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Meet Trailblazer Michelle Buonincontri

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Buonincontri.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After a successful career in a corporate financial services environment for over 20 years working with Business Partners to define their goals, objectives, and strategies to meet them, I was feeling disconnected. In 2005, after too many mergers between Chase and other financial institutions, I really started to question how I could have more impact in the world in a more meaningful way for families and knew I had to make a move. So, I decided to go back to my roots.

What did I love? What was I good at? Seeing the big picture and the details. Helping others. Simplifying complex ideas. During this introspection, I went back even further to “see who I was”.

You see, I grew up in an Italian household. Living in my grandparent’s home resulted in a connection to family and community that runs deep. As a teen, I worked for our family business and my grandfather taught me about money using what he called the “envelope system” and this formed my initial interest and foundation for money management. It was this discipline and philosophy around the importance of cash management that enabled me to pay for a 30k wedding at age 19 and purchase my first home at age 21. It was this discipline that made me the financial CEO of our household with a passion I cannot describe.

It’s amazing how timely the universe can be, when we allow ourselves to be open to other opportunities. At the time I was struggling with what to do next, my then spouse left his employer and we needed a financial advisor to help us invest his retirement assets. So, we met with a friend of a friend (a CFP), and I knew then, at that meeting, that this was what I wanted to do.

My roots and a desire to make a difference for families is what ultimately inspired me mid-life to return to school and become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®). Eventually, although I loved Investment Management, I still wanted to do more for real people. Through my own tumultuous divorce experience, I came to know the stress, the fear, and the cost that this process has on families first-hand. I learned that the current divorce process doesn’t setup couples and their families for success. Instead, the current divorce process is adversarial – pitting spouses against each other – and is not constructed to support families in a healthy way. My divorce experience fueled this desire further, so I went on to found Being Mindful in Divorce, attain specialized education in the financial nuances of divorce as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), and became trained as a Collaborative Divorce Professional and Mediator.

My mission is to reduce the emotional & financial toll that divorce can take on families through a different process that is financially responsible; one that provides analysis, options, negotiation advice, and an opportunity to make settlement decisions with clarity & peace of mind. A process that supports families in “creating” the next phase of their lives.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This has been an incredible journey; working with individuals, attorneys, mediators during a divorce, teaching, and writing. In all of this, I have been confronted to grow as an entrepreneur. To confront  my own personal story around my divorce, to find my voice and stay the course. As well as have an opportunity to be a resource to so many wonderful folks I have met through both my Divorce & Women’s literacy workshops, in addition to my Divorce case financial planning work.

During this time, I have had to learn to get past my own fears around what I previously considered “sales”. I have shifted my perspective to see my work as one of service to others, and an opportunity to support another in a difficult process. When I come from a place of “how can I support you ?”, incredible things happen and I get to live my life’s purpose.

From a big picture point of view, I’ve learned that when there is an obstacle or a break-down, something big is typically on the other side. These have been my learning opportunities to grow into something bigger than I’ve known myself to be. But this is just the beginning, so I am very excited to see where this all leads in another 20 years.

As far as advice. I have been very blessed with those who have shown up in my life to support me. Mentors are key. Don’t be afraid to ask someone you respect if they are open to mentoring you in some capacity. We can’t go it alone. We need a support system – a village. Seek out other professionals in your field or other entrepreneurs if you are going that route.

Have savings, and income or some financial plan if you are following the entrepreneurial route.

Lastly, listen to your voice; not that of society, your parents or your corporate culture. This is hard in a society with so many distractions, so much “noise” and “doing. Take time and be silent, so you can really “hear”. Know your values and beliefs. Stand in them when you make decisions. This will not always be easy. But coming from a place of authenticity, (and this is also where having support is important) will serve you in the long run.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Being Mindful in Divorce – what should we know?
Ultimately, financial literacy & the economic empowerment of families is my motivation and commitment.

In my work as a Divorce Financial Neutral or Financial Advocate, I work with individuals, couples, an attorney, mediator or part of a Collaborative Divorce team – and sometimes even as a Financial Mediator. I specialize in supporting couples in an amicable divorce process that honors who they have been for each other and developing an equitable settlement. A process that seeks collaboration rather than division; both my personal and professional experience support this commitment. My job is to “have my clients’ back”, reduce the fear of financial uncertainty, and keep them focused on their vision for their financial future so they can move forward. I do this by providing analysis, options, negotiation advice and first-hand empathy for what folks are experiencing. Reports & information can help turn uncertainty into clarity and peace of mind by helping folks to see the short and long-term impacts of the settlement choices they are making 25+ years into the future at both monthly cash flow and annual net worth point of view. This transparent process can reduce stress for both spouses and help preserve wealth for their family. Isn’t this what we want? No one gets married with the intention to get divorced. If couples grow apart, why not decouple assets in a way that helps both partied heals and have the best possible future financial outcome? Instead of a “me vs. you” mentally that prevails in many family law matters.

As a Financial Coach, I provide a sound foundation that empowers clients to be “success-minded” – making smarter financial choices decisions with confidence. My clients recognize their need and are ready to take action with a professional in solving it. They are motivated because they realize that what they’ve been doing so far has not produced the results they want. They may be doing OK with their finances (or even great) but they know they can be doing even better, but don’t know how. Or maybe they feel the stress of living paycheck to paycheck, they feel overwhelmed and want to get out of that spiral. As a Financial Coach, I help to identify the root of their financial pain points and develop a plan with strategies to resolve them, so they can meet their financial goals. I am not providing financial advice or trying to sell products. And because all services are provided on a “fee-only” basis – this is a “conflict-free” relationship. This support is about education, behavior and smart money habits – the framework that is developed so that clients can then benefit from working with a Financial Advisor.

As a facilitator of a divorce workshop “What Everyone Should Know About Divorce”, I help to educate folks about the pitfalls of dividing assets and debt during a divorce, tax implications, hidden assets and risk management. During this workshop, my team also provides conflict-free information on the family law legal process here in AZ, as well as the emotional aspects of divorce. My commitment to community and financial literacy extends to my volunteer activities at Fresh Start Women’s Foundation teaching investment basics and with Savvy Ladies coaching women on other financial matters.

Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
I love Success Magazine, TedTalks and InvestmentNews! And making quiet time to connect and meditate daily is important for me.

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Image Credit:
Brandon Sullivan

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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