What happens when a psychology major discovers financial planning and decides to completely rethink how advice can be delivered? In this episode, Andy Baxley shares his journey from teaching English in South Korea to working at large financial institutions, discovering the fee-only RIA world, and ultimately launching his own firm, Two Trails Financial Planning. Andy opens up about the career pivots, self-doubt, and entrepreneurial lessons that shaped his path, along with the mindset shifts that helped him finally make the leap into business ownership.

We also dive into how Andy is using AI to create more personalized, high-quality client experiences rather than simply automating tasks or reducing costs. He explains how advisors can use AI tools to build bespoke solutions for clients, why understanding psychology and communication is becoming even more important in the age of AI, and how newer planners can find the right career path based on their personality, strengths, and long-term goals. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, career growth, financial planning, or the future of AI in advice, this episode is packed with practical insights you won't want to miss.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxxx5jw

What does it really take to build a successful financial planning career, and how much of it comes down to education, persistence, and understanding human behavior? In this episode, Gary Clement shares his unconventional journey from a math major with an interest in investments to an experienced financial planner, educator, and PhD holder. He walks through his early days in the industry, the lessons learned from working in high-pressure sales environments, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his transition into financial planning and education.

Listen in to learn why behavioral finance is becoming central to the future of advice, how advisors can help clients overcome suboptimal decision-making, and why understanding human behavior is just as important as technical knowledge. Gary also unpacks how real-world experience, licensing, and continuous education can shape long-term career success in financial planning. You'll hear about career strategy for new planners, the importance of early job experience, and how to build momentum in a competitive industry.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3tk7yawv

What does it really take to build a successful financial planning career when you're starting from scratch? In this episode, Evan Fears, CFP at Vision Financial Group Georgia, shares how he entered the financial planning industry straight out of college with no guaranteed salary, no inherited client book, and plenty of obstacles standing in his way. From being mistaken for a high school student while meeting with clients to navigating the pressure of building trust as a young advisor, Evan opens up about the realities of growing a business in the early years of his career.

Listen in to hear how he found his niche working with educators, why grassroots relationship-building mattered more than flashy online marketing, and how he steadily built confidence, credibility, and a loyal client base that eventually led to becoming a partner at just 29 years old. Evan also offers insights on mentorship, culture fit, finding the right niche market, and what he says is one of the most important skills for new planners entering the profession today.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mvk22jvs