Brandon Willett grew up in Monrovia, Indiana, a small town where community and hard work mattered. In high school, he played football, basketball, and golf. Sports taught him discipline, teamwork, and how to lead under pressure. Those lessons would stick with him.
He went on to play football at Butler University, where he earned All-American honors at the Division I-AA level. He graduated in 2002 with the same mindset he had on the field—stay focused, stay consistent, and always keep improving.
Brandon entered the financial planning world in 2009. He didn’t come from a finance background, but he learned by listening. He made it his mission to simplify complex ideas and help people feel confident in their financial decisions. Over time, he earned the trust of clients and earned his CFP® designation.
Brandon is known for his calm, clear approach. He doesn’t rush people. He listens. He shows up. He believes that success is about showing up every day and doing the work—quietly, steadily, and with purpose.
Outside of work, Brandon is a father of two daughters. He values time with them more than anything. Golf is another passion of his—both for the game and the time it gives him to think and connect with others. He’s also a lifelong learner who reads daily to keep growing.
From sports to finance to family, Brandon Willett has built a life around balance, purpose, and quiet leadership—one step at a time.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts early—usually around 5:30 AM. I spend the first part of the morning with a workout. After a shower I get to focus on growth and the day ahead. No email, no calls. Just coffee, a short reading session, and planning out the day. I usually write down three things I want to get done—just three. It keeps me focused. Most of my client work happens mid-morning through early afternoon. Evenings are for family time, helping with homework, or dinner with my daughters. That structure helps me feel balanced, which is what keeps me productive.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I write everything down. Not in a perfect system—just scattered notes in my journal or phone. I sit with ideas for a while. The good ones keep coming back. When I can’t stop thinking about something, I start mapping it out and asking people I trust what they think. I don’t rush it.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m fascinated by how people are starting to talk more openly about money—especially younger generations. It’s no longer taboo to ask questions or say, “I don’t understand this.” That shift will lead to more people making informed choices.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Blocking time. I schedule focused blocks with no distractions—phone off, inbox closed. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, I treat that time like an appointment I can’t miss.
What advice would you give your younger self?
You don’t have to figure it all out by 25. Focus on learning, building relationships, and showing up with consistency. Good things compound over time.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think boredom is underrated. There’s value in quiet, unscheduled time. That’s when the mind gets creative. These days, we fill every gap with noise or screens. I think that hurts deep thinking.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Write down your thoughts—every day if you can. Not for an audience. Just for yourself. You’ll start to see patterns in how you think, react, and grow. That reflection creates progress.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go for a walk—no music, no podcast. Just movement and quiet. That usually resets my brain. If I’m still stuck, I’ll jot down everything in my head. Seeing it on paper helps reduce the noise.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Being genuinely curious. When I started in financial planning, I didn’t have deep industry knowledge. But I asked a lot of questions—about people’s stories, goals, fears. That built trust. Over time, that curiosity became a strength. People want to be heard more than they want to be advised.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I lost a client during a market downturn. I hadn’t explained things clearly enough or stayed close during uncertain moments. That experience taught me communication isn’t just about facts—it’s about feeling understood. Since then, I’ve prioritized clear, steady communication—especially when things are uncertain.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A newsletter for teens and young adults focused on real-life money topics. Not theory. Not crypto hype. Just simple stories—how to split rent with roommates, how to talk about money with a partner, how taxes actually work. Nobody’s filling that gap in a relatable way.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
OneNote. I use it to capture ideas, client notes (securely), and reading highlights. I tag by topic and review it once a week. It’s like an external brain.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday. It helped me slow down, especially when life feels chaotic. The idea that quiet creates clarity has stuck with me—and it’s something I apply daily.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Black Rabbit, it shows what it takes to care deeply about your craft—even when everything is messy. There’s beauty in the chaos if you’re paying attention.
Key learnings
- Building trust starts with genuine curiosity and consistent communication.
- Focus and productivity come from simple habits like time-blocking and reflection.
- Early failure can teach lasting lessons if you’re willing to own it and adapt.