We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley K. Butler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley K., thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When you were first starting out, did you join a firm or start your own?
I joined a firm, Alpha Omega Wealth, then started my own, AKB Innovative Solutions. AKB stands for Advancing Kingdom Business.
I made the choice I did, because I knew that what I was (and still am) doing was going to be completely different from what I had learned and I needed to be under the tutelage of those who have been there, done that and had the wisdom/knowledge on the subject.
In terms of starting my own firm, I made that choice as a way to continue and build upon what my parent company started, to achieve the mission that I have been called to.
Looking back, I definitely I believe I made the right choice.
The backstory behind it is I moved to Arizona in February 2023 after getting injured at U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. Prior to moving to Arizona, I was all over the place, homeless for a little bit of time, and still injured. My Uncle and Aunt had been trying to get a hold of me and I finally let them in and reached out to them to ask for help and they helped me through my entire surgery and getting established here in Arizona.
I had been trying to find work, to no avail, and decided to go into the financial services business once I found and got connected with my parent company, Alpha Omega Wealth, in September 2023. What sparked that was my Cashflow Game Group, where we play a more advanced version of Robert Kiyosaki’s board game called Cashflow. In that group, there is also a book club, and the very first book that was introduced to me was Becoming Your Own Banker by R. Nelson Nash.
Unbeknownst to me, R. Nelson Nash had mentored many of my team members at Alpha Omega Wealth and the very reason Alpha Omega Wealth was born was because of R. Nelson Nash back in the year 2000. For me, this journey, as painful as it has been sometimes, has truly been a blessing and I love how I get to see how this all comes full circle.
Ashley K., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a financial educator and speaker who specializes in helping clients create and maximize cash flow, build legacies, and achieve financial independence. I was raised as an Army child, so my adaptability and resilience shine through in my approach to financial education. I am passionate about empowering others through personalized strategies, with a focus on financial literacy and personal growth. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, friends, and my church community, reading, playing Cashflow, hiking in the Arizona desert, and enjoying California beaches, while learning to golf.
I got into the financial services industry back in 2014 through a good friend who was involved in a couple of different network marketing companies. I finally got into what it is I do now in September 2023 following a series of unfortunate events, but ultimately taking a firm grasp of my financial education and wanting to teach others what I know.
At Alpha Omega Wealth, we are a full service financial planning firm, but most importantly we are educators in the world of financial complexity and confusion, where we take the complex and make it simple for the everyday person to understand. We teach people various concepts of how money really works and show them how they can create and manage more cashflow, whether they are an individual or own a business.
The number one problem we solve for our clients is the question they usually ask is, “Is there a better way?” We help them understand things like ‘what is a multitasking dollar?’. Other problems we address is where the best place to house savings where there are guarantees, tax free growth, liquidity, and so much more.
What I think sets me apart from others in the financial services industry, is while there may be many other agents, financial planners/advisors, wealth strategists, etc. there are none who are like me and have experienced what I have. No one else can give to a client or prospect who I am. Another thing that sets me apart is the fact that I come from a collaborative approach rather than a competitive one. I have zero competition – my one and only job is to build relationships and educate people with my expertise and that of other professionals.
What I am most proud of and the main thing that I want people to know about me is that I do not know everything. I am willing to put my ego aside and ask questions to gain a better understanding. Some people are too afraid to do that and some even laugh at that. What I know is that no one in this world is born as a financial guru or genius – it is learned, as with everything else. I have integrity and I am a teachable person and I only work with people who are the same in that respect. Personally, I do not come from money or a wealthy background, but willing to work to create that and show others that they can, too.
Have you ever had to pivot?
A time when I had to pivot in business was way after I launched A2B Trips SA, which was ride share company that I formed that was intended for tourist purposes in San Antonio, TX. I had started that business after getting injured while training at U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, then being homeless, and all over the place afterwards, due to the fact I was unable to find a job and was driving for Uber/Lyft.
On the days where my health was semi-ok and during my driving time while picking up passengers and the in between, I would be listening to old audio tapes from Earl Nightingale, Zig Ziglar, and Les Brown just to help with my mindset and to spark some creativity. I began to notice that San Antonio gets quite a few tourists coming into town, there are plenty of wineries, and a bunch of other “tourist-y” things to do – why not start a ride share business to cater to that specific need?
I then found through networking, a start up and coworking space called Geekdom. It was there I applied to be a part of their Accelerator program to work on the idea. However, with neglecting my injury from the military and not being seen sooner it seriously was affecting my health and ability to keep driving and I had to withdraw from the program and come to Arizona where my Uncle and Aunt helped me through.
I was devastated from not being able to go back to the military training for my injury, but also not being able to go through with my idea for the business because of my failing health.
However, I had to make that pivot to take care of myself and ultimately heal physically, mentally, and spiritually from everything that happened and that followed shortly after. Coming to Arizona was a blessing, because that’s what led to my current business and the success I have had, thus far.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy that I have used to grow my clientele is and will always be building relationships. While building relationships that truly support and amplify success takes time, it is the best and fastest way to get where I truly want to go. I understood that being brand new to Arizona and brand new to what I specifically do within financial services was and is going to require time invested, but specifically invested with the right people and getting connected with them.
Taking the old adage “it’s not what you know, but who you know” and a step further, with “who knows you” underscores the importance of connections, but also in the sense that those connections truly know and understand me and where I’m coming from. Doing so has allowed me to enjoy the ride of establishing and nurturing meaningful relationships which is the key to unlocking new opportunities and achieving your fullest potential.
My first ever five-figure month in my business came from building relationships and that’s what I’ve chosen to stay focused on. On top of that, also realizing that the only “tool” I need to enhance my network is “ME” and ensuring that I get “ME” right so that the right people know who I am, what I do, and how I can serve them, leading to a more fulfilling and successful life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ashleykbutler.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleykbutler/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AKBCashflow/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-k-butler/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ashleykbutler
Image Credits
Mariana Reeves Grow More Media Group