Tag: Financial Advisor

Maximizing Your Retirement Through Estate Planning with Craig Hersch (Ep.67)

Maximizing Your Retirement Through Estate Planning with Craig Hersch (Ep.67)

Think estate planning is just about what happens after you’re gone? Think again! It’s a vital life plan to help you shield wealth, minimize taxes, and set your family up for success. 

Today on The Dream Architect Life Podcast, Bryan Sweet interviews Craig Hersch, a seasoned estate planning attorney and strategic coach. They discuss the upcoming changes in estate tax laws, particularly the sunset provisions set to take effect in 2026. Craig shares insights on advanced estate planning strategies, the importance of timing, and how to identify qualified estate planning attorneys.

Craig discusses: 

  •  How important is timing when implementing estate planning strategies
  •  What are some common misconceptions clients have about estate planning processes
  •  Why is open communication with family about financial matters essential
  •  What is necessary to create a personalized estate plan tailored to a client’s unique situation
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Craig Hersch:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

Craig R. Hersch is the go-to National Practice Development Expert for truly entrepreneurial & ambitious estate planning attorneys. He almost single-handedly created the innovative, trademarked processes The Family Estate & Legacy Program® and The Estate Settlement Program®, The Advanced Planning Expander™ and The Transitional Event Sequence™.  These unique processes, designed to provide clients with comfort and clarity when navigating the complex legal, tax, and financial concerns associated with planning and administering an estate, are innovative game-changers that can’t be compared with anything else out there.

Why High Net Worth Individuals Need Cybersecurity With Scott Augenbaum & Kevin Donahue (Ep.65)

Why High Net Worth Individuals Need Cybersecurity With Scott Augenbaum & Kevin Donahue (Ep.65)

Your family’s wealth and personal information could be more vulnerable to cyber criminals than you think. Are your family and finances truly safe from these evolving threats?

This episode provides essential insights into how you can safeguard against these invisible threats that could jeopardize your financial security. 

This episode features Scott Augenbaum, a former FBI expert in cybercrime, and Kevin Donahue, a specialist in cybersecurity for high-net-worth individuals. They share real-life stories, actionable insights, and essential strategies for safeguarding your wealth and personal info from cyber threats. Whether it’s phishing scams, password security, or even social engineering, this episode equips you to take control of your cybersecurity.

Key episode discussions include:

  • The different types of cyber threats including email phishing, smishing, and QR code phishing
  • Why using unique passwords and two-factor authentication can be your first line of defense
  • Real-life stories of huge financial losses due to cyber scams, and how they could have been prevented
  • Proactive steps to safeguard your family and information, from monitoring the dark web to implementing a family code word

Resources: 

Connect With Scott Augenbaum & Kevin Donahue:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guests:

Scott Augenbaum

With over 30 years of FBI experience in cybercrime investigations and author of “The Secret to Cybersecurity,” Scott brings unparalleled insights and practical strategies to prevent cyber threats. Scott is the foremost expert in educating businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and families on the current threat environment.  Scott focuses on how to prevent a cyber threat because after investigating over 1,000 cyber crimes, he knows all too well that recovering stolen money and data is almost impossible.   In addition to his experience with the FBI, Scott is called on by Fox News, USA Today, News Max, and many other major media outlets as their resident cybersecurity expert.

Kevin Donahue

Kevin has 25 years of experience working in enterprise technology solutions, cybersecurity, and with high-net-worth individuals as an executive and entrepreneur.  Kevin’s clients have included the White House, National Security Counsel, CIA, US Secret Service, World Bank, US Department of Homeland Security, and many more high-profile organizations and has worked on some of the highest-profile investigations in the past 20 years.   Kevin is the founder of Stealth Executive/ Stealth Family and together with his partner Scott Augenbaum is on a mission to help protect 1,000,000 families from being victims of cyber criminals. 

How to Thrive in Your Empty Nest With Karla Olson (Ep.64)

How to Thrive in Your Empty Nest With Karla Olson (Ep.64)

Are you approaching an empty nest and feeling uncertain about the future? 

Join Brittany Anderson as her guest Karla Olson, former TV co-host, author, and founder of the Empty Nester Club, reveals how this transition can become one of the most exciting chapters of your life.

In this inspiring episode, Karla shares her journey and offers practical advice on rediscovering passions, overcoming limiting beliefs, and using this life change as a springboard to something incredible. 

Don’t miss out on the empowering stories and insights that can help you embrace the empty nest with confidence and enthusiasm!

Highlights include:

  • How preparing for an empty nest well in advance can lead to a fulfilling next chapter
  • The concept of “soul whispers” and how to tune into your passions
  • Methods for overcoming limiting beliefs with actionable acronyms like FLIP
  • Creating and tracking realistic, consistent goals for personal growth
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Karla Olson:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

 

About Our Guest:

Karla Raby Olson is an author, speaker, and former co-host of the Park City Pulse TV show. She is a founding member of Lionsheart Park City, Little Miracles Utah non-profit, and her favorite “title,” Mom to 3 daughters. Karla is an expert on preparing for an Empty Nest and founded The Empty Nester Club to help other women rediscover who they are before their kids leave the nest. Karla’s passion for empowering others is evident in her upcoming book, helping women find their true passion. Her one-of-a-kind blueprint for helping parents rediscover their passions and prepare ahead for their children leaving the nest is featured in her upcoming book, “The Almost Empty Nester,” due out in September 2024!

Karla helps mothers overcome their changing identities and rediscover who they are before their kids leave the nest. Early preparation is key. Karla takes them through a proven framework to help them discover their Midlife Mission, their “One Thing”, by giving them more clarity, courage, character, and connection. 

Transforming Learning Through Video Storytelling with Dr. Dorine Rivers (Ep.57)

Transforming Learning Through Video Storytelling with Dr. Dorine Rivers (Ep.57)

Regardless of the chapter of life you’re in or how much success you’ve had up to this point, this story is a great example of what commitment, dedication, and grit can bring to your future.

Brittany Anderson introduces Dr. Dorine Rivers, founder and CEO of Savantz AI. Dr. Rivers shares her journey in launching Savantz AI, a platform that converts text into engaging videos for businesses, educators, and learners. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on one’s passion and zone of genius, learning from mistakes, and staying resilient in the face of setbacks.

Dr. Rivers discusses how Savantz AI can help businesses create impactful video content to convey their messages effectively. Dr. Rivers highlights the platform’s potential for cross-generational communication, enabling users to create engaging content that resonates with diverse viewers.

Key discussion points include: 

  • Her story of accidentally creating Savantz AI while seeking solutions in video production
  • How Savantz AI can efficiently create engaging video content to effectively reach audiences across different platforms
  • The value of storytelling and creative visuals to enhance understanding and retention of information
  • How she is ensuring that the content generated is making a significant impact in promoting effective learning and communication strategies
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect with Dr. Dorine Rivers PhD PMP:

Connect with Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

Dr. Rivers has a Ph.D. in Business Management and Human & Organizational Systems, a Project Management Professional Certification, and Investment Banking licenses. 

She has three decades of expertise in launching and managing businesses, educational leadership, and video production, and is an award-winning published author. As a serial entrepreneur, her expertise is in creative vision and execution, strategic planning, and identifying growth opportunities that will transform how we generate visual materials and bring content to life. 

Her passion for creating Savantz came from a desire to convert her own work into videos. She soon realized that the system she was building could benefit millions of businesses, educators, and learners. 

If you ask her about the inherent challenges, she will say that building a business is just like climbing a mountain. You get up every day and put one foot in front of the other, and nothing stops you until you reach the summit.

Sweet Financial Partners, LLC and Dorine Rivers maintain separate and independent operations without any affiliations.  Sweet Financial Partners, LLC does not receive any form of compensation from Dorine Rivers.  While AI concepts and technologies may be discussed, it should be noted that Sweet Financial Partners, LLC does not utilize AI in its operations, and this podcast does not imply or constitute the use of AI by the company.  Any references to AI are purely for educational and informational purposes only.  Sweet Financial Partners, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Sweet Financial Partners, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

REPLAY: How To Better Discover Your Value (Ep.56)

REPLAY: How To Better Discover Your Value (Ep.56)

Life often becomes a whirlwind, leaving us feeling overwhelmed with countless interests and commitments.

But what if we shifted our perspective? Instead of trying to juggle everything, focus on a select few things you’re truly committed to.

In this replay, Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson delve into the process of defining your next life phase. Discover how aligning with your values and passions can shape your journey forward.

Bryan and Brittany discuss: 

  • The value of knowing the difference between being interested in something versus truly committing to it
  • The concept of “pick three” 
  • Benefits of a supportive network that understands and encourages your pursuits
  • Real experiences of taking action and having a positive mindset
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect with Sweet Financial Partners:

How To Create A Fulfilling Retirement: Time Management With Jacob Hartke (Ep.53)

How To Create A Fulfilling Retirement: Time Management With Jacob Hartke (Ep.53)

True fulfillment comes from creating meaningful experiences and positively impacting those around us, either in your career or your retirement.

Recently, Brittany Anderson, Partner at Sweet Financial sat down with Jacob Hartke, CRPC® to discuss the value of time management.

Jacob shares how his transition from an intern to a client-facing role has helped build upon his passion for building deep, meaningful relationships with clients. Listen as he and Brittany explore how dreaming big varies for each individual and the importance of focusing on one’s purpose rather than getting bogged down by the “how.” 

Discussion points include:

  • Jacob’s journey from aspiring lawyer to financial advisor–how defining his skills allowed him to find his perfect role
  • The value of embracing life’s changes when pursuing your aspirations
  • The role of time management in the advising industry and the transition into retirement
  • The evolution of “dreaming big” & why you need to define it at every stage of life
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Jacob Hartke:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

As a master of time management and a drive for excellence that is reflected in all he does, Jacob has been a wonderful addition to the Wealth Services department here at Sweet Financial. Having joined our team in 2015, Jacob has developed a skillset in helping our clients build and execute a financial plan that supports their biggest dreams. You will find him working diligently behind the scenes, completing more tasks than what should be normal for any human, just to ensure our clients get a plan that is accurate and timely.

 Jacob finds joy in helping each of our clients with their distinct retirement plans and inevitably helping them create the retirement they can’t wait to wake up to. He thrives on living out the vision for the company, which is to create relationships with clients that goes beyond just the finances. But rather helps people think more about how they want to spend their retirement.

 Jacob graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2015 with a degree in Financial Economics and a minor in Political Science. He is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC®) which provides him with special training in all aspects of retirement planning, including a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s financial needs before or after retirement, including sources of retirement income, personal savings, income taxes, estate planning, and more. He lives in Fairmont with his wife Sierra, daughters Haevyn and Henlee, and their dog Cammie. When Jacob isn’t at work, he enjoys spending time out on the lakes or taking walks with his girls.

How Embracing Change Can Lead to Personal Growth and Financial Success with Ty Totzke (Ep.49)

How Embracing Change Can Lead to Personal Growth and Financial Success with Ty Totzke (Ep.49)

Embracing change and stepping into your ‘discomfort zone’ is where true personal expansion lies.

Let’s talk about how one of Sweet Financial’s very own has implemented this theory into both his work and personal life.

In this episode, Brittany Anderson chats with a fellow Sweet Financial colleague, Ty Totzke. Listen as he shares his journey from aspiring engineer to wealth planner and his commitment to helping clients navigate their transition to retirement. 

They discuss the importance of having a strong team and the lessons learned from difficult experiences in the workplace and your personal life. They also touch on the value of open conversations, especially for couples, when planning for their future. 

Ty discusses: 

  • His interesting story of becoming a financial advisor and finding his purpose in life
  • The process of building and curating a strong team
  • His experience of overcoming fear and embracing change both personally and professionally
  • How he and his wife are instilling values in their kids’ minds & how this plays into their legacy plan
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Ty Totzke:

Connect with Sweet Financial Partners:

Integrating Charitable Giving Into Your Lifelong Financial Vision with Oliver Kollofski (Ep. 48)

Integrating Charitable Giving Into Your Lifelong Financial Vision with Oliver Kollofski (Ep. 48)

As we approach Giving Tuesday, Brittany Anderson invites Sweet Financial’s Director of Wealth Services, Oliver Kollofski onto the show. Together they dive into the topic of charitable giving and how you can start making this practice part of your greater financial vision.

They also discuss the significance of non-cash donations, like appreciated investments, and donor-advised funds. The conversation also covers personal growth, with Oliver sharing his experience in auto racing, and the importance of having a roadmap for life transitions.

Oliver and Brittany talk about: 

  • Oliver’s journey of fulfilling the role of Director of Wealth Services at Sweet Financial
  • How to start implementing charitable giving strategies in your life today
  • How to avoid making the most common mistakes when it comes to finding your charitable giving strategy
  • The first steps you can take when struggling to decide what the “best” charity is to give to
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Oliver Kollofski:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

Oliver’s knack for simplifying the complex and generating creative planning strategies for our clients has earned him the unofficial title of the “smart guy” in the office. All jokes aside, Oliver thrives in creating opportunities in even the most complex cases, and in painting a picture that allows the client to make informed and educated decisions. Since joining our Sweet Financial team in 2007, and becoming a partner in 2013, Oliver has worked closely with the advisors in the office to help our clients create the retirement they can’t wait to wake up to. 

He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a Certified Private Wealth Advisor.

What some may not know about the poised and often reserved Oliver, is that he enjoys driving race‐car and has been an avid hockey player and coach for much of his life. When he’s not doing all of that cool stuff, you’ll find him spending time with his wife, Emily, and sons, Jace and Van.

 

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Creating a Lasting Legacy with Joe Lander (Ep. 47)

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Creating a Lasting Legacy with Joe Lander (Ep. 47)

Internal beliefs affect our thoughts, opinions, and actions. They also influence our ability to build the legacy we want to leave behind when we pass on.

How can you be sure to build your ideal legacy?

In this episode, Brittany Anderson invites Joe Lander, a former attorney and current CEO of The Life You Love Coaching. Joe discusses his RESOLVE framework, which helps individuals transitioning into retirement or selling their businesses to identify their next steps and overcome limiting beliefs. 

Joe emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s core beliefs and shares his personal journey from being a financial advisor to becoming a legacy coach.

Joe discusses: 

  • His RESOLVE framework: A path to building your personal legacy
  • Dealing with naysayers and how to overcome their negative influence when building your legacy
  • Insight into how you can transition to new stages of your life with purpose
  • How to overcome the IILs – Inevitable Imagined Limitations
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Joe Lander:

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners:

About Our Guest:

Joe Lander’s approach involves helping professionals and executives piece together the fragments of their past in a unique way that illuminates the path their life has prepared them for. By excavating their deeply-held core beliefs, they can harness the power to envision and manifest the remarkable contributions they’re meant to create, live, and leave as their personal legacy.

With his exclusive R.E.S.O.L.V.E roadmap, a proven framework tailored to your individual journey, you will gain the essential tools and strategic steps needed to embrace your purpose, overcome obstacles, and bring your vision to life. Together, you will explore the hidden transformative potential within you, empowering you to make a lasting impact on the world.

Thriving as a Business Owner in the Age of AI (Ep. 44)

Thriving as a Business Owner in the Age of AI (Ep. 44)

Today, we are providing resources and guidance to business owners to help them avoid burnout, realize the opportunities AI is providing and rethink their retirement.

In this episode, Bryan Sweet and Brittany Anderson discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by business owners. They highlight the struggles of limited employee markets, hiring difficulties, succession planning, and the identity shift that comes with exiting a business. 

The conversation also explores the shift in retirement mindset, the advancements in technology, particularly in AI, and the importance of proper exit planning. They encourage business owners to stay ahead of technological trends and leverage AI to their advantage. 

Bryan & Brittany discuss: 

  • The struggles and triumphs of business ownership: How to curb common pain points as a business owner in the modern day
  • Embracing technological advancements and taking advantage of the opportunities AI provides
  • The role of intentionality when avoiding business owner burnout
  • Some modern takes on retirement planning and business exit planning
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Sweet Financial Partners: