Twenty years.

That’s the number that launches The Number.

The milestone number 20 marks Wendy’s twentieth year in the financial industry. What began as business consulting evolved into an independent financial planning practice grounded in curiosity, education, and doing what is right—not what is easy.

In this first episode, Wendy Brookhouse and Kelsey MacAulay introduce the podcast and the concept behind it: beginning every conversation with a number and uncovering the story that sits behind it.

Wendy and Kelsey discuss what has changed over the past two decades, from pandemic‑driven digital acceleration to the rise of AI and faster approval processes. They also explore what has stayed constant: every client brings their own story, fears, aspirations, and definition of success.

With fewer than 17 percent of independent financial advisors being female, Wendy reflects on the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in modern financial planning—skills that she believes will matter even more in the years ahead.

They also outline the three core planning pathways at Black Star Wealth:

The One Number Solution
Retirement Planning
Total Wealth Blueprint for Business Owners

You’ll hear why the firm is shifting toward fixed‑fee models to offer greater transparency and clarity for clients.

This episode sets the tone for what The Number is all about: clarity, empowerment, and real conversations about the numbers that shape your life.

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001: The Story Behind the Numbers: Two Decades of Financial Evolution