Some people seek out a financial advisor for an investment strategy. Others come looking for answers—how to retire, how to support aging parents, how to move forward after a sudden loss.
But the first thing they often need isn’t a plan. It’s a conversation.
The Human Side of Wealth
Financial decisions are rarely made in a vacuum. They’re shaped by emotion, family dynamics, and the personal stories behind each client’s situation.
When a client’s husband passed away unexpectedly, she was thrust into the role of managing a financial life she had never been part of. She told me that what mattered most during that difficult time wasn’t just the technical guidance; it was that she felt seen, heard, and cared for. That experience defined how we moved forward: with patience, step-by-step education, and space for her grief.
At other times, clients come to me during less visible transitions. A couple is trying to balance support for their adult children with their own retirement. Business owners with conflicting goals. Widows and widowers are facing not just financial loss, but a complete reshaping of their day-to-day lives. In every case, listening becomes the bridge to clarity.
I’ve learned that when you take a moment to genuinely check in, people often open up about what’s really weighing on them. And that’s when the real financial work begins.
Listening Builds the Foundation
At Deerfield, our Wealthwhile® approach focuses on aligning your resources with your values. That can only happen if I understand what’s most important to you: your goals, your fears, your family, your legacy.
Financial strategies without context can fall short. One client once told me she felt like she had to choose between supporting her spouse through retirement and helping their kids become financially independent. We talked through her concerns, mapped out cash-flow scenarios, and designed a plan that brought structure to a very emotional decision.
She didn’t need someone to tell her what to do. She needed someone to help her think clearly through the noise.
What Happens When Advisors Don’t Listen
Too many clients have shared stories of being treated like a transaction. They’ve been sold products that didn’t fit, given generic plans, or ignored when their lives changed.
As a fiduciary and a fee-only advisor, my role is not to sell. It’s to help clients make thoughtful, well-informed decisions. That begins with understanding their lives, not just their balance sheets.
Listening Helps Shape Better Outcomes
Clients often come in with a surface concern: wanting to invest wisely, minimize taxes, or leave a legacy for the next generation. But when we slow down and have a real conversation, deeper concerns rise to the surface:
- Will my spouse be okay if something were to happen to me?
- What’s the best way to support causes that matter to me?
- How do I plan for long-term care without becoming a burden?
These are the questions that change everything. When I understand them, I can design a financial plan that reflects not just your assets, but your life.
A Different Kind of Meeting
When clients meet with me, I don’t come in with a script or a checklist. I begin with something simple: “How are you doing these days?” It’s a way to ease into the conversation and observe how they’re really feeling.
I pay attention to the pauses, the moments they hesitate. That’s where the real concerns often live. The goal isn’t to pinpoint some dramatic fear—it’s to make space for what matters most to you, at your own pace.
Confidence Comes From Clarity
Clients often say they feel more confident and more at peace after working together. That’s not just because they have a diversified portfolio or a tax plan in place. It’s because their plan feels like them.
That clarity leads to informed investment choices, more thoughtful giving, and estate plans that reflect your real wishes. It’s the difference between a financial plan and a life strategy.
Let’s Start With a Conversation
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or just ready for a more thoughtful approach, let’s talk.
At Deerfield, listening isn’t a nice extra. It’s how we begin.
We believe the best financial plans start with listening. When you feel heard, your goals become clearer, and your decisions more confident. If you’re ready to learn more about how to live your Wealthwhile®, let’s start a conversation grounded in your values, not just your numbers. Call (317) 469-2455, email ssteel@deerfieldfa.com, or use my online calendar. You can also see what clients have shared about their experience working with me here.
About Susie
Susie Steel is COO, Wealth Manager, and Senior Shareholder at Deerfield Financial Advisors, a fee-only financial advisory and wealth management firm with offices in Indianapolis and Chicago. With over three decades of experience in financial planning, Susie’s approach has always been rooted in a spirit of service, treating each client as an extension of her own family. She simplifies the complex for clients, with the goal of creating a calm, trusting, and nurturing environment. Her unwavering commitment to the principle of “To whom much is given, much will be required” serves as the driving force behind her dedication, diligence, and empathy.
Susie obtained a business management degree from Ball State University, holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation, and held the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) designation from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) from 2013 to 2018. Susie is actively involved with an extensive list of professional organizations, including NAPFA (The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors), a premier association of fee-only financial advisors, and has served on multiple boards, committees, and councils. Her consistent recognition as one of Indianapolis Monthly’s “Five Star Wealth Managers” for the past decade attests to her outstanding accomplishments (2009-2025).
Outside the professional realm, Susie has contributed to her community through numerous efforts including her involvement in the Financial Center First Credit Union (FCFCU), the Indianapolis Children’s Museum Planned Giving Council, the Kiwanis Club of Northwest Indianapolis, and Junior Achievement. She mentors women through the CFP® Board’s “WIN-to-WIN” program, embodies the spirit of Rotary Club of Carmel, advocates for Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN), and actively serves on the board of the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center (MRNC).
Susie and her husband, Kevin, reside in Carmel, Indiana, where they raised their three children. Outside the office, her focus centers around family, spirituality, and fostering meaningful connections. Embracing the concept of the body as a temple, her personal growth is nurtured through practices like strength training, yoga, and meditation. In her leisure time, she enjoys strolls with her dog, Lulu, and indulges in movies, podcasts, books, and the theater. To learn more about Susie, connect with her on LinkedIn.
