Momentum Turns 5!

Wow, Momentum is 5 years old!

(Side Note: I almost didn’t even realize I could write this post - I had to double check my math a few times as I counted back the years 😂)

It has been such a crazy and fun journey to build my firm, and there have been so many learnings, bumps, and successes along the way.

To recap the journey with Momentum so far, it all started when I realized that I could become the financial planner that I hadn’t been able to find for myself.

It all started when I realized that I could become the financial planner that I hadn’t been able to find for myself.

I had felt stuck with over $70,000 in student loans and no net worth and couldn’t find a financial professional to help me. I was just trying to get “launched” in my career and organize my financial life to set me up for success (prioritize student loans? This new 401(k)? Something else?). Then in January 2019, Momentum became registered as a Registered Investment Advisor and I became that person for others. (More about my journey here.)

Here are a few takeaways and reflections from the journey so far and the journey yet to come:

I started out by trying to be the financial planner that I personally had been looking for when I was a new college grad. This initial north star kept me true to my mission as I set up and built my business. I’m now still doing that and growing into other related spaces as I myself go through life too. From new grads and early career professionals to now adding options for couples (such as the Money & Marriage program) and young families, I’ve expanded along the initial focus, while staying true to the concept of “launching” your financial life. It’s been so fun to adjust my firm as my own life changes as well! From living in Berkeley, California just after graduating to getting married and moving and having our (almost!) two little ones, I am living proof of just how much life happens in those first ten or fifteen years after college. It’s honestly unbelievable, and such a fun journey, both for myself and to help guide my clients through.

I am living proof of just how much life happens in those first ten or fifteen years after college.

My clients are so amazing! It is an absolute blast to talk with them every day, see the lights come on when they understand a new financial concept, or watch them comprehend just how much of an impact that their financial moves now are already making in their lives. You can really tell when you resonate with a client and you make an impact on their life! They are the best part of what I do and I am honored that they trust me to help guide them throughout their lives. (If you’re reading this, it’s true! Thank you 🙌)
I absolutely love what I do and am excited to keep doing it. As above, it is a total blast to serve the clients I do and watch them grow in their lives and financial knowledge throughout our work together. While I probably could charge more money, or have a different business model, or serve a totally different clientele, why then even get up and do this in the morning? There have definitely been some serious doubters along the way, but I’ve found that staying true to my main purpose and values keeps me motivated and loving life regardless, and it all works. (Obviously there is nothing wrong with other types of clients, business models, or fees necessarily - I just want to do what I do. <3 )
Financial coaching vs financial planning are useful terms that I tend to combine and do both for my Momentum clients based on who I serve and what their needs are. I offer investment advice and do financial planning, while also helping my clients get a handle on their money, often for the first time, through spending support, debt paydown, money mindsets review, and general financial education. When you’re in the early career side of life, you often need all of the above and it’s not always worth just working with one or the other.

I absolutely love what I do and am excited to keep doing it. While I probably could charge more money, or have a different business model, or serve a totally different clientele, why then even get up and do this in the morning?

“Advice-only” is now a commonly-used term in the industry, and I am so excited about that. There’s now even an Advice-Only Network as well as regular study groups that have formed to help develop the model. It’s an odd thing to think about how I’ve been running my firm as advice-only before it became a thing (see my post here for more on what advice-only means). Since when am I on the leading edge of any trend?! Just because something doesn’t exist yet does not mean it won’t work, which is great because running an advice-only firm is definitely the way to go for me.
Being a business owner is a blast! I love wearing all of the hats - not just serving clients and talking with them (although that’s definitely one of my favorite parts), but also keeping the books, developing software tools and flows, as well figuring out what pieces to focus on and how to develop my overall business goals. Business ownership may not be for everyone, but it is definitely for me! It’s truly allowed me to not only do everything mentioned above, but to also scale time spent working in and on Momentum as it makes sense within my life. I was able to start Momentum on a part-time basis, grow into a full-time commitment, and also work within those adjustments to that wonderful #momlife as well.
Just for fun - crazy places I’ve taken meetings:

Public library study rooms,
In the car,
Sitting outside on a picnic blanket in a park,
Near outdoor fountains in the local downtown,
On a back patio with a country barn view

Growth is not linear and it’s ok to change your business over time. Over just the last five years, I’ve tried different business models, different clients, different prices, and different services. Each one has been somewhat of an experiment and I’ve learned so much from each one. It’s been great to have control on who I serve and how I serve them so that I can make these adjustments to best suit my clients, the business, and my life over time.
This list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention all of the many other wonderful financial coaches and planners in this profession I’ve met along the way. Each one has had some role in determining Momentum’s future, and kept me informed and encouraged along the way and I truly appreciate each and every one of you.

In summary, I’m so excited with where Momentum is as a firm and how it has grown. So far, Momentum has already been able to help over 88 clients get and/or stay on the right financial track and launch their financial lives in a positive direction. That is such an unbelievable and fun number for me to look back on as I think through Momentum’s evolution through the years so far. I look forward to seeing how Momentum will continue to grow and evolve over the years to come.

Thank you for being a part of this journey 🙌

Looking for more financial advice? Check out what services and programs Momentum offers or schedule a free intro chat with Sarah!

Sarah GerberJanuary 19, 2024