Meet Zak!

In this conversation, host Zane Stevens interviews Zach Swad, a wealth advisor and founder of Swad Wealth Management. They discuss the role of a wealth advisor, Zach's journey in the financial sector, and the principles of wealth management. Zach emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to financial planning, considering all aspects of a client's financial life. He also highlights the significance of behavior and psychology in investing and the need for personalized financial strategies.

The conversation explores the challenges of balancing preservation and growth of assets in retirement and the importance of aligning money with one's values and priorities. Zack also highlights the significance of understanding clients' values and goals to create meaningful financial plans.

He shares his own challenges of finding balance between growth and enjoying the present moment. Zack's advice is to work hard, focus on helping others, and make the most of time.

Takeaways

- A wealth advisor is someone who looks at all aspects of a client's financial life, including investments, taxes, insurance, and estate planning.

- Zach's interest in finance and investing started at a young age when his grandfather gifted him stocks.

- Zach pursued a career in finance, specializing in investments, and eventually became a wealth advisor at Charles Schwab.

- He founded Swad Wealth Management to have a greater impact on his clients' lives and provide personalized financial planning.

- In retirement planning, it is important to balance the preservation and growth of assets while aligning money with one's values and priorities.

- Many people in retirement tend to underspend and miss out on experiences, so it is crucial to find the right balance between enjoying life and ensuring financial security.

- Starting his own business allowed Zach to have more flexibility and work-life balance, which is important for him and his family.

- Personalized financial plans that align with clients' values and goals are crucial for a successful retirement.

- Working hard, focusing on helping others, and managing time effectively are key to success.

Sound Bites

"A wealth advisor is somebody that is looking at all of the aspects of your financial life."

"I love investments. So I specialized in investments."

"Registered Life Planner (RLP) is really financial planning done right."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Protea Conversations

02:21 Understanding the Role of a Wealth Advisor

08:18 The Importance of Continuous Learning and Professional Development

10:56 Transitioning from Charles Schwab to Starting His Own Business

24:31 A Typical Day in the Life of a Wealth Advisor

27:03 Preserving, Growing, and Distributing Assets in Retirement

29:11 Balancing Enjoyment and Financial Security in Retirement

32:00 Understanding the Phases of Retirement

35:07 The Importance of Emotional Connection

37:24 Going Beyond Numbers in Financial Planning

39:31 Finding Balance: Growth vs. Enjoying the Present Moment

41:41 Working Hard, Helping Others, and Managing Time Effectively

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackswad/

LinkedIn business - https://www.linkedin.com/company/swad-wealth-management/

Meet Bill!

Bill Vick, a Vistage Chair at Vistage Worldwide, shares his insights and experiences in finance and leadership. He discusses his transition from a career in education to financial services, the changes in the industry over the years, and the importance of meaningful communication in a world of overwhelming information.

Bill also talks about his role as a Vistage Chair and the value of peer collaboration for CEOs. Bill Vick, a Vistage Chair, discusses the benefits of being part of a CEO peer group and the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. He emphasizes the power of shared knowledge and support in a safe environment. Bill also shares his personal career challenges and highlights the importance of learning from mistakes and understanding oneself. He provides advice for new leaders, including the importance of understanding and motivating individual team members.

Bill's career is driven by a genuine desire to help others and make a positive impact.

Takeaways

- Transitioning from one career to another requires careful consideration and a willingness to take risks.

- The financial services industry has undergone significant changes over the years, with advancements in technology and access to information.

- Meaningful communication is essential in a world of overwhelming information, and it is important to set boundaries and prioritize communication channels.

- Vistage provides a platform for CEOs to collaborate and learn from their peers, offering valuable insights and support. Being part of a CEO peer group like Vistage provides a safe environment for shared knowledge and support.

- Emotional intelligence is a crucial aspect of effective leadership.

- Learning from mistakes and understanding oneself are key to personal and professional growth.

- Understanding and motivating individual team members is essential for effective leadership.

- A genuine desire to help others and make a positive impact drives a successful career.

Sound Bites

"We all have to remember we can't be the best, but we can work harder than the rest."

"Limit your time, control your schedule, and make meaningful communication in your day."

"The power of using your community, using your peers to support you"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Protea Conversations

00:32 Introducing Bill Vick and his Role at Vistage Worldwide

02:22 Career Transition: From Education to Finance

06:07 The Importance of Hard Work and Personal Growth

13:25 Navigating Meaningful Communication in an Information-Overloaded World

24:20 The Power of Peer Collaboration: Vistage for CEOs

25:43 The Benefits of CEO Peer Groups

26:43 Group Therapy for CEOs

27:39 The Power of Community and Peer Support

29:31 A Network of Real-Life Information

31:23 Expanding Perspectives for Better Decision-Making

38:44 Work Hard at Things You Love

46:49 Bill Vick: A Giver and Listener

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/williammvick/

Dominic Piscopo, a CPA and founder of Big4Transparency.com, shares his journey from public accounting to entrepreneurship, highlighting the impact of transparency in the professional space and the challenges faced in the accounting industry.

The conversation explores the complexities of compensation, career decisions, and the need for timely and granular data in the accounting field. Dominic Piscopo discusses the challenges of relying on salary guides, the value of podcasting for industry entry, and the importance of data accuracy and transparency in the accounting industry. He also shares insights on career advice, personal interests, and book recommendations.

Takeaways

- The importance of transparency in the accounting industry for career growth and decision-making.

- Challenges faced by professionals in the accounting industry, including compensation and career path decisions.

- The need for timely and granular data analytics in the accounting field for informed decision-making and industry growth. Relying on salary guides can be unreliable due to the variability of job descriptions and titles within industries.

- Podcasting can be a valuable tool for entering a new industry, providing access to industry insiders and building personal brand.

- Data accuracy and transparency are crucial in the accounting industry, and the use of first-party data can help ensure reliability.

- Career advice emphasizes the importance of authenticity, self-advocacy, and exploring new opportunities.

- Personal interests include a focus on physical activity, music, and continuous self-improvement.

- Book recommendations include 'Buy Back Your Time' and 'Habits' for practical and insightful reading.

Sound Bites

"I'm actually really curious about what's out there."

"I've always been very good at like optimizing the amount of effort that I should be putting in for something."

"I bring in all this other stuff, but if it's going to come down to the chargeable hour, that's not going to work for me."

"Doing a podcast is such a key to entering into a market."

"The critical mass of data is huge."

"Radical transparency is really important."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dominic Piscopo and Big Four Transparency

03:31 Challenges and Opportunities in Public Accounting

09:27 Compensation and Career Decisions in Accounting

16:26 Transition to Entrepreneurship and Big Four Transparency

36:31 The Importance of Data Accuracy and Transparency

50:02 Authenticity and Self-Advocacy in Career

57:51 Personal Interests and Continuous Self-Improvement

01:01:42 Book Recommendations for Practical Insight

Connect with Dominic Personal

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/

Business LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/big4transparency-com/

Podcast - https://rss.com/podcasts/big4transparency/