Chris Flis: Fighter Jet Lessons for Financial Planners

The Purpose Focused Advisor

In this episode of The Purpose-Focused Advisor, we chat with Chris Flis, founder of Resilient Asset Management. Chris shares his unique journey from flying F-18s for the US Navy to managing his family’s fast food franchise and how these experiences inform his financial planning practice. We discuss the importance of comprehensive financial planning, the power of affinity groups, and the role of networking and referrals in firm growth. Chris also highlights the need for a calm approach to making financial decisions to ensure the best outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

• Lessons from Aviation: Chris shares how prioritizing and staying calm under pressure from his F-18 pilot days translates to managing investments and client relationships.
• All-Aspect Financial Planning: Chris explains his comprehensive approach, integrating tax strategies, estate planning, and risk management to provide holistic advice.
• Affinity Groups: Chris discusses how his military background and experience with franchisees help him connect deeply with these affinity groups, understanding their unique challenges and needs.
• Client Management: The importance of controlling the agenda while allowing clients to set the pace, ensuring essential tasks are completed.
• Networking and Referrals: Insights on leveraging in-person interactions and client referrals to drive business growth.

"In the military, in the aviation part, we have specific aircraft to do specific things... you learn to prioritize very, very quickly, what's important. And I found that that skill set has served me quite well in this job." – Chris Flis

"We, the firm, like to set the agenda, you (clients) set the pace... We like to set that agenda and we're gonna keep harping on them to get those things done that we need to know that they need to have done." – Chris Flis

About Chris Flis: After a 20-year Navy career, Chris formed Resilient Asset Management. Spurred by a lecture in high school, after which he started managing all of his own investments, his passion for all things personal finance has spanned decades. He started Resilient Asset Management with a mission dedicated to helping others achieve financial security through all-aspect financial planning and investment management. Along with his own journey through the military retirement gamut, he has helped our clients navigate the process–both those who decide to enter full retirement and those who opt to enter a second career.

Connect with Chris Flis:

Website: https://www.resilientam.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-flis

Episode References:

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