Tag: Financial Advisor
How Early Interests Can Fast-Track Your Career in Finance with Russell Schade (Ep. 11)

How Early Interests Can Fast-Track Your Career in Finance with Russell Schade (Ep. 11)

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Sometimes, a career starts long before you think—like in high school!

This week on The Wealth Dock Podcast, Mike Heckman introduces Russell Schade, a newly promoted financial advisor trainee at Sable Point Wealth Management. Russell explains how a high school aptitude test sparked his passion for financial advising, leading to an accelerated education and hands-on experience through a life-changing internship. 

So, tune in as Russell shares personal milestones, quirky study habits, and his love for hockey—offering a fresh perspective on the path to financial success!

Key Highlights:

  • Early Career Decision: Discover how Russell’s high school aptitude test sparked an early interest in finance and led him to dual enrollment, jump-starting his education
  • Internship at Sable Point: Learn how a summer internship gave Russell invaluable hands-on experience, teaching him to adapt financial strategies to diverse client needs
  • Future Plans: Russell’s next steps include obtaining his CFP designation and focusing on financial planning for agricultural communities
  • Personal Interests: Russell’s love for hockey, history, and a quirky exam-prep routine of mixing Mountain Dew with orange juice to keep him grounded and energized
  • Recent Milestones: Russell recently got engaged and earned his state license to sell life, accident, and health insurance
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Heckman: 

About Our Guest:

Russell Schade is a lifelong resident of Mason County, Michigan. He joined Sable Point Wealth Management in 2024. In May 2025, he will receive his bachelor’s degree in Personal Financial Planning from Central Michigan University. What drew him towards the career path as a financial advisor is his passion for helping people. More than anything, Russell enjoys spending free time with his family, especially his fiancée Anna. Russell is also an avid hockey player and enjoys wrenching on vehicles.

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Building Team Spirit & Relationships In The Workplace with Amy Wiseman (Ep. 10)

Building Team Spirit & Relationships In The Workplace with Amy Wiseman (Ep. 10)

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Personal interests and passions influence our career paths and relationships a lot more than we think (especially in the financial services industry!)

Would you agree?

This episode of The Wealth Dock Podcast introduces Amy Wiseman, the new administrative assistant at Sable Point Wealth Management. Amy unpacks her journey from Indiana to Kentucky, her academic interest in psychology, and her entry into the financial industry. 

She also highlights her commitment to client service and her enjoyment of building relationships. 

So, tune in as Amy reveals some personal anecdotes about her son, her cats, and her hobbies, giving listeners a peek into her life outside of work!

Talking points include:

  • The power of passion and adaptability — Amy’s story of changing her career path from psychology to finance
  • The process of getting to know the people behind your portfolio
  • The dynamics of working in finance (more than just crunching numbers!)
  • The value of personal connection and team spirit in the financial services industry
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Heckman: 

Connect with Amy Wiseman:

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Transforming Family-Owned Businesses For Continued Success with Jim Scatena (Ep. 9)

Transforming Family-Owned Businesses For Continued Success with Jim Scatena (Ep. 9)

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Family-owned businesses face unique struggles and, therefore, require unique solutions. 

What do those look like?

This release features Mike Heckman chatting with Jim Scatena, former CEO of FloraCraft®. Jim discusses his consulting work with businesses, emphasizing the importance of financial understanding and management. 

He shares some of the pain points family-owned businesses face, the significance of cost analysis, and adapting to economic trends. He also covers cash flow analysis, the necessity of a financial cushion, and the value of exit and succession planning for business sustainability. 

Discussion points include: 

  • The unique challenges family-owned businesses face in the modern day and how owners are overcoming them
  • How to better adapt to economic trends like higher interest rates
  • The value of comprehensive cash flow analysis and exit planning
  • How to build a prosperous succession plan
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Heckman: 

Connect with Jim Scatena:

About our Guest: 

Jim Scatena is the retired CEO and President of FloraCraft® Corporation. FloraCraft® is the world’s largest fabricator of Styrofoam® brand products for the arts & crafts market and a key supplier to Walmart, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Michaels Stores, Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts, Hobby Lobby, A.C. Moore, Five Below, Amazon and many other retailers and mass merchants.

Jim is a recognized craft industry leader and serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association For Creative Industries (AFCI). Jim has also served as chairperson of the craft industry’s national trade association, CHA (Craft & Hobby Association). Jim has strong leadership skills and is a trusted advisor. Jim also has experience as an expert witness for litigation involving the arts and crafts market.

Before his experience at FloraCraft®, Jim served as Vice President and General Manager of Wilton Enterprises, a consumer products packaged goods company serving the housewares and crafts industries.

Jim also served as Director of Sales with the art materials division of Binney & Smith, the manufacturer and marketer of Crayola brand crayons.

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Estate Planning To Manage Your Assets & Affairs During Your Lifetime with Joe Dallo (Ep. 8)

Estate Planning To Manage Your Assets & Affairs During Your Lifetime with Joe Dallo (Ep. 8)

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What would happen to your assets if something happened to you tomorrow? 

It might not be the most fun conversation to have, but it’s one of the most important.

In this episode, Mike Heckman is joined by Joe Dallo from Dallo Estate Planning to uncover the importance of creating legal documents for businesses and personal assets. Joe explains the difference between a will and a trust, the significance of updating estate plans after major life events, and the benefits of using a ladybird deed or putting a property into a trust. 

Joe discusses: 

  • The role of estate planning in your long-term financial plan
  • The difference between wills and trusts
  • The process and value of continuously updating your will
  • How to avoid family complications when incorporating real estate in your estate plan 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Heckman: 

Connect with Joe Dallo:

About our Guest: 

Attorney Joe Dallo became a lawyer to help others. He truly enjoys serving his clients and helping them plan for the future. He knows that the services he provides can help others meet life goals and avoid unforeseen problems. But perhaps the best part of Joe’s job is helping clients protect their families, homes, assets, and dreams for the future. 

Dreams for the future are what drove Joe to found Dallo Estate Planning. As Joe says, “It brings me a great sense of joy to know that I helped someone. I love being a mentor to others and guiding them through life changes like marriage, buying a home, and having a child.” Through Dallo Estate Planning, Joe can help you protect your family and your goals as well.

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Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Estate Planning with Blake Riemer (Ep. 6)

Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Estate Planning with Blake Riemer (Ep. 6)

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What would happen to your finances if you were suddenly unable to make decisions? How would you ensure your family and business are taken care of?

In this episode, Mike Heckman is joined by Blake Riemer from Riemer Law PLLC to explore the value of estate planning and the common mistakes individuals make when handling it on their own. 

Tune in as Blake emphasizes the need for designated individuals to handle finances and make medical decisions in case of incapacitation. 

Blake discusses: 

  • Some of the most common mistakes individuals make when creating their own estate plan
  • The importance of frequently updating your estate plan (why it’s not a one-and-done deal!)
  • The difference between estate plan ‘do-it-yourselfers’ and those wanting to consult a professional
  • Ways he and his firm can support in multiple areas, including family law, custody, divorce, landlord-tenant issues, contractual work, and more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Heckman: 

Connect with Blake Riemer:

About our Guest: 

Attorney Blake M. Riemer currently specializes in estate planning and probate matters. Setting up an estate plan can be a confusing and burdensome task to take on individually. Blake can walk through and break down each step of the legal process providing peace of mind for his clients. Whether it’s a will, trust, power of attorney, or even a simple consult, Blake ensures that his clients and their families are protected and well-informed. He’s all about providing professional legal services without sacrificing the small-town personal touch.

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Important Investment and Personal Wealth Insights with Rick Wedell (Ep. 5)

Important Investment and Personal Wealth Insights with Rick Wedell (Ep. 5)

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What’s happening in the market? Need to enhance your understanding of the current market landscape?

In this episode, Rick Wedell, the Chief Investment Officer at RFG Advisory, joins Mike Heckman to talk about his approach to providing investment resources and managing assets for advisors and clients. 

Rick emphasizes the importance of expertise in institutional investment teams while highlighting the value of his Bluemonte System for customized investment portfolios. He also shares insights on market conditions, inflation, and rational decision-making when it comes to personal finances and investments. 

Rick discusses: 

  • How to maintain rationality throughout your portfolio
  • The creation of the Bluemonte System: What it does and its approach to helping firms and individuals
  • How to successfully navigate macroeconomic events, and why it’s important to ignore the noise and focus on long-term goals
  • The current market conditions and trends he is paying attention to and why you should too
  • And more!

Connect with Mike Heckman: 

Connect with Rick Wedell:

About Our Guest: 

Rick Wedell joined RFG Advisory as Partner and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) in 2016. As CIO and leader of RFG’s Investment Team, Rick manages multi-asset portfolios and provides strategic insights on asset allocation and portfolio construction. Rick also leads the design and enhancements of RFG’s custom-built, institutional-caliber, client-focused investment platform known as”Bluemonte,” which currently manages over $3 billion of assets under management.

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Get To Know The Team At Sable Point Wealth Management with Kimberly Stark and Alex Norath (Ep. 4)

Get To Know The Team At Sable Point Wealth Management with Kimberly Stark and Alex Norath (Ep. 4)

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There are many dials that make the Sable Point Wealth Management clock go round, and Kimberly Stark and Alex Norath are two of those dials!

In this episode, Mike Heckman is joined by Kim and Alex to explore the unique dynamic they have created at Sable Point while revealing everything you need to know about the firm’s two-team approach. 

Everybody has a unique origin story of why they have the role they do, and that’s exactly what Mike, Kim, and Alex talk about!

They discuss: 

  • Kim’s experience working at a cable company and how her customer experience has shaped her into the professional she is today
  • Their favorite part about working with Sable Point’s clients — and what sets the company apart from their past roles and employers
  • Alex’s experience as a Sable Point team member — and how he leverages his role virtually
  • Their roles at the company and what they have learned from each
  • Sable Point’s ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ and how they use it as a guide to help and support clients 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Alex Norath:

Connect with Kimberly Stark:

Connect with Mike Heckman: 

About Alex Norath:

Alex loves building relationships with his clients and helping them with one of the most important aspects of their lives. 

Alex has his Series 66 Securities License. His education includes a Bachelor’s degree from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. In 2012, he got a degree in Elementary Education. In a few years, he realized he had a passion for finance and returned to school to get his MBA, which he earned from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, in 2016.

About Kimberly Stark:

Kim joined Sable Point Wealth Management in February 2020.  She has been an investor for most of her life and has over thirty years of experience in the banking and communication services industry.  At Sable Point, Kim personifies a culture of service first, with an aptitude for technological and financial tools.  She strives to consistently exceed expectations in financial service delivery.

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Bank Failures And How They Reshaped The Financial Industry with Pete Oquist (Ep. 3)

Bank Failures And How They Reshaped The Financial Industry with Pete Oquist (Ep. 3)

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Ready to uncover the untold stories behind bank failures and their profound impact on the ever-evolving world of finance?

In this episode, Mike Heckman invites Pete Oquist, a retired Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) examiner. This week, Pete dives into the gripping history of bank failures and their lasting impact on the financial industry.

Pete discusses: 

  • The interesting history of bank deregulation and how it impacted the ways banks operated and continue operating in the current day
  • His own experiences as an FDIC examiner
  • The story behind how he ended up working 12 hours a day, seven days a week 
  • Banks in the 60s versus banks in the 21st century
  • Reasons you have to be a lot smarter to run a bank now
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Heckman: 

Connect with Pete Oquist:

About Our Guest: 

Pete Oquist’s experience includes: 

COMMISSIONED EXAMINER, FDIC, Division of Supervision and Consumer Compliance. Responsible for supervision and regulation of state-chartered non-member banks. 

COMMISSIONED SENIOR EXAMINER, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Supervision, and Regulation, 2002 to 2006.   Responsible for supervision and regulation of community state-chartered member banks. 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION EXAMINER, State of Michigan, Department of Consumer and Industry Services, 1985 to 2002. Responsible for supervision and regulation of state-charted banks.

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Against the Odds: A Nontraditional Financial Advisor’s Success Story (Ep. 2)

Against the Odds: A Nontraditional Financial Advisor’s Success Story (Ep. 2)

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Some people’s career paths have a bunch of twists, turns, and points where it’s flipped completely upside down. And then there’s Mike Heckman’s!

In this episode, Mike unveils the path that led him to become the financial professional he’s today. This conversation is all about inspiring you in your own career journey. So, tune in as Mike reinforces the belief that you can truly pursue anything you are passionate about.

Mike discusses: 

  • The story behind why he mainly works with business owners 
  • Some of his experiences as a business owner himself 
  • Valuable lessons that are all about motivating you to pursue your passion 
  • His experience working within the IT field during the ‘Y2K bug’
  • How he went from not wanting to be in the financial space to falling in love with the industry
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Heckman: 

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Welcome To The Wealth Dock Podcast! With Your Host, Mike Heckman (Ep.1)

Welcome To The Wealth Dock Podcast! With Your Host, Mike Heckman (Ep.1)

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The wait is finally over. Now you can learn about Sable Point Wealth Management’s tailored financial strategies from wherever you are!

Introducing, The Wealth Dock Podcast with Mike Heckman 🎉

In this inaugural episode, Mike introduces himself and his investing philosophies while revealing what his show will be all about. 

Mike discusses: 

  • Sable Point’s ideal client and how he can instantly tell if someone is a good fit
  • How he (accidentally) got started in the financial services industry
  • The business and investing philosophy he implements with the investors and clients he works with (whether they’re new or highly experienced)
  • His connection with the martial arts world
  • What success means to him
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Mike Heckman: 

About Your Host:

Mike Heckman, MS, CFP®, CEPA®, BFA®, CDFA®, AWMA®, CRPS®, CRPC®, is a nationally recognized Financial Educator, Author, Speaker, Retirement Planner, and Wealth Advisor.

Mike and his team have been helping business owners, medical professionals, and retirees preserve, protect and pass on their wealth for over 12 years. In 2019, Mike founded Sable Point Wealth Management, serving Western Michigan with offices in Ludington and Spring Lake.

He’s currently conducting dissertation research on wealth preservation strategies in retirement to complete his Financial Management Doctorate from California Southern University.

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