Meet Lori Beth!

In this conversation, Zane interviews Lori Beth Merrill, a professional fiduciary, who explains the vital role fiduciaries play in estate planning and management.

Lori Beth shares her personal journey into the field, the services fiduciaries provide, and the emotional dynamics involved in working with families during sensitive times. She emphasizes the importance of having a solid estate plan and the need for fiduciaries in various situations, including special needs trusts.

The discussion also touches on the qualifications needed to become a fiduciary and the advice for success in this rewarding yet challenging profession.

Takeaways

- A fiduciary acts as a professional child for estate management.

- Expecting children to handle estate duties can be burdensome.

- Fiduciaries help optimize estates to save costs.

- It's crucial to have an estate plan in place before illness.

- Fiduciaries provide emotional support during difficult times.

- Communication with family members is key to reducing conflict.

- The demand for fiduciaries is growing due to complex family dynamics.

- Regular updates to estate plans are essential at life milestones.

- A career in fiduciary services requires a blend of empathy and financial acumen.

Sound Bites

"It's a recipe for disaster."

"It's a hidden world."

"This is too complicated."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Professional Fiduciaries

02:52 The Role of a Professional Fiduciary

06:08 Personal Journey into Fiduciary Services

14:49 Services Offered Before Passing

19:30 Navigating Family Dynamics

22:18 The Importance of Estate Planning Updates

27:49 When to Seek a Fiduciary

28:18 Understanding the Role of Fiduciaries

30:11 Finding a Fiduciary: Resources and Recommendations

32:29 The Hidden World of Fiduciaries

36:37 Who Should Consider Becoming a Fiduciary?

38:58 A Day in the Life of a Fiduciary

42:40 Keys to Success in the Fiduciary Profession

47:05 Personal Insights: Balancing Work and Life

Connect with Lori Beth: LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-beth-merrill-305a612a1/

Meet Lisa!

In this conversation, Zane interviews Lisa Hannah, a vice president at Berghof Realty Corporation, specializing in estate transition and legacy planning for vineyard and winery owners.

They discuss the complexities of wealth transfer, the role of women in real estate, and the importance of education and mentorship in navigating these challenges. Lisa shares her diverse career journey, insights on the changing landscape of real estate, and the necessity of having difficult conversations about family assets.

The discussion emphasizes the need for more women in decision-making roles and the impact of generational wealth transfer on the future of real estate ownership.

Takeaways

- Estate transition is a complex and personal journey.

- Women are increasingly becoming key players in real estate ownership. - The greatest transfer of wealth is currently happening.

- Education and empowerment are crucial for women inheriting properties.

- Many families are unprepared for the transfer of wealth.

- Mentorship plays a vital role in career development.

- Difficult conversations about assets should happen early.

- Commercial real estate is still male-dominated.

- The landscape of real estate is changing rapidly.

Sound Bites

"We are in a revolution of change."

"You can't mediate your own life."

"We need to have the hard conversations."

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Estate Transitions in the Wine Industry

04:58 Lisa's Journey: From Wall Street to Real Estate

11:12 The Gender Disparity in Real Estate Investment

16:59 Understanding the Commercial Real Estate Landscape

23:39 Preparing for the Great Transfer of Wealth

31:18 The Changing Landscape of Urban Living

33:17 Navigating Family Wealth and Property

35:55 A Day in the Life of a Mediator

39:10 Finding Purpose in Mediation

41:11 Goals and Aspirations in Mediation

44:27 The Importance of Mentorship

46:54 Advice for Future Leaders

49:46 Personal Insights and Rapid Fire Questions

Connect with Lisa: LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahannah/

Meet Tailor!

In this episode of Protea Conversations, Zane interviews Tailor Hartman, founder and CEO of Satellarity Accounting. They discuss Tailor's unique journey into accounting, the importance of advisory services, and the impact of technology on the industry.

Tailor shares his experiences transitioning from private to public accounting, the challenges he faced, and the decision to start his own practice. The conversation highlights the evolving role of accountants as strategic partners for businesses and the financial challenges they encounter today.

In this conversation, Tailor Hartman and Zane Stevens discuss the unexpected paths their careers have taken, the importance of building strong client relationships based on trust, and the challenges of scaling a business. They emphasize the role of technology in modern accounting practices and share valuable advice for aspiring accountants, highlighting the significance of interpersonal skills and adaptability in the profession.

Takeaways

- Tailor Hartman transitioned from a non-traditional background to accounting.

- He initially pursued a career as a firefighter before discovering his passion for finance.

- The importance of stability and financial success motivated Tailor to enter accounting.

- Tailor's experience in public accounting helped him develop client-facing skills.

- He built a successful accounting firm primarily through Upwork before expanding his network.

- He believes that accountants can be strategic partners rather than just service providers.

- The journey of starting his own practice was driven by a desire for flexibility and fulfillment.

- He finds teaching accounting technology rewarding, as he relates to students' challenges.

- Tailor emphasizes the importance of documenting experiences for future learning.

- Building strong relationships with clients is crucial for success.

- Trust is the foundation of client relationships in accounting.

- Technical expertise is expected; interpersonal skills are what set accountants apart.

- Flexibility in work arrangements fosters a positive company culture.

- Scaling a business requires a shift in mindset and delegation of tasks.

- Setting clear business goals is essential for growth.

- Personal agency is key to driving success in one's career.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tailor Hartman and Celerity Accounting

10:15 Transitioning from Private to Public Accounting

18:08 Building a Successful Accounting Firm

24:17 The Decision to Start His Own Practice

32:03 Navigating Client Relationships

40:02 Scaling a Business 46:11 Embracing Technology in Accounting

51:59 Advice for Aspiring Accountants

Connect with Tailor:

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tailorhartmancpa/

Work with Celerity - https://celerity.io/contact/