Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Frank.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Scott. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my career at a large investment management firm in San Francisco; we managed about $50 billion in assets. We focused on investment management and I wanted to help clients look at the complete picture, so I started looking for new opportunities. This eventually led me to San Diego.
In 2007, I started working at a boutique investment management and financial planning firm. Over the next 7 plus years, I honed my skills earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and Certified Financial Planner credential. While I enjoyed the work we did for clients, I was driven by my entrepreneurial spirit to build something on my own. A lot of firms come have a $1 Million minimum to work with them, I wanted to build a business that would allow me to continue to help those who have built wealth and also help those who had not reached that threshold yet. I wanted to build a firm where people with high earning potential could come and get a head start on financial planning – and Stone Steps was the answer for me.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Everyone has obstacles and challenges. The road has been pretty smooth so far. The biggest challenge is balancing working in the business and working on the business. As a small business owner, you must spend time serving your clients while also focusing on growing and improving your business. It can be easy to get wrapped up in one over the other.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Stone Steps Financial – what should we know?
Stone Steps is a fee-only financial planning firm located in Encinitas, CA. We specialize in helping families and professionals align money with life. In financial services, not all advisors are created equal. As a fee-only fiduciary, I guide my clients, educate them on their options, and then help them execute so they can create a great financial life.
What sets us apart is that the first three meetings have nothing to do with money. First, we explore what a great life looks like to them, then prioritize the elements that will allow them to have that great life, then we look at what could possibly get in their way. Only then, do we start to align money with life. This is financial planning done right. Most competitors want financial information and a risk tolerance questionnaire so they can use technical expertise to give some advice and move on. We have the technical expertise but first, we want to truly get to know who our clients want to be so we can help create a roadmap to get there. We know that no two clients are alike and we work with each client to create a financial plan that specifically aligns with the life they are hoping to achieve.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My wife! Without her, I would not have been able to start Stone Steps and build the life of our dreams. Many other mentors have helped along the way, too many to mention here but I always to pay it forward by helping those how are looking for help.
Contact Info:
- Address: 533 Second Street
Suite 207
Encinitas, CA 92024 - Website: http://www.stonestepsfinancial.com/
- Phone: 760-456-7147
- Email: scott@stonestepsfinancial.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frankscottr
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/scott_r_frank
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stone-steps-financial-encinitas
Image Credit:
http://acquaphoto.com/
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