Financial advisors are in the business of giving advice, just as the job title implies. But at Stewards Planning Group, we are in the business of sharing financial wisdom—and that nuance is incredibly important. I’ve heard it said that “Good advice is a useful answer to a specific question, but wisdom is what improves the question and how you come to the ‘right’ answer.”
‘Advice’ might appear more concrete, offering a solution to a particular situation or problem. However, wisdom is broader, factoring in principles, experiences, patterns, and perspectives. Wisdom leverages insights to better understand your needs and circumstances, so you can navigate both with sound judgment for the long term.
I often tell our team that we can’t give sound advice if we don’t truly know our clients—your values, goals, and current situations. Understanding your needs must come first and is the outcome of building a genuine relationship. Only then can we leverage our knowledge, skills, experiences, and resources to help you make wise financial decisions.
I have been humbled by the talented people who recently joined Stewards Planning Group because they share these values. They are committed to comprehensive financial planning—because they know it’s what clients truly need. They are driven to continue growing in their education and committed to following through with excellence. Most importantly, they are aligned with how our firm prioritizes people and serves clients to the best of our ability.
In future posts, you’ll get to know more about the new team members who recently joined Stewards Planning Group, but let me first summarize why I’m so grateful they’re here.
- Mike Kobs, President & Chief Growth Officer. Mike is a longtime friend and peer with more than 38 years of experience serving clients and building his own top-producing advisory firm. After selling his practice and working for an industry-leading national broker-dealer, Mike has chosen to share his wisdom in training young advisors and operating a successful business with us.
- Jonathan Shofner, Financial Advisor. Jonathan recently relocated from Texas all the way to Minnesota to join our firm—yes, even in February! As an already experienced advisor with broad industry knowledge, he was drawn to our firm because we are well respected among peers and known for our integrity.
- Kim Hanson, Branch Manager. This is a new role for Stewards Planning Group, and one I’m incredibly excited for! Kim will oversee office operations, bridging the functions of human resources, facilities management, client service, marketing, and communications. As a small business owner, I wore many of these hats over the years, but her support and skills will free me up to do more of what I love—driving the company vision, evolving how we serve clients, and supporting financial advisors with client cases.
- Shelby Martino, Marketing Coordinator. Shelby relocated from Texas with her partner, Jonathan, and is assisting SPG with our podcasts, radio shows, and greeting clients at the front desk. With five years of experience in marketing and a love for interacting with people, she is bringing fresh ideas and warm hospitality to our office.
I’m honored these professionals have chosen to share their time and talents with our firm and our clients. I’m reminded that when we allow wisdom—not merely advice—to guide our decisions, we often end up in the right place with the right people, moving toward a mission that is bigger than ourselves.