financial planner Archives - Curtis Financial Planning

Episode 2: The Value of a Good Financial Advisor

Financial Finesse Podcast / By Cathy Curtis / June 11, 2020 December 17, 2020

My Conversation With Melissa Joy, CFP®

In this episode of Financial Finesse, I have the pleasure of chatting with Melissa Joy of Pearl Planning, an independent, women-owned financial planning firm based in Michigan. Melissa and I met through an advisor peer group and have a lot in common when it comes to our careers and how we manage our financial planning businesses. I thought she’d be the perfect guest to discuss the value of a good financial advisor and what to look for when hiring a financial parter.

Melissa and I discuss a range of topics, from the types of clients we work with to their most common pain points and how we look at each client’s entire financial picture to develop and implement a comprehensive financial plan. We also touch on the role of investments in a client’s financial plan and why neither of us makes it the focal point of our discussions despite our shared interest in the topic. Finally, we discuss the progress the financial advice industry has made in terms of service and technology, but why it still has a long way to go when it comes to encouraging more diversity among professionals joining the field.

Episode Highlights

[02:00] Although Melissa and I are both taking a break from drinking alcohol this week, we share our favorite cocktail hour beverages.
[04:28] We talk about the types of clients we work with and what usually triggers them to seek out a financial advisor.
[09:13] Melissa shares how she not only helps her clients address and work through their pain points, but helps them identify new opportunities to achieve their financial objectives.
[14:02] Melissa and I talk about why having an ongoing relationships with our clients is so important, and why we don't do one-time financial plans.
[18:48] We discuss our shared interest in investments and why having a straightforward, disciplined investment process is critical for long-term financial success.
[24:00] We touch on why every good financial planner should consider taxes when developing their clients' financial plans and investment strategies.
[27:40] Melissa and I geek out on technology for a bit and talk about how it's helped us scale our businesses and facilitates better relationships with our clients.
[33:45] We share what led us to become financial planners and why we love the profession.
[37:46] We discuss the profession's lack of diversity and why encouraging women and people of color to join the industry is essential.