We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kalli Fedusenko. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Kalli, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Being outside in my garden! Not many people know this, but I actually have my Master Gardener certification. When I need to re-center myself or take a break from a challenging project, there’s nothing better than digging in the dirt in my backyard. It’s just so peaceful, and I never get tired of seeing the seasons change through the lens of something I’ve planned, planted, and cared for. Of course, the dogs love it too. Some of my favorite plants from this year’s garden were the Teddy Bear sunflowers I planted. They’re so cheerful, you can’t see one and NOT smile.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kalli Fedusenko, founder of Savvy Advisor Marketing. I handle digital marketing for financial advisors, which covers a lot of ground–website design, content and ad strategy, photoshoots and videography, and then all of the back-end editing. Financial advisors tend to be numbers people, and they’re really good at that, but their job isn’t really about investment portfolios or tax planning. It’s about helping people walk away from a meeting feeling less overwhelmed or worried about their financial situation. And you don’t build that sense of confidence by handing someone a spreadsheet; you invest in a relationship with them. You listen, and you build trust. But advisors don’t always have time to build that relationship, so what I get to do is help them bridge the gap through digital marketing. Sending a personalized message to every client 2-3x a week just isn’t feasible, but social media posts or newsletters that get in front of them weekly, speaking to their specific needs, that DON’T sound like they were written by a robot–that helps create that connection. I’m always working on more ways to help advisors connect more effectively, like how-tos or educational courses. I also do a lot of event speaking, which I love. It’s an industry I’ll always be passionate about, because I’ve been on the client side, and I know what a difference it makes.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Saying yes to everything. When you’re first starting a business, you’re trying to find your stride and grow. That takes some experimentation, and I used to say yes to every client or opportunity. Now, I find a lot of value in being able to only say yes to the things that are truly a good match. Filtering out a partnership or opportunity that isn’t a great fit but may still be okay allows me to really hone in on the things that reflect my personal and professional goals, or even the things I’m passionate about. I think it’s important to be confident that you’re heading in the right direction, whether that’s in life or work, and saying no sometimes is a big part of that. It also helps with fighting burnout.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
When things get tough, one thing rings out above it all: we need each other. Without failure, I don’t think I would have realized just how much of my success isn’t mine at all.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think people can really get hung up on instant results, especially in the marketing industry. They see other people or companies go viral and spend all of their energy trying to replicate it, which usually means switching tactics too fast to give any strategy the time it needs to gain traction. It just ends up wasting time and money. I find a lot of things that are true in the garden are also true in life. When we look at how long it takes for a plant to start producing, we use the phrase “First year sleep, second year creep, third year leap.” Good marketing takes time–and that doesn’t mean you set it and forget it for three years. You should always be checking data and making small adjustments as needed. But overnight results are a very rare exception, not a strategy you can replicate. I’m always encouraging advisors to give their marketing strategy enough time to take root.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I love being outside. My husband, Mic, and I try to get out as much as possible. We do a lot of hikes with the dogs, and we love going to the outdoor concerts at Centennial Park.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://savvyadvisormarketing.com
- Instagram: @savvy_advisor_marketing
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/savvyadvisor
- Twitter: https://x.com/SavvyAdvisorVIP
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/SavvyAdvisorMarketing
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@savvyadvisormarketing
Image Credits
Michelob Fedusenko
