On December 8, 2018, Elevating Your Business began its 20th year in business as a life and business coaching firm specializing in working with independent financial advisors and planners.  As I often do, I was thinking about how to use this important milestone as a teaching tool for my clients and to help them discover something new to help their businesses.  Now that my anniversary year has begun and it’s the first quarter of a new year, what better time to write an article? Before I even thought about starting my business, I had left my 25-year career on Wall Street in search of “something more,” which I thought was nonprofits—at first—and had decided to return

Certified Professional Accountants (CPAs) are more than just individuals who do your yearly taxes. They can advise you on a long list of finance and business issues. Some CPAs are also Personal Financial Specialists (PFS™). They are advisors with additional experience, education, and certification that set them apart from other CPAs. Additionally, if you're looking for a tax professional, Enrolled Agents (EAs) may be what you need. An EA is a federally authorized tax advisor, empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels—examination, collection, and appeals—of the Internal Revenue Service. CPAs are part of a business owner's core professional team along with a banker and lawyer (and I hope

While I'm a big proponent of niching, like you, I'd like to help everyone.  And in this article I'll show you how to do that in a way that doesn't drain you as you "try" to help someone.  The goal, for me, as I believe for you, would be to give the person what they need to eventually become a client. See if this sounds familiar. You want to help everyone who comes your way.  You don't want to leave anyone out. However, over time, I've learned, as I'm guessing that some of you reading this have learned, we just can't help everyone.  And in some cases, I'm 200% sure I can't help someone. And it's not

This is a reminder to me to re-read "Think & Grow Rich" a timeless book on life and business.  I quote him often on my website and when I speak.

While I still miss Bob Villa, I’ve continued to watch This Old House from its inception. The program (and all old home books I purchased) gave me the confidence, at age 25, to redesign, help gut, and become a general contractor for a beach bungalow turned into my first home some years ago. Mistakes, I made plenty and I’m sure they cost me about 5K. But I sure did have a lot of fun! As I watch This Old House today, I continue to learn more home building and business tips. Here are 10 strategies that advisors can learn from, too. 1. Pay attention to the foundation of your firm. If you find yourself burnt out