2019 WSBA Annual Gala
August 27, 2019
LIVE2LEAD
September 9, 2019
Hello, I am Kristen Moosmiller. This year I became active in the new Diversity & Inclusion committee. I also just recently joined a newly formed roundtable.
Tell us about your business.
NorthAvenue Financial Advocates is a 100% independent, multi-women-owned, multi-advisor, financial planning company. We serve in a fiduciary capacity for our clients, always putting their best interests first. For an ongoing flat fee, specific to each client’s unique situation, we serve as a one-stop-shop providing all financial services to individuals and families in-house. This includes investment strategy and implementation, tax planning and preparation, retirement planning, education planning, insurance planning, estate planning and more.
We have a team atmosphere where a client not only has a lead advisor and main point of contact, but also support advisors, and a client service manager, to ensure all of their needs are met. Our typical client recognizes the value of partnering with us to make sure their financial world is taken care of, so their time can be spent accomplishing their own goals, and most importantly, doing what they love to do. Our team consists of over 60 years of financial planning and tax experience.
What inspired you to get into your business?
Through my initial work experiences I developed a strong drive for the type of service and experience I felt clients should receive for the fees they were paying. Over time it became clear that starting my own business was the solution to not only continue providing the experience I felt clients deserved to receive, but to develop a team that could help me extend this service to more individuals and families.
What are your three best practices or best tips that every NAWBO member needs to hear?
- Always rising early. I highly recommend the book “Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod. Every day I strive to get up by 5 AM, and go through my routine of exercise, meditation, journaling, and unique to me, cleaning the dishes, before I leave for the office. When I stick to the routine, I find myself having successful and productive days.
- Hire professionals for the areas that you do not have expertise, and the areas that you do have expertise. I am a firm believer in the value of professional coaching, therapy, consultants, and even working with my own financial planner. The investment pays off.
- See the world. We never know when our health may not allow us to do so. If not now, when? Adventure is out there. “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
What does your future look like?
NorthAvenue will become the most recognized independent financial planning company in Columbus, OH. In addition to our unique, comprehensive, flat-fee service offering, we will be known for our inclusivity, and diversity of staff and clients, as we continue to grow.
As this occurs I plan to work remotely a few months a year in various cities throughout the world. This will allow me to accomplish my own personal life goals, while still staying 100% connected to clients, and also remaining in Columbus the vast majority of time, where I can hold in-person meetings.
What do you do in your free time?
My husband and I travel quite a bit, and I work more when we are not traveling to allow the time for it.
We go on a lot of long walks and hikes. We enjoy kayaking Hoover Reservoir, and reading good books while cuddling up to our cats: Mac and Bella.
What is your company website?
NorthAvenue Financial Advocates
What is a passion that drives you?
My biggest passion is increasing the everyday person’s awareness and access to fiduciary fee-only financial planning services. In layman’s terms, this means their ability to work with a financial advisor who is at all times required to act in their best interest. Of the ~315,000 financial advisors nationwide, only 84,000 are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ (CFP®) that meet rigorous education and exam requirements. Fewer than 3% are fee-only, meaning the only income they earn is directly from the client, thus eliminating conflicts of interest. Most people are simply unaware, and unfortunately do not understand, how their advisor, or most advisors, are compensated. At NorthAvenue we feel this is a unique opportunity to attract more women to the profession (only 23% of CFP®s) as women are a natural fit to work in an environment that is not sales-oriented, and is instead oriented toward always doing what is best for each and every one of our clients.
In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?
Implementing the “Miracle Morning” into my daily routine.
What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or recent memory)?
My monthly subscription to Audible. My commutes to work and home are significantly more enjoyable listening to a mix of non-fiction books for pleasure, and personal development books. It was also a lifesaver for my husband and I when we drove all the way out to Yellowstone and back in May.
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What is the book (or books) you’ve given most as a gift, and why? Or what are books that have greatly influenced your life?
If not yet obvious, “Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod, for reasons noted above.
“The Outward Mindset” by The Arbinger Institute. It’s a great read for anyone who manages a team and/or has business partners.
“The Investment Answer” by Daniel Goldie and Gordon Murray. A great book for anyone who wants to be more knowledgeable about how to best invest in a way that is understandable to a non-financial person.
