Taking the Leap of Faith: Becoming an Independent Advisor with Shanna Tingom

Shanna Tingom is the Co-founder of Heritage Financial Strategies, an organization dedicated to empowering clients to own their financial future. With over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Shanna specializes in working with women entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders, as well as individuals experiencing life transitions (such as marriage or divorce). Shanna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business from William Penn University and completed her Master’s degree in Organizational Management at the University of Phoenix. In addition to her work at Heritage, Shanna is a regular contributor to Investopedia, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, and Born2Invest. Alongside the Heritage team, Shanna also hosts Making Money Fun, a podcast that brings fun and excitement to financial and investment planning.

Shanna joins us today to discuss what it takes to become an independent financial advisor. She explains why she decided to leave her former company to start her own practice and explains how long it took her to take the leap of faith. She outlines how she launched her business, the AUM she started with, and how she eventually integrated other advisors in the organization. Shanna also discusses why it’s important for her to create a business continuity plan and highlights the value of being a financial advisor.

 

“We do what we do as advisors and planners because we love it and it is meaningful not only to us, but to our clients. What we do matters.” - Shanna Tingom

 

This week on The Model FA Podcast:

• Struggling to match the corporate mold and why Shanna decided to be an independent advisor
• What made Shanna take the leap of faith to start her own company
• How long it took Shanna to transition into her independent practice
• Her starting AUM and what it took to scale her business to $150 million in AUM
• Shanna’s succession and business continuity plans for Heritage Financial Strategies
• Taking the leap of faith in times of uncertainty
• Integrating other advisors and staff members into the organization
• The technology tools and CRM that Heritage uses within the organization
• What the EOS model is and utilizing tech tools to focus on client relationships
• Shanna’s “Smile File” and the power of connecting with your “why”
• How Shanna got through an acquisition process that went sideways

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
• Book: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
• Book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

 

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “Have a continuity and succession plan well in advance before transition papers get signed, so you can put the dumpster fire out before you combine businesses.” - David DeCelle
• “Listen to your gut, but don’t look over an opportunity just because it’s not perfect.”  - David DeCelle
• “The beauty of our industry is that you can reinvent yourself and do things differently at the turn of a dime to ensure you can fulfill your promises to your clients.” - Shanna Tingom

 

Connect with Shanna Tingom:

• Tingom Group
• Heritage Financial Strategies
• Podcast: Making Money Fun
• Heritage Financial Strategies on LinkedIn
• Heritage Financial Strategies on Facebook
• Heritage Financial Strategies on Twitter
• Shanna Tingom on LinkedIn
• Shanna Tingom on Instagram

 

About the Model FA Podcast

 

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams. 

 

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Our Team:

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

 

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