We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Allie Beckmann a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Allie, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Honestly, I love being the only one who looks like me in the room. Why? Because it’s an instant differentiator—and differentiation is the secret to success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, artist, or financial planner, the ability to stand out and bring something unique to the table is a huge advantage.
When I started my financial career, I worked under a prestigious insurance and investment company. Within the first six months, I won a contest, earning an invitation to a special lunch with the other winners. Walking into the private dining room, I realized I was the only woman at a table of 20 men. It was a shock—I’d never experienced this in my previous careers in theatre, education, and yoga. For a moment, I froze. But then I took a deep breath, found my center, and said to myself, “F*** yeah.” I walked right into the middle of the table and sat down.
That moment was a wake-up call. Women make up only 20% of financial advisors—a statistic that hasn’t changed in over 20 years, largely due to high turnover for women in this industry. While I’m passionate about helping more women build long and successful careers in finance, I’ve come to realize that this disparity also creates an opportunity. My voice, my perspective, and my approach are unique—and that’s exactly what makes me stand out.
Beyond being a woman, I’m often an outlier among financial advisors. I spent 15 years in the counterculture as a theatre artist, social-justice educator, and yogi. My background and perspective allow me to approach financial planning with a fresh lens. The more I lean into my authentic self, the more I realize that’s my greatest asset—and the same goes for anyone looking to stand out.
So next time you notice you’re the only one in the room who looks like you, take a breath, stand a little taller, and step into the opportunity to shine. When you lean into your unique strengths and perspectives, you’re not just differentiating—you’re inspiring.


Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a flat-fee financial planner with a unique and holistic approach that integrates life planning and coaching into financial planning. I prioritize who my clients are as humans, ensuring their values and goals serve as the north star of their financial plan—giving meaning to their money. For me, money is simply the tool to help build out your dreams.
Drawing from my background in experiential art, education, and mindfulness, I’ve designed a process that’s not only effective but also flexible, resilient, and even enjoyable. Life changes, and a financial plan should adapt with it. My approach gets clients excited to take action, knowing they’re supported every step of the way.
One of the most special aspects of my practice is how I address the emotional side of money. Money is inherently emotional, and most advisors don’t tackle this head-on, which I think is a missed opportunity. A financial plan, no matter how brilliant, only works if it aligns with your behavioral needs and supports follow-through. By tailoring strategies to each client’s emotional experience, I help them navigate obstacles and achieve meaningful progress.
I structure my fees to prioritize transparency, flexibility, and empowerment. My flat-fee model remains the cornerstone of my practice, offering clients clear and accessible options without the pressure of minimums or product sales. To meet a variety of needs, I offer three service tiers that grow with complexity, as well as an hourly consultation option. For clients seeking more hands-on support, I also provide asset management services, allowing them to choose the level of involvement that works best for them. This approach ensures that everyone has access to financial advice tailored to their unique goals and circumstances.
What’s next? I’m excited to expand my impact in two ways. First, I’m working on thought leadership to help female financial advisors build dream practices aligned with their own values. My LinkedIn Learning course, “Inclusive Wealth Management: Best Practices,” supports advisors in creating more inclusive practices—for both clients and team members.
Second, I’m building a peer-supported creative community in Denver called The Creative Experiment. Our mission is to empower creatives to navigate the challenges of being professionals in a society that often undervalues their work. By fostering action, resilience, and joy, we aim to inspire and support creative professionals to thrive.


If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I’d say three qualities have been absolutely pivotal in my journey: developing social-emotional intelligence, building meaningful relationships, and cultivating a resilient mindset.
First, social-emotional intelligence has been the cornerstone of my success. I work with people, and people are complex! Managing myself and others effectively and compassionately is critical. The CASEL Framework and its interactive “wheel” is a fantastic tool to explore the components of social-emotional intelligence. It helps you identify your natural strengths and areas for growth in a clear, manageable way.
Second, I’ve prioritized building meaningful relationships throughout my life and career. A strong network is invaluable—I can’t overstate its importance. By “network,” I mean a wide, diverse web of connections that fulfill different needs. The more expansive your network, the more likely you’ll have someone to call for any challenge that arises. For example, when I transitioned into finance, I had a network of people eager to listen, support, and help me succeed. I also invest in intentional, strategic partnerships that lead to client referrals, collaborations, and speaking opportunities. A strong network not only boosts your value and credibility but also ensures you’re surrounded by support when it’s most needed.
Lastly, mindset is the most critical tool in my toolbox. I believe it’s the foundation of everything we do. Our thoughts can either inspire us to grow or hold us back. How we relate to our mind determines how we show up in the world. As someone who has faced significant mental health challenges, I’ve learned firsthand how critical mindset is in navigating life’s inevitable struggles. No matter how successful we are, challenges will arise. Cultivating a resilient mindset is what transforms those challenges into opportunities for growth.
If you’re just starting out, focus on these three areas: build self-awareness, invest in relationships, and work on strengthening your mindset. Each of these qualities will serve you in navigating challenges, seizing opportunities, and growing into the best version of yourself.


Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is intentional, action-oriented, and ready to take charge of their life. They value a strong, collaborative relationship with their advisor—someone they feel truly comfortable with, like a trusted partner. They’re often at a point in their career or business where they’re doing well financially but know they could make smarter choices with their money. They’re looking for more than just a plan—they want guidance, support, and accountability to help them stay on track to actualize their goals.
I work with small-business owners in creative and service-based industries—like attorneys, media and production professionals, designers, entertainers, therapists, and tradespeople. I also partner with high-level tech executives managing complex compensation packages. Many of my clients are single, between 35 and 55 years old, and often navigating the responsibility of optimizing inherited wealth while aligning it with their values. A lot of my business-owner clients are looking to grow and sell their business in the future.
What I love most about my clients is their vision. They are thought leaders, mission-driven changemakers, and innovators who see money as a tool for positive impact. They resonate with my values-based approach and care deeply about using their wealth intentionally—not just to improve their own lives but to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world. Working with them is inspiring because we’re not just planning finances; we’re building legacies.
*Advisory services are offered through Beckmann & Company, LLC (dba “Beckmann Financial”, an Investment Advisor in the State of Colorado. All content is for information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decisions. Nor is it intended to be a projection of current or future performance or indication of future results.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beckmannfinancial.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alliebeckmann/
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/zyeApF5DpnbpEphc8
- Other: LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7285434967600377857


Image Credits
Aurdriana Luna
Jorge Gonzalez
Karianne Mundstadt
Jennifer MacNiven
Corianne Wright
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
