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Drift Less: Plan More. Rooted in Decorah and Expanding My Financial Planning Practice to Serve Our Community

Writer's picture: Betsy at RVPFBetsy at RVPF

Updated: Jan 29


Hey Decorah friends—see what I did there? When our local Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau decided to push the “Drift Less” marketing strategy, I wasn’t completely sold. But now, a few years later, it’s clear their choice has been spot on.

I’ll admit, I’m a planner through and through—not the most spontaneous person. While I’m not overly cautious, I do like to approach new things with intention and care. This has served me well, though I’ve occasionally overthought and delayed decisions. One of those moments came with a beautiful piece of property along the Upper Iowa River that slipped through our fingers—a reminder I carry with me. I’m thankful for my husband and peers who encourage me to act on opportunities a little quicker.


A Place Called Home

Since moving to Decorah in 2019 and leaving the Department of Defense career behind, I’ve come to truly love calling this place—and its people—home. My family and I have enjoyed putting down roots and forming meaningful connections. But for a while, I had a lingering fear: that people might think I was always trying to sell to them once they found out what I do for a living. So, I focused my energy on helping women in medicine and veterans, sticking to my specialty area.


This approach kept me working mostly with clients through virtual means and email, though I did have a few brave locals reach out and ask for help with their financial plans. They made me realize that, even though I wasn’t seeking out clients, I could still serve my neighbors in a fulfilling way. But I stubbornly held on to my “safe space” of specialty work, hesitant to expand beyond those familiar bounds.


An Unexpected Meeting

One day, during a meeting with a local contractor, the conversation unexpectedly turned to my business. Like many others I’ve met, he wasn’t familiar with the concept of fee-only fiduciary financial planning.


After reflecting on that meeting, I realized something important: opening my practice to more people in the Decorah area doesn’t mean I’m suddenly going to pester my friends and neighbors for business. It also doesn’t mean I’m dismissing the work that other CFP® professionals do in our region or expecting a flood of new clients. What it does mean is that my community now has access to a local Certified Financial Planner™ who:

  • Doesn’t sell financial products. No insurance. No annuities. No commission-based investment products. I can advise on investment strategies, but those plans are up to you to implement—whether on your own or with the support of RVPF.

  • Doesn’t require you to meet special qualifications or feel like you have to ask for an exception to get advice.

  • Offers affordable, hourly advice from a CFP® professional who specializes in areas like student loan/debt management, budgeting, and financial counseling. No one is too far gone to draft a plan toward financial stability. Plus, financial disagreements are a major cause of divorce, so it’s a personal mission of mine to help couples have more productive conversations about their money.


Moving Forward

I’m excited about what’s to come for RVPF and for the greater Decorah area. While my website will continue to focus on my core specialties, I’m committed to deepening my roots in this community, expanding my relationships, and investing in the financial well-being of our people. If you ever need advice or just want to chat about your financial future, I’m here, ready to help you take the next step.

Let’s build a strong, financially stable community—together!




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