28/09/2026
It has taken me a while to write this post, and I wasn't sure I would share it at all. But I have some pretty amazing people in my corner who encouraged me to stop, acknowledge this moment and allow myself to be proud.
At this year's Adviser Conference, I was incredibly honoured to be named AvalonFS Adviser of the Year.
It was something I didn't expect, and it meant more to me than I was prepared for.
In August, I reached my first year as sole owner and director of Clear Financial Solutions. I didn't acknowledge it or really allow myself to appreciate the milestone for what it was. I let the day pass, kept my head down and kept working, as I so often do.
It has been one of the best and hardest years of my career.
It has also been a year of significant growth for Clear Financial Solutions. We’ve welcomed new clients, strengthened existing relationships, continued refining our advice process and kept raising the standard of what we provide. Most importantly, this year has reminded me just how much I love what I do.
Behind that growth have been long hours and plenty of juggling. I am a mum who wants to be present for the important moments, and a business owner and adviser who cares deeply about her clients. Balancing both hasn't always been easy, but both mean everything to me.
What made this award particularly emotional was knowing that the person I would normally call afterwards is no longer here.
Almost three months after I became sole owner and director, my mentor and the previous director of the business, Joe Ryan, passed away.
Although Joe had stepped back from financial advice a couple of years before I became sole owner, he remained an important part of the business and an even more important part of my life. He was my sounding board, my mentor and, most importantly, my friend. After every conference, achievement and milestone, he was the person I called to debrief and share it with.
I never imagined leading Clear Financial Solutions without him in my corner. Receiving this award made his absence especially noticeable, but it also reminded me how much of what Joe built still lives on through this business and the values behind it.
Carrying that legacy forward has given me a great sense of purpose through some very difficult moments.
I certainly haven't done any of this alone.
Thank you to my incredible 2IC, who has stood beside me throughout this chapter, keeps ClearFS running and is truly part of its heart. To my family and my partner, who carried the load at home when I couldn't. And to our clients, who place their trust in us and remind me every day why this work matters.
So, after letting so many milestones pass without stopping to recognise them, I'm choosing to honour this one.
I'm proud of what we've achieved, grateful for everyone who has stood beside me, and genuinely excited about the future of Clear Financial Solutions.
Here's to continuing to grow, continuing to raise the standard, and never losing sight of the purpose and people behind Clear Financial Solutions.
