We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Olson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.

Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Adulting Financial basically started itself – the need for basic financial education is enormous, especially for young professionals just starting their careers. I have been actively helping my peers with budgeting and saving since high school. It wasn’t until after college that I realized that non-judgmental education didn’t exist for those seeking help. Having the education and background in finance helped me realize that I could be a great resource for those struggling to grab ahold of their personal finances. The most critical moment for me when starting this business was to detach myself and my business from the bottom line. My bottom line cannot come from a percentage of client’s investments/retirement/contributions. My success ONLY derives from education. My goal is to teach personal finance and for my clients to no longer need my help. I am actively working myself out of a job with every person that comes to me for help.
Personal finance is something I believe everyone should have full ownership of. The difference between Adulting Financial and other financial advisors is that Adulting Financial is there to provide resources, education, and support to take control for yourself.

Stephanie, 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 studied Finance in college, and even before that I knew I wanted to help others with their finances. In high school I created my first budget template, and even started writing a budget book. I was extremely excited to continue my education focused on Finance. I learned a lot about investing and financial calculations, but there really wasn’t a focus on – what I consider – the important stuff. Many of my classmates went on to become financial advisors, which help people invest their money for the future, but I wanted to help people now. I noticed that many people were skipping the most crucial steps in their personal finance journey and jumping directly to investing before securing their financial wellness first. Adulting Financial was founded to fill that gap.
The Adulting Financial program starts by getting an idea of where each individual client is on their financial journey, because everyone is starting somewhere different, and have very different goals. There’s not one course that fits everyone, so that’s where I work to personalize a financial journey specifically to each client. Together, we focus on the first steps of budgeting, tracking expenses, paying off debt, building emergency funds, as well as investing. I really focus on the first steps prior to investing which I find are the most crucial parts of setting up a secure financial future, and the most overlooked parts. My goal is to teach enough through these meetings for clients to take control of their finances and won’t need my help after we’re done!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

There is a stigma of shame and judgement around budgeting, which is so embedded in our culture. Along with many others, I had to unlearn incorrect stigmas regarding financial education. I grew up listening to popular personal finance personalities that blame avocado toast and lattes for financial hardships… and that’s putting that lightly. Connecting your budget to shame is the quickest way for it to fall apart and start an unhealthy relationship with your money. You shouldn’t feel like you’re fighting against your budget, but instead feel like you own it and direct it where you want it to go.
I believe that opening the conversation, and keeping it open, leads to healthier relationships with your budget, as well as in personal relationships and within your family. I continually learn from each of my clients how money has affected their lives. Money management is a deep emotional journey, and it should be treated as such.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Leaving high school with a passion for finance, I whole heartedly decided to study finance in college expecting to be a financial advisor. It was well into my studies that I realized that the job of “financial advising” didn’t really exist in the way I pictured it. I imagined myself (where I am today) as an educator, helping clients with their full financial picture including monthly budgets, emergency funds, and paying off debt. I found out quickly that financial agencies skip the most important beginning steps of a financial journey and skip right to investing. I was not morally okay following that career path, and I could not find a company that matched my values. It was then when I realized the only way I could be in control of a company’s values would be if I owned the business myself.
It makes me unbelievably happy to see clients take hold of their financial future and reach a point where they no longer need my help. My goal is to educate others on effective and healthy budgeting strategies and tools to achieve financial wellness. Being able to see those strategies pay off and change others’ lives is the greatest fulfillment I’ve experienced.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.adultingfinancial.com
• Instagram: @AdultingFinancial
• Other: Call or Text: (816) 281-7593