Beyond the Inbox: Investing in People

Upcoming Office Closure - S.E.E.D.’s Office Closure for Staff Development & Labor Day

Admin Roundtable - with special guest, CJ Gettelfinger, AIF

Beyond the Inbox: Investing in People - Cassidy McKnight, Investment Operations Associate

If It Fits, It Sits - Tonya Laughing, Client Services Associate

 Upcoming Office Closure

In this episode, hosts Mae and Tonya welcome their very first special guest, CJ, an investment planner from the Knoxville office. Together, they discuss the importance of building strong client relationships, navigating financial fears, and staying grounded during market ups and downs. CJ emphasizes consistency as the key to long-term financial success, encouraging listeners to focus on what they can control. The conversation highlights how trust and open dialogue can help clients feel supported in their financial journey.   

Cassidy McKnight, Investment Operations Associate

When I first started working at S.E.E.D., I realized quickly that for many people, investing isn’t just confusing—it’s overwhelming. It’s not as simple as putting money into an account and watching it grow. There are decisions to make, accounts to open, plans to build, and plenty of forms to complete. 

Thankfully, at S.E.E.D. we have an incredible team. Some help figure out which accounts make sense, others assist with opening them, and others manage the investments day to day. Everyone plays a crucial role. 

But if investing isn’t your day job, navigating all of this can feel like learning a new language. With so much of the process now happening online, even something as basic as filling out paperwork can become a real hurdle. 

I’ve noticed that for many clients, especially those who aren’t completely comfortable with technology, even getting started can feel intimidating. That’s why I believe it’s important to offer options that meet people where they are—whether that’s someone who is tech-savvy or someone who still prefers a flip phone. 

One client in particular comes to mind. She was having trouble starting her forms online, so I invited her to come into our Binghamton office and sign everything in person, pen to paper. She took me up on it, and I’m glad she did. We sat down, chatted about life, and went through each page together. What could have been just another meeting turned into a real connection. Most of the time, I only see names on a screen, but that day I got to put a face to the name and share a meaningful moment. 

I know all of this can seem confusing, maybe even a little intimidating at times, but our goal at S.E.E.D. is to make it feel more manageable. Whether you’re confident with technology or still figuring it out, we’ll work with you. That’s what makes my team special: we show up, go the extra mile, and do it all without a second thought.  

Tonya Laughing, Client Services Associate

Those of you who are avid readers may recognize my name, though you may have noticed several title changes along the way. For those of you who are new, welcome! 

My name is Tonya, and my current title is Client Services Associate. In the past, I’ve also held the titles of Operations Specialist and Executive Coordinator. 

This article isn’t about titles, though. It’s about the relationship between employers and employees, the responsibility each must be flexible, and the importance of seeing potential and building trust. 

A little background about me: For more than 20 years, I held the title of Registered Respiratory Therapist and later added Emergency Operations Coordinator. Neither role had anything to do with finances, but everything to do with people. After COVID, I became an Operations Manager for a private company—again, not about finances, but still about people. Eventually, I found my way into finance after meeting Travis and the S.E.E.D. Planning Group team. 

I started at S.E.E.D. as an Operations Specialist, bridging the gap between clients, planners, and paperwork. (Still all about people!) It took some time to find my footing, but once I did, I felt comfortable and settled in. 

Then transformation came. Leadership saw the potential in blending my past coordinating experience with the executive team, and I became an Executive Coordinator. I was excited to step into this new role and ready to take on the challenges. But I quickly realized that the position was more project-based and gave me less contact with clients. I missed talking and engaging with you. I began to lose my “why”—my just cause—because my career has always been about people. 

But I reminded myself that I had just started, and change takes time. The role was new, and I wanted to give it a chance. Still, my coworkers noticed the shift in me, and leadership did too. 

That’s where trust came into play. They knew my potential, but more importantly, they trusted my “why.” 

Now, I am so excited to be part of the Client Experience team, fully engaged with you, and hands-on in the process of inspiring your experience. 

Until the next title… 

Serving you, 
Tonya Laughing