Full Transcript for Building Wealth with Intention: Insights from a Finance Professional’s Journey

children and cousins. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:57.680 Awesome. 00:04:57.839 --> 00:04:58.959 Thanks for sharing that. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:03.360 And what's one childhood memory you'd say that really brings a smile to your face? 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:13.120 I think one is Friday evenings were often spent playing board games and just a lot of fun around movies and things with my siblings. 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:17.600 I have three younger brothers, and we certainly grew up very close, and so I loved that. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.879 As I aged, I do remember this was a teaching moment. 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:26.399 I am very fortunate to have been raised by a very strong, wise mother. 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:40.720 And I remember in my youth feeling a sense of missing out, and it was a remarkable conversation that again, as we think about raising our next generation of children, is like, how do we do this a little differently and a little bit better? 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:56.079 But she taught me that oftentimes if you feel like you're not being a part of the conversations or the rooms that you want to be, find ways to like what would it mean to say yes instead of leaving with the concern or the fear or the angst. 00:05:56.480 --> 00:06:02.800 And so I have taught, I've carried that life lesson with me throughout leaning into what would it look like if we said yes? 00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:12.399 And then let's back into that from there, and ultimately being able to be very intentional and thoughtful about the rooms that we put ourselves in and the influences we surround ourselves with. 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:13.279 I love that. 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:15.040 Thank you so much for sharing that. 00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:22.959 And going into the business a little bit, what's one of the highest highs or one of the best moments you'd say that you've had in business so far? 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:24.319 Yeah, so many. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:36.160 I will say my work in holistic planning, I would be remiss not to acknowledge a trust and faith that individuals and families and business owners they place in myself and our team. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:39.199 We've been very intentional about the team that we've we've built. 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:52.560 The greatest memory is truly, and I can't speak to specifics because I want to protect privacy, but certainly it's when I get to meet individuals in a way that I meet their family, as I meet their children, I get to see them in their homes. 00:06:52.959 --> 00:07:02.959 I just find such value and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to meet people in a very intimate way, and I don't take it for granted. 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:12.160 And I've had a few recent moments where I've gotten to meet people in their homes and meeting their children, and you know, in a way that it goes so far beyond just private wealth advisory. 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:16.639 It's again aligning capital in alignment with value systems. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:17.680 Great. 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:25.439 And if you could think of one not so good moment if we're just looking at the opposites of that, maybe one of the challenges. 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:29.439 Certainly, I think that I work a dream profession. 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:30.800 I love my work. 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:34.879 I also find that I feel so enriched. 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:41.680 I recently read an article all around the psychology and human behavior, around how we audit our actions and spend our time. 00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:42.879 And I'm very specific. 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:44.800 My calendar is very parceled out. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:51.519 So like I have my reading time and my deep thinking time, I have my exercise, I'm up early, I have work. 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:58.639 And so the biggest challenge for me truly is turning it off because I actually really enjoy my work and I love my family. 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:01.600 And there's nothing more important to me than my family. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:08.959 And so, could I see myself if I was, we have cats about the cat lady that lived independently. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:11.600 I would be working all the time because I truly do love my work. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:14.480 And it probably is not right healthy in that side either. 00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:17.680 But the biggest challenge is wanting to be in two places at once all the time. 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:19.600 I love my work and I love my children. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:21.759 And so, how do you do that? 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:28.800 I am very intentional again about how I structure my calendar and I give a hundred percent and I'm committed to the work when I'm at work. 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:31.839 I also need to then protect when I'm with my family. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:34.960 I'm 100% committed to them and they understand. 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:36.399 Thanks for sharing that. 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:42.159 And even personally, for me, it's one of my greatest challenges because I'm I'm relatively new in business. 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:47.120 So figuring out how to balance has really been a challenge. 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:51.519 I like how you shared that um being intentional with your calendar. 00:08:51.679 --> 00:08:56.240 And it sounds like everything that needs to be done is on that calendar, so you make time for everything. 00:08:56.399 --> 00:09:05.360 And you also mentioned that you focus on that when you're doing it, and then that means each, whether it's a family or work, it gets the time that it deserves. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:06.799 So I'm happy to hear that. 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:08.000 Thank you for sharing that. 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:08.639 Sure. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:12.720 All right, and is there one book or movie that you would recommend? 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:16.080 Right now, I've read this book before, but I'm actually rereading it. 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:19.360 Is the

uh Red Brown, The Dare to Lead book. 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:21.600 I actually think I have it on my desk. 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:35.279 I am doing some depth of work when it comes to just leading teams and uh building and and building a team that rides for you and with you. 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:37.200 And so I'm revisiting that work. 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:41.519 So it's probably gonna be the one that I is just top of mind for right now. 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:48.799 I'm a big proponent for for reading, I don't do enough of it, and I need to allocate more time. 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:52.399 But again, it's like you know, the one equalizing resource we all have is 24 hours. 00:09:52.480 --> 00:10:02.000 And so, how do you block that to where you're optimized, but also not where you're kind of making yourself nutty by being so rigid and inflexible. 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:04.639 My kids have taught me that a level of flexibility. 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:08.240 Yes, they do teach us a lot, especially about around flexibility. 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:17.440 Um so, in terms of the business, now would be a good time to tell us the name of your business and what you do in business. 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:18.159 Sure. 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:22.480 So I'm a private wealth advisor for the Atrium Financial Group. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:34.879 We are based in New York, uh, multiple, multiple offices in cities, and we service families and individuals and businesses around the country, and we service people around the globe. 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:54.159 We do holistic financial planning, so there's a component that's that's private wealth advisory, and also the planning work, the tax intelligence work, the estate and wealth stewardship work, it is a very holistic viewpoint and how we support and service the the clients and the families that we do. 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:54.799 Okay. 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:59.600 And can you tell us a little bit about your journey um into entrepreneurship? 00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:01.440 How did that start for you? 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:11.360 So I grew up in a household where we didn't talk finances a lot, and so that had to be self-taught. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:16.639 I was independent the moment that I kind of flew the coup, went to college. 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:21.759 And so a lot of bumps along the way, a lot of self-teaching along the way. 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:24.240 I enjoy learning. 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:27.759 Continue ed is something that's incredibly important to me. 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:41.600 And while while going through a program, and I I come from an academic and entrepreneurial background, so I started my career thinking I was gonna go tenure track faculty, and life comes at us fast. 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:47.279 And so, in the midst of my program, my youngest brother was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:50.080 I'm a partial caretaker, and so roots really needed to be home. 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:55.759 This idea of tenure track faculty and relocation kind of it there was a pin in it for now. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:12:00.399 And so, in the meantime, my husband and I started building our businesses. 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:10.960 So, in hospitality, in fitness and franchising, and on exit of a three-unit franchise, I was planning to take a beat. 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:12.720 It was a profitable exit. 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:15.279 We had done it fairly well and positioned it. 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:25.039 And I had a female inside of my network tap me on the shoulder and basically, I know you're not looking, we're not looking to hire, but I want you to meet my team. 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:30.960 And so I got the opportunity to meet the partners and the team at at Atrium, and I've never looked back. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.080 That's where I'll age out, I intend. 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:47.360 And it's because of the way that we do planning and the level of integrity and continued ed, our missions are very clear, and the the level of work that we do is is pretty strong and intensive, which is exactly I'm a I'm a glutton for punishment. 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:54.240 I remember interviewing and saying, if I could get a job that just pays me to learn, I mean, I just and make impact. 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:57.039 That's what I've discovered and that's what we do. 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:59.360 Okay, thanks so much for sharing that. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:09.759 And you mentioned um I've been hearing about team, not just in what you're doing now, but even before when it sounds like you had other businesses. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:17.200 And um, so can you tell us a little bit more about uh building a team in your experience and how important that is? 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:20.960 So important, and I will tell you, it's developed for me over time. 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:22.879 It's such an interesting conversation. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:39.279 I'm sure that we can all share like a leader that's been really like a mentor that really was helping and driving conviction, confidence, growth, whatever you are looking to accomplish, and then also leaders that have a strong desire to lead, but maybe don't execute as strong. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:47.679 And so I look back at my leadership style across the decades that I've been doing, either work in academia or in finance. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:51.039 I have certainly improved, which is good, right? 00:13:51.200 --> 00:14:02.799 I, you know, I look back and I think that a couple of things that have stuck with me that that I'm really refining and pouring into currently, one, honesty is kindness, right? 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:18.480 Individuals want to lean in to a leader that they know is honest, operates with integrity, and it's challenged with a level of respect, professionalism, and kindness, right? 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:21.840 So to move us all forward in the right direction.

00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:28.559 I think the other thing that's really important to me, and I've been fortunate to my direct mentor in this work. 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:32.799 I remember had a very poignant conversation with me. 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:35.039 I know what you're capable of. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:39.120 I want you to tell me how, what you want to reach for. 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.320 I will help you build that. 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:42.480 Well, backhand engineer into that. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.960 I'll tell you what it's gonna take to get there. 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:47.120 Is that what you want? 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:47.600 Right? 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:54.639 I will push you, elevate you, support you, provide resources for you to the level that you desire. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:57.519 But I need you to tell me what that is. 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:09.279 And so it was a really poignant time because it was lining up with someone who sees more in me than I even see in myself, but also pushes me beyond what I even think I'm capable of. 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:09.519 Right. 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:16.320 Like I come from an uh, I was an athlete in college, and so I always have desired like how far can I push? 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:18.639 What is the physical nature of how far I can push? 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:20.720 I'm a marathon runner now as an adult. 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:22.799 Like, how far can I physically go? 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:29.120 I do that in my work too, but sometimes you need someone who can see above the weeds for you. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:31.039 I do that for my clients every single day. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:38.879 So as a leader, my work in this year is really just a pour in, and really there's an art and science leading teams. 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:42.159 I want to really build a team, simply put, right? 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:47.279 Build a practice, build a team where we ride for one another. 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:56.240 They ride for me, they ride with me, they run hard, they run fast with clear focus and alignment in our firm's mission. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:16:02.080 Pursuit of excellence, continued education, family first firm, do the right thing. 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:07.039 I mean, all the things that you would presume, but we're very clear in our mission and we live it every single day. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:07.759 Great. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:09.519 Thank you so much for sharing that. 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:24.399 And I heard elevate in there, and I'm thinking about business owners right now, who probably not where they would like to be, but um, having somebody like you mentioned earlier, some sometimes there are people who see beyond for you. 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:30.159 So can you just tell me a little bit about how you serve business owners? 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:42.080 We um basically, if there is a business owner right now who has that goal of investment in just building wealth, but they're not quite there yet. 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:44.080 They're probably starting. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:53.519 What would be one of the financial habits or decisions you would say that they should focus on right now to help them get to where they're trying to get to? 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:56.879 Building and curating a trusted advisory team. 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:59.519 So you got your teams that help you do your day-to-day. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.039 That's the in-the-weeds stuff. 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:08.960 I think for business owners that desire to elevate and grow, you need to find time, dedicated time, or assign individuals like you above the weeds. 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:13.519 Like there's there's below-the-line tactics, and then there's above the line strategy. 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.799 You need both. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:19.200 But it's really difficult for a business owner to be in both fields at the same time. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:23.599 And it's just business owners are doing all things all at once, right? 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:27.279 So dedicated team is tax, right? 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:30.880 That's your sphere, bookkeeping, financials, right? 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:34.799 Financial planning, advisory, really important, duplication of benefits. 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:38.480 I also think legal, depending upon your industry, right? 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:45.599 What type and to the extent to which you need legal is really going to be dependent upon what ecosystem and sector you're involved in. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:47.440 But you need a trusted team. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.039 I think it's so interesting. 00:17:49.119 --> 00:18:00.880 I work with a lot of business owners who pour in 100% into their business, and yet they don't pour in 100% into their personal financial well-being. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:03.119 And there's misalignment. 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:13.599 But I also, again, would be remiss not to acknowledge as a business owner, you're just pouring everything you got into building and growing and scaling and maintaining momentum. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:16.720 That's why you hire teams. 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:19.920 It takes capital to build. 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:25.519 I think that oftentimes business owners are far more ready than when they think, right? 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:31.519 Risk seeking typically, but can be conservative in other capacities, which is really interesting. 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:33.200 This is just the human psyche. 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:36.240 Another conversation for another day on that. 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:47.519 But I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have trusted partners, ensuring that you are operating objectively and partially and in your own best interest. 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:52.640 Let's pause for a moment to hear from our sponsors. 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:56.480 You've built a name for yourself through hard work and dedication.

00:18:56.640 --> 00:19:00.720 But does managing the business side feel like a distraction from your true passion? 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:03.200 Are you dealing with unmanaged finances? 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:06.319 CME Accounting LLC is here to help. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:11.680 We specialize in organizing your financial records, allowing you to focus on what you do best. 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:15.680 We've organized books, you'll have more time for what inspires you. 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:21.119 Whether that's expanding your influence, building relationships, or simply enjoying life. 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:24.160 Don't let unmanaged finances hold you back. 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:28.799 Reach out to CME Accounting LLC today and let us help you thrive. 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:39.759 Visit our website www.cmeaccountinglc.com or email us at admin at cmeaccountinglc.com. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:42.720 Alright, let's jump back into our conversation. 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.480 Yes, for sure. 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.039 Hmm. 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:47.039 Just thinking on that a little bit. 00:19:47.279 --> 00:20:01.839 And um, if there is somebody who's listening to you and you're thinking, maybe I should do this now, or maybe I've thought about it, but I haven't quite done what I need to do, what would you say that the next step should be at this point? 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:05.279 If they were to work with you or just somebody in the in the same field? 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:09.039 Yeah, I think reach out, book an introductory conversation. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:19.359 Part of the work, part of why I believe I've been fortunate to experience success when I aligned with a really strong team and helping building a really strong team. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:30.079 I think that I'm good at what I do, and in order for me to to deliver at the cadence and at the level that I do, I have a strong team. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:36.400 And so you need to hire real, you know, people that are arguably better than you are, I think, oftentimes, right? 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:39.440 So, and hire probably sooner than you think you should. 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:45.279 I mean, it just how do you scale on again, industry's specific, but I think that you you need a good team. 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:52.799 The other thing that I think is really powerful is that it's a lot of just noise between your own ears and introductory conversation costs you your time. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:21:00.720 Now, your time is immensely valuable, but my job and why I think I've been successful is that academic part of me is I'm just a really good researcher. 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:09.279 My job is to extract data quantitative, all the numbers and sense and statements and tax documents and estate documents and all these things, right? 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:17.599 But the qualitative data of what makes you you, what are your value systems, what are your goals personally, professionally, financially. 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:26.720 There are a lot of strategies that we deploy, but it's really important to understand every decision that we make going forward has to help track you toward what you're looking to build. 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:30.799 And that's again, personal, professional, financial across different time horizons. 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.400 Kind of you get what you pay for. 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:36.240 I'm sure as a tax professional, you tell people that all the time, right? 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:39.920 So, you know, oftentimes it's a lot of just noise in between your own ear. 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:44.720 You're a huge proponent for everyone deserves good and decent planning. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:52.480 Find a good partner, find the right fit, and just book the introductory call and see if it works. 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:59.519 A good professional will tell you if you're I there are conversations that I have sometimes that'll be introductory. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:07.039 Find a men's joint and say, okay, here are some things that you could probably do in the meantime, get to work, and then let's revisit this back in another year or two. 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:11.119 And then there's times that it's just a formalized engagement and we just get to work tactically. 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:18.720 But my job in that, you know, operating integrity is to make sure, again, you if you're doing the right thing for the right reasons, right? 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:27.519 You should trust that that professional will tell you truthfully, okay, for what I would charge for my level of work, I don't find it justifiable. 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:32.240 That's you know, why don't you go take this and get to work and do these things and then let's get back together, right? 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:34.000 And that's when we can be helpful. 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:46.640 And I love that you mentioned that because even though somebody reaches out to you now and they're not quite at the point where you two can work together, it sounds like just that conversation can still provide some kind of clarity. 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:51.920 I'm very confident that we leave people better off than when they came. 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:52.720 For sure. 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:53.680 Okay. 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:56.000 And I know you can't get into specifics. 00:22:56.160 --> 00:23:06.000 You know, when somebody comes to you, when they get to the other side after having worked with you, what are some of the changes that you see in them or some of the different decisions they probably make? 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:07.599 I would just love to see what that looks like. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.640 Yeah, sure. 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:12.000 You know, there's some really powerful planning that happens. 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:22.319 I mean, super powerful and so strategic and estate work and tax work and financial solutions and investment strategy and thesis

work. 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:24.400 I mean, it's it's pretty robust. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:30.960 I don't believe in overcomplicating something that sh doesn't need to be overcomplicated, right? 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:33.920 And I think I'll I'll tie in two questions together. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:37.920 The one question around like, okay, what are some like core memory moments for your work? 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:39.519 And then what do we do? 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:43.119 It's the clients that come back and say, You have changed my life, right? 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:44.240 This is the impact work. 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:48.000 It's the I can go to bed at night sleeping a little bit better. 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:51.119 We do special, special considerations planning. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:55.680 And in consideration for my personal story with my brother, how important it is. 00:23:55.839 --> 00:24:00.160 My mother, her biggest concern wasn't, do I have enough resources to be able to retire? 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:02.400 It's God forbid something happens to me. 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:09.279 I need to make sure my forever dependent child who's now an adult will be okay. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:14.480 It's the being able to live with more confidence, less worry. 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:22.400 It is the when the markets get turbulent, the coaching, the behavioral work around, I know this is uncomfortable. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:28.720 I want you to remember we planned for this, we expected it, and we stay course. 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:36.799 That's how you can be objective, impartial, and not emotional, where you make decisions that unfortunately typically don't work out. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:40.079 I mean, statistically, I can give you so much data points to support that. 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:45.920 That is where our work really changes people's lives. 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:46.960 Yes. 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:50.319 I can see how important it is to have that steady hand. 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:53.680 Um, when you mentioned that sometimes the market can get turbulent. 00:24:53.839 --> 00:25:00.640 Um, but the fact that you've already been speaking to somebody and then you've basically already factored that in in a sense. 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:17.359 We've built a good plan, is a plan that we believe in, and the right plan, let's execute, and that way when we experience, I mean, there's going to be geopolitical events, politics, market environments, change in income, change in job, whatever it might be. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:26.960 It's we've built a plan, a plan that we believe in, we stay the course, and we update that plan as things change to mean to ensure that we remain on track. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:27.839 Thank you. 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:37.279 And you know, while we're talking, I'm thinking of somebody who's probably looking to transition from full-time work to probably becoming an entrepreneur themselves. 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:53.279 And I could see how maybe speaking with you even before they make the decision could help them plan for that, maybe even give them a sense of when they can actually do that, or just the in-between what needs to be done to fulfill that dream. 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:55.599 Is that something you can probably touch on a little bit? 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.720 Oh, absolutely. 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:58.799 I I think that there are so many. 00:25:58.880 --> 00:26:08.559 I'll let you clear to speak to the tax strategies around W-2 versus entrepreneurial solo, you know, 1099, whatever that may look like. 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:18.079 Uh there is so much flexibility of finances and time when it comes to going entrepreneurial, but it certainly comes with its, it's not for the faint of heart, right? 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:20.160 We we we can all probably agree to that. 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:27.599 Benefits is a lot of the a lot of people shifting from W to let's call it 1099 entrepreneurial work. 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:33.599 I want control onus of my time, of my of my capital, my data. 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:39.119 I also, you know, but the drawback is I'm no longer going to have the benefits, right? 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:44.000 That that you get through your employer, the 401k, the 401k match, benefits, etc. 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:46.960 We can duplicate all of those benefits. 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:54.640 So I tell entrepreneurs this again, you need to be willing to build and and to put in the work, but we can duplicate most benefits. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:27:05.200 I I think it's important to have runway so that way if the type of business that you are building requires cash flow, plan for that. 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:10.960 Because what you don't want to get into a position of is not having enough and then feeling like you have to go back. 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:14.319 And it's just an ineffective use of your time and your capital. 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:20.960 So, with good and prudent planning, you can really posture, position yourself well to take the quote unquote leap. 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:22.720 I love entrepreneurial households. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:29.920 There's so much strategic work that we can do, and again, we can duplicate the benefits when we have a blended W-2 entrepreneurial household, right? 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:35.920 Just like such cool stuff that can happen on a tax return, and otherwise, you can arguably save more, deduct more. 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.759 I mean, there's so much power in that. 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:40.240 But again, it's not for everybody. 00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:45.680 So I think it's good to have an honest conversation with someone that does entrepreneurial work. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:52.559 One, the tactical side, but also the honest conversations around what you should expect. 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:54.319 Yes, yes, I agree. 00:27:54.480 --> 00:28:05.920 And then I love that this um

podcast kind of gives people a little bit of insight into all um what entrepreneurship looks like and hearing the stories of people who've done it, people who serve entrepreneurs. 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:08.559 So thanks for adding to the conversation. 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:16.640 Again, not for the faint of heart, but if with good and prudent planning, you can really eradicate a lot of those stress orders. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:21.759 Yes, yes, and knowing about that even before you get started is so key. 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:30.480 Because for me, I've found that I'm learning a lot as I go and I'm realizing if I had just known this little piece of information before I started, things could have been a lot easier. 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.839 Hugely beneficial. 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:34.000 I mean, but that's the power of proactive planning, right? 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:42.160 We always like hindsight's always 2020, but I mean, even as simple as you leave your W 2, you no longer have group disability. 00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:48.240 I mean, just like a very granular example is disability insurance is your ability to protect your income. 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:57.599 It is critical inside of the success of a financial plan if you don't have the level of net worth to sustain if you no longer earn income, cover expenses and save. 00:28:57.839 --> 00:29:09.359 And so prior to leaving your W-2, you should probably get a level of disability personal because you can't get personal disability unless you show two years of business cash flow tax returns, right? 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:16.400 So just like little things that we do in proactive nature to make sure, again, you are set for success as you transition. 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:28.079 And so for brand new entrepreneurs, it's like, okay, we can duplicate benefits, we can do life insurance and you know qualified plan structures and profit sharing, all this cool stuff, right? 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:31.039 Disability, you've got to show two years of a tax return. 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:34.000 And now the the big risk to your financial plan. 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:36.799 So we work off of a three-legged stool pretty much. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:39.279 So the first leg is just the appropriate risk. 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:42.319 What are the stressors that could up on your financial security, right? 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:46.720 Is it liquidity, liability, insurances, runway? 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:48.160 I mean, there's just so much, right? 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.440 People, what is it? 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:52.400 Oftentimes it's okay, God forbid I lost my income. 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.839 Like, what is the plan? 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:56.400 Oftentimes people don't have one. 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.519 It's just hope. 00:29:57.759 --> 00:30:00.400 That's not a really good plan, right? 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:20.480 And again, it's just, I unfortunately in my line of work see such goodness in

this work, and then also the unfortunate circumstances of someone that wished they had deployed a strategy but yet like hadn't done it yet or didn't know about it or just dragged their feet, whatever it is, that's really hard because it changes people's, it can flip your life upside down. 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.680 Yes, for sure. 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:25.200 It's a good plan and can really set the stage for success. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.000 Yes. 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:28.960 And on that note, what does success mean to you? 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:30.960 Living life in alignment. 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:34.720 I am very clear on what my value systems are. 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:48.319 It's just a matter of if I was to go back in the last week and do an audit on my time, what percentage was allocated toward family, faith, community, work? 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:50.559 Self-care is in there somewhere, right? 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.920 Like running or something like that. 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.599 Did I live in alignment? 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:56.960 And so I just that's part of the work that I'm doing with my coach, right? 00:30:57.119 --> 00:31:02.079 Executive coach and leadership work is I find success, right? 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:03.839 And even just more tactical. 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:07.680 I think about my children and I want them to be better off than I am. 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:16.720 And I'm a huge proponent for entrepreneurial work and building a business that my kids, if they decided they wanted to do this type of work and carry it on, they could get in. 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:27.119 Success for me means truly having clear goals and value systems and ensuring that my time and my capital aligns with that. 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:27.759 Great. 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:32.880 And then I noticed you mentioned there again um coach, and earlier you mentioned mentors. 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:37.680 So it really goes back to how having a team, we really can do things alone. 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:49.359 So having someone like you on the team, having a coach, um, various mentors based on what you're looking to do, and um, you know, having a tax professional and accountant, all of this is so important. 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.720 It really helps a lot. 00:31:50.960 --> 00:32:01.519 And um, just before we end, I just wanted to see if there is one thing, just one thing you'd like to leave with um those listening to you now, what would that be? 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:03.839 You're ready before you think you are. 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:06.079 Due diligence is important, right? 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:14.880 But the having a conversation with someone like me, financial planner, or taking the lead for entrepreneurship, you're often more ready than you think you are. 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:22.720 But I cannot emphasize enough the value of a good plan in advance and getting clarity ahead of time to provide a level of confidence, right? 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:26.559 I think, you know, again, a lot of my work instead of special needs planning. 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:32.160 I think people try and get tactical far too early before they just go back to okay, what am I building? 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.440 What am I looking to accomplish? 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.799 What keeps me up at night, right? 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:36.160 What are the stressors? 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:42.880 And deploying and employing somebody like me or like you, that this is what we do. 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:51.119 We have an expertise and experience in this to really help support it's far better use of your time and your capital so that you could be the hero of your own life. 00:32:51.200 --> 00:33:02.640 I mean, if you find the right professional and trusted team, executive coach, tax, estate, financial, right mentor, it should be driving you toward becoming the hero of your own life. 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.519 And I really mean it. 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:07.119 And it sounds tacky, but like that is our firm's motto. 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:10.000 Is this decision helping you become the hero of your own life? 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.480 Right? 00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:14.880 And if the answer is no and you're confident with that, that's cool, right? 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:18.559 But I just think it's really important to have that objective and partial partnership. 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:20.720 Okay, thank you so much. 00:33:20.880 --> 00:33:23.759 And what's the best way that our audience can reach you? 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:25.599 Oh, I appreciate the ask. 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:30.960 Uh, my LinkedIn, Christine Lemudie, L-I-M-U-T-I Clearita. 00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:39.200 I'll just assume that when you upload this, I would just have a direct link to my LinkedIn and then our website, the Atrium Financial Group. 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:42.799 You can capture our website, my email. 00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:44.880 Glad to have time. 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:48.400 They can certainly reach out to you if they're interested in having an introductory conversation. 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:51.680 I always find joy in meeting other people and hearing their stories too. 00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:58.400 I'm a curator or collector of stories, and I find myself I'm very fortunate to have that. 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.920 Okay, thank you so much. 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:02.480 And yes, I will definitely add that to the show notes. 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:08.480 Thanks so much for taking the time to be with us and sh for sharing so much valuable information with us today. 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.440 Have a good day. 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.960 You too. 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:18.400 A quick note before we wrap up the insights and experiences shared by our guests are their own. 00:34:18.800 --> 00:34:26.559 We love creating space for real conversations about business and growth, and everyone's journey is unique. 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:33.920 Therefore, this podcast is for informational and inspirational purposes only. 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:40.719 It is not meant to replace legal, financial, or other professional advice. 00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:50.000 So we encourage you to take what's useful, do your own due diligence and build what works best for you. 00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:54.480 Thanks for listening to begin build blossom your business journey. 00:34:54.719 --> 00:35:01.760 We hope today's conversation gave you the insights and inspiration you need to move forward on your own path. 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:07.599 Don't forget to subscribe or follow wherever you get your podcast so you never miss an episode. 00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:09.119 Do you have feedback? 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:15.280 We'd love to hear from you at podcast at cmeaccountinglc.com. 00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:18.480 Join us again next week for a new episode.