and empathy.

Mahalene opened up about the profound impact of her Filipino heritage on her professional path. She shared how the value of community ingrained in Filipino culture steered her towards creating a financial advisory firm that does more than just crunch numbers. Through Modern Wealth Collective, Mahalene reframes traditional financial advisory tactics to focus on community, advocacy, and building genuine, empathetic relationships with clients.

Mahalene’s story is deeply rooted in her parents' pursuit of the American Dream after migrating from the Philippines. Watching their hard work as business owners sparked her dedication to supporting others in their financial endeavors. Starting her career in a large financial planning company during the 2007 real estate collapse, Mahalene learned invaluable lessons that would shape her future business practices. The transition to founding her own firm in 2018 brought ample personal and professional challenges, but it also offered an immense opportunity to fulfill her mission of inclusivity in the financial sector.

In this episode, Mahalene also discusses the importance of authenticity in branding, particularly through the use of social media. She emphasizes finding a balance between being consistent and making realistic, sustainable efforts in content creation. Additionally, she explains how tools like Canva allow her to create engaging visuals without the need to be constantly on camera.

Key Takeaways:

Community-Centric Financial Advisory: Mahalene Dulay’s Modern Wealth Collective places a strong emphasis on community, serving women of color and historically underrepresented groups with empathy and authenticity. Her firm goes beyond financial advisory to engage deeply with clients' personal and financial stories.
Redefining Marketing: By shifting the focus from niche marketing and avatars to serving community needs, Mahalene demonstrates how genuine connections trump transactional interactions, leading to long-term client relationships.
Effective Use of Social Media: Leveraging tools like Canva for authentic content creation helps balance a social media presence without the constant need to be on camera. Consistent, yet sustainable, efforts are key to maintaining audience engagement.
The Four D’s Framework: Mahalene stresses the importance of the four D’s—Do, Delegate, Delete, Defer—as a practical approach to balancing professional workload and personal life. This framework allows individuals to prioritize essential tasks, seek help where necessary, and eliminate or postpone less critical activities.
Celebrating Wins: A crucial point Mahalene brings to light is celebrating both small and big achievements. This practice contributes to sustaining motivation and a sense of purpose.
Support Systems: The necessity of community support, including from family, friends, and colleagues, is paramount in pursuing both personal and professional goals. Emotional support systems and business networks play pivotal roles in one’s success.
Valuing Time Over Money: Echoing the sentiment that time is irreplaceable, Mahalene advises individuals to be mindful of their time investments, focusing on activities that truly matter and bring joy.
Building Authentic Relationships: In the financial sector, developing authentic relationships with clients and peers fosters a supportive community and a thriving business environment.

Join us as we continue advocating for inclusive spaces and celebrating strides towards community-focused success in the financial industry. Mahalene’s insights remind us that when empathy and authenticity are at the core of financial advising, real change happens. Let’s keep the conversation going because when women thrive, communities flourish.

StrongHer Money: Christine Wedell's Mission to Educate and Empower Women

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:45:00 -0400

"I believe in this mission of helping educate women, helping women live financially fearless."

Welcome back to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. In this episode, our Leah and Joanna sit down with Christine Wedell, cofounder of StrongHer Money and a prominent financial advisor at Volare Wealth Advisors, to discuss holistic financial planning with a focus on the importance of financial stability, health, and social connections for a successful and happy retirement.

Christine Wedell, who describes herself as a "financial life coach," brings a unique perspective to financial planning. For Christine, it’s not just about managing money but also about envisioning a fulfilling life. She shares her own journey from growing up in a financially tense household to becoming a successful financial advisor dedicated to empowering women with financial knowledge.

Key Takeaways:

The Three Pillars of a Happy Retirement:

Financial Investment: While necessary, financial investment is only one aspect. Christine emphasizes that financial planning should integrate life vision and purpose, not just wealth accumulation.
Social Network: Christine underscores the importance of spending quality time with loved ones. A robust social network helps prevent loneliness and boosts mental well-being, which are crucial components of a fulfilling retirement.
Health: Both mental and physical health are vital. Christine advocates proactively investing in health before retirement to ensure reduced healthcare costs and better mobility in the future.

Holistic Client Care:

Christine believes that caring for clients should go beyond financial advice. She nurtures a deep, familial-like bond with her clients, sharing in both their joys and struggles.
She promotes the idea that women, with their empathetic and nurturing traits, make exceptional financial advisors.

Career Advice and Industry Insights:

Christine delivers impactful career advice with phrases like, "Get comfortable being uncomfortable" and "No is a complete sentence."
She identifies a need for more women in the financial advisory industry, attributing the current underrepresentation to the profession’s “salesy” image. She advocates for a more educational and nurturing approach to financial advice.
Christine discusses her transition from banking to financial planning and the importance of financial education for women, regardless of their wealth status.

StrongHer Money and Mentorship:

"StrongHer Money," co-founded by Christine, is an initiative aimed at educating women and boosting their confidence in managing finances.
The first public event for StrongHer Money faced logistical challenges, but it reaffirmed Christine's mission to provide an inviting space for women to discuss financial matters openly.
The importance of having visible female role models and mentors in the industry is highlighted, as Christine credits her own growth to mentorship from Shannon Spotswood and Stephanie Bogan.

Partnership with RFG Advisory:

Since joining RFG Advisory in 2017, Christine has found a supportive environment to further her mission. She emphasizes prioritizing the mission over profits, believing that financial success will naturally follow purpose-driven efforts.

Health and Financial Wellness:

Christine integrates physical fitness into her financial advisory approach, advocating for holistic wellness. She organizes events focused on stress relief and physical fitness, promoting activities that enhance both health and financial longevity.

Achieving Balance: Yesenia Beckmann on Setting Boundaries in Financial Advising

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:30:00 -0400

"People that really value life, value taking care of themselves and their overall well-being and really on a mission to live an intentional life, those are the people that we wanna work with."

Welcome to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. In this episode, Leah and Joanna sit down with Yesenia Beckmann, the passionate co-founder of Well Traveled Wealth. This episode dives into how Yesenia builds a lifestyle-centric practice that seamlessly integrates her personal values, leadership ethos, and unwavering commitment to authenticity.

Yesenia Beckmann, recently commended for her innovative approach in financial advising, shares the intimate details of setting expectations with clients, creating supportive office structures, and the fine art of balancing work with family life. She provides a transparent look at her schedule and emphasizes the importance of being present, whether in client interactions or family moments. Yesenia also underscores the role of heart-to-heart conversations in fostering genuine client relationships.

A notable segment of the episode discusses the evolution of the financial advisory field from predominantly in-person meetings to virtual interactions. Both Yesenia and the hosts discuss the unique challenges and opportunities this shift presents, particularly emphasizing the critical need for more female voices in the industry. Yesenia stresses the importance of mentorship, leadership, and representation, citing her own experience as a Latina without significant representation as a motivational drive.

Joanna playfully references a Saturn car commercial to highlight the significance of personal connections and seeing the faces behind the business. Yesenia agrees, discussing the effectiveness of Well Traveled Wealth’s client family wall and their strategic use of personal content across social media platforms for client engagement and education.

Through personal anecdotes, Yesenia openly shares her struggles and accomplishments, touching on the challenges of celebrating personal achievements and the continuous quest for personal growth. She mentions that her firm, founded with her husband in 2018, is distinguished by a higher number of women advisors than men, reinforcing its dedication to gender inclusivity.

Leah and Joanna commend Yesenia's profound impact and express gratitude for her candid storytelling and steadfast commitment to nurturing a balanced and fulfilled life for her clients and herself. The episode concludes with Leah and Joanna thanking Yesenia, reminding listeners of the incredible value of staying true and authentic in their professional journeys.

Key Takeaways:

Client Expectation Management: Yesenia highlights the importance of setting clear expectations with clients and establishing boundaries to ensure a balanced work-life dynamic.

Balancing Virtual and In-Person Interactions: The shift to virtual client interactions has brought unique challenges and required a different approach to understanding clients’ emotional needs.

Representation and Mentorship: There is a pressing need for greater representation of women in financial services and strong mentor relationships to support and guide new entrants in the industry.

Personal and Professional Authenticity: Yesenia advocates for living authentically both personally and professionally, ensuring client relationships are built on trust and genuine connections.

Lifestyle-Centric Financial Advising: Well Traveled Wealth focuses on clients who value balance, well-being, and intentional living, offering unbiased recommendations centered around clients' best interests.

Heart-to-Heart Conversations: Building strong client relationships through meaningful, authentic conversations is a cornerstone of Yesenia's approach at Well Traveled Wealth.

Join us on this insightful journey as we explore the unique perspectives and profound wisdom of Yesenia Beckmann, and how her firm Well Traveled Wealth is reshaping the narrative of financial advising with heart and authenticity.

Stay tuned and continue the conversation with us on WomenShare, where women's stories inspire and revolutionize industries!

For more information and to connect with Yesenia Beckmann and Well Traveled Wealth, follow their social media platforms or reach out via email. Let's keep empowering and celebrating women in financial services together.

How Self-Awareness Impacts Financial Health and Relationships

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 01:00:00 -0400

"Money is like blood in a body. It connects all parts and its health matters."

Welcome to another episode of WomenShare! Today, we have an incredibly insightful conversation lined up with our guest, Liz Hand, a distinguished financial advisor and mindset coach. Liz joins hosts Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman to dive into the critical role of self-awareness for both financial advisors and their clients. We'll explore how an authentic approach can foster healthier family and community relationships and how the purpose of money can shift from consumerism to promoting goodness.

Liz opens up about her own journey to becoming a mindset coach, the impact it has had on her life, and her practice's evolution as she worked with fellow advisors and friends. We dive deep into the challenges financial advisors face, including codependency, excessive responsibility, and compassion fatigue. Liz shares transformative strategies to manage these issues, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and balancing natural strengths with recognizing warning signs of unhealthy behavior.

Throughout the episode, we discuss the delicate dance of maintaining energy and emotional well-being, the power of intuition in the feminine heroine’s journey, and the value of being authentic in one’s career and personal growth. Liz also gives us a sneak peek into her latest endeavor—writing a book that marries mindset and money.

Get ready for an enriching episode filled with practical wisdom, heartfelt stories, and actionable advice for anyone aiming to navigate their financial and personal lives with greater self-awareness and authenticity.

Key Takeaways:

1. Self-Awareness Leads to Transformative Change: Financial advisors who cultivate self-awareness can help their clients achieve significant, positive changes in various aspects of life.

2. Balance and Boundaries in Responsibility: Recognizing and addressing the tendency to assume excessive responsibility is critical in maintaining advisor well-being and effective client relationships.

3. Authenticity Attracts the Right Clients: Being true to oneself, particularly on social media, helps in attracting clients who resonate with one’s genuine message and approach.

4. Adapting to Client Needs: Understanding and addressing immediate client concerns and short-term goals creates a more reassuring and trust-filled relationship.

5. Eradicating Compassion Fatigue: Advisors can preserve their health and efficiency by practicing emotional detachment and understanding that each client’s journey is unique and right for them.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and insightful conversations on WomenShare, where women in financial services come together to learn and grow. Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast to stay updated and connected with our empowering content. Because when women thrive, industries revolutionize.

Breaking Racial Barriers and Changing the Face of Wealth

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 03:30:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. In this episode, our special guest is Atricia Roberts, Chief Operating Officer and partner at Curo Private Wealth. Atricia joins hosts Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman to discuss the imperative of embracing diversity in the financial services industry and the unique challenges she has faced and overcome in her career.

During her 20-year journey in the financial sector, Atricia has become a stalwart advocate for diversity and inclusion. She shares her insights on the significant role that women and people of color are poised to play in the changing landscape of wealth. From reaching out to historically black colleges and universities to mentoring upcoming talent, Atricia’s story is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and the power of inclusive leadership.

Atricia also offers practical advice on balancing work and personal life using the metaphor of juggling rubber and glass balls. She promotes her podcast, "Living Rich Lead with Curo," which delves into financial and personal life matters. Moreover, she shares her new-found passion for golf and emphasizes the importance of finding joy outside of work.

This episode is brimming with inspirational insights, heartfelt reflections, and actionable advice for those looking to make a difference in the financial industry.

Key Takeaways:

Embracing Diversity in Financial Services: Atricia emphasizes that the face of wealth is changing, with women and people of color taking a bigger share of wealth due to a substantial wealth transfer. This shift necessitates an industry-wide embracement of diversity and inclusive practices.

Unique Backgrounds Build Trust: Atricia highlights the importance of connecting with clients on a personal level. She believes that advisors, particularly women and people of color, can use their unique backgrounds to build trust and stronger relationships with clients.

Challenges and Triumphs: Reflecting on her early career at Merrill Lynch, Atricia candidly discusses the struggles she faced as a young black woman advisor in a predominantly white, male environment. Despite the setbacks, she found mentorship and guidance that helped her embrace her authentic self.

Proactive Diversity and Mentorship: Atricia discusses the slow progress in diversity in the financial planning industry and stresses the importance of being proactive in considering diverse candidates for roles. She also underscores the value of mentorship and sponsorship in creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Balancing Work and Personal Life: Using the analogy of juggling rubber and glass balls, Atricia shares her insights on maintaining a balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being. Giving oneself grace is key to navigating personal and professional growth.

Support and Allyship: We discuss the significance of being an ally, especially for women and people of color in the industry. Supporting each other in various roles and responsibilities is crucial for fostering a more inclusive environment.

Creating Inclusive Opportunities: At Curo Private Wealth, Atricia is actively involved in initiatives such as a summer internship program focused on diversity and inclusion. These efforts are essential in opening up opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in the financial services industry.

With mutual admiration and heartfelt discussions, this episode of WomenShare is a reminder of the importance of vulnerability, authenticity, and proactive engagement in fostering diversity and inclusion in the financial services industry. Join us in celebrating the strides made and the ongoing efforts towards a more inclusive future. Because when diversity and inclusion thrive, the entire industry evolves and prospers.

Listen to Atricia's podcast, Living Richly with Curo, on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Navigating Perfectionism and Joy: Dana Rhodes's Advice for Women in Finance

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dana Rhodes, Chief Operating Officer at Axtella and a prominent advocate for women in the financial industry. Dana shares invaluable insights about her career, battling perfectionism, and the importance of finding joy amidst life's challenges.

In this episode, Dana opens up about her journey in the financial industry, sharing how she battled perfectionism and found wisdom in the advice to have faith that things work out. She reflects on the influence of her mentor, Kristen Leclair, and the joys of being a positive role model for her independent and tech-savvy daughter, Caroline.

Together, we explore the evolution of the workplace, especially with the rise of remote work, and the importance of mentorship and collaboration in building a world-class operations division at Axtella. Dana also discusses her new role where she's blending brokerage and advisory operations for improved service.

Tune in to hear her humorous insights about interoffice mail, transitioning to new technology, and the rewarding experience of finding joy amid challenges. Plus, don't miss Dana's thoughts on attracting the next generation of female advisors and the flexibility that remote work brings to this evolving industry.

Key takeaways:

Struggles with Perfectionism: Dana opens up about her journey to overcome perfectionism and the transformative career advice she received, stressing the importance of having faith in the process.
Mentorship and Gratitude: Dana highlights the indispensable impact of her mentor, Kristen Leclair, on her professional growth, underscoring mentorship's snowball effect within the industry.
Technology Adaptation: Humorous insights arise from Dana’s adaptation to remote work tools and technology, illustrating generational differences and the necessity for continuous learning in the modern workplace.
Symbiotic Learning: Dana speaks about the symbiotic learning relationship with her daughter, offering a fresh perspective on the mutual benefits of diverse skill sets and experiences.
Positive Role Models: The discussion emphasizes the importance of role models and mentors in nurturing the next generation of female professionals, with Dana reflecting on her efforts to instill confidence and independence in her daughter.
Joy Amidst Stress: Dana underscores finding joy in the midst of stress and challenges, focusing on uplifting experiences and positive aspects of life as a crucial coping mechanism.
Industry Evolution: Dana covers the evolution of the financial industry, particularly concerning technology and remote work, making it more inclusive and accessible for women, especially working mothers.
Empowerment Platforms: Dana introduces the Nova Women's Collective at Axtella, a significant initiative aimed to support and empower women in the financial industry through connection and learning.

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs and Navigating DEI in Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 01:45:00 -0400

“I want women to have choice around what path they want to have in terms of career.”

Welcome to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. Today, we are joined by LeeAnn Rasachak, the inspiring CEO of WomenVenture–a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses and creating wealth for their families.

LeeAnn Rasachak joined Women Venture after a successful career in the financial services industry, driven by a desire to make a substantial impact on her community—especially during significant moments like the 2020 racial reckoning and the pandemic. With a strong background in PR, communications, digital transformation, and leadership within large corporations, LeeAnn's transition to her current role has been both a challenge and a rewarding experience. She credits the support of her team and community and highlights the confidence she gained through her journey.

In this episode, we discuss the complexities of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, creating a solid business case for DEI that ties goals to outcomes and focuses on metrics important to business leaders.

WomenVenture has been an integral part of the community for over 45 years. The organization provides business training, development, consulting, and affordable capital to women entrepreneurs. LeeAnn shares ways to support Women Venture, including shopping at women-owned businesses listed in their directory, engaging with their social media platforms, and making monetary contributions. The nonprofit also welcomes volunteers for mentorship, committee participation, and project-based initiatives, offering both in-person and remote opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embracing DEI: LeeAnn emphasizes the significance of making a business case for DEI, tying goals to measurable outcomes, and ensuring inclusivity. Progress over perfection is crucial, with incremental changes building up over time to create substantial impacts.

2. Creating Sustainable Businesses: WomenVenture's mission is to empower women by providing essential resources like business training, consulting, and affordable capital. The ultimate goal is to help women build profitable, sustainable businesses and generate wealth for their families.

3. Community and Support: LeeAnn highlights the importance of community support and harnessing the power of one's team. Building a supportive network is vital for overcoming challenges and achieving entrepreneurial success.

4. Encouraging Action in Organizations: LeeAnn offers practical advice for taking action within organizations, such as establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), seeking executive sponsorship for DEI initiatives, and investing in resources for having difficult conversations, learning, and community immersion.

5. Volunteerism and Engagement: Supporting WomenVenture can be as simple as shopping at women-owned businesses, making financial contributions, or volunteering your time. The organization offers various opportunities for engagement, both locally and remotely.

For more information, you can connect with LeeAnn Rasachak on LinkedIn or visit WomenVenture.org. Special thanks to our sponsor, Axtella. For more details on how Axtella supports women in financial services, visit go.axtella.com/womenshare.

Empowering Women in Finance Through Leadership and Mentoring

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 00:30:00 -0400

"I live for these moments of celebration, small things, large things, and just continuing to realize all the positive things that are happening in life."

Welcome to WomenShare, a celebration of women in financial services. Our latest episode features the brilliant mind of Terri Kallsen, Senior Operating Partner at RISE Growth Partners and an advocate for women in leadership roles. In this episode, we discuss the transformative minds of women leaders and the powerful concepts shaping their journeys.

Throughout this conversation, Terri Kallsen shares her experiences and valuable lessons learned from her extensive career. She emphasizes the importance of visibility, noting that seeing women in positions of authority can inspire others and bring diverse, enriching viewpoints to the forefront.

We also explore the concept of the "huddle," a supportive, strategic gathering akin to those in sports, which plays a crucial role in empowering women both professionally and personally. This episode is a treasure trove of career advice where Terri discusses the significance of questioning existing answers and discovering solutions collectively. The method of the "6 thinking hats" for comprehensive decision-making is underscored as an essential tool in diverse team environments.

As we navigate Terri's story, we touch on her balanced life achievements, including personal milestones like becoming an empty nester and engaging in family endurance races, termed as "gold marble moments." Her reflections highlight the importance of celebrating life's victories and staying connected with loved ones.

The episode is filled with actionable advice on organic growth in the financial services industry, focusing on leadership, business management systems, and client experience. Terri underscores the significance of providing clients with options rather than merely ticking off quotas - a perspective that reinforces client trust and business growth.

Key Takeaways:

Visibility of Women in Leadership: Seeing more women in positions of power can inspire and provide a diverse range of perspectives, making the path to success feel achievable for others.

The Power of the Huddle: Drawing parallels to sports, Terri emphasizes the value of supportive, strategic gatherings for women to plan, strategize, and support each other in various aspects of their lives.

Collaborative Problem-Solving: Effective team collaboration and questioning answers is crucial. Tools like the "6 thinking hats" method enhance decision-making by fostering diverse viewpoints in team environments.

Celebrating Personal Milestones: Terri's "gold marble moments" illustrate the importance of celebrating personal achievements and staying connected with family, enriching both personal and professional life.

Providing Clients with Choices: Prioritizing client choices over simply meeting quotas leads to stronger trust and growth in financial services, exemplifying a client-first approach.

Breaking Financial Industry Stigmas: Increasing the number of women and minorities in the financial planning industry not only diversifies the field but also breaks down stereotypes, encouraging more young people to join.

Strategic Partnerships in Growth: RISE Growth Partners helps RIAs maintain majority ownership while offering guidance for their strategic goals, highlighting the role of supportive partnerships in business advancements.

Mentorship and Executive Conversations: Terri is committed to mentoring women and minorities, providing access to executive-level discussions to help them overcome industry fears and gain crucial understanding.

Let's continue building spaces where women can thrive, lead, and revolutionize the financial services industry. Stay connected with WomenShare and join us in advocating for inclusivity and celebrating female empowerment in finance.

Career Excellence, Support Systems, and Inclusive Leadership in Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:15:00 -0400

"It’s about being great where you’re at. Learn, challenge yourself, protect your current commitments, and excel in your present role. You’ll build the foundation for future success."

Welcome to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. Today’s guest is Sarah Walter, Managing Director at Northwestern Mutual with 20 years of dedicated service within the company. In this episode, Sarah shares valuable insights on career growth, support systems, and the evolving landscape for women advisors and investors.

Sarah has held seven different roles at Northwestern Mutual and attributes her success to persistent mentors who saw her potential. Her journey is marked by a solid commitment to continuous learning, challenging herself, and excelling in her current roles. Sarah discusses the importance of leveraging the strengths of others, particularly within smaller offices without extensive marketing teams.

Sarah, Leah, and Joanna reflect on the incredible opportunities at Northwestern Mutual, particularly in terms of training and development support for advisors, with an astounding 98% of new recruits coming from non-industry backgrounds.

Key Takeaways:

Be Great Where You Are: Sarah Walter emphasizes the importance of excelling in your current role, learning, and challenging yourself. This dedication builds a robust foundation for future success in the financial industry.

Support Systems and Shared Services: Smaller offices can thrive by adopting shared services and leveraging strengths within the organization. Sarah mentions Northwestern Mutual's significant support, ensuring even less resourced offices can deliver comprehensive marketing strategies, client events, and community partnerships.

Mentorship and Community Involvement: Both mentors and community involvement play critical roles in career advancement. Sarah highlights how local offices build their brand through events and community engagement, enhancing visibility and trust.

Training and Development: Northwestern Mutual invests heavily in the training and development of new representatives. Their national training program provides resources on the sales cycle, product know-how, insights from seasoned advisors, and much more, fostering a sense of preparedness among new recruits.

Inclusivity and Diversity: Creating an inclusive environment is pivotal for fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring the best performance from advisors. Northwestern Mutual's focus on DEI initiatives and training in various languages illustrates their commitment to meeting the needs of Gen Z and diverse communities.

Generational Wealth Management: The firm has seen substantial growth by focusing on generational planning and wealth management. This includes maintaining relationships over generations and meeting the evolving needs of their clients.

Entrepreneurial and Leadership Opportunities: Sarah, the first female managing director in her office in over a century, underscores the entrepreneurial leadership opportunities within the company. She emphasizes that one can build a meaningful and passionate career in the industry.

Marketing Tools and Trends for Boosting Advisor Growth

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 22 May 2024 00:15:00 -0400

“I truly believe that we are better together than we are alone. And for advisors to feel like they have support behind them, especially independent advisors, and that they have a family of people that actually care about them. I knew that I needed to go back to that because I that's what I really love.”

Welcome to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. In today’s episode, we’re uncovering the strategies behind growth and success in the financial advisory space.

Our guest is Abby Salameh, the Chief Growth Officer at RFG Advisory and one of the founding partners of Investment News. She is an industry pioneer with over 25 years of building growth services for independent financial advisors and she’s giving us her insights into the crucial aspects of event communication, marketing automation, and ROI analysis.

We also explore the support that RFG Advisory provides to advisors for branding and marketing strategy implementation, resulting in an impressive 19% organic growth rate. Abby emphasizes RFG's hands-on approach to developing and executing marketing plans, which sets them apart in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

1. Event Communication & Marketing Automation: Abby Salameh highlights the significance of tracking event communication and registrations. The integration of marketing automation tools can streamline these processes, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of event-driven campaigns.

2. Utilizing Data & AI for Marketing: The episode underscores the pivotal role of data analytics and artificial intelligence in creating targeted marketing strategies. Leveraging these technologies helps in understanding audience behavior and improving campaign outcomes.

3. Importance of Visualizing Data Insights: Abby advocates for the visualization of data insights to make informed marketing decisions. Visual data representations can help in identifying trends and measuring the impact of marketing efforts.

4. Ongoing Marketing Optimization: Continuous optimization of marketing strategies is crucial. Abby and the hosts stress the need for regular assessment and tweaking of campaigns to ensure sustained success and optimal ROI.

5. Setting Realistic Campaign Goals: It's essential to set achievable and realistic goals for marketing campaigns. Abby discusses how understanding what does not work is as important as knowing what does, leading to more refined and effective strategies.

6. Amplifying Referral Processes: Reflecting on the power of referrals, Abby shares how RFG Advisory supports advisors by providing tools to amplify their referral processes, harnessing the potential of word-of-mouth marketing.

7. Integrating Sales and Marketing: Achieving a flywheel effect through the seamless integration of sales and marketing teams is highlighted as a critical factor for success. This alignment ensures a cohesive strategy that drives growth.

8. Support for Independent Financial Advisors: RFG Advisory’s commitment to supporting independent financial advisors is emphasized, showcasing their hands-on approach in helping advisors grow their businesses organically.

9. Career Insights and Advice: Abby fondly reflects on her diverse career journey in financial services, discussing the evolution of her roles and the valuable lessons learned along the way. She emphasizes the transient nature of career phases and the opportunity cost associated with success.

10. Empowering Women in Financial Services: The conversation also touches upon Abby's early career challenges and the importance of fostering a supportive environment for women in the financial services industry.

Celebrating Women in Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 08 May 2024 00:15:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: A Celebration of Women in Financial Services. Sound different? Since launching, we have been the marketing guide for women in financial services. This is the first episode with our updated mission.

On today’s episode, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are reflecting on the journey we’ve taken with this podcast, from starting as a marketing guide to becoming a vibrant community celebrating the voices and impacts of women in financial services. We’re sharing how we came to the decision to shift our focus, what will and will not be changing as we move forward, and what we’re looking forward to in coming episodes.

While this show, and the personal connection between the hosts, was initially grounded in marketing, our community's feedback has led us to embrace a more holistic celebration of women’s achievements across the financial sector. We underscore the importance of community, especially through mentoring and sponsorship.

WomenShare is more than just a platform; it’s a community fostering real connections and support among women. Looking ahead, we’re excited to bring even more diverse voices to the platform, including industry leaders and innovators who share our commitment to empowering women in financial services.

Key Takeaways:

1. Evolution of WomenShare's Focus: Joanna and Leah discuss the transformation of the podcast from a marketing guide for women in financial services to a broader celebration of women in the industry. This shift reflects our responsiveness to audience feedback and a desire to embrace more inclusive and diverse conversations about women's roles and achievements in financial services.

2. Engagement and Community Building: We are excited about the growth of our community, both in terms of the listener base and the interactions on platforms like LinkedIn. We emphasize the significance of building a community where women can connect, share experiences, and support each other, hence fostering a space of openness and safety.

3. Importance of Authenticity in Branding: Through our discussions and guest insights, Joanna and Leah highlight how important it is for financial advisors and businesses to maintain an authentic brand that truly reflects their values and origins. This authenticity attracts clients and builds trust, which is crucial for growth and retention in the financial services industry.

4. Role of Male Allies: We are reaffirming our commitment to inclusivity by recognizing the vital role that male allies play in the advancement of women in the financial industry. This episode discusses how support from men in the industry is crucial for creating a more balanced and equitable environment.

5. Future Guests and Exciting Topics: Looking forward, we are thrilled about the upcoming episodes featuring influential figures in the financial sector. Our future conversations on various topics will further inspire and empower women in the industry, and hopefully enhance the impact that we can have on our community.

We’re also excited to be announcing our new partnership as we welcome Axtella as the presenting sponsor of WomenShare! Axtella is dedicated to helping financial professionals take their practices to new heights.

If you’re ready for a firm that goes the extra mile for its advisors, visit go.axtella.com/womenshare.

Vision 2030: Preparing Women for the $30 Trillion Wealth Transfer

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:15:00 -0400

“It's such a gratifying thing to get to be able to know so many different families and to be part of their success stories is just wonderful. We just need more people to understand what a great industry it is.”

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services.Today’s guest was recently named one of the top women wealth advisors by Forbes. Debra Brennan Tagg, CFP® is President of BFS Advisory Group and the creator of the DBT360 Financial Plan, a proprietary program that helps her clients use their money to have the life they want by prioritizing their goals, leveraging their resources, and addressing their risks, all through a framework of their personal values.

With a $30 trillion wealth transfer from men to women expected to take place by 2030, Debra is sharing her insights on the false narratives that have been fed to women and how the financial services industry will need to evolve over the next six years.

We’re also discussing the significant underrepresentation of women in wealth management and the pivotal roles of mentorship, education, and sponsorship in bridging the gender gap.

As we advocate for more inclusive spaces and celebrate the strides made towards female empowerment in the industry, let's keep the conversation going. Because when women thrive, industries revolutionize.

Key takeaways:

Impending Wealth Transfer: By 2030, women are expected to control approximately $30 trillion in financial assets, marking a significant shift in wealth dynamics. This presents both challenges and opportunities within the wealth management industry to cater to and empower this fast-growing demographic.
Gender Gap in Financial Advisory Roles: Despite the potential, only 20-25% of financial advisors are women. This episode highlights the critical need for the industry to evolve and embrace more inclusive recruitment and retention strategies to balance gender representation in financial services.
Strategic Inclusion Efforts: Debra Brennan Tagg discusses actionable strategies for attracting women to the wealth management profession. These include enhancing industry appeal through targeted educational initiatives and simplifying the entry points for both potential advisors and clients.
The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship: The discussion underscores the pivotal role of mentorship and sponsorship in advancing women's careers in wealth management. Effective allyship, particularly from male colleagues, is crucial in fostering an environment that supports career advancement for women.
Communicative Clarity and Client Confidence: Ensuring that financial advice is understandable and accessible is paramount. The industry must focus on clear communication to help clients, particularly women, feel confident about their financial decisions and the management of their wealth.

Emotional Intelligence: The Importance of Empathy, Vulnerability, and Emotional Literacy in Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:15:00 -0400

“Empathy can be a skillset, too. Learning how to just be able to sit with somebody, learning how to ask, what do you need right now? Do you need me to fix it? Do you need advice? Do you need me to just listen?"

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. On today’s episode, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by executive and well-being coach, Holly O’Hanlon to get to the heart of financial services (literally).

Holly helps business leaders thrive by focusing on self awareness, well-being, and emotional literacy. In our conversation, we explore the intricate layers of emotional intelligence, breaking down concepts like empathy and vulnerability, and how these can be channeled in the workplace to foster deep connections and enhance well-being. Holly will guide us through understanding the spectrum of emotions beyond the basic "mad, glad, sad," and why naming and feeling these emotions is critical for high EQ.

Holly will share her insights on how to transform a client’s journey from transactional to relational dynamics, discussing how financial advisors and leaders can anchor themselves as the support clients and team members need during life's pivotal moments.

Key Takeaways:

1. Emotional intelligence isn't just buzzworthy – it's the foundation for deeper connections. Honing our capacity to feel beyond 'mad, glad, sad' is crucial. Let's learn the full spectrum of emotions for richer interactions.

2. Empathy is a superpower in leadership. To truly lead, we must be willing to sit with others in their emotions without judgment or an agenda to fix. It’s not about solutions; it’s about presence.

3. Vulnerability is about risk, exposure, and stepping into uncertainty. In finances or leadership, it breeds trust and authenticity. Dare to ask the deeper questions. It's transformational.

4. Stories we tell ourselves can shape our reactions. Understanding our emotions keeps us from reactive states and allows for meaningful conversations. Pause and reflect before you project.

5. Best career advice: Remember the kaleidoscope. Like its endless patterns, every challenge has multiple perspectives. Open up to different angles and you'll find innovative solutions every time

Inspiring the Future: Advocating for Next Generation Success in Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 01:00:00 -0400

“I believe in advocating using grassroots efforts, authentic engagement, and unyielding commitment, and those being the true catalysts for effecting lasting change. Those are essential in passing a bright shining torch to the next generation.”

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. On today’s episode, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by Maria Bethel, the senior vice president of marketing and communications at Axtella.

Maria and her team are championing diversity and inclusion in the financial services industry, especially when it comes to the representation of younger advisors. She is joining us today to discuss the importance of advocating for lasting change through grassroot efforts, authentic engagement, and unyielding commitment.

The next generation of advisors is filled with untapped potential and Maria is sharing her strategy to discover it, incorporating storytelling, social media, and thought leadership to inspire and engage young professionals.

Key takeaways:

1. The importance of grassroots efforts and authentic engagement in marketing, and unyielding commitment as true catalysts for effecting lasting change.

2. The significance of redefining the purpose and mission in the financial services industry to inspire the next generation of financial professionals and investors.

3. The need to address the limited public awareness and understanding of the independent broker-dealer and the transformative influence that financial professionals have in helping individuals realize their dreams and aspirations.

4. The necessity to meet the next generation where they are by utilizing social media platforms and visual content to effectively communicate and engage with them.

5. The career advice to speak up, always be respectful, and courageously share your voice, while balancing wisdom with intuition.

Doing Things Right: What We Can Learn from the Industry’s Largest Woman-Led Firm

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:15:00 -0400

"It started as an initiative just within the firm to do things better, to create well, to invite women to a table and to make that table a comfortable, safe space to come and talk and be a part of."

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. On today’s episode, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by Karen Reifel, CFP®, a senior wealth advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors.

Beacon Point is the largest female-led RIA firm in the country with women making up over 60% of their corporate team and features the Women’s Advisory Institute, a branch of the firm committed to serving women.

Karen joins us to share the ways that she and her team are tailoring services to address women's unique financial concerns and creating meaningful content and engaging events that marry finance with social experiences.

Karen opens up about the emotional intelligence she brings to her client relationships and the double-edged sword of nurturing that characteristic. Our conversation touches on the timely shifts in societal norms towards empathy in wealth management, the pressures women face juggling multiple roles, and the vitality of asking for help.

Key takeaways:

1. Tailored Financial Guidance for Women: Karen Reifel shares insights into the development of financial content and events designed specifically for women's financial needs, focusing on the significant question of their financial security. This addresses the unique challenges and concerns that women face in financial matters.

2. Importance of Representation and EQ: The feedback from female clients has led to a more diverse representation in the company’s materials and events. Additionally, Karen discusses the pivotal role of emotional intelligence in her work, including both its value and the challenge of managing it, and the societal trend towards empathy in wealth management.

3. Challenges and Support for Women: Leah highlights the pressure on women to juggle multiple roles and the importance of recognizing their limits and seeking assistance. This acknowledges the often-overlooked need for support systems in the professional and personal lives of women.

4. The Value of Continuous Learning in Leadership: Karen places a strong emphasis on the role of curiosity and ongoing education in career advancement, and the normalization of admitting when one does not have all the answers, especially in mentorship roles. This promotes a culture of growth and humility in professional settings.

5. Beacon Point Advisors' Growth and Culture: Karen Reifel details her role at Beacon Point Advisors and the firm's focus on hiring for culture fit, with over 60% of its leadership being women. She underscores how female leadership has become a competitive advantage, attracting similar talent and contributing to the firm's growth strategy, which includes client retention, organic growth, and a strong corporate marketing team.

International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women in Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0400

"International Women's Day is about the recognition of the contributions of women in the everyday and the extraordinary."

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. On today’s episode, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are celebrating International Women’s Day, a day of recognition for the impact that women have on societies all over the world.

The theme of this year’s event is #InspireInclusion, so we’re diving into the different ways that organizations can take action to encourage diversity and advancement for women in the financial services industry.

Part of the mission of WomenShare is to further our commitment to inclusivity, so we also discussed the importance of amplifying the stories of women from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We recognize the need to bring more voices to our show and are dedicated to incorporating diverse perspectives from women of color and different backgrounds in our upcoming episodes. We invite you to hold us accountable and join us in this mission.

In the spirit of inclusivity, we highlighted some fantastic resources and upcoming events in the wealth management and financial services space, including conferences and initiatives focused on empowering and supporting women in the industry. To keep the momentum going, we encourage you to participate in International Women's Day by accessing the resources available on the official International Women's Day website, joining relevant industry events, and taking steps to mentor or sponsor women in your organization.

We'd love to hear from you about any organizations, events, or initiatives that are making a positive impact on women in the financial services industry. Join the conversation on our social media channels and share your suggestions with us.

Key Takeaways:

1. International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It's also a call to action for accelerating women's equality. IWD is observed on March 8th every year and has been celebrated for well over a century.

2. The theme of IWD in 2024 is "inspire inclusion," aiming to catalyze people to act in big or small ways to be more inclusive. This can further women's economic empowerment and support women and girls into leadership, decision-making, business, and STEM.

3. There are various ways to inspire inclusion in 2024, such as using the resources provided by the International Women's Day website, mentoring or sponsoring women in the industry, and being proactive about seeking diverse perspectives and representation.

4. The financial services industry is making strides to create inclusive spaces and conferences for women, such as the FA Women's Conference, Carson Group's Excel Represent Conference, Forbes' SHOOK Top Women Advisor Summit, and the Kayo conference series.

5. The hosts of the WomenShare podcast are committed to advancing all women and aim to broaden their representation by inviting guests with diverse perspectives, particularly women of color, on future episodes. They also encouraged the audience to share any organizations contributing to the advancement of women that they think should be highlighted on the show.

Resources Mentioned:

International Women's Day Website: www.internationalwomensday.com
Financial Advisor Magazine's Invest in Women Conference: https://faconferences.com/iiw24/
Carson Group's Excell Represent Conference- https://www.excellrepresent.com/
Forbes' SHOOK Top Women Advisor Summit: https://www.shookresearch.com/2024-forbes-shook-top-women-advisor-summit.php
Kayo Conference Series: https://kayoconferenceseries.com
The CFP Board Diversity and Inclusion Initiative: https://www.cfp.net/initiatives/diversity-and-inclusion
The American College for Financial Services Center for Women in Financial Services: https://www.theamericancollege.edu/centers-of-excellence/center-for-women-in-financial-services

Finding Your Niche: Leveraging Thought Leadership and Niche Marketing for Professional Success

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:15:00 -0400

“When I would meet with my clients, I would go to their office. And in one department, I had so many of those professionals as clients, somebody nicknamed me the money lady.”

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. On today’s episode, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by Lisa Brown, CFP®, CIMA®, MBA, an author, speaker, advisor, and strategic leader within the financial space.

Lisa built a successful practice by focusing on a unique niche—executives within a Fortune 100 company—and is here to share her journey and the strategies that helped her along the way. In our conversation, we discuss how she leveraged thought leadership, authored books, and positioned herself as an industry expert to grow her career.

Lisa also shares her perspective on helping women clients and peers in the financial services industry. Throughout the episode, Lisa provides actionable advice and insights that will resonate with women striving for success in the financial services world.

Key takeaways:

1. Building a Niche: Lisa shared her experiences working with corporate executives and emphasized the value of understanding her clients' needs and personalities. She also discussed how she grew her practice within a large corporation and the pivotal moments that contributed to her success.

2. Thought Leadership Strategy: As an author, speaker, and spokesperson, Lisa shares how she started putting her work out there in various mediums, the impact it had on her business and personal brand, and the lessons she learned from these experiences.

3. Support and Insights for Women in Finance: Lisa reflected on the shortage of women in the finance industry and shared her wisdom on navigating the field as a woman. She also discussed the inspiration behind her books aimed at providing financial advice to women at different stages of life and her upcoming book project focused on mentoring young to mid-career women.

Balance and Growth: Redefining Success and Self-Care in Finance

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:15:00 -0400

“When my batteries are depleted, I'm not showing up as the best mom. I'm not showing up as the best partner. I'm not showing up as the best financial advisor or leader.”

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. On today’s episode, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by Anne McCabe, the CEO of Curo Private Wealth, to hear her perspective on finding new clients, conquering self-doubt, and prioritizing self-care as a woman in finance.

Anne founded her company in 2014, using more than a decade of experience and an insatiable thirst for knowledge to create a firm that empowers women and prioritizes authentic relationships.

In this episode, Anne shares the secrets to her success, including the unique way she uses a CRM system to surprise her clients with personal gifts and learning to embrace the feminine traits that she brings to the table (rather than learning how to golf).

What may have had the biggest impact on her is her commitment to her own wellness–both mental and physical. Through weekly reflection and planning sessions, a minimum of three workouts each week, and daily breaks for mindfulness, she is able to show up better as an advisor, mother, and leader.

Key takeaways:

1. Actively Seeking Clients: Anne highlighted the importance of actively seeking clients in the financial services industry to gain intellectual capital and succeed.

2. Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: Embracing risk and putting oneself out there despite uncertainties can help combat impostor syndrome and lead to growth.

3. Embracing Authenticity: We discussed the power of authentic approaches in client acquisition, emphasizing the value of offering 15-minute conversations and personalized gifts to show gratitude for referrals.

Making Progress: The State of Women in the Wealth Management Industry

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 00:15:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. On today’s episode, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are zooming out to look at the big picture of the state of women in the wealth management industry.

To help us, we’re joined by the head of the Next Gen program at Carson Group, Julie Ragatz. Julie and her team at the Carson Group conducted a study that was published as the 2023 State of Women in Wealth Management Report to uncover insights that hinder women who have chosen to enter the industry and identify better ways to empower and elevate them.

Our discussion focuses on the findings of the study, including the challenges and opportunities for women in the financial industry and the issues of mentorship, sponsorship, and forced entrepreneurship. Julie shares insights from her experiences and the research study, addressing the need for advocacy, support, and equal opportunities. Or conversation also highlights the complexities of gender norms, the impact of conditioning on professional lives, and the importance of evolving masculinity.

As women who have experienced what it’s like to work in this industry, our goal for this conversation is to do our part and identify how we can take action individually and within the WomenShare community to help improve the current state of the industry.

Key takeaways:

1. The importance of advocacy and sponsorship for women in the financial industry: Julie shares insights into the challenges faced by women and the need for effective mentorship and sponsorship to advance in the industry.

2. The concept of forced entrepreneurship: The episode discusses the idea that some women feel compelled to start their own businesses to create a more positive and client-focused work environment, shedding light on the struggles and barriers women face in the financial services industry.

3. The difference between mentorship and sponsorship: We discuss the distinctions between mentorship, which involves guidance and skill development, and sponsorship, which entails advocating for material opportunities within an organization—especially important for women in wealth management.

4. Gender norms and societal conditioning: Our conversation explores the impact of gender norms on professional lives and the need for exposure to varied empathic and assertive individuals, addressing the conditioning and expectations placed on women in the industry.

5. Carson Group's commitment to progress and transparency: Carson Group's initiative to conduct a study on the state of women in wealth management reflects a commitment to transparency, collaboration, and bravery in addressing industry challenges, with the aim of advancing and inviting others into the conversation.

You can download the full report on the Carson Group website here: https://resources.carsongroup.com/women-in-wealth-report-2023

This episode was sponsored by the 994 Group.

A Year of Empowerment: Reflecting on 2023 and a Vision for 2024

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:15:00 -0400

“When one of us succeeds, we all succeed.”

Welcome to WomenShare: A Marketing Guide for Women in Financial Services. In this episode of the podcast, we’re kicking off the new year by looking back at some of the lessons and marketing best practices we've learned in 2023 and how they can be applied to all our businesses in 2024.

Looking back at the guests we’ve had on the podcast this year, the lessons they shared that stand out the most center around authenticity and brand clarity. We also spend time talking about AI, which is impacting the industry as a whole but also ourselves as solopreneurs.

We share some personal stories, like Leah’s experience with imposter syndrome and entrepreneurship and Joanna’s challenges in being vulnerable and growing as a thought leader.

This episode is filled with insights we’ve learned over the past 6 months and our goals for 2024, so we hope you listen and share with us the goals you have set for yourself and your business.

Key takeaways

Embracing Intuition: Leah’s move back to her hometown and following her intuitive messaging, despite uncertainty about the future, is truly inspiring. Trusting our instincts can lead to unexpected growth and opportunities.
Community Over Competition: We're committed to empowering the collective in the financial services industry. Our goal for 2024 is to feature women in diverse roles and share their career stories.
The Power of Shared Goals: Setting and sharing goals increases commitment. We want you to share tips and insights from WomenShare that you plan to apply in your career this year!

Serving the Underserved: Championing Financial Independence for Women and the LGBTQ+ Community

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:15:00 -0400

"Don't judge a book by its cover. Treat every relationship with an open mind."

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. This is a very special episode of the podcast, as it is our first to feature a duo! Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by Kathy Fish and her daughter, Kerry Jackson, of Fish and Associates, a financial planning firm focused on serving women and the LGBTQ+ community.

As a financial professional in the South, Kathy recognized how underserved the LGBTQ+ community was and wanted to create a space where these individuals would feel accepted. Fish and Associates, a boutique firm in Memphis, Tennessee, has now revolutionized financial planning for women and the LGBTQ+ community.

From challenging traditional financial norms to promoting the importance of women's financial independence, our conversation with Kathy and Kerry shows just a sliver of their inspiring stories. They offer career advice, emphasizing the importance of starting where you are and not being held back by past failures, the passed-down saying, "the harder you work, the luckier you get," and the yoga teacher's mantra, "everything is already okay," to find hope and light in difficult situations.

Kathy and Kerry also shed light on the rebranding process of their firm, emphasizing the importance of involving personal stories and values in branding and marketing.

Key takeaways:

1. Start Where You Are: Kerry Jackson's career advice to not be held back by past failures and to start planning for your future from your current position.

2. Empowerment Through Work and Mindset: Kathy Fish's advice, including her father's saying "the harder you work, the luckier you get" and the yoga teacher's mantra "everything is already okay," for finding hope and light in difficult situations.

3. Focusing on Women's Financial Independence: Kathy Fish's dedication to working with women clients and promoting financial independence, advocating for the importance of understanding people's attitudes towards money.

4. "A Man is Not a Plan" is Still Relevant: The continued relevance of this theme, appealing to women who make their own money, emphasizing financial independence, and the importance of involving women in financial decision-making within relationships.

5. The Power of Rebranding and Targeted Messaging: The impact of Fish and Associates' intentional rebranding and tailored messaging, attracting more female clients while aligning with the firm's values and goals.

Being a Disruptor: Empowering Advisors Through Authenticity

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 00:15:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. On this episode of the podcast, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by Lisa Gilbert, Senior Vice President and Account Executive at ActiFi, to share her story and mission for empowering financial advisors.

Lisa’s entrance into the financial industry was unexpected, after beginning her career in the skateboard industry. She found her passion for helping advisors after her first position working for an advisor and then working for an independent broker-dealer and RIA. Now in fintech, Lisa uses two decades of experience to help empower financial institutions and their advisors. Having been labeled a disruptor early in her career, Lisa shares her mindset of thinking several steps ahead, often challenging the status quo, and asking critical questions that others may not consider.

During the conversation, Lisa shares the lessons she has learned that have made her a better leader, including embracing collaboration, listening more than you speak, delegating tasks based on team members' strengths, and aligning work with your personal values.

Perhaps the greatest lesson she has learned is the profound impact of trust and authenticity in leadership, and her practical strategies for fostering transparent and genuine connections, underscoring their pivotal role in driving advisor engagement, retention, and growth within the industry will help you become a more effective leader.

Lisa provides a wealth of knowledge and inspiration and her story serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to excel in the financial services industry. Listen to our conversation as we continue to empower, inspire, and uplift each other by embracing and championing a culture of trust and authenticity in our professional journeys.

Key takeaways:

1. The value of involving team members in running a business and the benefits of delegating tasks they enjoy. Lisa emphasizes the power of collaboration and engagement in fostering a successful and harmonious work environment.

2. The significance of regularly monitoring key business metrics and financials, allocating time each week to analyze data, and holding regular meetings to review and share data with the team.

3. Lisa's personal career advice, including being punctual, offering solutions instead of problems, taking ownership of one's career, and living in alignment with personal values for better performance.

4. The need for assertive and impactful communication, the pressures for women to speak up, and Lisa's tactics for advising institutions working with advisors seeking growth in the financial services industry.

5. The importance of leadership skills, transparency, authenticity, and evolving leadership styles, particularly for women in the industry. Lisa's emphasis on the significance of active listening and asking challenging questions to lead by example and drive productive discussions.

Unlocking Your Potential: How Women Business Owners Can Achieve Success

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 00:15:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. On this episode of the podcast, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by Stacey Bartelson, a financial advisor with Edward Jones who has made a significant impact in the world of business ownership.

Throughout the episode, Stacey shares her journey in building her practice and her passion for helping individuals, families, and especially women business owners. We dive into her strategies for growth and the importance of collaboration and sharing ideas to achieve success. Stacey also emphasizes the vital role that trust and genuineness play in building and retaining clients.

Not only has Stacey built a thriving practice, but she has also created a supportive community for women through her women's mastermind group. In our conversation, we explore why women supporting and lifting each other up is crucial in both business and leadership. She also shares her insights on growing her business, the importance of collaboration and mentorship, and her passion for empowering women entrepreneurs.

Stacey discusses her ambitious goals of reaching a billion-dollar level and highlights the importance of continually innovating and thinking outside the box.

Listen to this conversation to be inspired to believe in yourself, take risks, and follow your intuition, even if it seems to defy logic.

Key takeaways:

1. Collaboration and sharing ideas: Stacey shares her belief that success is not achieved in isolation. By collaborating with others and sharing ideas, we can all grow together. As Stacey continues growing her practice, she is constantly seeking opportunities to connect with other professionals in the financial industry. Together, we can make a bigger impact.

2. Support women in business: Women have incredible potential and unique perspectives. Stacey, as well as the WomenShare team, is passionate about helping women create businesses and providing them with the coaching and support they need to thrive. Through her women's mastermind group, Stacey aims to create a community where we can uplift and empower each other to achieve our goals.

3. Embrace your intuition and take risks: Women often second-guess themselves or feel the need to know everything before pursuing new endeavors. However, sometimes our intuition guides us in the right direction, even when it may not seem logical at the time. Embrace your intuition and take calculated risks. Trust yourself, be curious, and seek guidance from mentors along the way.

Use Your Outside Voice: Podcasting and Thought Leadership in Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:15:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. On this episode of the podcast, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by Sara Lohse, president of Favorite Daughter Media and one-half of the production team behind WomenShare.

Sara is a former financial marketing professional who left a successful role in the industry in order to build a company that felt more authentic. Now, she uses her marketing expertise and specialized knowledge of podcasting to help businesses grow and generate leads through thought leadership, podcasting, and podcast guesting.

In this episode, Leah and Joanna share how they worked with Sara and her business partner, Larry Roberts, to develop the WomenShare podcast and Sara shares her insights and expertise on how podcasting can be used in finance to build trust and connections with potential clients.

Sara also highlights the importance of using our “outside voices” and being loud and passionate about topics we care about. She emphasizes the significance of women's voices in the financial services industry and encourages them to stand up for what they believe in, especially if they're the only woman in the room.

Key takeaways:

Branded podcasts and podcast guesting: Two strategies, one goal - Growing your business through podcasts can be achieved by either launching your own branded podcast or being a guest on other podcasts. Branded podcasts help establish thought leadership and connect with listeners, while podcast guesting allows professionals to share their value and insights on different platforms.

Building trust and credibility: Trust plays a crucial role in the financial services industry, and podcasts are an excellent strategy for building trust with your audience. By sharing authentic stories, experiences, and insights through podcasting, listeners can connect with you on a deeper level, enhancing your credibility and establishing a strong foundation of trust.

Passion and authenticity matter: Sara emphasizes the importance of using your "outside voice" and being loud and passionate about the topics you care about. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, embracing your authentic self and standing up for what you believe in early in your career is vital. Sara also recommends "Show Your Work" by Austin Kleon as an insightful resource for aspiring thought leaders.

Mentorship, Allyship, and Making Strides: Redefining the Narrative of the Financial Planning Industry

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 00:15:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. In this episode of the podcast, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by Lena Nebel, CFP®, Chief Operating Officer of BFG Financial Advisors.

BFG Financial Advisors stands out in the industry with 66% of its leaders being women, along with 45% of its CFP®s.

In this episode, Lena shares her excitement about empowering families through financial planning. We learned how she works with different generations, helping them with wealth transfer, legacy planning, and so much more.

Lena also highlights the progress being made in the industry, thanks to movements like #MeToo. Companies are becoming more inclusive, developing diversity plans, and providing education for underrepresented demographics. We also dive into the importance of mentorship, self-care, and prioritizing our own needs in the business world. Lena's dedication to promoting financial literacy among high schoolers and supporting the growth of young women in finance is truly inspiring.

Progress has been made in empowering women and achieving balance in the industry, but there is still work to be done. Listen to this episode for a much-needed dose of optimism for the next generation.

Key Takeaways:

Embrace Diversity: BFG Financial Advisors has a diverse range of advisors. From 24-year-olds to those in their fifties, each brings a wealth of experience and relatability to our clients. This inclusivity allows the firm to connect with and empower families across different generations.
Financial Education Matters: Financial literacy is a cornerstone of financial planning. Lena focuses on educating and empowering her clients, especially young women, to take control of their financial well-being. Seeing the enthusiasm and curiosity of high school girls about investing and financial concepts gives her so much hope for the future.
Mentorship is Key: Finding mentors and allies is crucial in any career. Lena was fortunate to have a female Chief Operating Officer as her mentor, who provided her with invaluable guidance and support. It's important to surround yourself with a strong support system and to seek out female mentors who can help open doors and empower you to reach your goals.

AI For Advisors: How Technology is Impacting Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 00:15:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. In this episode of the podcast, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by a very special guest, Yelena Melamed.

Yelena is the Head of Product for Catchlight, an AI tool designed to help financial advisors find and filter prospects and increase their conversions. She focuses on helping advisors leverage data and technology to grow their practices, and brings with her more than two decades of experience in financial services.

In this episode, we explore how technology is transforming the financial services industry with three key themes that AI brings to the table: efficiency, personalized marketing, and predictive analytics.

If you are a financial advisor looking to stay ahead of the curve and enhance your growth strategies, this episode is a must-listen. Yelena's expertise and experience in the field will provide you with valuable insights and inspiration to take your practice to new heights.

Key Takeaways:

1. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the financial services industry, including how financial advisors grow their practices. AI can help advisors leverage data to focus on the best fit opportunities for their business and personalize their marketing and engagement efforts.

2. Efficiency is a key theme in AI adoption for financial advisors. AI can analyze big data and historical data to predict the type of prospects that advisors have been successful with, the most productive sources of leads, and where to focus their time and efforts for the best opportunities.

3. Personalized marketing and engagement are essential for financial advisors. By leveraging data and AI, advisors can create highly personalized campaigns and engagement cadences to target their ideal customers with tailored messages, leading to more meaningful interactions.

4. AI technology, like Catchlight, can provide insights on the types of clients that resonate with advisors. This two-way street allows advisors to understand if their target niche aligns with the clients they are attracting and adjust their strategy accordingly.

5. While data and AI are important tools, having a strategy and understanding your target market is crucial for success. Advisors should assess their past successes, their reasons for getting into the business, and define their best fit segments to send a targeted message and rally around those prospects.

Investing in Yourself: A Financial Advisor's Path to Personal and Professional Growth

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:45:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. In this episode of the podcast, Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are joined by our first-ever guest, Kristen LeClair.

Kristen is the co-founder of the 994 Group, a financial planning firm in Austin, TX. She found success in corporate roles in the financial industry at a young age, but more recently found herself starting from scratch as she decided to launch her own practice as a financial advisor.

During her conversation with us, Kristen emphasized the importance of prioritizing personal growth and reevaluating one's identity throughout different stages of life. She openly shares her experience navigating the emotional challenges that came with her career transition.

As a financial advisor, Kristen knows firsthand the impact she has on her clients and their families and the sense of purpose and fulfillment that comes with it, helping her redefine her own demeanor and passion for her work.

Kristen's journey serves as a testament to the power of personal growth and resilience. Her inspiring story will undoubtedly resonate with many of our listeners who may be navigating their own career transitions, contemplating motherhood, or seeking to align their work with their values.

Key takeaways:

The importance of financial independence and taking control of one's financial future, especially for individuals who grew up in financially challenging situations.
The emotional impact and challenges of transitioning from a successful corporate career to starting one's own business, including the need to redefine one's identity and establish new networks.
The profound impact that financial advisors can have on their clients' lives, especially during times of difficulty, and the value of building trust and strong relationships with clients.
The significance of considering the timing of having children in relation to one's career, and the benefits of having children earlier in one's career for some individuals.
The importance of maintaining one's values and not compromising them in one's career, as well as the empowerment that comes from having financial knowledge and understanding.

Myths and Opportunities: Marketing Insights for the Financial Services Industry

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:30:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: A Marketing Guide for Women in Financial Services. In this episode of the podcast, hosts Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter are dispelling the most common marketing myths we’ve heard throughout our careers and offering strategies to help you find new opportunities for yourself or your business.

If you believe that marketing is a waste of time and budget, an all-or-nothing effort, or that one strategy is your silver bullet, this episode is for you because we’re proving all of these myths wrong. There are so many ways you can build your marketing plan and budget to fit your goals and find your audience.

We’re going to talk about how to measure your marketing based on your goals, setting those goals in a way that is SMART, and using data to drive your decisions.

Whether you're a financial advisor or part of a corporate team, this episode will inspire you with new ideas for your own marketing strategies. Stay tuned for valuable insights from our collective experience of supporting thousands of financial advisors. Let's empower women in finance and make a positive impact on their businesses and careers.

Key takeaways

Marketing is not a waste of time and resources. Despite the smaller marketing budgets in the financial services industry, building a solid marketing foundation is essential for consistent growth.
Having a strong marketing foundation includes knowing your brand, messaging, and target audience. Without this foundation, flashy marketing strategies may fail to yield sustainable results.
Different marketing approaches are needed depending on the source of leads. Referrals require a different playbook than prospects from traditional marketing or advertising means. Understanding this distinction and adapting your approach accordingly is crucial.
Personalization is key in marketing. Just as financial advice becomes personalized for clients, the marketing experience should be personalized for prospects. By stepping into their shoes and addressing their specific needs and gaps, you increase the chances of closing the sale.
It's not necessary to be present on every marketing platform or use every strategy. Being effective doesn't require being everywhere all at once. Instead, focus on a few strategies that align with your budget and target audience, and use them consistently for better results.

Our Mission: Helping Women Thrive in Financial Services

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:15:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare: a marketing guide for women in financial services. In this inaugural episode of the podcast, hosts Joanna Ehresman and Leah Alter want to bring you into the background of this show: why we’re launching it, who it’s for, and what we hope you, as a listener, will be able to take away from each episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear about our personal journeys in the financial services world, including our similar transitions from the corporate financial world to launching each of our marketing consultancies. We discuss the ups and downs of our careers, the challenges of merging practices with corporate branding, and the importance of teaching women to fish in this industry.

But it's not just about our stories. We are committed to providing actionable insights and takeaways for you. Today, we’re focusing on the pragmatic side of marketing and encouraging you to make the most of each episode by implementing the lessons learned into your own careers.

Stay tuned as WomenShare introduces guests from different areas of the industry and covers a variety of topics related to marketing and growth. We are here to celebrate, inspire, and empower women in the financial services industry. So, join us on this exciting journey, subscribe to WomenShare, and let's start changing the narrative together.

Key Takeaways:

The importance of creating your own definition of success in the financial services industry. We share our own definitions of what success means to us, highlighting the need for individuals to define their own path rather than conform to traditional expectations.
The power of sharing authentic experiences and lessons learned: In order to help others navigate the industry, it’s important to be open and transparent about the challenges faced and the lessons learned along the way. This sharing of experiences can create a support network and provide valuable insights for others in similar situations.
Take action in marketing: Being knowledgeable and educated is important, but taking action is even more crucial. Start implementing marketing strategies rather than just learning about them, as hands-on experience is the best way to become a better marketer.
The significance of women's influence in the industry: WomenShare aims to increase women's influence in the financial services industry. We believe that by amplifying the voices and perspectives of women, positive outcomes will be achieved for both clients and professionals in the field.
Embracing imperfection and the importance of feedback: We all know the struggle of perfectionism and the fear of putting work out there. Embrace imperfections and be open to feedback, as this allows for growth and improvement.

WomenShare Podcast Trailer

Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 11:05:00 -0400

Welcome to WomenShare, where successful women in financial services share their stories and best practices with a mission to help other women grow their businesses and careers. We’re your hosts, Leah Alter and Joanna Ehresman, and on this podcast, top financial advisors and corporate leaders–who happen to be women–give their best advice and actionable takeaways on marketing, growth, and making an impact in the financial services industry.