Finding Clarity Through Financial Planning

Tax Season – Deadline for Submitting Documents

Finding Clarity Through Financial Planning – Jeff Chase, Sr. VP, Financial Planning

Good Karma – Mae Tichenor, Sr. Administrative Coordinator

How S.E.E.D. Empower Its Next Generation – Adeeb Chowdhury, Financial Planner

Team News – Mae Tichenor Joins Leadership Team

Any clients who have not submitted all of their tax documents to us by 3/31/2025 will be put on automatic extension.

Jeff Chase, Sr. Vice President, Financial Planning

We recently had the opportunity to work with a client who, despite their financial success, found themselves overwhelmed by the complexity of managing their wealth when they reached retirement. With a portfolio spread across multiple accounts, an inefficient tax strategy, and uncertainty about their long-term legacy, they struggled to feel in control of their financial future. This realization was eye-opening for the client, especially since they had successfully managed their finances on their own for many years. However, as they hit retirement, they suddenly felt unsure about how to move forward.

This sense of uncertainty is more common than many realize. Over time, priorities and needs change. Often, people find that they no longer want the responsibility of handling the day-to-day management of their finances – preferring instead to focus on things they enjoy – or they feel they lack the expertise to navigate the complexities of retirement planning.

In this case, we worked with them to develop a tailored plan focused on a proactive tax strategy and aligning their overall financial approach with their long-term goals. These adjustments significantly reduced their tax burden and brought them the clarity and confidence they had been seeking for their financial future.

But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this process was how planning helped them overcome emotional barriers. Instead of feeling burdened by financial complexity, they gained the freedom to focus on what truly mattered to them – traveling, supporting causes they care about, and enjoying quality time with family.

Mae Tichenor, Sr. Administrative Coordinator

At S.E.E.D., Good Karma is more than just words and gestures. It’s a movement rooted in kindness and goodwill, aiming to celebrate meaningful actions and help showcase the virtues that guide our company.

Through Good Karma, we recognize acts of generosity and compassion within our team, supporting and encouraging each other as we embody our organization’s moral values. Whether it is a simple expression of gratitude or a profound act of selflessness, every decision is an opportunity to leave a lasting impact. We believe that when we prioritize our team, our clients, and our community, we cultivate care, trust, and loyalty. Putting our clients first isn’t just a business strategy, it’s the heartbeat of everything we do. Finding opportunities to root for and celebrate our team members strengthens our foundation and reinforces the sheer power of community.

Adeeb Chowdhury, Financial Planner

Since my very first day, one key aspect of S.E.E.D.’s culture that profoundly moves me has been the way it actively invests in new team members. The genuine interest with which company leadership engages with recent hires, the confidence placed in our ability to achieve, and the consistent encouragement that reinforces and highlights our evolution – these elements of S.E.E.D.’s work environment have fostered a sense of commitment and self-belief within its next generation. Facilitating this growth is the goal of the New Hire Monthly sessions, during which freshly joined team members can learn from company leadership, reflect on our own potential, and strengthen our bonds with each other.

Led by our CEO Travis Maus and COO Dave Nirchi, these monthly discussions bring together employees hired within the last 12 months and are structured as free-flowing, open conversations in which everyone is encouraged to ask questions, offer insight, and share our own experiences. Getting to engage directly with company leadership reminds us that our voices, concerns, and goals are always paid attention to within S.E.E.D., no matter our role or how long we’ve been here. It also allows us to develop a much deeper appreciation for how the company has evolved over time, the values that it is predicated on, and the purpose that our work serves.

Throughout this process, we’re also surprised by what we learn about ourselves. One of my favorite sessions involved Travis challenging us to confront our own insecurities and contemplate how we are holding ourselves back, both in our personal and professional lives. We were inspired to demand more from ourselves and do things that intimidate us. This go-getter mindset – the hunger for excellence – is one trait that defines S.E.E.D. and is shared by everyone on the team, as he reminded us. That lesson hasn’t left me since, and it shapes the way I approach my work every single day.

No description of New Hire Monthly can be complete without celebrating its famous Book Reports. Working in groups, we read and discuss a book that offers transformative insight into leadership, interpersonal skills, and professional development. Frequent favorites include “Surrounded by Idiots”, which explores the interactions between various personality types, and “The Ideal Team Player”, which guides us in navigating teamwork and collaborating effectively.

We then contemplate how we can incorporate the given book’s concepts into our work at S.E.E.D. in a way that refines the client service we provide. As we package our ideas into a presentation that we deliver to the rest of the team, we get the opportunity to refine our communication, teamwork, and project management skills. In addition, one of the most rewarding aspects of the book reports is that we have a chance to work with team members from other divisions. We develop a deeper appreciation of each other’s backgrounds, skillsets, and personalities, which also lays the foundation for more intimate collaboration in the future.

New Hire Monthly has been one of the most enriching experiences I’ve enjoyed at S.E.E.D. so far. It is truly transformative to be able to engage with company leaders, know that my own ideas and experiences are valued, and build my skills alongside a team that is unmatched in its ambition, passion, and discipline. Most of all, it reminds me at every turn that S.E.E.D. is actively investing in me and believes in my potential, which drives me towards excellence every day.

We are proud to announce that Mae Tichenor, Senior Administrative Coordinator, has joined our leadership team.

S.E.E.D.’s Leadership Team was formed to acknowledge team members who exemplify our company’s values and have personally and professionally dedicated themselves to inspiring, mentoring, and leading others in pursuit of making a difference in everything they do.

All members of our Leadership Team are personally invested and committed to our success as shareholders in S.E.E.D. Planning Group. Each member plays a personalized role in S.E.E.D.’s collective success and either leads or contributes to teams focused on executing our firm’s strategic business plan. Mae leads the Admin and Inspiration team and serves on the Advanced Planning Team.

For more information on our Leadership Team, please visit our leadership page.