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CFG Advisor Spotlight: Cole Cheeseman | Cheeseman Financial
PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU AND HOW YOU GOT INTO THE INDUSTRY.
I was in graduate school going for my MBA while simultaneously sending my resume to a wide range of industries. During my second to last semester, I was kicked out of school (due to COVID). All of my job interviews had evaporated with people getting laid off in the business world. During that summer, my dad Craig asked if I would be willing to come help him out part-time since some of his assistants had to resort to home schooling their kids. I agreed, and that turned into a full-time position.
PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR FIRM’S HISTORY.
Craig Cheeseman is essentially our entire firm’s history, he started in this industry 25 years ago. Like others, this firm’s foundation was $50/month VULs and $50/month Roth IRAs sold to close friends and family 25 years ago. Now Cheeseman Financial helps people achieve their financial goals across all of South Dakota.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A FINANCIAL ADVISOR?
Helping people create and achieve their financial goals. But I really enjoy helping people who are facing a difficult problem; like assisting in a complicated estate plan with a client and their attorney or a tricky self-funded retirement plan that we need to work with their accountant to solve.
AS A YOUNG ADVISOR PARTNERING WITH A SENIOR ADVISOR, WHAT HAS THAT DONE FOR YOU EARLY IN YOUR CAREER?
Working with a senior advisor like Craig is like having a dusty encyclopedia with infinite knowledge. One thing that he helped me with right away when I started was sales basics and tips and advice that he likely learned back at Tiger school. But basics like how to approach your friends about investing or how meeting agendas should flow are things that really helped me get my feet under me quickly once I received my full license.
HOW HAS CFG IMPACTED YOUR PRACTICE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE ORGANIZATION?
It’s great always having a contact that can help me find answers. Whether it’s a processing/compliance question with Advisor Group or needing to run something up the ladder at Transamerica in relation to an old Life Investors policy, the knowledge and reach here at CFG goes above and beyond any inquiry we have at this office. I cannot overstate how much I appreciate the SSD unit and to colleagues who have gone out of their way to help me better our firm.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I’m a sports nut. I follow Minnesota sports routinely. My fiancé will regularly remind me that I can remember the Twins 2014 roster better than I remember what we have planned for this upcoming weekend. I play amateur baseball in the summers, help coach the local high school football team when possible. I also do pheasant/deer hunting as well as walleye fishing in the summer.
#CFGspotlight #FinancialProfessionals #CollectiveFinancialGroup
Registered Representative/Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Collective Financial Group is independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. 52411
2022 Fortunaire Foundation Community Service Award Winner
Craig Cheeseman – Salem, SD – 2022 Community Service Award Recipient
As a former teacher and coach, Craig has always been dedicated to developing the young people in his community. In addition, he’s also volunteered hundreds of hours towards making his local community a better place to live. Craig has a passion for coaching and has been known to donate part of his salary back to the school athletic programs. He is a board member at his church and can often be seen volunteering various church events throughout the year. Craig is also known around his community for having award winning floats at the Homecoming parade and the Parade of Lights for the past 20 years. Craig is passionate about making a difference in his community and plans to continue his mission to mentor the youth in his area.
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (RAA), member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owner and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services reference here are independent of RAA.
2021 Fortunaire Foundation Community Service Award Winner
Tim Strellner, Marion, Iowa – 2021 Community Service Award Recipient
Tim has been in the financial services industry since 1986 and has always had a passion for helping others, especially the local youth in his community. For over 15 years, Tim has made a huge impact across the state of Iowa by coaching youth baseball, softball, basketball and football. He is not only respected by the players, but by other coaches and parents as well. Tim’s leadership skills and dedication to youth sports were instrumental in the founding of Prospect Meadows, a baseball/softball complex in Marion, Iowa. For more than 12 years, Tim has led the charge on fundraising and getting buy-in from the local communities. The complex has now hosted well over 40,000 visitors to Linn County which has brought a substantial revenue stream to local businesses.
In addition to coaching, Tim is also active in numerous local organizations that he supports not only financially, but also by volunteering his time and talents. He has the ability to create a culture that encourages inclusiveness, team work and camaraderie. We know that he has inspired so many people who will continue his mission of building a solid foundation for youth sports within the community.
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (RAA), member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owner and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services reference here are independent of RAA.
CFG Advisor Spotlight: Taylor McBee, CFP
Please tell us a little bit about you and your firm’s history.
I joined Dudley Asset Management, Inc. in 2012. Russell Dudley had a well-established book of business when I joined. I started as a paraplanner, and we have always operated as an advisor team. I think that is a good model for a young advisor to start. We’ve continued with that model for the last 10 years. It’s good for clients in several aspects: they have two advisors to talk to and get the experience of Russell and the continuity of a younger advisor as I’ll be able to see most of them as clients all the way through the retirement/planning process.
What is your favorite part about being a financial advisor?
My favorite part would be helping clients, who become friends along the way, reach important financial milestones in their lives. My favorite appointment with them is the “retirement appointment,” particularly for those clients who have been around a long time. We’ve worked and planned for this time and it’s seeing it come full circle. It’s rewarding to see that in someone’s life and to have played a small part in it.
How has CFG impacted your practice since you’ve been associated with the organization?
I think CFG has been a great resource for us in a lot of ways. I love being a part of a group of smart and successful advisors who I can network and connect with. I respect a lot of them and like to hear their ideas and how they do things. CFG leadership has been great in supporting, communicating, and navigating change within the broker dealer and the industry as a whole.
How do you feel we can get more women into roles as financial professionals?
I think there are a lot of opportunities for females, particularly young female professionals in the industry. The barrier of entry is a challenge, and I think it is important for females to mentor other female professionals. The team atmosphere is one that would lend to bringing someone in. Being a female, I feel I connect with clients well, particularly other female clients. Especially when certain events in their lives occur, I can give that perspective. Russell and I feel the male/female team works well as we have differing perspectives that allow us to connect well with clients.
What has been your best day as an advisor?
I guess I would say the day I became a CFP. It was a hard work that paid off. It was definitely an achievement but also made me a better advisor. I truly feel I apply the knowledge learned to my practice daily. It certainly pushed me forward in my career.
Please tell us about your family.
Mitchell and I have been married for 8 years (we were high school sweethearts). We have two boys, Miller is 5 and Lincoln is 1. We coach Miller’s tee-ball team and have a lot of fun with that. I see a lot more of that in our future. We love traveling and taking the boys to see new places.
#CFGspotlight #FinancialProfessionals #CollectiveFinancialGroup
Registered Representative/Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Collective Financial Group is independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. 52411
2023 Fortunaire Foundation Scholarship Recipients