StrongHer Money: Christine Wedell's Mission to Educate and Empower Women

"I believe in this mission of helping educate women, helping women live financially fearless."

Welcome back to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. In this episode, our Leah and Joanna sit down with Christine Wedell, cofounder of StrongHer Money and a prominent financial advisor at Volare Wealth Advisors, to discuss holistic financial planning with a focus on the importance of financial stability, health, and social connections for a successful and happy retirement.

Christine Wedell, who describes herself as a "financial life coach," brings a unique perspective to financial planning. For Christine, it’s not just about managing money but also about envisioning a fulfilling life. She shares her own journey from growing up in a financially tense household to becoming a successful financial advisor dedicated to empowering women with financial knowledge.

Key Takeaways:The Three Pillars of a Happy Retirement:

1. Financial Investment: While necessary, financial investment is only one aspect. Christine emphasizes that financial planning should integrate life vision and purpose, not just wealth accumulation.
2. Social Network: Christine underscores the importance of spending quality time with loved ones. A robust social network helps prevent loneliness and boosts mental well-being, which are crucial components of a fulfilling retirement.
3. Health: Both mental and physical health are vital. Christine advocates proactively investing in health before retirement to ensure reduced healthcare costs and better mobility in the future.

Holistic Client Care:

• Christine believes that caring for clients should go beyond financial advice. She nurtures a deep, familial-like bond with her clients, sharing in both their joys and struggles.
• She promotes the idea that women, with their empathetic and nurturing traits, make exceptional financial advisors.

Career Advice and Industry Insights:

• Christine delivers impactful career advice with phrases like, "Get comfortable being uncomfortable" and "No is a complete sentence."
• She identifies a need for more women in the financial advisory industry, attributing the current underrepresentation to the profession’s “salesy” image. She advocates for a more educational and nurturing approach to financial advice.
• Christine discusses her transition from banking to financial planning and the importance of financial education for women, regardless of their wealth status.

StrongHer Money and Mentorship:

• "StrongHer Money," co-founded by Christine, is an initiative aimed at educating women and boosting their confidence in managing finances.
• The first public event for StrongHer Money faced logistical challenges, but it reaffirmed Christine's mission to provide an inviting space for women to discuss financial matters openly.
• The importance of having visible female role models and mentors in the industry is highlighted, as Christine credits her own growth to mentorship from Shannon Spotswood and Stephanie Bogan.

Partnership with RFG Advisory:

• Since joining RFG Advisory in 2017, Christine has found a supportive environment to further her mission. She emphasizes prioritizing the mission over profits, believing that financial success will naturally follow purpose-driven efforts.

Health and Financial Wellness:

• Christine integrates physical fitness into her financial advisory approach, advocating for holistic wellness. She organizes events focused on stress relief and physical fitness, promoting activities that enhance both health and financial longevity.