Tell me, do you ever wish financial planning was seen more as a profession—and less of a product sales-driven industry? Maybe you’ve spent years building assets under management, and recurring revenue makes up most of your earnings. But now, with the FCA raising concerns about whether ongoing advice is even relevant for 90% of the clients paying these fees, you can see that things need to change.
Perhaps your exit strategy has been thrown into chaos by consolidator reviews, and the big payout you were counting on for your retirement is suddenly in jeopardy. Or maybe you feel like you’re stuck on a treadmill of sales pressure, tied to high-interest network debts that seem impossible to escape before you can even consider another job.
If you’re new to the industry, you may have joined hoping to become a professional financial planner, only to discover that the available jobs are mostly for product salespeople, many of which require you to bring your own client bank.
Does any of this sound familiar? It’s no wonder that mental health issues are affecting 1 in 2 financial advisers, and so many are looking to exit the industry in the next two years.
And what about your clients? Do you feel like they’re tuning out during your reviews? Bored of discussions about fees, investment performance, and compliance checklists, while all they really want is to talk about their lives and their goals? The truth is, many clients can now access market returns themselves, at a fraction of the price they’re paying you.
Have you had enough yet?
Picture This…
Imagine sitting down with your clients, having meaningful conversations that truly solve their problems—without being bogged down by endless FCA-compliance red tape. Picture them feeling delighted to pay the same fees they’ve always paid because they’re receiving real value in return.
What if you could sell your financial advice business for a generous payout and continue working for another decade as a financial planner, serving many of the same clients—without the stress of non-compete clauses hanging over your head?
What if you could carry over any network debts you have, without the fear of losing your fit-and-proper status, and repay those debts under more reasonable terms?
And what if there was a clear career pathway for new joiners that allowed them to achieve the titles of Certified Financial Planner or Chartered Financial Planner—without ever needing to meet a sales target or evidence competent adviser status through an SPS?
If you’re feeling stressed and shackled to the sales-driven world of financial advice, but you long to be a globally recognised financial planning professional, free from product-sales pressure and liability, then this is your chance to make that change.
Why Shifting from Industry to Profession Matters
The financial services industry is one of the least trusted sectors globally (according to Edelman’s Trust Barometer), and trust is the foundation of any professional relationship. Clients don’t care about products, fees, or independence as much as they care about trust.
I realised that if I could solve the industry’s biggest trust issue, I’d create the most compelling proposition for financial planners. And that’s exactly what I’ve done.
In today’s materialistic world, true well-being is impossible without financial well-being. The greatest challenge facing humanity is poverty—60% of the world’s population is living below the empowerment line, unable to access the basic comforts and choices of life.
But the financial services industry is fixated on distributing existing wealth, rather than helping people create new wealth. If we’re going to alleviate poverty, we need to focus on building human capital, identifying entrepreneurial opportunities, and creating sustainable livelihoods. You can’t empty the pockets of those who already have empty pockets.
This is our opportunity—an opportunity to develop human potential and support people in building lives of wealth, well-being, and significance.
Why Now?
We are standing at a crossroads. The planet is facing existential threats—from environmental degradation, wars, and fear of nuclear annihilation, to pandemics, inequality, and the erosion of basic freedoms. Inequality is everywhere—wealth inequality, health inequality, racial and gender inequality—and life has become a global postcode lottery.
Yet, in the age of information, we have more opportunities than ever before. Knowledge is becoming more accessible to everyone, and with the advancement of the internet and AI, people in the farthest corners of the world have access to education and opportunity like never before.
Spiritually, humanity is evolving. We’re seeing a shift toward empathy, kindness, and empowerment. People are embracing decentralisation, democratisation, and a deeper sense of connection to one another. There’s a growing sense that we are all part of something bigger—that we are connected to all things.
As financial planners, we are uniquely positioned to help guide this transition. Humanity is at a turning point, and the choices we make today will determine whether we thrive or face extinction.
Are You Ready to Make the Shift?
If you’ve had enough of the stress, the sales pressure, and the lack of fulfilment, then it’s time to take action. Transitioning from a financial services industry that prioritises sales to a profession that prioritises people is not only possible, it’s necessary.
You deserve to be part of a profession that’s respected, trusted, and valued for the real difference it makes in people’s lives. Let’s take this journey together.
Why Listen to Me?
Because I’ve been where you are, and I’ve faced the same frustrations—the constant pressure to sell, the nagging sense that something’s missing, and the desire to make a real difference while maintaining your integrity. I know what it’s like to feel trapped in an industry that puts profits before people. But I also know that there’s a way out. There’s a better way to work, a better way to live, and a better way to help your clients.
Over the past 12 years, I’ve walked the path from the corporate world, through the trials of running my own financial advice business, to creating a successful holistic financial planning practice. What took me over a decade—filled with financial investment and personal challenge—I can now help you achieve in just a few months.
I didn’t just figure this out for myself; I created a process, a system, and a community that can help you make the same transition. What cost me six figures in direct cost, and seven figures of opportunity cost, you can accomplish in just 12 weeks—with the investment of less than your first client’s fee. And by month two, you’ll already be seeing the payback. This is a business-in-a-box, done for you, branded to your values and talents.
I’ve blazed the trail so you don’t have to. You can skip the stress, the frustration, and the endless trial-and-error. In a matter of months, you can be where I am—running a fulfilling, meaningful financial planning business that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
If you’re ready to make the shift, I’m here to guide you. Together, we can get you from where you are now—stressed, pressured, and feeling stuck—to where you truly want to be: a respected, trusted, and fulfilled financial planner making a real impact. Let’s start your journey today.
Steve Conley – Founder of the Academy of Life Planning
Steve Conley is a highly respected figure in the world of financial planning, with over 40 years of experience transforming the financial services industry. As the founder of the Academy of Life Planning, Steve is committed to empowering financial planners to move away from product-driven advice and embrace holistic, values-based planning. His mission is to help professionals build meaningful careers that not only offer financial success but also align with their personal values and help clients achieve true well-being.
Having held senior roles at leading financial institutions such as HSBC, RBS, and Santander, Steve’s journey has been marked by a deep commitment to integrity, transparency, and client-focused solutions. He left the corporate world to forge a path that blends strategic financial planning with purpose-driven work, and now, he’s passionate about helping others do the same.
Steve’s innovative approach includes pioneering advancements like the first financial planning app integrated with open banking and creating accessible, affordable subscription models for financial planning services. His work aligns with global efforts to alleviate poverty and create sustainable livelihoods, with a focus on empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures.
Whether you’re a financial adviser seeking a more fulfilling path or an individual looking for guidance, Steve’s blend of expertise, compassion, and innovation makes him a trusted mentor and leader in the field.
Academy of Life Planning 