Steve Manuel began his career in the financial services industry as a stockbroker. During those early years he learned the difference between selling a product and providing a solution. That understanding prompted him to enroll in coursework to become a Certified Financial Planner, completing the program and receiving the designation in 1986.

Steve Manuel began his career in the financial services industry as a stockbroker. During those early years he learned the difference between selling a product and providing a solution. That understanding prompted him to enroll in coursework to become a Certified Financial Planner, completing the program and receiving the designation in 1986.

As a stockbroker he ran his own book of business for over ten years while practicing the principles of financial planning.

Moving to SAFECO, he started as a marketing representative, moved to commercial lines sales representative, and continued up the corporate ladder to eventually lead the national distribution channel of the life company for product sales and services to broker-dealers, RIAs, agents and banks.

Since financial planning was a significant part of the ecosystems in which most of the company’s partners and their customers operated, Steve maintained his CFP designation throughout his entire career.

His knowledge base from that designation and his breadth of experience proved to be a valuable combination for connecting with corporate partners and their sales teams. Steve was able to show them how to operate with greater effectiveness and efficiency.

After fifteen years with SAFECO, the Life Company was sold and Steve joined USAA where he served another fifteen years, thirteen as a member of the financial planning leadership team. With over 150 Certified Financial Planners at the San Antonio campus, USAA had the country’s largest team assembled under one roof and one of the most experienced in the nation.

His understanding and insights into both the art and the knowledge of financial planning grew exponentially as he took advantage of the opportunity afforded him to observe and coach thousands of planner-client meetings.

These experiences kindled his passion for coaching and mentoring planners. Steve’s engagement with regional and national financial planning organizations and conferences served to keep him current with new developments and applications of financial planning knowledge and soft skills.
When USAA made the strategic decision to sell their financial planning and wealth management operations, that became the motivation for Steve to pursue his passion as a full time coach.

Today Steve’s goal is to coach, mentor, and build friendships with planners and advisors, from the least experienced to the most successful, who desire to master the knowledge, art, and skills of financial planning, advice, and selling.