Have you ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a financial planner in the Equita Financial Network, and how the Equita platform helps these solo firm owners succeed?
In this week’s blog post, we were honored to be able to feature Stefanie Crowe, who joined the Equita platform in June 2020. Stefanie is the founder of AegleWealth, a fee-only wealth management firm based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Here’s what Stefanie had to say about a typical workday for her:
“I’ve worked with many early–stage companies and even helped launch a de novo bank, so I know all the roles and functions it takes to build a financial company from the ground floor. Equita provided a beautiful point of entry for me as a solo-practitioner. It’s as if I’m dialing into a C-suite of support that ranges from compliance/legal to marketing and IT.
Even with all that great support, as a solopreneur, you must wear a lot of hats. There are many days I miss the sales admin support I’ve had in past lives and roles (e.g., help opening new accounts). The fabulous thing is that I’m independent, driving with my own brand and vision, tailoring services to fit the clients I’m passionate about serving. Having lived in an environment with big companies calling the shots and dictating how I do business, it feels great to have the freedom to make strategic business decisions to build a business the way I want.
If you have a ‘specialist’ mindset, this path is not great for you. But if you’re ADHD like me, love lots of action and diversity with the work, you will thrive. My days vary from client meetings to financial planning (strategizing based upon client data), to bookkeeping/planning with my own business plan and accounting to presenting to groups and/or networking at events. Having worked with dedicated Operations Managers in past roles, I’m flexing my operations muscles working with my custodian, Charles Schwab. They’ve been very responsive as I transition clients over and become more and more familiar with their systems. The investment support is equally strong; this week I spent several days tuned in with a virtual investment advisory summit hosted by Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). Equita brings you the resources of a Chief Investment Committee and even has a partner handling Trading, so you don’t have to perform the research, model, trade, craft communications, etc.
From sourcing ideas around client presentations to comparing notes on client onboarding workflows, the Equita tribe wants to do what it takes to help each other succeed. Where other companies create competition internally to boost production, Equita creates a culture of collaboration.
I can’t imagine taking the entrepreneurial leap with more seasoned, intelligent, ambitious, and supportive peers.”
We’re proud to work with so many talented independent financial planners on the Equita platform. Interested in learning more about the benefits of joining our network? Reach to our team today.