Only Fee-Only

Kevin's Bio:Hello! My name is Kevin Lao. I am first and foremost a family man. My amazing wife, Jessica, and I are blessed with three active boys. Tristan came first, and our twins, Julian and Jackson, a short 16 months later. They are my "why," and I do my best to lead by example and pursue my passions in hopes my boys pursue theirs. After spending my first 12 years in the financial services industry split between two fortune 500 companies, I developed an obsession for helping people plan for retirement. It sounds simple, but many people don't have the systems and processes in place to achieve financial independence. Life gets busy, and all of a sudden you are 10 years away from 60 and unsure if you’re on track. However, I came to realize the conflicts of interests inherent with the "big firm" mentality didn't align with my personal value system. As a result, I launched Imagine Financial Security as a Flat Fee Financial Planner/Fiduciary, and have the ability to work with clients locally in Jacksonville, FL as well as across the United States virtually.I am originally from the suburbs of DC, but have lived in the Jacksonville, FL area for almost 8 years. We are fortunate to have family close by as it takes a village with our crew! When I am not running my business or spending time with my wife and kids, I enjoy "dad-golf," fishing, cooking, reading, researching, writing, teaching and being in the outdoors. Go Gamecocks! Go DC Sports! Kevin's Social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-lao-cfp%C2%AE-ricp%C2%AE-4181a29/Music in this episode obtained from Bensound.

Will's Bio:EDUCATIONButler UniversityB.S. Finance, International BusinessB.A. FrenchCERTIFICATIONSCertified Financial Planner™INDUSTRY EXPERIENCESince 2014VALEO EXPERIENCESince 2015HOMETOWNCape Girardeau, MORESIDESIndianapolis, INCOMMUNITY INTERESTSLittle Wish FoundationIndianapolis Neighborhood Housing PartnershipLIDS FoundationSocial: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-kinder-cfp%C2%AE-23653483/

Eric's Bio:In 2018, after graduating the U.S. Air Force Academy with an Economics degree, I began my professional career as a hospital administrator in the Air Force. As I was sitting in my apartment in Cheyenne, Wyoming after work every day, I quickly realized that this wasn't going to be a career for me. It was a great first job, but wasn’t ultimately my calling and didn’t get me up out of bed every morning. I was captain of a Division I hockey team in college, and I still have that competitive drive that I need to harness into something. I knew that I needed to start a business, I just didn't know what yet. For the next 9 months, I binged business and entrepreneurship books and researched business ideas. I had a One Note with about 20 different ideas. I was teaching myself to code computer software, trade foreign exchange, and anything else that I could get my hands on. One book in particular called the $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau said that you should find something that people naturally come to you for, something that you are passionate about, and something that people will pay for. This was my lightbulb moment. For me, that thing has always been investing and personal finance. I was always interested in the stock market, and many times found myself in conversations giving people finance pointers. I had also seen what the typical financial advisor did for family and friends, and was very frustrated with the lack of transparency, and lack of value for the fees that are paid.  From there on out, I was dead set on building a fee-only financial planning firm to help families align their money with their values. I began building the groundwork for Baskin Financial Planning in early 2019 while getting my MBA, studying for and passing the CFP exam, then finally launching the business in 2021 all while serving on active duty.Through my time as a financial planner, I have found that the military community is not properly served by one single service and pricing model. Not everyone can afford or needs the help of an ongoing financial planner at all times in their life. To address this problem, I have now gone on to develop specific offerings to best serve the military community and each families’ unique stage in life from younger military members just getting started, to transitioning military members, to Veterans and business owners building life changing wealth.Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbaskin/\Music in this episode obtained from Bensound.

Andy's Bio:While studying toward a finance degree at the University of Delaware, I decided to work toward a career helping others with their finances. I didn't quite know what that job would look like, but I figured it must exist. I assumed it would involve helping and educatingIn my senior year at Delaware, I interviewed at a few of the large household name financial services companies for roles they called "financial advisor." I assumed those would be the sort of financial planning careers I was thinking of. Unfortunately, I quickly realized those jobs were not about giving financial advice or guidance. Instead, they were just commissioned sales positions to sell the companies' products - life insurance, annuities and mutual funds. I was completely turned off by that and gave up on trying to find a financial planning job. I ended up getting a corporate job at a large insurance companyAfter graduating college in 2000, I spent the next 19 years working for multiple global insurance, banking and brokerage firms. I worked in functions that involved the creation, risk management, trading, portfolio management and financing of many of the insurance and investment products and strategies used throughout the financial services industry. My roles included pension risk management, investment management, securities financing and investment fund analysis and diligenceAlong the way I went back to school - in 2004 I earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Rutgers Business School.  I've also taught multiple semesters as an adjunct lecturer for the finance department of Rutgers Business SchoolIn 2016, I had an experience that reignited my desire to do personal financial planning. My mother was transitioning into retirement and was trying to figure out how best to claim her Social Security benefits. After getting different answers from different people - including different answers from within the Social Security Administration itself - I dug in and helped her research the relevant laws and regulations. We ultimately got to the correct answer and she was able to make the best claiming decision for her and her circumstancesAt that point, the proverbial light went off for me - helping people make decisions about their retirement finances was what I was supposed to be doing with my life. Since that point in 2016, I committed myself to getting educated on all things related to financial planning for retirement. In that journey, I obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ ("CFP®") designation, the Retirement Income Certified Professional® ("RICP®") designation and the IRS Enrolled Agent ("EA") licenseIn 2019, I left the institutional investment and banking world to launch Tenon Financial. I also started a separate tax return preparation and filing company, Tenon Tax Preparation. And I remain committed to sharing knowledge and helping educate others- AndyAndy's Social:Twitter: @TenonFinancialLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andypanko/

Episode Details:In this episode, we talk to Abby Morton, who is the head of community and culture at The Elements Financial Monitoring System. We touched on what eEements is great for and how it can help advisors grow their practice. This episode is a part of our Vendor Series for advisors.Abby's Social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbymorton/Twitter: @AbbyMortonCFPMusic in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

Taylor's Bio:In 2014, I left the wirehouse world and launched Define Financial, a fee-only financial planning firm headquartered in San Diego, CA.I started my firm for three main reasons:To create a business model that adhered to the Fiduciary standard.To specialize in helping people over age 50 lower their taxes in retirement.To creatively grow my practice and build a platform to help more people.Since launching Define Financial, I’ve been recognized as “The #2 Independent Advisor in the U.S.” by Investopedia and a “Top RIA in America” by Financial Advisor Magazine.I’m also:Co-Founder of The AGC™ Community for AdvisorsHost of the Experiments in Advisor Marketing Podcast (Apple Top 50)Host of the Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast (Forbes Top 10)Co-Host of Kitces Summit’s w/ Michael KitcesFounder of the Retirement Podcast NetworkRegular Contributor to KiplingerWhen I’m not perfecting financial plans, you can find me traveling with my wife and kids, searching for the next best carne asada burrito, or trying to master Adam Scott’s golf swing.Social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorschulte/Twitter: @DefineFinancialMusic in this episode obtained from bensound.

Patricia's Bio:In 2009 I founded Game Theory Academy, a nonprofit that teaches financial skills to teenagers through the lens of strategic decision-making. My favorite part of that work has been guiding young people to set their own goals outside of what their grownups want for them and then align their day-to-day decisions with those goals. I bring that same strategic curiosity to financial planning. Prior to Game Theory Academy, I was CFO of a news media organization, Pacific News Service/New America Media. I hold an MBA from Yale and a BA in Political Science from UC Berkeley. I hold a Series 65 securities license and completed the certificate in Personal Financial Planning at UC Berkeley Extension. I have a lifelong interest in economics and am excited to do the heavy lifting of financial planning so people can focus on what they love to do. When I’m not creating financial plans, I’m the mother of a child with avid and ever-changing interests, and I love to play guitar and sing bluegrass, roots, and old-time music, with a pop twist.Social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-johnson-96b9757/Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

Brian's Bio:As the founder and CEO of Wealthtender, I'm proud of our growing impact in helping thousands of Americans each month make more informed and educated decisions, whether hiring a financial advisor or managing money on their own.Since founding the company in 2019, Wealthtender has become an industry-leading digital marketing platform providing hundreds of financial advisors with impactful benefits to rank higher in search engines, build authority online, and accelerate the growth of their business.We also know regulatory change creates opportunities for marketplace disruption. After 60 years of prohibition, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) changed its rules, permitting financial advisors to solicit and promote client testimonials in their marketing activities. With thousands of hours spent evaluating all aspects of the new SEC Marketing Rule and adapting our platform accordingly, Wealthtender launched the first SEC-compliant financial advisor online review platform. Wealthtender reaches tens of thousands of people each month who visit wealthtender.com, follow us on social media, and view our content syndicated nationally on sites like MSN.com, Associated Press affiliates, and popular personal finance websites.Our story is just getting started. I'm grateful for the financial advisors in our community, friends throughout the industry, and consumers we hear from each month who inspire us to reinvest in our business, so we can continue in our mission to help millions of Americans enjoy life more with less money stress.Social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancthorp/Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

Rodney's Bio:Rodney Mogen is a 20+ year veteran in the financial industry.  He graduated from Macalester College, in St Paul MN in 1999 with a double major in Economics and Finance, and minors in Psychology, History, and Art. Rodney, has proven himself as an expert in Advanced Life Insurance strategies, long Term Care, Disability Insurance, and Small Business Solutions.  He has spoken across the country in many state legislatures, and at many organizations to be able to provide up to date factual information to better serve you the client.  He actively coaches and educates advisers on these complex topics in order to make sure clients get the best service possible.With his wife of 15 years, Myrta, Rodney also runs a non profit for physically abused children and battered/trafficked women to give them outlets.  Rodney also sits on several boards including the NAIFA Texas board, the Red Cross of Austin, The National DBA Society, Insurance Industry Government Regulations, and also the Norwegian Society of Austin Board.Music in this episode obtained from Bensound.

Zack's Bio:Zack joined the firm in 2019 as a Financial Advisor in the firm’s Institutional Consulting Group. He served as the primary advisor and financial coach for employees of our Corporate Retirement Plan clients. In summer 2022, Zack was promoted to Director of Financial Planning and Participant Engagement. As Director, Zack leads a team of financial planners that help our Private Wealth advisors deliver comprehensive financial plans to their clients and also deliver personalized planning and advice to the participants in the retirement plans that our corporate retirement advisors work with. Prior to joining Greenspring, he worked in a financial planning capacity for RBC.Favorite Thing About Working With Clients“I love helping clients articulate their dreams and then collaboratively create a plan to achieve those dreams. I will never grow tired of being there the moment that the client realizes that the life they want is within reach.”My Philosophy On Client Service“We may be the experts in the financial stuff, but clients are the experts in their lives. A collaborative approach is key.”