What makes Shari Carlson with Unity Wealth Strategies a good neighbor?  

Financial literacy remains one of the most critical yet overlooked life skills in today's complex economy. In a recent episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast, host Tony Hills spoke with Shari Carlson, founder of Unity Wealth Strategies, who is challenging industry norms by making financial advice accessible to everyone—not just those with substantial wealth or complicated portfolios.

Carlson's journey into financial advising stems from personal frustration with the industry's exclusionary practices. After years in banking, she noticed a troubling pattern: financial advisors often refused to engage with clients who didn't meet certain wealth thresholds. When seeking financial guidance herself, Carlson encountered this barrier firsthand. "I went and looked for a financial advisor and couldn't find one that would take the time to speak with me because I didn't have what they thought was going to fit what their target client was," she explained. This experience became the catalyst for her business philosophy—creating a financial advisory service that welcomes conversations with anyone interested in improving their financial situation, regardless of their current wealth status.

Unity Wealth Strategies, founded in August of the previous year, embodies this inclusive approach through its very name. Carlson carefully selected "Unity" to emphasize partnership and collaboration in financial decision-making. The firm's mission centers on reducing the stress associated with money management by providing clients with a supportive partner in the process. This approach directly challenges the popular misconception that financial advisors exclusively serve the wealthy elite. As Carlson points out, "You don't have to have a super complicated financial portfolio to be able to talk to a financial advisor. You just have to be in the mindset that you want to do better and you want support in doing better."

While Carlson works extensively with business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs and small business operators, her client acquisition strategy focuses on relationship-building rather than aggressive marketing tactics. Her involvement in community volunteering, local entrepreneur organizations, and networking has created a strong foundation of trust that drives word-of-mouth referrals. Though she maintains the expected digital presence through social media, website, and email marketing, Carlson credits her success to genuine community connections and being a reliable resource for those with financial questions.

Behind her professional accomplishments lies a personal story of resilience. As a single mother to a 16-year-old son with multiple medical challenges including autism and Type 1 diabetes, Carlson has faced continuous hardships rather than a single defining obstacle. Her philosophy—"What can I do to make life better for him and myself? What can I do to improve the environment we're in for the people around us?"—reflects the same positive, solution-oriented approach she brings to financial advising. This lived experience of perseverance through ongoing challenges has shaped her understanding that "life is going to happen, whether we like it or not," reinforcing her commitment to helping others navigate their financial journeys with confidence and optimism.

To learn more about Unity Wealth Strategies go to: 

https://myunitywealth.com/

Unity Wealth Strategies

719-602-1221