Meet Jen Swindler

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jen Swindler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jen, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I don’t know if I’ll ever fully overcome imposter syndrome, but I’m learning to accept it’s a reality of life, learning to understand why and when I experience it, and trying to push through anyway.

I realized that imposter syndrome really shows up for me when I’m doing something hard or new, or something that pushes me past limits I’m comfortable with. That was a huge turning point for me – recognizing the feeling was coming up when I was about to do something that would stretch me.

After awhile, it became more a sign that I’m doing something right, that I’m on the right path. I have an irrational fear of being audited by the IRS, so I decided to name my imposter syndrome “IRS Auditor (Bob)”. Now, I try to greet Bob – I acknowledge he’s shown up and is going to try to tell me I can’t do this – and I thank him for trying to help, and I let him know he can take a seat in the corner (if he insists). But I’m not interested in hearing his criticisms today.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a financial planner & firm owner at Money Illustrated. I created this business with the goal to help individuals understand their finances and build the lives they’re dreaming of. Overwhelm, shame, stress, imposter syndrome, and the unknown can prevent people from moving forward toward financial success. My approach is designed to tackle these issues head-on, so clients feel empowered rather than discouraged.

I begin by listening without judgment. Whether someone is dealing with debt, struggling to save, or feeling uncertain about investment options, my goal is always to provide solutions, not criticism. I guide clients through personalized strategies designed to help them achieve their unique goals, no matter how complex a situation may be.

Empowerment is at the heart of what I do. I break down overwhelming financial concepts into clear, digestible steps so clients not only understand the “what” but also the “why” behind each recommendation. Financial success doesn’t require perfection, and I help people see that their goals are not only achievable but within reach. By offering creative, personalized solutions, financial planning can become approachable and even exciting. I believe clients leave conversations feeling more in control, knowing that they have a solid plan and the right tools to move forward.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Connection: being able to connect with others has been key. When I left my last firm to start my business, I wasn’t sure whether I’d be starting entirely from scratch or if any clients would follow me. I’ve been so humbled and grateful to see how many people had a connection with me that made them want to continue our work together. I believe everything good in life leads back to or steps from connection with other humans.

Creativity: being an artist before I became a financial planner has helped me to look at things differently. It helps to try to see things in pictures, rather than in numbers and words. That has been a huge focus of my brand – to visually present financial information so that it makes sense to people in a way it hasn’t before.

Hunger for knowledge: it has really served me to see situations I’m unfamiliar with as learning opportunities. I’ve realized that this quality is something I’ll look for in future hires, too.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I write a list of everything I need to do, just put it all out on paper (or my phone), and I let the list be as big as it needs to be. Getting it out of my head and somewhere I can see it helps me prioritize the work. If I’m extremely overwhelmed on a particular day, I’ll just try to pick one or two things on the list to tackle. Crossing off a couple of things always helps me move forward.

Running so many elements of a business is a learning curve I’m still trying to navigate. I have to remind myself often to take it a day or an hour at a time. I also remind myself that if other people can do it, so can I! It’s been figured out, I just need to do it as well as other people, and hopefully, I can eventually do it a little bit better.

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Brianna Pereboom

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