Financial Planner Life Podcast

From Admin to Self-Employed Financial Planner with £10M AUM by 26! In this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Lawrence Bearman, a 26-year-old Chartered Financial Planner at Westminster Wealth Management who's gone from admin assistant to managing £10 million in assets, all within his first year of self-employment.We unpack:Why Lawrence chose to go self-employed with just £3M AUMHow he tripled his assets in 12 months without cold calls or networking eventsThe £10K personal investment he made to become a better communicatorHis laser-focused niche: high-earning lawyers - book a meeting here Why Westminster Wealth gave him the freedom to build his business his wayLawrence’s story is packed with actionable insight for both aspiring advisers and experienced professionals ready to take control of their financial planning careers.https://linktr.ee/wwmrecruitmentBegin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

From Critical Illness to £60M Practice: Russell Cook’s Story of Resilience, Mindset and Career Growth at Foster DenovoIn this special partnership episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast with Foster Denovo, we speak with Russell Cook — a senior partner, self-employed financial planner, and two-time survivor of life-threatening illness.Russell shares how he built a thriving £60 million practice advising 120 clients, despite facing a rare blood cancer diagnosis and later, a brain tumour. His story is a powerful reminder that success in financial planning is as much about mindset and support as it is about knowledge and advice.We cover: ✅ His seven-and-a-half-month hospital stay battling cancer ✅ How a critical illness policy helped him and his family stay afloat ✅ The power of team support under the Foster Denovo partner model ✅ Running multiple marathons post-recovery and raising £28,000 for charity ✅ Preparing for retirement while ensuring continuity and client care ✅ The role of Foster Denovo in his success and succession planning.             This episode is about resilience, gratitude and the value of doing work that truly matters. If you’re a self-employed financial planner or considering a career at Foster Denovo, don’t miss it.🎧 Plus, discover more stories from those building successful careers in the Foster Denovo ecosystem on their new podcast: Foster Denovo Talks.Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, host Sam Oakes reconnects with Emmanuel Asuquo, a leading financial planner, TV personality, and social media educator. Emmanuel was Sam’s second-ever guest when the podcast launched, making this a special full-circle conversation.They dive deep into Emmanuel’s journey from growing up on a council estate to becoming one of the UK’s most recognisable financial planners, using platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to educate and entertain audiences.Discover how Emmanuel built a purpose-driven career in financial planning, leveraged social media to attract clients, and became a trusted voice for financial education across the UK.Topics include: ✅ How to use social media for client generation ✅ The importance of authenticity and storytelling ✅ Why niching down builds stronger engagement ✅ The future of careers in financial planning ✅ Building trust through “edutainment”If you’re a financial planner looking to grow your business, build your brand, or attract the next generation of clients and talent, this is a must-watch (or listen).Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

In this episode of the financial planner life podcast, Sam Oakes sits down with Katie, a former Army officer who transitioned into a successful financial planning career with the St. James’s Place Academy.Katie’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and building a business that fits around life’s big moments, including becoming a mum mid-way through growing her firm.We cover:✅ How military skills like leadership, discipline, and resilience translate into financial planning✅ What it’s really like going through the St. James’s Place Academy (and how Katie passed her exams in just 6 months)✅ The importance of mentorship and building your support network✅ How social media, especially Instagram Stories, has helped her win new clients✅ Balancing business growth and motherhood, and how becoming a parent opened new networking opportunities✅ Why financial planning needs more diverse voices and more women in leadership✅ Tips for using LinkedIn and Instagram for business development✅ The power of storytelling and human connection in financial servicesWhether you’re ex-military, thinking about a career change, or wondering how to balance parenthood with self-employment, this is a must-watch.Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Jeri Williams on Scaling a Business, Letting Go of Control, and Building a Life with More FreedomIn this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes sits down with Jeri Williams, the powerhouse behind Smooth Accounting in the UK and now Smooth Dubai.Jeri shares how she built a business that runs without her, the mindset shift that allowed her to finally let go of control, and why protecting her time is now non-negotiable.We dive deep into:✅ Why she expanded into Dubai - and how it’s transforming her business✅ The reality of stress and anxiety as a business owner✅ What it really means to delegate and build a self-sufficient team✅ Her obsession with time, freedom, and being present for her kids✅ How showing up consistently online has helped her grow a loyal client base✅ The role of marketing in building trust, visibility, and long-term success✅ Why community, not competition, is at the heart of her approachThis conversation is packed with practical insights for business owners, financial professionals, and anyone chasing more freedom without sacrificing success.🔗 Learn more about Jeri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeriwilliams📚 Join the waitlist for her new book on moving to Dubai🎧 Subscribe for more career stories and insights from Financial Planner LifeBegin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes speaks with Aleem Nijabat, a self-employed financial planner who built £12 million in AUM without a client bank, without leads, and without a background in finance.Aleem started during lockdown, working alone from his bedroom. He had just qualified, had no clients, and relied entirely on cold outreach through LinkedIn to get started.This conversation is packed with practical advice for anyone considering a self-employed career in financial planning, especially those thinking about going it alone.What we cover:How Aleem used LinkedIn Sales Navigator to connect with ideal clientsWhy consistency in cold outreach beats waiting for inbound leadsWhat it really felt like starting during a market downturnThe role mentorship played in levelling up his client baseHow joining Foster Denovo changed the game for his businessWhy testimonials and authentic content now matter to his strategyHis goal of becoming a Senior Partner before the age of 30This episode offers a real-world view of what it takes to build a financial planning business from the ground up. It’s not about shortcuts or luck - it’s about showing up every day and doing the work.👉 Ready to take control of your financial planning career?Subscribe for weekly conversations with the professionals shaping the future of this industry.Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

In this episode of Financial Planner Life, Sam Oakes is joined by certified money coach Dennis Harhalakis to explore the powerful emotional side of money - and why financial planners can't afford to ignore it.Dennis shares how our earliest money experiences shape the way we think, feel, and act around money as adults. Whether it’s shame, fear, scarcity, or self-worth, these emotional drivers often get in the way of good financial decision-making. We discuss:Why childhood money stories influence adult financial behaviourHow money shame blocks clients from implementing adviceWhy planners must understand their own money beliefs firstThe power of creating emotional safety in client conversationsTools and training to help financial planners explore money coachingIf you're a financial planner who wants to build deeper trust, improve client outcomes, and bring more human connection into your advice process - this one's for you.🔗 Learn more about Dennis and Cambridge Money Coaching:https://www.cambridgemoneycoachinguk.com/📌 Subscribe to the channel for more career insights from the world of financial planning.👍 Like this video if it made you think differently about client conversations.🗣 Drop a comment — what’s your first memory of money?Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

In this episode, Sam Oakes is joined by John O’Driscoll and Wenyu Bai from St. James’s Place to explore how AI and technology are being developed to support the future of financial planning.Discover how SJP’s 2030 vision is being built around:Advice Assistant: An AI-enabled tool already in production that reduces the time to produce advice packs from hours to minutesChat SJP: An internal GPT-style assistant that delivers fast, accurate, compliant answers to technical questionsAgentic AI: The concept of digital support agents acting as a virtual back officeThe Innovation Sandbox: A safe space for financial planners to test and build new toolsA strategic focus on simplifying, streamlining and elevating the planner and client experienceThis isn’t about replacing financial planners. It’s about giving them better tools, more time, and the freedom to focus on what they do best - building meaningful relationships with clients.Whether you’re considering your future as a planner, leading a firm, or just want to understand where the profession is headed, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now and subscribe for weekly insights from the front lines of financial planning careers.Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Roger Brosch | 20 Years of Foster Denovo, 47% Growth, and the Launch of Foster Denovo TalksIn this episode of Financial Planner Life, we welcome back Roger Brosch, CEO of Foster Denovo, to reflect on a standout year for the business.47% revenue growth200+ new hires7 acquisitionsA thriving culture that’s stronger than everRoger shares what’s driven Foster Denovo’s success over the last 12 months, who he credits for the results, and why they’ve just launched their own podcast, Foster Denovo Talks, produced by Financial Planner Life Productions.We dive into:The power of culture in driving performanceThe importance of transparency in talent attractionWhy storytelling is now part of their employer brandWhat Foster Denovo Talks aims to achieveWhether you're an aspiring financial planner, a firm owner, or simply curious about what people-first leadership looks like at scale - this is an episode worth tuning into. 📢 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow Foster Denovo Talks for more insights from inside one of the fastest-growing firms in the UK.Begin your financial planning career journey todayWhether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you. With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbsBe sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy hereReach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Jay Dhaliwal, a Chartered Financial Planner at Chase de Vere, specializes in advising NHS medical professionals on complex pension needs. In this engaging conversation, Jay recounts her journey through early rejections, transforming setbacks into a drive for excellence. She shares insights into the significance of resilience and mentorship in the financial industry. Jay emphasizes the need for specialized knowledge, especially in identifying the unique challenges medical professionals face, while also touching on the importance of empathy in client relationships.