Kirsten Schlumbohm, BPC

What do I attribute my success to?

Candidly, several things. I don’t think success ever comes from just one moment or one person — I think it’s built over time through experiences, relationships, faith, resilience, and the people who shape you along the way.

First and foremost, my parents taught me the value of hard work and integrity. Growing up, there was never a “give 50%” mentality in our house. If you commit to something, you give it your all. That work ethic became the foundation for everything I’ve done professionally and personally.

I also believe being loved unconditionally by my sister Jenny, who has Down syndrome, has had a profound impact on my life. She’s taught me lessons about compassion, joy, perspective, and what truly matters. Sometimes the greatest teachers in life don’t even realize the impact they’re having on you.

Faith has also been a huge part of my journey. In my office, I keep a plaque with Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” That verse grounds me. It reminds me to lead with strength, stay grounded in faith, and keep moving forward even when life feels uncertain. And let’s be honest — sometimes a little humor helps too.

I’d also say mentors and people who believed in me played an important role in my success. There were people throughout my life and career who saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself, and that kind of encouragement can truly change the trajectory of someone’s life.

At the end of the day, I don’t think success is tied to one thing. It’s a culmination of life experiences, growth, setbacks, perseverance, relationships, and the willingness to keep learning along the way. For me, it really comes down to family, faith, perseverance, and the people who helped shape me into who I am today.

Best career advice?

Have mentors. Have people who will coach you through different seasons of your life and career. None of us get where we are alone, and I truly believe the right people can help you find strengths in yourself that you didn’t even know existed yet.

One of those people for me was Wendy Young at Fidelity & Guaranty. She was my mentor when I worked there, and honestly, she became so much more than that. Wendy is the Executive Vice President and Chief Liability Officer at F&G, and she was even a guest on one of my podcasts where we talked about mentorship, leadership, and relationships.

What I learned from her is that mentorship isn’t just about one person teaching another — it’s about both people growing together. Over time, our mentorship turned into a genuine friendship, and I learned so much from her about perseverance, confidence, and navigating challenges. Whether it was figuring out how to communicate something difficult, present myself more effectively, or work through obstacles, she always had a way of helping me see things more clearly. Her influence on my career and my confidence has been incredible.

I also think about the teachers who believed in me long before I fully believed in myself. In high school, I was involved in DECA and eventually became a state officer — which is funny now because I was painfully shy back then. If my teachers hadn’t encouraged me and pushed me outside my comfort zone, I may never have found my voice. Mr. Collins and Mr. Sandes helped shape my future through their guidance, belief, and encouragement, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

And of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the strong women in my family. My mom, my sister Jenny, who has Down syndrome, and my sister Kathy have all taught me invaluable lessons about strength, resilience, determination, and perspective. Each of them, in their own unique way, has helped shape who I am today.

At the end of the day, the best career advice I can give is this: surround yourself with people who challenge you, encourage you, and believe in you — especially during the moments when you’re still learning to believe in yourself.

First and foremost — don’t give up on yourself. I know that sounds simple, but there will be moments in your career where you question yourself, your path, or whether you belong in the room. Please don’t let those moments define you.

I would strongly encourage young women to find mentors and people who will support and guide them, whether that’s inside their organization or outside of it. Having someone who can encourage you, challenge you, and help you navigate your career can make such a difference. None of us are meant to do this alone.

I’d also say don’t be afraid to ask questions. Financial services is such a broad and dynamic industry with endless opportunities to learn and grow. There are so many different career paths, and not every path looks the same. Sometimes we think careers are supposed to be this perfectly straight ladder upward, but in reality, they often look more like a winding road. You may move to the left, pivot to the right, try something new, and discover strengths you didn’t even know you had — and that’s okay. Honestly, that’s where growth happens.

Take the time to explore your unique abilities and figure out what truly aligns with your strengths and passions. Not everyone wants to be a financial advisor, and that’s perfectly fine. You may discover you’re an incredible relationship manager, strategist, leader, communicator, or problem-solver. There is space for so many different talents in this industry.

And maybe most importantly, give yourself permission to grow into who you’re becoming. Confidence doesn’t always show up on day one. Sometimes it’s built through experience, challenges, setbacks, and learning along the way.

This industry has so many incredible opportunities for women, and we need more women bringing their voices, perspectives, and leadership to the table. So stay curious, keep learning, find people who believe in you, and most importantly — don’t give up on yourself.

One of the biggest opportunities in our field right now is the continued growth of specialized platforms and communities that are designed to better support advisors — especially women in the industry. Platforms like Women’s Clarity are creating spaces where female advisors can connect, grow, collaborate, and strengthen both personally and professionally. That kind of support system is incredibly valuable, not just for the advisors themselves, but for the clients they serve as well.

I also think there’s a tremendous opportunity around education, development, and mentorship within financial services. This industry is evolving quickly, and there are more career paths and specialties available than ever before. Because of that, helping professionals identify their strengths, continue learning, and receive meaningful mentorship can have a huge impact on advisor effectiveness and long-term success.

The reality is that when advisors feel supported, educated, and confident in their roles, it naturally leads to stronger client relationships and a better overall client experience. Clients today are looking for more than transactions — they want trusted relationships, guidance, communication, and someone who truly understands their goals and concerns.

One of the ongoing challenges, though, is making sure we continue to attract and retain diverse talent in the industry while also helping people see the variety of opportunities available to them. Financial services is so much bigger than many people realize, and there’s room for different strengths, personalities, and leadership styles to thrive.

Overall, I think the future of the industry is incredibly promising. The organizations and leaders who invest in mentorship, innovation, education, and authentic relationship-building are going to be the ones that continue to make the biggest impact.

Family, faith, and perseverance are the values that matter most to me. They are truly the foundation of who I am, both personally and professionally.

In my office, I have a plaque with Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of her future.” That verse has always spoken to me because it’s a reminder to lead with courage, faith, and resilience, even during uncertain times.

Everything I do is also deeply influenced by my sister and the impact she had on my life. Even though her life was simple in many ways, she made a difference everywhere she went. She had this incredible ability to bring joy, love, and perspective to the people around her, and her influence shaped the person I became. I think a big part of my purpose is trying to carry forward that same positivity, compassion, and courage — focusing on the things I can change while also learning to accept the things I cannot.

I’ve always felt called to give a voice to those who may not have one. Whether that’s helping animals through organizations like The Fence Project Des Moines, supporting the Special Olympics, or advocating for and empowering women in financial services, those things are incredibly important to me. I believe we all have the ability — and responsibility — to make a positive impact in someone else’s life, no matter how big or small.

What brings me the greatest joy, though, is my family. My husband and my bonus sons — Jeff, Joseph, and Andrew, who I lovingly call the fabulous Weber boys — bring so much light, laughter, and love into my life. They keep me grounded and remind me what truly matters at the end of the day.

And honestly, I think gratitude is one of the most important values we can have. Is life perfect? Of course not. There are always challenges and difficult moments. But I have a roof over my head, people I love and who love me, faith that keeps me grounded, and another day to make a difference. To me, that’s a pretty beautiful life.