What to Expect | Genesis Wealth Advisor Group

Let's Start with the Caller ID Test

Before we talk numbers, we want to make sure we're a good fit. Here's how we work — and what you can expect at every step.

Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation

We serve clients in Marlton, Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Haddonfield, Voorhees, and throughout South Jersey, and we work virtually with clients in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, Texas, California, Virginia, and other states where we are appropriately registered.

Financial planning is a long-term relationship, not a one-time transaction. Before we talk about numbers, we want to know if we're a good fit for each other.

Our "Caller ID" Test

We often say the first step is the Caller ID test:

If either of us sees the other's name on our phone and thinks, "I don't want to talk to him or her," we shouldn't work together. If we both feel comfortable and see value in the relationship, that's a much better foundation for meaningful planning.

Our goal in the early conversations is to answer two basic questions:

Do we genuinely like and trust each other enough to work together over time?
Can we add real value to your situation?

Start the Conversation

"Before we build anything together, we need to understand who you are, what you've built, and where you want to go. A good financial plan always starts with a good conversation."

— Scott Jones, BFA^™ CPFA^® CRPC^® RFC^®, Founder, Genesis Wealth Advisor Group

How Does Your Initial Consultation Work?

Most initial consultations last about 90 minutes. There is no obligation to hire us — and in fact, we do not ask clients to formally hire us until the implementation stage. That gives both of us the opportunity to continue getting to know one another over several meetings before we formalize the relationship.

During this meeting, we will:

Ask "get to know you" questions about your financial past, current situation, and what prompted you to reach out
Talk about your goals for working together and what a successful relationship would look like for you
Begin to understand how you think about money — how you make decisions, what you worry about, and how you've handled opportunities and setbacks in the past

This is the start of our behavioral finance work. We are less interested in judging past decisions and more interested in understanding the patterns behind them so we can make better decisions going forward.

We don't beat you up for prior choices that may not have worked out. We can't change the past. We can, however, influence the future — and that is where we focus our time and energy.

Our 5-Step Planning Process

If we mutually decide to keep going, we follow the same structured financial planning process we use with every client:

1. Initial Consultation — Understand your goals, concerns, and financial picture

2. Data Gathering — Collect details on accounts, income, expenses, insurance, and priorities

3. Strategy Session(s) — Over one to three meetings, review options and recommendations together and refine your plan

4. Implementation of Plan — Put agreed-upon strategies in place, complete paperwork, and coordinate with other professionals as needed

5. Ongoing Monitoring & Support — Meet regularly to review progress, adjust as life changes, and help you stay on track

We often joke that we date before we get married. We do not ask clients to formally hire us until the implementation stage — so by the time we formalize the relationship, we already know each other well.

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How We Think About Recommendations

When we make recommendations, we use a simple, practical framework. Any strategy we suggest needs to pass three tests:

It has to make sense
Our recommendations must clearly help you work toward your goals. If we cannot explain why something fits your situation in plain language, we will not recommend it.

You have to be able to sleep at night
The strategies we recommend need to be comfortable for you and aligned with your personal values and how you naturally think about money — which reflects our behavioral finance approach to planning. There is often more than one way to work toward your goals. Some approaches may be a little more efficient than others, but if you are not fully comfortable with a strategy, it will be hard to stick with it over the long haul.

It has to fit your budget
We are not going to ask you to save money you do not have or cut expenses in ways that are unrealistic. Your plan has to work in real life. We build recommendations around what you can reasonably do today, with room to adjust as your situation changes.

Our role is to bring structure, options, and experience to the table. Your role is to be honest about what feels realistic and sustainable. Together, we choose strategies that you understand, believe in, and can actually live with over time.

How Do We Communicate and Meet?

Clear expectations make for better relationships. Here is what most clients can expect:

Meeting frequency — Ongoing review meetings are typically quarterly, semi-annual, or annual, depending on your situation, preferences, and the level of service you choose
Meeting format — We can meet in person at our Marlton, NJ office, by phone, or via video conference, depending on what works best for you
Between-meeting contact — You can reach out with questions as they come up, and we will set clear expectations so you know what to expect when you call or email
Involving family members — When appropriate, we encourage spouses or partners to be part of the process, and we can include adult children or other family members when it makes sense

Start the Conversation

What Do We Ask of Our Clients?

For planning to work, it has to be a partnership. We ask clients to:

Share a complete and honest picture of their financial life so we are not planning around missing pieces
Be open to discussing trade-offs, priorities, and sometimes difficult topics
Let us know when major life changes happen so we can adjust the plan
Commit to the agreed-upon review schedule so the plan stays current

Beyond the Financial Plan — White Glove Services

Working with Genesis Wealth Advisor Group means access to more than financial planning. For clients who want it, we offer a range of concierge services designed to make life a little easier and to connect you with trusted resources beyond the financial plan.Our first priority is helping you take care of yourself and your family. We want to learn more about your personal situation, identify your dreams and goals, and understand your tolerance for risk. Long-term relationships that encourage open and honest communication have been the cornerstone of my foundation of success.

These services include:

Mortgage Services — Access to mortgage professionals for purchase, refinance, or home equity needs
Personalized Auto Shopping — Guidance and connections for a less stressful vehicle buying experience
Attorney Services — Referrals to trusted legal professionals for estate, business, and personal legal matters (ask your attorney about specifics)
Accounting Services — Connections to CPA and tax professionals who can work alongside your financial plan
Event Ticket Pre-Sales — Early access to concerts, sports, and entertainment events
Health & Wellness Services — Referrals and resources to support your overall well-being
Career Networking — Introductions and connections for professional transitions or advancement
Spas — Curated recommendations for relaxation and personal care

Clients who want this level of coordination across all areas of their financial life — retirement, taxes, estate, and protection planning working together — may be a strong fit for the Genesis Premier Virtual Family Office™.

These are offered as a complement to your financial plan — not a replacement for professional advice in each area. Ask us about any of these services during your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the financial planning process take?

The timeline varies depending on your situation and how quickly we can gather information. Most clients complete the first three stages — consultation, data gathering, and strategy sessions — within 60 to 90 days. Implementation and ongoing support continue from there.

Do you work with clients virtually?

Yes. We meet in person at our office located at Five Greentree Centre, 525 Route 73 North, Suite 104, Marlton, NJ 08053 and virtually by phone or video conference. Many of our clients outside of South Jersey — in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, Texas, California and Virginia — work with us entirely remotely.

What should I bring to the first meeting?

To provide as much value as possible, you are invited to bring several documents. If you have a recent account statements, Social Security statement, insurance policy information such as life, disability and long-term care, tax return, or existing financial plan you'd like to reference, feel free to bring it — but the first meeting is primarily a conversation, not a full document review.

Before your first conversation, our free guide — 7 Common Planning Mistakes — covers the planning gaps we most commonly address in early client meetings.

Ready to See If We're a Fit?

If this approach sounds like what you have been looking for, the next step is simple: schedule an initial consultation. We will take the time to get to know you, see if we pass the Caller ID test together, and explore whether our process can add value to your situation.