Facing Financial Fears Head-On

New Ditch the Suit Series - with Brad Eaton, Sr. VP Investment Services

Facing Financial Fears Head-On - Travis Maus, CEO, Sr. Wealth Manager

From Colleague to Family: My First S.E.E.D. Retreat  - Lori Zawiski,
Client Services Associate

In this episode, Travis Maus and Brad Eaton dive into something every investor feels but doesn’t always say out loud — the emotional rollercoaster of trying to make smart decisions in a chaotic market.   

They unpack how the constant flood of news and market noise can mess with your head, and why it’s so easy to confuse price with value. More importantly, they explore how having a real plan — and someone in your corner — can help you stay grounded when everything feels like it’s spinning. 

This isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about building confidence, clarity, and a plan that actually works — even when the market doesn’t. 

Travis Maus, Chief Executive Officer, Senior Wealth Manager

Generally, each meeting we have with financial planning clients starts the same way. We gauge what is happening in their lives and their families’ lives to truly understand what they are going through, good or bad. If you were to ask the financial planners at S.E.E.D, they would likely tell you that they enjoy the early meeting banter just as much, if not more, than helping someone invest their money properly or figuring out how to optimize Social Security. For me, this is one of the most exciting parts of the meeting because everyone has a story to tell. Our goal is to get to know what is happening in their lives so we can truly personalize their planning while also building great relationships. 

Most meetings start off discussing fun trips or stories of grandchildren playing sports that we love to hear about. But sometimes the news isn’t so flattering, and we need to pivot from our original meeting agenda to accommodate what we have just learned. This was the case for a client of ours earlier this year who lost their job. I could immediately tell they were very upset. This client had spent many years with the same company, and I could feel and see the sadness and anxiety through the tears in their eyes and the crackling of their voice. I don’t remember exactly what we had outlined on the original meeting agenda, but I know my main objective shifted to easing their fears and anxiety over the uncertainty to come. 

This client very much enjoyed working, and early retirement was not part of the original plan. It was evident as we went through the meeting that they had saved and planned well enough to be able to retire early if necessary. In the months following this meeting and after several additional conversations, I sensed the initial shock and disappointment of losing their job had worn off. They have since committed themselves to volunteering in their community and spending additional time with family. I often think about and feel that real financial planning isn’t just about helping people build wealth. It’s about building relationships and being there for our clients when life gets messy because life will get messy for all of us at one point or another. 

Lori Zawiski, Client Services Associate

I have been with S.E.E.D. Planning Group for ten months. When I interviewed for this job, I had no idea just how amazing and truly blessed I would feel to be part of something so special.

This company is unlike any other, and I say that from real experience. My husband and I have a lifelong friend who has run a financial and retirement company for 30 years, and S.E.E.D. is definitely in a category of its own. Here, you are not just another employee—you become part of a family.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending my first “Beefalo Retreat” in Tennessee, where I met coworkers I had only spoken with through computer screens. Team members from Knoxville and Syracuse all came together to connect in person, and it was so much fun to finally meet everyone face to face.

We enjoyed a series of events that began with breakfast, followed by axe throwing, archery, and an awards ceremony that included an inspiring speech from Travis about S.E.E.D.’s values and expectations. My husband, who joined me for the weekend, turned to me and said, “You are right, this is something special that you just don’t see anywhere else.”

That evening, we savored Beefalo smashburgers and played cornhole. The next morning, Travis and Lisa treated us to a full breakfast buffet, with cooking credit to Jeff. We wrapped up the retreat with food trucks, a live band, and yes—more cornhole.

I am still processing the fact that this is not a dream. It is my reality to have the privilege of working for such a remarkable company and building connections with such incredible people who have truly become my family.