Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Foster.
Hi Ashley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my career as a life insurance agent straight out of college in 2007. Totally not the best time to start in the financial services industry, but it taught me a lot about perseverance. After three years with the company, I was promoted to Senior Associate, and then later on to Partner. I would become one of the youngest Partners in the country for New York Life. Management was not my vibe, so I decided to leave New York Life and partner with a mentor of mine. We formed “Gross & Foster Financial Services,” in 2014. The following year I passed the national exam to earn my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation. While things were going well with my business partnership, I felt the call to be a solopreneur. I left to start Nxt:Gen Financial Planning in 2018, focusing on serving Millennial clients……a massively underserved demographic. Nxt:Gen Financial Planning has now evolved into serving Gen Z and Millennial veterinarians.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
From being a commission only life insurance agent during the worst financial crises since the Great Depression, to starting and then dissolving a business partnership, to building a solo financial planning practice from scratch…..there have for sure been challenges to overcome. The main obstacle was proving a market for profitable financial planning services aimed at young professionals. When I started Nxt:Gen in 2018, a lot of industry professionals didn’t believe it would work. Everyone was going after rich Baby Boomers with millions of dollars to manage. No one believed serving next gen clients could be profitable. Most expected my business to not survive the third year. They were proven wrong.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nxt:Gen Financial Planning?
Nxt:Gen Financial Planning is dedicated to serving Gen Z and Millennial veterinarians with 10 years or less industry experience. I am the only financial advisor, and run the business with the help of a virtual assistant. My mission is to help veterinarians navigate the complexities of their finances and life. I serve as their financial sherpa by guiding them on a journey of discovery that empowers them to live authentically, using money as a tool to do so. I work with clients who have tons of student debt, and I create plans so that they can crush the most debilitating part of their financial lives. I’ve built up wonderful brand recognition among a certain niche of veterinarian client……one who is facing burn out from their demanding careers. Through the power of financial life planning, I help them take control of their finances and life. In and industry of 300,000 financial advisors, I am the 1% who focuses exclusively on next generation clients.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
They don’t know I come from a business background. I went to college to receive a Liberal Arts education. I wanted to be a teacher. Most folks believe I have some specialized background in finance, business, or entrepreneurship. I landed in this career through dumb luck. But I’ve always wanted to help others. I found that I could do that best through reaching an underserved demographic through financial planning.
Pricing:
- I charge a monthly subscription for financial planning services, ranging from $300-500 a month. Investment management is included in this price.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nxtgenfp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgen.ash
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyfoster-cfp/
