“Career Change Success: How a Tech, Consulting, and Academics Pro Became a Fiduciary Financial Advisor” with Irfan Bhabhrawala - Episode #10 of NAPFA Nation
Release Date: 10/10/2023
Breaking Barriers: Uziel Gomez on Empowering First-Generation Wealth Builders – Episode #33 of NAPFA Nation
NAPFA Nation Podcast
In Episode #33 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with , Founder of , a virtual, fee-only financial planning firm dedicated to empowering first-generation wealth builders, helping them take control of their finances and use money to live life by design—intentionally and aligned with their values. Gomez shares his personal and professional journey as a first-generation wealth builder and next-generation financial planner, highlighting the unique challenges that minorities and first-generation professionals face when building wealth without a family blueprint. He highlights themes such...
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In the Mix: Natalie Pine on Community, Fiduciary Standards, and Niche Expertise – Episode #32 of NAPFA Nation
NAPFA Nation Podcast
In Episode #32 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with , Managing Partner of and chair-elect of the NAPFA National Board. Pine reflects on her path into the financial planning profession, sharing that her first NAPFA conference experience left a lasting impression due to the inclusive and supportive atmosphere. Even before becoming a financial planner, Pine recognized the value of the NAPFA community and made it a priority to become a member after earning her CFP® designation and starting her advisory career. She highlights how attending conferences, engaging in networking, and...
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Elevating The Profession: Dan Moisand on the Fiduciary Standard and the Future of Financial Planning – Episode #31 of NAPFA Nation
NAPFA Nation Podcast
In Episode #31 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with , a prominent leader in financial planning, former chairman of the CFP Board of Standards, and principal at his wealth management firm, . Moisand reflects on his 25 years as a NAPFA member and his longstanding advocacy for the fiduciary standard. He identifies two of the profession’s most significant wins: the Financial Planning Association’s (FPA) successful lawsuit against the SEC in 2007, which ensured brokerage firms offering fee accounts could not sidestep the fiduciary standard, and the CFP Board’s decision to require the...
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Leveling Up: Scott Levin on Lifelong Learning, Leadership, and Community at NAPFA – Episode #30 of NAPFA Nation
NAPFA Nation Podcast
In Episode #30 of NAPFA Nation, host speaks with , Financial Advisor and Senior Estate Planning Specialist at Wescott Financial Group. Levin shares his passion for lifelong learning, the value of advanced education, and the importance of networking within the fee-only financial planning community. The duo discusses upcoming NAPFA conferences, which are designed to offer a wide range of educational content, from beginner to advanced topics, and enhanced networking opportunities. Levin explains how these events help advisors stay current, share best practices, and build professional...
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Empowering Change: Daphne Jordan on DEIB, Education, and Inclusive Financial Planning – Episode #29 of NAPFA Nation
NAPFA Nation Podcast
In Episode #29 of NAPFA Nation, host speaks with , Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at . Jordan discusses the importance of education as a transformative tool and shares insights into her experiences with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the industry, including her role in creating the NAPFA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, which highlights the necessity of creating a more inclusive financial planning environment. She also shares how her childhood understanding of money and education influences the advisor that she is now, and how she explores financial...
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Defending Fiduciary Integrity: Knut Rostad on SEC Challenges, the Fiduciary Standard, and NAPFA's Essential Role – Episode #28 of NAPFA Nation
NAPFA Nation Podcast
In Episode #28 of NAPFA Nation, host speaks with , MBA, President at . Rostad discusses why he believes the fiduciary standard is dying at the SEC and what fee-only fiduciary advisors can do to protect it, a topic he explored in his NAPFA article: . He underscores the importance of understanding the history of fee-only financial advisory and investment management and how NAPFA members uphold the fiduciary standard. He also shares why he is looking forward to the 2025 NAPFA Spring Conference, happening on May 7-10, 2025, in Phoenix, and more great insights. In a nutshell: The...
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Strength in Community: Joni Alt on NAPFA’s Impact, Communication, and Fiduciary Commitment – Episode #27 of NAPFA Nation
NAPFA Nation Podcast
In Episode #27 of NAPFA Nation, host speaks with , Senior Wealth Advisor at Evermay Wealth Management. Alt is also a long-time NAPFA volunteer and NAPFA National Board Member. Alt discusses the happening May 7-10, 2025 in Phoenix, how the conference planning team crafts the agenda for the event, determines its educational value, and builds community for all involved. Alt shares why she joined NAPFA 15 years ago – and why she continues to be a member. She also talks about the fiduciary standard, effective communication and education, and the importance of making a difference in other...
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Unlocking Tax Insights for Smarter Financial Planning: Kevin Knull, CFP® on IRS Data, Fraud Prevention, and Organic Growth – Episode #26 of NAPFA Nation
NAPFA Nation Podcast
In Episode #26 of NAPFA Nation, host speaks with , President of , about the critical role of IRS data in financial planning. They explore how real-time access to tax information can help advisors deliver more accurate, proactive, and scalable advice. Knull discusses how advisors can uncover hidden opportunities, prevent costly tax mistakes, and enhance client outcomes by leveraging complete tax records. He shares real-world examples, including a client who unknowingly missed out on significant tax savings and how advisors can differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive landscape....
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The Future of Fiduciary Advice: Bob Veres on AI, Growth, and Client Relationships – Episode #25 of NAPFA Nation
NAPFA Nation Podcast
In Episode #25 of NAPFA Nation, host speaks with , Publisher of and co-producer of . The conversation focuses on the latest trends for fiduciary advisors and their clients. Veres shares some AI use cases for financial professionals and the potential SEC response. He discusses new automation that advisory firms are experiencing and the changes they may implement to grow effectively and focus on client services. Veres also shares how some advisors are revolutionizing the process behind client relationships. He tells the story of a fiduciary advisor who utilized a creative marketing strategy...
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Women and Wealth: Empowering Women, Community, and the Fiduciary Standard with Bridget Venus Grimes – Episode #24 of NAPFA Nation
NAPFA Nation Podcast
In Episode #24 of NAPFA Nation, host speaks with Bridget Venus Grimes, CFP®, President of and Co-Founder of . The conversation focuses on Grimes’s expertise and passion for empowering women through financial education. Grimes shares the story and motivation behind launching her RIA firm, WealthChoice, as well as Equita Financial Network, a network and platform built for women-led and independently owned fee-only firms, discussing how she manages the capacity and growth of those companies. She emphasizes the value of a good community for success and discusses her experience as a CFP board...
info_outlineIn Episode #10 of NAPFA Nation, Irfan Bhabhrawala, Owner and Lead Financial Planner at Arbor Financial, talks with podcast host Marie Swift about his career transitions – from a university setting to technology and consulting roles, plus real estate investments, to ultimately becoming the owner of a fee-only financial planning firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Bhabhrawala is proud to be part of the fiduciary movement in financial planning, which prioritizes giving honest advice with minimal conflicts of interest. He shares:
- Why he decided to leave lucrative career endeavors in other fields to become a commission-free, retainer-based, tax-focused, comprehensive financial advisor
- How he used his transferable skills in his now chosen field of holistic financial planning and investment management
- How he became the owner of the financial planning business versus just staying on with a financial planning firm in a more traditional, salaried role
In a nutshell:
- Bhabhrawala has been involved in financial planning for over 20 years and is passionate about understanding each client's unique situation. He joined Arbor Financial in 2014 and purchased the business in 2015. Prior to that, he had experience in mechanical engineering, real estate investment, management consulting, and university administration. The seed for his interest in financial planning was planted when he helped his parents with their finances and struggled to find a professional who aligned with his values of fee-only advice without commissions. He became interested in financial planning as a hobby and eventually took over Arbor Financial.
- He is an active member of ACP (Alliance of Comprehensive Planners) and NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors), which provide him with support, community, and resources for his practice. At Arbor Financial, Irfan focuses on holistic financial planning that includes tax preparation services since taxes are an important factor in clients' overall financial well-being.
- Bhabhrawala uses the ACP model for client compensation, focusing on factors like income and complexity. He prefers a flat rate annual fee and believes in being fair with fees.
- Real estate investments are discussed, with Bhabhrawala cautioning against too much risk, which could jeopardize an otherwise solid financial plan.
Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible.
Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country’s leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at https://www.NAPFA.org.