I Switched From Investment Managment to Financial Planning £0 - £40m AUM in 3 years!

What does it take to leave a secure career, become self-employed and build a financial planning business managing close to £40 million in just three years?In this episode of the Financial Planner Life podcast, Sam Oakes speaks with Samantha Wood, founder of Wood Mitchell Financial Planning and a Partner at St. James’s Place.Samantha’s career began in the British Army, where she progressed from soldier to officer and developed the discipline, leadership and adaptability that would later shape her career in financial services.After leaving the military, Samantha moved into investment management, completed her Chartered Wealth Manager qualifications and spent almost a decade working with high-net-worth private clients. She later made the decision to leave employment, become a self-employed financial planner and build her own business from the ground up.Samantha shares how she started with zero clients, built trusted relationships with accountants and professional introducers, developed a niche working with business owners and grew her practice to nearly £40 million in assets under management.The conversation also explores why financial planning is about more than investment performance. Samantha explains how strong financial planning can reduce anxiety, improve financial well-being and give clients greater confidence about their future.This episode is essential listening for aspiring financial planners, investment managers considering a career change, military professionals exploring financial services and advisers who want to build a sustainable financial planning business.Subscribe to Financial Planner Life for more honest conversations about careers, leadership, business growth and opportunities within financial planning and financial services.In this episode, you will learn:00:00 From Zero to Nearly £40m Under Management00:40 Samantha Wood’s Financial Planning Career Story01:40 Joining the British Army at 1603:29 Transferable Military Skills for Financial Services04:26 Leadership, Communication and Leading from the Front05:33 Discipline, Well-Being and High Performance06:34 Leaving the Military and Exploring New Careers10:50 Breaking into Investment Management13:11 Working with High-Net-Worth Private Clients15:40 Why Client Relationships Matter More Than Technical Knowledge17:27 Becoming a Chartered Wealth Manager19:44 Investment Management vs Financial Planning22:11 How Investment Experience Adds Value for Clients23:54 Financial Planning, Anxiety and Financial Well-Being27:47 Communicating with Clients During Market Volatility32:14 Why Samantha Chose a Career in Financial Planning34:00 Leaving Employment to Build a Financial Advice Business35:10 Why She Chose St. James’s Place36:44 Making the Leap into Self-Employment39:31 Planning Your First Year as a Self-Employed Adviser41:02 How Long Does It Take to Earn Consistent Income?44:22 Building a Financial Planning Practice to Nearly £40m45:43 Finding a Financial Planning Niche47:09 Helping Business Owners Plan Beyond Their Business48:28 Building a Referral Network with Accountants50:13 Systems, Technology and Your First 12 Months52:12 Taking Smart Risks and Aiming Higher54:37 Autonomy, Family Life and Running Your Own Practice57:50 The Reality of Being a Financial Planner and Business OwnerTo find out more about Samantha's work at St. James's Place, visit www.sjp.co.ukFinancial Planner Life is sponsored by Redmill AdvanceWhether you're starting out, already qualified, or building a training academy, Redmill Advance delivers expert-led learning, exam support and CPD from Level 4 to Chartered.✅ Trusted by top UK firms👉 www.redmilladvance.com/fplBe sure to follow Financial Planner Life on YouTube for extra content about  career development within Financial Planning. Reach out to [email protected] in regards to sponsorship, partnerships, videography or podcast production. Want to appear on the Financial Planner Life podcast? Drop Sam a message.