George Stefanou – First-generation Greek-American, Forbes “Best in State” Next Gen Wealth Advisor (2023, 2024), author of Two Comma Wealth, and founder of the financial planning firm Two Comma Wealth.

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  Early Hustle:

  
  
  
  
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    Grew up working flea markets, managing a coffee stand by 14, learning firsthand about hard work and margins (selling hundreds of cups from a single bulk bag of beans).

    
    
  
  
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    Family stress on work ethic over formal education (first in his family to finish high school/college).

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Mindset & Upbringing:

  
  
  
  
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    Dad: 4th grade education, Greek immigrant roots, championed U.S. for its opportunity.

    
    
  
  
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    Education wasn’t pressured but encouraged as a path out of manual labor — “you can make a lot more money owning the business than swinging the hammer.”

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Professional Beginnings:

  
  
  
  
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    Started at CVS (Florida): progressed from cashier to store management, realized the corporate grind wasn’t for him.

    
    
  
  
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    Discovered financial advising, took the risk, and built a book of clients from scratch despite early financial hardship.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Career in Financial Planning:

  
  
  
  
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    Earned numerous certifications (to build trust while young).

    
    
  
  
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    Stresses need for lifelong learning and combining IQ and EQ for real success with clients.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  About Two Comma Wealth (the book):

  
  
  
  
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    Written for both consumers and industry peers.

    
    
  
  
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    Focuses on actionable strategies for surpassing $1M net worth, but especially on what changes after you cross that threshold:

    
    
    
    
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      Complexity, emotional swings with market volatility, nuances around distributions, withdrawal rates, taxes, and estate planning.

      
      
    
    
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      Challenges of first-generation wealth (scarcity mindset, fear of spending, finding balance between living now and preserving legacy).

      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
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    Aims to demystify wealth management for “everyday millionaires.”

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Certified Financial Planner Career Path:

  
  
  
  
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    Entry routes: Broker/dealer, fee-only/RIAs, or hybrid.

    
    
  
  
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    Education/licensing: Can get entry-level securities licenses in months; advanced credentials (CFP, CFA) take years but build a valuable career “moat.”

    
    
  
  
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    Highly front-loaded: Most start with low/no pay, lots of cold prospecting, high attrition/turnover. Significant success and six/seven figures possible for those that break through.

    
    
  
  
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    Modern firms now offer more support, salary, and training versus the old eat-what-you-kill model.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  The Power of Having a Moat:

  
  
  
  
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    High difficulty of becoming a trusted CFP means fewer competitors once you succeed, and deeper, more meaningful client relationships.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Final Takeaways:

  
  
  
  
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    CFPs and financial planners can have massive, positive multigenerational impact—if they combine technical skill with empathy and true service.

    
    
  
  
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    The field is very challenging at first but extremely rewarding.

    
    
  
  
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    Barriers to entry and trust are a signal that the opportunity is real.

    
    
  
  
  
  

Connect with George Stefanou:

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  Book: Two Comma Wealth

  
  


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  Contact: Find George on all major social media or email directly (contact in show notes)

  
  

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