Connecting Your Heart
To Your Wealth

When was the last time you stopped to listen to your heart tell you about your dreams and purpose?

At Everett Wealth Solutions, we help you align your heart’s desires with your financial journey using a truly holistic approach.

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Tune in as Chris Everett explores the financial strategies that
growth-minded professionals use to build wealth with purpose.
Real conversations. Real Strategies. Real results.

Beyond The Numbers

Where Money Meets Meaning And Purpose With Chris Everett.

Beyond the Numbers is a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build a financial life that actually works.

Each episode features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, advisors and industry experts who share how they protect assets, create income streams and design wealth that lasts. If you are ready to go beyond profit and build something that matters, this show is for you.

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How do top engineering leaders actually stay ahead in the fast-moving world of AI? In this clip from Beyond The Numbers, host Chris Everett speaks with John Szeder about the real advantage behind AI expertise: collaboration. Instead of working in isolation, John shares how small groups of engineering leaders exchange ideas, test tools, and openly discuss both successes and failures—giving them a much broader view of what’s actually happening in the space. 💡 What You’ll Learn: • Why collaboration accelerates AI learning • The power of shared experimentation among leaders • Why failures are just as valuable as successes • How to expand your “visibility radius” in fast-changing industries 👤 About John Szeder John Szeder is a Fractional Chief Technology Officer and “zero-to-one” builder who helps organizations build and retain elite engineering teams. With deep experience in startups, technical leadership, and emerging technologies, he works closely with leadership networks to stay at the forefront of AI and innovation. 🎙 About the Podcast Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building. Chris is also President of Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois for fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation.
Why CTOs Share AI Insights (and Failures) to Stay Ahead | John Szeder
Is being a “10x engineer” enough to succeed? In this clip from Beyond The Numbers, host Chris Everett speaks with John Szeder about a hard truth many high performers face: Technical excellence alone isn’t enough. John shares his own experience transitioning from a high-performing engineer to a leader—and the moment he realized that without strong communication and people skills, even the most talented individuals can struggle. 💡 What You’ll Learn: • What a “10x engineer” really means • Why technical skill alone doesn’t guarantee success • The hidden cost of weak communication and leadership • How self-awareness can transform your career 👤 About John Szeder John Szeder is a Fractional Chief Technology Officer and “zero-to-one” builder who helps organizations build and retain elite engineering teams. With experience across startups, gaming, and technical leadership, he focuses on performance, culture, and developing high-impact teams. 🎙 About the Podcast Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building. Chris is also President of Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois for fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation.
10x Engineer? Soft Skills Still Matter More | John Szeder
What if the biggest problem in sales isn’t skill—but friction? In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with Paul Pacun, CEO and Founder of vablet, to explore how modern sales teams can eliminate friction, build trust, and focus on what truly matters: relationships. From selling t-shirts in high school to building a global sales enablement platform, Paul shares the entrepreneurial mindset that shaped his journey—and the pivotal moment in 2010 when he saw the future of sales: video-first, mobile, and instant. This conversation goes beyond technology. It’s about how the right tools disappear into the background—so professionals can show up prepared, confident, and fully present. What You’ll Learn: • Why sales is fundamentally about relationships—not tools • The early vision behind video-first selling (before it was mainstream) • Why analytics should be built-in, not bolted on • The role of compliance and trust in modern sales environments • How great leaders build culture—not just products • Why entrepreneurs must be ready to pivot—fast Key Insight: “Money to a business is like blood to a person—you need it, and it needs to flow.” About the Guest: Paul Pacun is the CEO and Founder of vablet, a sales enablement platform designed to help teams deliver the right content—anytime, anywhere, even offline. Trusted by global organizations including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing leaders, vablet enables sales teams to manage complex content, maintain compliance, and gain real-time insights into customer engagement. The platform helps organizations improve productivity, strengthen alignment between sales and marketing, and ultimately close more deals. About the show Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building. Chris is also President of Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois for fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation.
“Sales Is About Relationships, Not Tools” — Paul Pacun on Pivoting, Trust & the Future of Selling
What’s harder—building something from nothing or scaling something that already exists? In this episode of Beyond The Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with John Szeder to break down the difference between “zero-to-one” builders and operators—and why understanding that difference is key to building elite engineering teams. John shares what truly defines high-performing teams, why retention often becomes a non-issue in the right environment, and how hiring and leadership have evolved in the age of AI. 💡 In This Episode: • The difference between building from zero vs. scaling existing systems • Why “zero-to-one” is a completely different skill set • How to identify and build elite engineering teams • The real reason high-performing teams don’t churn • Why hiring has fundamentally changed in the AI era • The power of long-term relationships in building teams 👤 About John Szeder John Szeder is a Fractional Chief Technology Officer and “zero-to-one” builder who helps organizations build and retain elite engineering teams. With experience across startups, gaming, and technical leadership, he specializes in turning ideas into scalable systems while building strong, high-performing teams. He is known for his ability to align hiring, culture, and execution to drive consistent business outcomes. 🎙 About the Podcast Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building. Chris is also President of Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois for fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation. 🔔 Subscribe for more insights on: • Leadership and growth • Building elite teams • Career strategy for high performers
Zero to One vs Scaling: Why Elite Teams Win Every Time | John Szeder
Can humor actually make teams perform better? In this clip from Beyond The Numbers, host Chris Everett speaks with John Szeder about an unexpected leadership advantage: creating moments of joy at work. From “banter time” in meetings to lighthearted team culture, John explains why humor isn’t a distraction—it’s a tool that helps teams become more engaged, authentic, and effective. 💡 What You’ll Learn: • Why humor can be a leadership strength—not a weakness • How small moments of joy improve team engagement • Simple ways to make meetings more human and productive • Why relaxed teams often perform better 👤 About John Szeder John Szeder is a Fractional Chief Technology Officer and “zero-to-one” builder who helps organizations build and retain elite engineering teams. With decades of experience in startups, gaming, and technical leadership, he focuses on culture, performance, and creating environments where teams thrive. 🎙 About the Podcast Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building. Chris is also President of Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois for fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation.
Humor as a Leadership Superpower: Why Great Leaders Make Work Fun | John Szeder
What does it take to go from a high-performing engineer to a truly effective leader? In this episode of Beyond The Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with John Szeder to unpack the pivotal moments that shaped his career—from discovering his passion in early online gaming to leading elite engineering teams. John shares the turning point many high performers face: realizing that technical skill alone isn’t enough—and that leadership requires an entirely different set of strengths. 💡 In This Episode: • The moment that changed John’s career direction • Why understanding the full value stack matters • The truth about “10x engineers” • Why technical excellence without soft skills can backfire • The leadership shift that separates builders from leaders • How early mistakes can shape long-term success 👤 About John Szeder John Szeder is a Fractional Chief Technology Officer and “zero-to-one” builder who helps organizations build and retain high-performing engineering teams. His background spans startups, mobile gaming, and technical leadership, with a focus on scaling teams, improving culture, and driving meaningful business outcomes. He brings a unique perspective shaped by both deep technical expertise and real-world leadership lessons learned over decades in fast-paced environments. 🎙 About the Podcast Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building. Chris is also President of Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois for fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on: • Leadership and growth • Career development for high performers • Building teams that actually work
From 10x Engineer to Real Leader: The Career Shift That Changes Everything | John Szeder

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Empowering Others
Through Financial Healing

Chris Everett

President & Financial Planner

Chris Everett is the founder of Everett Wealth Solutions; an independent financial advisory firm focused on holistic financial wellness. She brings a people-first approach to financial planning, helping clients align their money with their values and life goals.​

Her journey into finance took a non-traditional path. She began college with dreams of becoming a doctor but chose a different direction after starting a family. Along the way, she even performed as a singer in a rock band. It was a chance encounter with an insurance agent that sparked her career in financial services. Her thoughtful questions and analytical mindset stood out, and she quickly realized this was the work she was meant to do.​

Chris launched Everett Wealth Solutions to offer truly independent and personalized guidance. Her philosophy, which she calls “financial healing,” helps clients move beyond the numbers to build a healthier relationship with money and create a full, purpose-driven life.​

At Everett Wealth Solutions, the focus is on helping people protect what they’ve built and confidently plan for what’s next. From retirement and estate planning to investment strategy and college cost reduction, Chris and her team provide clear, honest guidance rooted in care and trust.​

Chris’s story reflects her belief that financial planning should be deeply human, personal, and empowering. Her unique blend of analytical thinking and creative insight makes her a trusted voice in reshaping how people approach money and the future.​

Through Beyond the Numbers, Chris extends this mission by creating space for honest conversations about the financial decisions that matter most. Her unique blend of analytical thinking and creative insight makes her a trusted voice in reshaping how people approach money and the future​

Chris also hosts Beyond the Numbers, a podcast where she interviews entrepreneurs, business leaders, consultants and financial experts about the strategies they use to build wealth with purpose. The show explores how people align their financial decisions with their values to create lasting impact.​

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Our Services

Putting Humanity At Our Core.

At Everett Wealth Solutions, we believe in shattering your expectations of what a financial advisor should be.

Our approach goes far beyond the dollar amount in your bank account; we want to impact your life with a healthy dose of humanity. We work diligently to help align your dreams for the future with the right financial plan while providing honest, transparent guidance so that you can feel confident making informed decisions about your future.

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A Culture Of Honor

The purpose of having a financial plan is to help give you freedom.

Having the right tools and strategies in place can mean steady income in retirement and leaving a legacy for your loved ones. We help you find your way to an independent future by reverse engineering your dreams into a financial plan that locks down your todays and grows your tomorrows. Plus, we help you hedge for inflation, account for rising healthcare costs, employ prudent and cost-effective investment strategies, maximize Social Security, reduce college costs and create an estate plan for future generations. Our mission is to help you protect what you’ve built while optimistically looking forward to your future with true peace of mind.

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BEYOND THE NUMBERS

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Schedule A Free Pre-Discover Session

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BEYOND THE NUMBERS

CALL US

708-771-7777

Extension 1 – Chris Everett
Extension 3 – Paul Michaels – Service
Extension 5 – Todd Wandtke – Operations

VISIT US

407 Marengo Avenue – Forest Park – IL 60130

CLIENTS ONLY

Client Meeting

Client Portal

Privacy Policy

Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor in the State of Illinois providing asset management and fiduciary financial planning across the nation. All investments and strategies have the potential for profit or loss. Different types of investments involve higher and lower risk levels. There is no guarantee that a specific investment or strategy will be suitable or profitable for an investor’s portfolio. Asset allocation and diversification will not necessarily improve an investor’s returns and cannot eliminate the risk of investment loss. Also, past performance does not guarantee future results. Additionally, Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc., and its affiliates do not give legal or tax advice.