Peace of Mind Through Planning

Latest We Care Roberson Video - Features of the Roberson Museum

Peace of Mind Through Planning - Hannah Burchell, Senior Wealth Manager

The Power of Presence - Mae Tichenor, Senior Client Support Specialist

Check out our latest Roberson update! From engaging art, history, and science exhibitions to hands-on workshops, field trips, and community programs, the Roberson Museum and Science Center continues to be a vibrant hub for learning, creativity, and connection. 

Hannah Burchell, Senior Wealth Manager

A couple came to us with a lump sum of cash and an important question: where would this money be most useful for their financial situation? Should they invest it for long-term growth, put it into retirement accounts, or use it in another way? 

After reviewing their entire financial picture—cash flow, debt, investment, and retirement accounts—we recommended they use the funds to pay down a few of their car loans. While the amount wasn’t enough to eliminate all their debt, it freed up meaningful cash flow each month and created breathing room in their budget. 

At the same time, we had a broader conversation about preparing for the unexpected. In financial planning, one of the first questions we ask is, “What’s your cash on hand?” and “What’s your cash comfort level?” These questions help clients consider both the amount they can easily access in an emergency and the amount they feel comfortable keeping on the sidelines rather than investing. 

In this case, the couple had no emergency fund to fall back on. If something unexpected had happened, they would have been forced to take on even more debt. Through the planning process, we learned they were disciplined enough to make a change. We recommended setting aside some of their cash into a savings account, encouraging them to use it only for true emergencies or expenses outside their budget. 

When they returned for their next planning meeting, they shared how much better they felt knowing they had a safety net. The relief was visible. By creating a buffer, they gained peace of mind and could finally sleep better at night. 

Mae Tichenor, Senior Client Support Specialist

I’ve wrestled with performance for as long as I can remember. I wanted to show up polished, capable, and impressive—not out of ego, but out of a deep desire to prove I was enough. 

Over time, I’ve realized that performance doesn’t always build connection. Presence does. 

The more I lean into being present instead of aiming for perfect, the more I experience moments of real impact. The quiet pauses, the genuine check-ins, the willingness to not have all the answers—these are the things that build trust. 

Not long ago, I was on a call with a client who was navigating a heavy season of life transitions and uncertainty. In my own busyness, I caught myself slipping into default mode: check the boxes, say the right thing, keep it smooth. But something in me paused. I softened. I let go of trying to “do it right” and instead focused on being present. I asked a simple question: “How are you really doing with all of this?” And suddenly, the tone of the call shifted. 

The client opened up. The conversation slowed down. We didn’t get through the entire checklist I thought was necessary, but what we built was trust. Not because I performed well, but because I showed up honestly and attentively. 

The work we do and our Just Cause is about helping people move toward personal fulfillment. Over time, I’ve learned that fulfillment doesn’t come from polished delivery. It comes from presence. It comes from showing up with humility, compassion, and a willingness to hold space for someone else. I don’t have to prove my worth to make a difference. I just have to be fully here. That truth is uncomfortable at times, but it’s also deeply freeing. 

So from my heart to yours, let presence be the gift you offer. You don’t need to prove anything—just keep showing up with intention, humility, and heart. That’s what people remember most. 

And maybe, the freedom you find in being yourself will invite others to believe they’re enough too.