In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, we are joined by Charlotte Walter, an award-winning chartered financial planner and founder of Avail Financial Planning a partner practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management based in Woburn near Milton Keynes. Charlotte shares her inspiring journey from mortgage advising to running her successful financial planning practice.

This episode dives into:

• Prospecting and Business Development: Charlotte opens up about her early struggles with business development, including the emotional challenges she faced. She emphasizes the importance of persistence, networking, and relationship building.

• Working with Business Owners: As a niche specialist, Charlotte explains her focus on helping business owners grow, extract profits tax-efficiently, and plan their exit strategies. She shares actionable tips for building referral relationships with professionals like accountants.

• Living a Purpose-Led Life: Charlotte highlights how running her own business has enabled her to design a life aligned with her values, including giving back to her community through mentoring and volunteering.

• Transition from Mortgage to Financial Planning: Charlotte details her career evolution, starting at McDonald’s, moving into mortgage advice, and finally finding her passion in financial planning.

• Challenges of Entrepreneurship: She discusses the tough conversations and challenges she faced while transitioning to her own partner practice at St. James’s Place.

If you are inspired by Charlotte's journey and interested in starting a career with St. James’s Place Wealth Management - check out the St. James's Place Financial Adviser Academy and start your career today.

Begin your financial planning career journey today

Whether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you.

With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbs

Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON!

If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy here

Reach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

In this episode of the Financial Planner Life Podcast, we’re joined by Marnel Stafford, a financial planner at Foster Denovo, who shares her remarkable story of pivoting into the profession at 50 and making waves in her first year.

💬 "Starting at 50 might seem late to some, but for me, it was the perfect time. My life experience became my greatest strength."

Marnel talks candidly about her journey—why she decided to make the leap, the challenges she faced, and how she’s already on track to hit £400k in her first year. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the value of building strong client relationships.

💬 "Clients don’t just want technical knowledge; they want someone who understands their lives. That’s where experience comes in."

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Why it’s never too late to start a new career: Marnel explains how her age became an asset, helping her connect with clients on a deeper level.
• The mindset for rapid success: She shares how focusing on intentional actions, like building trust and delivering exceptional value, made all the difference.
• Turning challenges into opportunities: Marnel reflects on overcoming self-doubt and using her past experiences to build credibility and confidence.

💬 "It’s not about your age—it’s about showing up, being present, and genuinely caring about the people you serve."

Whether you’re considering a career in financial planning or seeking inspiration for your own journey, Marnel’s story proves that success knows no age limits.

Begin your financial planning career journey today

Whether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you.

With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbs

Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON!

If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy here

Reach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.

Laura North, a former college lecturer with 16 years of experience, shares her incredible journey of moving from the classroom to becoming a successful financial planner. Discover how she navigated this life-altering transition, leveraging her teaching skills in a whole new way. Laura's story is a beacon of inspiration for anyone contemplating a career switch, revealing the intricacies of reshaping professional goals and the courage it takes to follow one's passion.

Throughout our chat, Laura opens up about the role of the St James's Place Academy in her transformation, providing invaluable support and guidance. Her narrative shines a light on the unique opportunities within financial planning, particularly for women, and how educators can utilize their skill set to thrive in this industry. We also delve into the balance between personal and professional life, highlighting the significance of building a supportive network and fostering genuine connections.

We explore the art of networking and the power of genuine curiosity in forming meaningful relationships. Laura emphasizes the importance of being part of a strong community and how these connections not only enriched her career but also her life. Her approach to financial planning is centered around education and trust, offering a fresh perspective on how to engage with clients. This episode is packed with insights and encouragement for anyone looking to embark on a new professional journey.

Begin your financial planning career journey today

Whether you are looking to become a paraplanner, administrator, mortgage and protection adviser or financial planner, the Financial Planner Life Academy is for you.

With limited entry-level job roles, giving yourself the best financial planning career education, will not only kick start your financial planning journey with relevant qualifications and skills, but it’ll also help you achieve success much faster.&nbs

Be sure to follow financial planner life on YouTube for extra content about a career within Financial Planning HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON!

If you're looking to start your career in Financial Planning, check out the Financial Planner Life Academy here

Reach out to Sam@financialplannerlife.com in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or career development.