Our Clients' Successes
Why it makes good business sense to partner with us
Case Study: Michelle Francis, Life Story Financial
Background
Michelle, the founder of Life Story Financial and a fee-only financial advisor, struggled to overcome hesitation in charging fees aligned with her worth. Recognizing that her challenge is a common one that women often face – a lack of confidence when negotiating salaries or setting fees – Michelle sought a female coach with expertise in this area and turned to Kathleen.
Private and Group Coaching with Kathleen
Starting with one-to-one private coaching, Kathleen and Michelle delved into the psychology behind Michelle’s hesitations. As Michelle describes, the insights she gained played a pivotal role in “increasing my confidence when it comes to talking to prospects and telling them what I charge, really sticking to that and feeling confident asking for it.”
After Michelle participated in private coaching with Kathleen, she extended her journey by joining Kathleen’s group coaching program. Kathleen guided the group through exercises centered on their value stories in this setting and encouraged members to discuss the challenges in their businesses openly.
As Michelle notes,
“Kathleen helped us feel comfortable being vulnerable about the challenges in our business while keeping things upbeat and ensuring that we were also talking about our successes. She’s particularly gifted in transforming challenges into a more positive light that helps us move forward.”
Results and Final Words from Michelle
Michelle notes that the impact of working with Kathleen has been long-lasting.
“Before coaching with KBK, I had a hard time ‘selling’ my financial planning services. Now, I am able to share with prospects how I add value to their lives and feel more confident doing so. I feel less pressure, and I am closing more sales and have doubled my revenue since working with her.”
Michelle refined her practice niche to serve mid-career women and “female-led households,” where women are the primary breadwinner and actively manage family finances. This specialized focus is highlighted on the Lifestory Financial homepage, and Michelle credits Kathleen for helping her coin the term.
Case Study: Rhomes Aur and Jackie Schultz, First Horizon Bank
Background
For several years, First Horizon Bank has committed to enhancing services for female investors. The bank partnered with First Horizon Advisors to form a task force dedicated to researching and implementing innovative strategies. Rhomes Aur, CEO of First Horizon Advisors, Inc., and Jackie Schultz, Training and Development Consultant, struggled to find a consultant to partner with First Horizon to bring their initiative and vision to life. That was until they met Kathleen. Jackie explains:
“As a woman with extensive experience in the financial services industry, Kathleen was truly the only consultant we found who embodied the essential qualities we sought. While there were corporations offering training, none possessed the unique perspective Kathleen brought to the table. Additionally, while some had experience, none matched her expertise as a woman with relevant experience in advisory services.”
Consulting with Kathleen
The initiative commenced with a focus on three pivotal areas: employee education, branding, and client engagement. Kathleen played a central role in crafting a holistic educational program for private bankers and wealth advisors, incorporating case studies and best practices. She spearheaded a Women in Wealth summit, fostering client dialogue to shape tailored business strategies. Furthermore, Kathleen conducted seminars for female clients across diverse markets.
Over the years, Kathleen’s steadfast dedication has persisted, refining strategies and orchestrating educational components for subsequent events, culminating in her pivotal role in organizing First Horizon’s latest Women in Wealth Summit. This approach seamlessly transitioned from internal education to external communication and event facilitation, reinforcing the initiative’s momentum.
Results and Final Words from Rhomes and Jackie
Through ongoing collaboration with Kathleen, promoting Women in Wealth is not just a First Horizon program—it’s integral to its corporate culture. Tailored Women in Wealth marketing plans, including client events and employee education, have been developed in each of the bank’s 20 distinct markets, underscoring a collective commitment to inclusivity and empowerment.
In fact, First Horizon has maintained a cohesive yet adaptable approach tailored to the nuances of each locale, even as it expanded in the Southeast following a merger of equals. Last year, as all markets were invited to partake in the Women in Wealth Summit, the goal was to pinpoint local champions to lead the initiative. Notably, each market wholeheartedly embraced the proposition, formulating distinctive business plans by every appointed champion.
The bank has witnessed success stories where couples engage with teams, empowering women throughout the process. Previously, business losses stemmed from advisors predominantly engaging with men. However, with a renewed focus on inclusivity, such occurrences have declined. Remarkably, the bank now maintains female accounts even in cases of a male partner’s passing, diverging from industry standards.
Disclosure Statement
“Kathleen stands out among consultants we’ve worked with over the years. Before diving into projects, she’s taken the time to understand our organization’s culture and needs. This approach has been pivotal, ensuring her recommendations are effective and tailored to our unique challenges and goals. We’ve seen tangible results from her initiatives, with numerous success stories underscoring the impact of her focused approach. While acknowledging opportunities for progress remain, Kathleen’s dedication to understanding and aligning with First Horizon’s culture has been instrumental in driving positive outcomes for our initiatives.”
~ Rhomes Aur, CEO
“Kathleen’s expertise in the industry is undeniable, yet what sets her apart is her flexible and personalized approach. Unlike many consultants armed with rigid methodologies, Kathleen took the time to understand our unique circumstances and challenges. She demonstrates remarkable patience, meeting us at our current level of growth while also pushing us toward progress. Her willingness to adapt and transition seamlessly when needed has been invaluable. Working with Kathleen isn’t just about following a prescribed path; it’s about collaboratively navigating towards our shared goals, with her guidance leading us to new levels of success.”
~ Jackie Schultz, Training & Development