What if the most important decision you ever made was trusting someone who saw your potential before you fully saw it yourself?
In this episode, Morgan Nichols, CEO of Life Branch Wealth Partners and financial advisor, shares her journey from a 25-year-old in corporate finance loading up a U-Haul and driving cross-country to lead a financial advisory practice in Texas. As the first born of two financial advisors, Morgan was "destined" for this work, but it was her father-in-law Gary's belief in her potential that gave her the springboard to build a multi-state practice with offices in three states and serve four generations of the same family.
From working in a male-dominated sales environment where she was the youngest person on the desk to becoming CEO and co-authoring "Intentional Legacy" with partner Kelly Base, Morgan's story reveals the power of relationships that see who you can become. Through fertility challenges overcome with the help of two incredible doctors, she now wakes up every morning with her three-year-old daughter as her "why," a constant reminder that we get one shot at this life, so we might as well make it as intentional and impactful as possible.
Morgan shares why achievement without purpose left her asking "why do we work so hard?", how opposite strengths with the right partner create relationship gold, and why showing up with gratitude and goodness puts us on the right foot to make million-dollar impacts we might never even see coming.
[00:05:20] What Morgan Does: Financial Advisor with a Different Approach
Financial advisor and CEO of Life Branch Wealth Partners
Careful to define "financial advisor" - not just transactional relationships
Works with clients covering all areas of financial lives
Serves individuals, families with larger portfolios, and small business owners
Helps clients navigate financial peace of mind
[00:06:32] Leading a Multi-State Practice: Growth-Minded Excellence
CEO of practice with offices in three states:
Grapevine, Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth area)
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Chicagoland area, Illinois
Loves learning about industry changes and simplifying for clients
Leads a team, trains younger advisors
Works with well-seasoned advisors, sharing perspectives
Building a team focused on making a difference in the lives of others
[00:07:45] Destined for This Work: The Apple Didn't Fall Far
First born of two financial advisors
After college, took a job in Boston in wholesaling, corporate finance
Enjoyed opportunities and learning ground
Recognized that for some people, personal finance makes their eyes glaze over; they just want to delegate it
[00:09:18] Most Impactful Result: Four Generations of One Family
Works with four generations of one family
Started with one generation in the middle: husband and wife in their 30s trying to raise children and manage life
Over time, ended up working with the parents and grandparents
Heartwarming to know the whole family line is seeing the benefit of planning
[00:12:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Gary's Leap of Faith
Father-in-law Gary is the advisor who gave her the career opportunity
At 25, working in corporate finance in Boston, thought she was doing pretty good
Had opportunity to leave Boston, load up U-Haul, drive across country
Without that opportunity, she wouldn't have ability to springboard the way she is today
Achievement is one of her core values, and this relationship helped her grow her career
[00:16:34] Finding Relationship Gold: Kelly Base and Opposite Strengths
Kelly Base is an advisor on her team
Co-authored book "Intentional Legacy" together over the past year
Met in 2023 through a women's entrepreneurial group
Having more fun in their career than they ever could have imagined
"We have to find people that compliment our strengths and can also speak truth in our lives so we can become the sharpest versions of ourselves and sharpen one another"
[00:19:20] The Million-Dollar Question: Why Do We Work So Hard?
Very driven, wired a certain way
Can work all day, come home, be fulfilled in career
When she really dove into her values, realized family really matters
Area families don't always talk about: challenges with fertility, having a family
Felt sharing her story was important so others can feel comfortable sharing theirs
[00:20:00] The Gift of Life: Two Doctors and a Miracle
Had two doctors in her life who navigated the challenge with her
Journey from "we don't think you're gonna be able to have children" to having a beautiful daughter
In the spirit of intention, being achievement-minded and a mom
"I've got my work baby and my baby baby, and I'm always juggling their priorities"
Doctors gave her the shot to pour into the next generation
[00:22:20] Faith and Gratitude: The Foundation of Everything
Faith is very important to her and aligns with her values
Has achievement as a value
Leans into her faith as she does her work and lives her personal life
Hopes to continue making an impact in lives of others, personally and professionally
[00:24:00] Giving Back: Grace and Growing Generosity
Giving back in community is really important
Supports Grace, a local charitable organization helping the underserved who need help
As a business, able to support their endeavors and help those who need it most
Giving back is ingrained in core values
Wouldn't have a business if it weren't for relationship with Gary, or it wouldn't look the way it does today
[00:30:17] Mentorship Matters: Female Advisors Pouring In
Started career in sales environment that was probably 10% female
Was the youngest person on the sales desk in downtown Boston
Now advocates for young women starting in finance: "Go find mentors. You're not too young, don't hesitate. This is a great career and you can get so much out of those relationships"
"You never even know where all of them are gonna lead, but they make such an impact"
[00:32:05] Where to Find Morgan & The Intentional Legacy
Website for book: intentionallegacybook.com
Feedback: "This is something I wish I would've read 20, 30 years ago. I really want my children to read it"
Personal website: lifebranchwealth.com
Always glad to have a conversation with anyone
KEY QUOTES
"We get one shot at this life, so we might as well make it as intentional, as and impactful as possible." - Morgan Nichols
"I can't put a price tag on that... These doctors just helped give me the daughter, and that's gonna be a generational impact." - Morgan Nichols
"We have to find people that compliment our strengths and can also speak truth in our lives so we can become the sharpest versions of ourselves and sharpen one another." - Morgan Nichols
"If we keep showing up with goodness, we show up with gratitude and acknowledging our blessings, it puts us on the right foot to see opportunity and to really make a difference." - Morgan Nichols
"If I just do what I'm doing and I don't intentionally think about what I'm doing and why, you know, she's gonna be 15 and I'm not gonna get those years back." - Morgan Nichols
CONNECT WITH MORGAN NICHOLS
🌐 Website: https://www.lifebranchwealth.com
📚 Book: https://www.intentionallegacybook.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganenichols
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