#100 - 100 Episodes, One Mission 

Eric Blake: Welcome to the 100th episode of the Simply Retirement Podcast, where we want to educate and empower women to live your retirement on your terms. I'm your host, Eric Blake, practicing retirement planner for over 25 years, founder of Blake Wealth Management, and I would not be the man I am today without the women in my life.

 

Two of those women are actually joining us on this very special episode, and we also have another very special guest, not a woman, and I'll be introducing these special folks very, very soon. Joining me again, as she has done for all 100 episodes in one way or another, is Wendy McConnell, who today is going to help guide this conversation and keep us on track.

Wendy, how are you?

Wendy McConnell: I'm good. You're right. I've been here for everyone, whether I'm behind the scenes or in front of the camera.

Eric Blake: You're very right. So a little over two and a half years ago, did you think I would make it, or we would make it, to 100 episodes together?

Wendy McConnell: You know, that's

Eric Blake: way too long of a delay.

Wendy McConnell: No, it's just that, you know, so many people don't last, but I had a lot of hope once you increased your podcast schedule to once a week. I was like, oh, he's serious. He means business. He's going to do this.

Eric Blake: Yeah, that happened just over about a year ago. We went to the weekly schedule, and it's been nonstop since then.

So I greatly appreciate everything you've done. I'm glad that you're part of this journey. And before we go any further, I just wanted to introduce everyone who's joining us today. First, my wife Dawn, who's been part of the business for the last five plus years, and we are actually going to be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary just under two months from the time this episode goes live.

We also have my daughter, Kaitlyn, who recently joined the firm in August of last year, just so happens to be the mother of the most amazing two year old in the world as well, our granddaughter Sloane. And my son Eric, who is not technically a junior because he's actually named after my grandfather, who I've referenced a number of times in the past on the podcast. The man I call daddy. His name was Lowell, so he has a different middle name than I do. He is Eric Lowell Blake. He joined our firm in December.

So this is truly a family conversation. So welcome to the show, everyone.

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: Hey guys.

Eric L. Blake: Thank you.

Dawn Blake: Thanks for having us.

Eric Blake: Actually, as I said earlier, Wendy is going to help facilitate this conversation for us today, asking the questions, keeping things moving, and I will chime in from time to time as well.

So Wendy, I'll let you take it from here.

Wendy McConnell: All right, here we go. Now let's, you know, this is a party, guys, let's get a little party atmosphere with your enthusiasm in your voice, and, you know, we're going to make this fun. Okay? Are we all ready?

Eric Blake: Everybody get hyped up here.

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: I need the same energy that my two year old has the minute she wakes up.

Wendy McConnell: Right.

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: So

Wendy McConnell: I can't

Eric Blake: keep up with that. That's the only problem.

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: You're telling me. I get it.

Dawn Blake: Full disclosure, I feel like a Brady Bunch right now. I should be looking down at Wendy and saying, there's a story.

Wendy McConnell: Yeah. Well, and as I said, only certain people of a certain age know that story now. So I don't know if your kids do. I mentioned it once to Eric and he said he didn't watch the show.

Eric Blake: I was around when it was on. I just wasn't a big fan.

Dawn Blake: He was outside for baseball or basketball.

Wendy McConnell: Oh, football.

Dawn Blake: Yeah, not interested in TV.

Wendy McConnell: How can you not watch the, okay. Anyway, we've gotten off course.

I'm going to start with, and I'm going to refer to him as Eric L.

Eric L. Blake: Yeah, that works.

Wendy McConnell: Eric L and Kaitlyn, did you ever think that your dad would host a podcast, much less reach 100 episodes?

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: I mean, whenever he sticks to something and he's got a plan, he is the man with a plan. So did I think we would make it to, I say we now that we are both a part of the business and it's really a family thing now, you know, did I think we were going to make it? Maybe not so much.

But now, my dad is a very knowledgeable man and he knows his stuff. And when he talks about what he knows about, I mean, I one hundred percent believed after so many episodes that this is going to be a successful thing.

And I'm so glad it has, because I feel like it's brought in a lot of women and couples and people who are looking for somebody to help them financially, especially trying to retire, post retirement, during retirement, everything.

So yeah, I'm really proud of him for everything that he's done and how far along they've come.

Wendy McConnell: Well, Eric L, did you think that, you know, with his personality, he would be able to keep up with this?

Eric L. Blake: Yeah, I mean, my dad isn't too big of a talker all the time, so it was a bit of a surprise when you told me that he was going to start a podcast. But I think it makes a lot of sense. I mean, me and him have had plenty of conversations over the years about finance, and I know that he's super passionate about it.

So it makes a lot of sense that he'd want to help as many people as he can doing a podcast, and I'm so happy that it's been as successful as it has been so far.

Wendy McConnell: All right. So Dawn, what did you think? Did you think that he had it in him to not only do this, not only do it every week, but reach 100 episodes?

Dawn Blake: One thousand percent. I will tell you it's not here anymore. It's funny because my eyes keep looking at it. He had this whiteboard hanging in our home office, and over a year this list grew with topics and ideas he thought about while he was on his walks, after meetings with clients or after any financial literacy programs that he offered our community.

I would giggle when we would host those community events, when he would start out by saying, which I know he said to you a ton of times, I'm going to totally nerd out when it comes to Social Security, or I'm such a huge fan of, and you can hear that tone in his voice that he is truly passionate about what he knows.

And I remember one time at one of our education talks, there was this woman who gently got his attention and put her hand on his wrist, and Eric turned around and she said, I was totally unaware that was even possible and I can't thank you enough for what you shared.

Wendy McConnell: Kaitlyn, let's talk about how you navigate dad versus boss. Now you are working remotely, but has there been any issues with when he's acting more like dad than boss or vice versa?

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: I think it's honestly Papapa time versus boss time. Now that I have access to his calendar, I'm like, well, we can't call Papapa right now because he's in the middle of whatever he's doing, so we're going to have to wait until later.

But no, my dad and I have always had an upfront relationship. I know I can call him and talk through things, and he and I have a similar mindset in terms of how to get things done.

I don't think it's been tough at all to navigate dad versus boss because we think in very similar ways. It's been easy to connect and understand.

Eric Blake: Here's the funniest story of the whole thing, is we went through this back and forth of, is it okay to say I love you at the end of our team meetings?

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: Yeah. I said, well, I guess I can't get sent to HR for telling my boss and my coworkers that I love them.

Wendy McConnell: Well, you could, but that wouldn't do well for the family part of it.

Eric Blake: And just to pull back the curtain a little bit, when Kaitlyn talks about surge meetings, we meet with our clients twice a year. Everybody gets the opportunity to meet with us at least twice a year.

It usually happens in the spring and then in the fall. She came on right before our fall meeting block, and that's just nonstop. It's getting ready, preparing for meetings, and getting everything ready for those conversations because they're extremely important.

So she got thrown into the fire pretty quickly when she came on board.

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: I give myself a pat on the back for being able to take on all that.

Eric Blake: She's been amazing. She took to the role and just dove in head on and has been amazing. I can't be any prouder of her.

Wendy McConnell: Kaitlyn, do you have a newfound respect for your dad? Do you see why this work matters so much to him and to all of you now?

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: Yeah, absolutely. Especially being a woman and being a mother and being a wife, before coming into the practice I didn't know much about finances.

Being here now and being part of this, I realize how important it is for women to be educated about their finances because you never know what's going to happen. Divorce, death of a spouse, anything like that.

It's so important to have that education, and I'm proud of my dad for having this podcast and being able to teach women, couples, and really anybody who is willing to listen how important it is to be aware of what your financial situation is.

Wendy McConnell: So Eric L, has stepping into the business changed how you see your dad?

Eric L. Blake: Honestly, I wouldn't really say so. I've always been interested in finance since I was a teenager, and it's always something me and my dad have talked about.

But over the past couple years, I've learned a lot about how much what my dad does means to him on an emotional level. Anybody who's gone to our events knows that this mission means a lot to him.

Wendy McConnell: So has this been something that's been planned all along?

Eric L. Blake: No, not really. But my dad was a big reason why I decided to go into finance. I decided to be a financial advisor when I was about 15 or 16.

Eric Blake: It's kind of scary how our paths have gone very much parallel. We both started in computer science, switched to accounting, and ended up in financial planning.

Wendy McConnell: What's the one thing you've learned just by watching him?

Eric L. Blake: Discipline. I've seen my dad get up at 5:30 in the morning every single day to work out. That consistent example of hard work had a huge impact on me.

Wendy McConnell: So Dawn, what happens after a tough client conversation?

Dawn Blake: Life doesn't always follow a predictable path. Clients call us during very difficult times, and sometimes we are the first call they make.

We provide support, not just financially but emotionally as well. I always tell clients, you can call me anytime.

Eric Blake: The definition of a tough conversation changes. Sometimes it's telling a client something they don't want to hear. Other times it's when they call us during a life crisis.

That's where Dawn has been such a valuable resource. She provides that emotional connection that complements what I do.

Wendy McConnell: So Dawn, why does this mission matter so much to Eric?

Dawn Blake: I've seen firsthand how financial challenges impact people's lives. Eric wants to give clients confidence so they can focus on what matters most.

His grandmother and family experiences shaped that mission. It's about helping people feel confident and supported.

Wendy McConnell: Kaitlyn, what values matter most in this family business?

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: Communication, legacy, and respect. We want to continue providing support for years to come.

Communication is important not just within our family but with our clients. We want them to feel heard and supported.

Wendy McConnell: Eric L, did you ever think this could be a multi generational firm?

Eric L. Blake: Not at all. It's been a great surprise, and it's been amazing to spend more time together as a family.

Wendy McConnell: Kaitlyn, if Sloane listens to this someday, what do you hope she hears?

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: I want her to know the importance of being strong, independent, and confident. I want her to understand respect, communication, and having support.

I want her to move through life with confidence.

Wendy McConnell: To both Erics, what do you hope Blake Wealth Management looks like in 10 to 20 years?

Eric L. Blake: Personalized. I want it to be everything our clients could ever need.

Eric Blake: The future is about continuing to improve communication and service. AI will never replace the human connection we provide.

I want to give my family the opportunity to take this business wherever they want it to go.

Wendy McConnell: We'll meet back here in 10 years.

Eric Blake: Sounds good.

Before we wrap up, does anyone have anything else to add?

Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot: Thank you for the opportunity.

Eric L. Blake: Thank you.

Eric Blake: I want to thank my family for being part of this journey. Dawn, everything you do in our business and our lives together means everything.

I always say I would not be the man I am today without the women in my life, and you are at the top of that list.

Eric Blake: Thank you to everyone listening. Whether this is your first episode or you've been with us for all 100, I truly appreciate you being here.

That is it for this 100th episode of the Simply Retirement Podcast. Don't forget to like, follow, and share, and until next time, please remember, retirement is not the end of the road. It's the start of a new journey.