Tag: Business Management

Fighting Your Fears With Robyn Crane

Fighting Your Fears With Robyn Crane

Success lies just beyond your comfort zone.

Do you let fear get the best of you? (We all do sometimes.)

In this episode, Adri welcomes fellow female advisor coach Robyn Crane to share her story of facing her fears and how that led her along the path of her success. 

Adri and Robyn discuss: 

  • How Robyn needed to make mistakes in order to learn and grow
  • Why women struggle with imposter syndrome
  • The importance of finding your purpose and peeling back the layers to find it
  • And more

Connect with Robyn Crane:

About Our Guest:

Speaker/Trainer and Business Growth Expert, Robyn Crane, CFP is known for hosting the TV show, The Financial G-Spot, Radio show, Let’s Talk Money, and is a 4-Time #1 Best Selling Author. Her blueprint for financial and business success has been featured on ABC, NBC, O, Oprah Magazine, Entrepreneur, Fortune, and the Wall St. Journal.

She is an engaging and in-demand speaker who, after a decade in the financial industry, decided to devote her life to helping female financial professionals grow their businesses and make a bigger impact.

In her latest book, Make More Money, Help More People, Robyn reveals success strategies that helped her go from $500 a year to $500,000 a year in sales in just 2 years… to over $1,000,000 a year in just 5 years.

Connect with Adri Miller-Heckman:

About Adri Miller-Heckman: 

Adri Miller-Heckman is a powerful influencer in the world of women. As a former financial advisor and National Training Officer with Smith Barney, she learned firsthand what it takes to succeed as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and it’s not about working longer, harder, or sacrificing more. Adri’s femXadvisor business model provides new solutions, systems, and female-friendly tools fueled by a passion that drives growth.

As a globally recognized speaker, author, and consultant in the financial industry, Adri is highly motivational, challenging her audience to expand their vision of what is possible. Using humor and real-life experiences, Adri eloquently transforms thinking from linear to creative, traditional to innovative, conformers to disruptors, and redesigning long-held industry concepts.

Adri’s book, Keys to the Ladies Room, has empowered thousands of advisors to create a female-friendly business and marketing plan that appeals to women and attracts clients of both genders. Adri’s new podcast, femXadvisor, is quickly becoming a trusted resource for female financial advisors to embrace their authentic selves.



Becoming Financially Fearless With Barbara Provost

Becoming Financially Fearless With Barbara Provost

Women deserve to be financially fearless.

In this episode, Adri speaks with Barbara Provost, the founder of Purse Strings, about how she helps women learn what they need to know to make the right financial decisions for themselves and their families.

Barbara discusses: 

  • How the old school industry pushed her to strike out on her own
  • What starting her own advisory firm was like and what motivated her to go independent
  • The challenges she faced in financial services
  • What she would change if she could redesign the industry
  • How she avoids death by PowerPoint when educating adults
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Adri Miller-Heckman:

About Adri Miller-Heckman:

Adri Miller-Heckman is a powerful influencer in the world of women. As a former financial advisor and National Training Officer with Smith Barney, she learned firsthand what it takes to succeed as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and it’s not about working longer, harder, or sacrificing more. Adri’s femXadvisor business model provides new solutions, systems, and female-friendly tools fueled by a passion that drives growth.

As a globally recognized speaker, author, and consultant in the financial industry, Adri is highly motivational, challenging her audience to expand their vision of what is possible. Using humor and real-life experiences, Adri eloquently transforms thinking from linear to creative, traditional to innovative, conformers to disruptors, and redesigning long-held industry concepts.

Adri’s book, Keys to the Ladies Room, has empowered thousands of advisors to create a female-friendly business and marketing plan that appeals to women and attracts clients of both genders. Adri’s new podcast, femXadvisor, is quickly becoming a trusted resource for female financial advisors to embrace their authentic selves.

Connect with Barbara Provost:

About our Guest:

No stranger to hard work and challenges, the Founder of Purse Strings LLC, Dr. Barbara Provost, has leveraged her strong experience, active research, and continuous data-gathering activities to solve a problem. Barbara found that women are consistently overlooked by financial organizations, to the tune of leaving a possible 22 trillion dollars of untapped sales on the table. 

Not only is this buying power being ignored for lack of tailoring to women, but this powerful demographic is also underserved and under-planned for their financial future. With that sole purpose in mind, Barbara leveraged her years of business consulting and expertise in adult learning, which resulted in what financial institutions need to reach and engage women, creating the first empowerment, education, and training tool to earn the vast spending power of the female dollar.

Purse Strings help women become financially fearless by learning what they need to know to make the right financial decisions for themselves and their families. Moreover, Purse Strings provides a cadre of financial professionals who have been trained and vetted to provide the right products and the unique service women want.

 

3 Ways To Be Fearlessly Authentic

3 Ways To Be Fearlessly Authentic

Adri Miller-Heckman has coached thousands of female advisors, and by doing so, she has discovered what it takes for women to achieve the level of success they want.

Are you ready for an inspirational pep talk?! Listen as Adri shares stories and examples of how you can be fearlessly authentic in your professional and personal lives.

In this episode, Adri discusses:

  • How your story should be compelling and truthful
  • Why it’s important to dig deep to be fearlessly authentic
  • What your tribal market is, and how to fearlessly share it
  • And more

Connect with Adri Miller-Heckman:

About Adri Miller-Heckman: Adri Miller-Heckman is a powerful influencer in the world of women. As a former financial advisor and National Training Officer with Smith Barney, she learned firsthand what it takes to succeed as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and it’s not about working longer, harder, or sacrificing more. Adri’s femXadvisor business model provides new solutions, systems, and female-friendly tools fueled by a passion that drives growth.

As a globally recognized speaker, author, and consultant in the financial industry, Adri is highly motivational, challenging her audience to expand their vision of what is possible. Using humor and real-life experiences, Adri eloquently transforms thinking from linear to creative, traditional to innovative, conformers to disruptors, and redesigning long-held industry concepts.

Adri’s book, Keys to the Ladies Room, has empowered thousands of advisors to create a female-friendly business and marketing plan that appeals to women and attracts clients of both genders. Adri’s new podcast, femXadvisor, is quickly becoming a trusted resource for female financial advisors to embrace their authentic selves.

The Leap from Healthcare to Financial Services with Jill Minette

The Leap from Healthcare to Financial Services with Jill Minette

Changing a career to enter into financial services can be exciting and nerve-wracking – Transforming your message and focus as a financial advisor can be just as scary, you know you want to do it, need to do it, but change is tough. 

For Jill Minette LLC, one negative experience was all it took for her to take the leap from a 17-year career in healthcare into the world of financial services. This wasn’t her last leap of faith; eventually, she changed her focus as a financial advisor to support her passion, and her business took off. 

Join host Adri Miller-Heckman as she chats with Jill about the fateful day that changed her career path, to being a single mom in a male-dominated industry, and how sometimes you must stop listening to what other people tell you and make your own decisions.

Listen in as Adri and Jill discuss: 

  • How moments of “what the hell am I doing?” can recharge your focus
  • Why speaking from your heart is so important
  • How working with Adri helped Jill flourish as a female financial planner
  • Why surrounding yourself with a like-minded, dedicated team can make all the difference
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Adri Miller-Heckman:

Connect with Jill Minette: 

About our Guest:

Jill Minette: As a Financial Professional with Prudential, Jill can help you with many of the financial questions you have – from evaluating insurance needs to helping you prepare for college costs or meeting your retirement goals. Her promise: to work tirelessly to help you achieve your goals. At Prudential, they are dedicated to building and maintaining close relationships with customers– relationships founded on trust, respect and integrity. No matter what stage of life you find yourself in, Jill can help you find solutions to your financial challenges. So whether you’re ‘Just Starting Out,’ ‘Settling into Retirement,’ or somewhere in between, you can discuss your current financial situation, goals and challenges – and together they can help you meet your challenges.



How to Build a Female-Forward Firm with Rich Marooney

How to Build a Female-Forward Firm with Rich Marooney

Men are penguins, and women are peacocks. And no matter how hard they try to be like the other, they can’t because they are different. 

Men and women require different things to be the best versions of themselves, which is why businesses are flocking to Adri for coaching. 

In this episode, Rich Marooney, femXadvisor client and managing director of The Greater New England Financial Group, joins Adri to discuss how implementing the femXmodel within his firm has not only surprised him, but has provided more referrals, and has his team feeling empowered.

Listen in to hear Adri and Rich discuss: 

  • How Adri’s book “Keys to the Ladies’ Room” inspired change within Rich’s firm
  • The importance of creating a warm and inviting environment within your office space
  • Why some firms are missing out by not having women on their team
  • How female-forward thinking can empower both men and women
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Adri Miller-Heckman:

Connect with Rich Marooney: 

About our Guest:

As Managing Director of theGreater New England Financial Group, Richard Marooney is actively involved in the local community and interested in networking with other like-minded business professionals. His top priority is growing his organization to be able to best serve the needs of the community where he lives and works. He is proud to lead an organization that has been helping clients tackle their biggest financial challenges for nearly 140 years. 



Taking Back Control with Midori Verity

Taking Back Control with Midori Verity

Facing your fears is scary, but it can also be motivating.

In this episode, Midori Verity, CEO of Fuel to Fire, shares how she took control of her life after suffering from exhaustion and depression. She now helps other female entrepreneurs tackle their fears and prioritize their goals by providing a community that focuses on accountability, core values, and empowerment.

Together, Adri and Midori discuss: 

  • Why being uncomfortable can lead to personal and professional growth 
  • How, with the right mindset, past traumatic events can propel you forward 
  • What neuroplasticity is and how it changed Midori’s life
  • And more

Connect with Midori Verity: 

Connect with Adri Miller-Heckman:

About our Guest:

Midori is a serial entrepreneur with three decades of vetted experience, she knows what it takes to start, grow, and rapidly scale a business with ease. Plus, as a mom, she knows the added responsibilities of being both a successful business owner and a parent.

Whether consulting with startups or Fortune 500 Silicon Valley giants, Midori’s unique approach unlocks the potential in every entrepreneur she coaches. Midori is also a highly sought-after public speaker and the CEO of Fuel to Fire Entrepreneur Accountability Groups.



Why YOU Should Be Your Top Priority with Kristen Higgins

Why YOU Should Be Your Top Priority with Kristen Higgins

In order to give your family, friends, and clients your best – you must become your best self.

So how do you unleash your innermost badass self?

Kristen Higgins shares her journey from childhood to volunteering in Africa to where she is today, turning down clients to serve her better self, in our recent episode. We talk about the importance of putting yourself first and the benefits it can have on your life.

Adri and Kristen discuss: 

  • How Kristen’s experience in Africa guided her to the path of success she’s on today
  • The Penguin Approach and how it can hold you back from making necessary changes
  • And more

Connect with Adri Miller-Heckman:

Connect with Kristen: 

About our Guest:

Kristen Higgins grew up in a small suburban community in Georgia.  She longed to travel the world and studied International Affairs and French at the University of Georgia.  After volunteering in Africa, she ended up studying public policy for her master’s degree in Washington, DC.  Seven years of working behind a computer doing research left an empty void.  She moved back to Georgia to pursue a career as a financial advisor, following in her father’s footsteps.  She now works full-time as an advisor, has two little ones at home, cooks when she can, and doesn’t miss a UGA football game. 

Battling the Boys Club with Jennifer Craig

Battling the Boys Club with Jennifer Craig

We’re often told that finance is a “boys’ club.” But what if we could change that?

In this episode, Adri hosts Jennifer Craig, RICP® Regional Director at Prudential, to discuss her journey from starting as a financial advisor at 21 years old to where she is today, 12 years later. As someone determined to change the environment for female advisors, Jen explains the new model that she has developed that leverages women’s strengths.

Adri and Jennifer discuss: 

  • Jennifer’s experience as a 21-year-old woman starting as a financial advisor
  • The challenges female advisors face in succeeding in a male-dominated industry
  • The step-by-step process of Jennifer’s new model that breaks the “one-size-fits-all” mold. 
  • And more

Connect with Adri Miller-Heckman:

Connect with Jennifer Craig: 

About our Guest:

Jennifer Craig, RICP® is a Regional Director with the Greater New England Financial Group where she is committed to supporting women advisors in creating fulfilling advisory practices.  Prior to starting her career with Prudential in 2010, she was a student at the University of New Hampshire where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in business management.  When Jennifer became a financial advisor at 21, she experienced the challenges of being one of the few women in a male dominated industry which inspired her to empower other female advisors.  

Jennifer became a Regional Director in 2021 and was determined to change the environment for women in financial services.  She created a network of women advisors in her firm with the goal of accelerating the growth of their practices while making them feel valued both personally and professionally.

Jennifer now coaches women using an alternative business model designed around women’s strengths.  Her philosophy is to mentor and coach, not manage, and she works with every woman on her team to truly understand what motivates and inspires her.  She has been a featured speaker on several national panels where she has shared her passion and vision for women in financial services.

 

Why Great Success Starts with Breaking Rules with Deb LaFrancis

Why Great Success Starts with Breaking Rules with Deb LaFrancis

As women in the financial industry, we have to break a few rules to succeed. Let’s face it, the financial industry has been dominated by male-driven practices and strategies for far too long… It is time to break that model and change the course of the industry to better adapt to the women and men working in it.

In this episode, Adri sits down with her previous boss, Deb LaFrancis, who now works for Adri at femXadvisor as a Coach and Strategist, as they get real about how the financial industry is evolving, and the changes that still need to happen for women to break out of the male-dominated molds and embrace their authentic selves.

Adri and Deb discuss:

  • Why Deb started breaking rules at a young age. 
  • Deb’s journey from a teacher to banker to Leadership Trainer for a major wire house but today she is living the dream. 
  • Deb’s role at femXadvisor and what she and Adri have established for women advisors
  • The rules you need to break to achieve your greatest potential. 
  • Deb was once Adri’s boss hear how the roles reversed!
  • And more

Connect with Adri Miller-Heckman:

About Our Guest:

Deb LaFrancis has over 40 years in the financial industry with an emphasis on training and leadership development. Following the traditional “male” role models, she climbed the corporate management ladder. Over the years, she found her niche and fine-tuned her focus to personal and professional life coaching, helping others be successful in business while achieving life balance. As a coach for femXadvisor, she encourages women to do what comes naturally, find their voice, and work with their clients in rewarding and satisfying ways.

Make Failure Your Friend and Succeed Faster with Carrie Gallaway

Make Failure Your Friend and Succeed Faster with Carrie Gallaway

She has a highly successful independent firm and is skyrocketing her business…But it was the “failures” that propelled her success. When you make failure your friend, success comes faster.

The only voice you should truly listen to is the one coming from your heart because nobody knows you like you do. 

In this episode, Adri chats with Carrie Gallaway, Managing Partner at YorkBridge Wealth Partners, about how failing her first test in a job application process not only shifted her focus but changed how the rest of her life would play out… 

Adri and Carrie discuss: 

  • Why Carrie failed her job application test and how she handled it 
  • Taking the necessary steps out of her comfort zone 
  • Starting her own practice, YorkBridge Wealth Partners, and why she decided to focus on women 
  • How being a woman played a role in her uncovering her purpose as a financial advisor 
  • And so much more! 

Connect with Adri Miller-Heckman:

Connect with Carrie Gallaway:

About our Guest: 

Carrie Gallaway, CFP®, brings over twenty years of experience helping clients plan for secure financial lives. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, she works diligently to understand her clients’ life goals and circumstances. Carrie is passionate about empowering high achieving female business owners to understand the importance of investing and securing their own financial future.  Before co-founding YorkBridge Wealth Partners, LLC in 2016, Carrie was a Senior Vice President with Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms. Carrie began her career as a Registered Client Service Associate with DLJdirect.  

Carrie is a Lehigh University and lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. In 2018, Carrie wrote the book Your Money, Your Life: A Women’s Guide to Building Wealth for a Secure Financial Future and Ideal Retirement.  She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school and spending time outdoors with her family, skiing, and hiking in her spare time.