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by Colleen Kowalski on June 27, 2023
The Power Sessions are one of the most highly rated sessions during our Exit Planning Summit. These sessions, modeled after Ted Talks, are designed to change the worldview of our audience and help break them from the norm and experience innovative solutions for their life struggles.
This year, five impactful speakers shared their stories with our Exit Planning Summit attendees. These sessions focused on our E-P-I concept: Experiences, People, and Innovation. Three concepts that we feel are foundational for success in the exit planning space.
Learn a bit more about each of our Power Sessions Speakers and their sessions below!
Justin Castelli: Leveraging Your Personal Brand
Justin Castelli shared the importance of being your authentic self and bringing that authenticity to your clients. Justin is a financial advisor and the Founder of RLS Wealth and PRST. He focuses on helping clients identify their passions in life and make them the focus of their financial lives.
During his Power Session, Justin said “You cannot be your best self if you aren’t your authentic self.” Passion is the driver behind all of Justin’s endeavors and experiments in life and he is inspired to help more people find their passions and purpose in life.
Ben Utecht: The Champions Way: Culture is Key in Business Transition and Exit Planning
Ben Utecht discussed servant leadership and how building better people results in better performance. Ben is a Chief Culture Officer working with Behavioral Essentials, True North Equity, and Conquer Ninja Gyms. He has established himself as a prominent corporate speaker and coach in the areas of organizational Championship Culture and Leadership.
During his Power Session, Ben shared that his four non-negotiables in life are to “play for something bigger than yourself, never give up, outwork everyone, and have fun.” As a member of a Super Bowl Championship winning team, Ben emphasized the importance of a strong team culture in winning teams.
Meghaan Lurtz: Upping the Question Game: 25 Questions for Better Client Connections Throughout the Financial Planning Engagement
Meghaan Lurtz highlighted the psychology behind effective questions. Meghaan is a Professor of Practice at Kansas State University where she teaches courses in the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate Program and is a staff writer and researcher of financial psychology at Kitces.com.
During Meghaan’s Power Session, she defined five types of questions that can be asked depending on what type of response the questioner would like to elicit. She shared, “Questions connect us. They are invitations for the brain.” Meghaan highlighted that the best questions keep people calm and inspire them to open up.
Michael Sheppard: Building a Brand with Impact
Michael Sheppard educated our attendees on building a brand with a purpose and opening a window into your life and your business. Michael is the Group Vice President for the Great Lakes Advisor Group at Thrivent Financial and an active community leader.
During Michael’s Power Session, he emphasized the importance of sharing your personal purpose and your business with your potential clients. He said, “A picture is worth a thousand words, but a video is worth a thousand emotions.” Michael is a strong proponent for inspiring and encouraging the next generation of business professionals and uses his personal and business purpose to do so.
Michael Schein: The Power of Hype: Become a Celebrity in Your Field (Without Selling Your Soul)
Michael Schein discussed the power of hype and how to attract the right people to your brand with the right information. Michael is the Head Hype Artist at MicroFame Media, LLC and specializes in working with consultants, advisors, and idea-based businesses.
During his Power Session, Michael defined Hype and how the CEPA community and the exit planning community as a whole can incorporate hype into our messaging to inspire action. He shared, “Hype is nothing more than any set of activities that gets human beings emotional enough that they move in the direction you want them to move.” Michael stressed the importance of looking for opportunities in your field to enhance the human element of your brand and your influence.
Listen to all the 2023 Exit Planning Summit Power Sessions here!
Are you interested in being a 2024 Exit Planning Summit Speaker or know someone who would make a great speaker? Submit your speaker suggestions here!
