Financial planning and education (without the jargon) I Creating blueprints for high-earning sales executives and business owners

I left the financial industry because I saw a problem.

People wanted to work with a planner, but they ended up becoming a number on a spreadsheet.

I had to leave to start something new.

And now?

I'm a fee-only planner who helps salespeople & equity compensated employees under 45 give a purpose to their paycheck.

I left the large financial institutions to start my own independent company. I did it so people could pay for real planning and not just an agenda to sell a hidden product. 

As a true fiduciary, Pashman Financial, LLC was built on that promise by focusing on you and you only.

🔵 Why people hire me? 

Well, people have come to me with the following problems:

- They want peace of mind with their money
- Their old advisor barely communicates with them
- They want an answer tailored to them, not from Google
- They felt pressured to buy a product that wasn't a right fit
- They are great at making money but struggle to keep it
- They want a simple plan that's easy to understand
- They want someone to hold them accountable
- They want someone they can trust

🔵 What are my services?

I help identify your goals, craft a financial blueprint that lays out action items to hit them, and monitor your progress. 

💵 Cash Flow Management  
📈 Equity Compensation
🏡 Real Estate Planning
📊 Investment Planning
📍 Retirement Planning
🛡 Insurance Planning
📚 Education Planning
💲 Tax Management
💳 Debt Repayment
📃 Estate Planning

🔵 Who do I serve?

Age: Individuals and families between 30-50 years old
Target: Sales pros, tech employees, other millennial families
Location: Virtually anywhere in the U.S.

But I love working with people that are driven to make a change. So even if you don’t fit these criteria, feel free to reach out. Your personality is everything. 

🔵 Why I'm different?

1) My model is primarily a flat fee service. No time trap. 

2) I do not require you to hand over your investments nor require a minimum to work with. Managing your assets is optional and I'll still assist you if you do it yourself. My focus is ongoing financial planning. 

3) I focus on how to increase your cash flow, not just your assets. I work with you to ensure your systems are set and consistently educate you on how your finances work. I get paid to truly keep you accountable over time.

You can find my pricing in my "featured" section on the website. 

Stop delaying action. Shoot me a message to schedule a complimentary intro.

Max Pashman, CFP®

70% of millionaires currently work with a financial advisor. 

Here's why many end up hiring one. 

They realize that financial planning is more than just a return. 

They also realize they have limited time on their hands. 

Like business owners, they outsource their skills

But there's so much than "what do i invest":

It's about:

- Goal Planning
- Debt Repayment
- Ongoing Education
- Emergency Fund Building
- Cash Flow Management
- Equity Comp. Planning
- Charitable Strategies
- Investment Planning
- Education Planning
- Insurance Planning
- Estate Planning
- Exit Planning
- Tax Planning
- Etc. 

And if your financial planner isn't addressing these properly with you?

It may be time to find a new one.

Helping Founders and Executives Plan for Early Retirement and Exit

If you have less than $100k, you shouldn't focus on returns.

In fact, it's a waste of your time. Here's why:

Charlie Munger once said:

"The first $100,000 is a b****.... but you gotta do it"

He wasn't talking about just returns, though. 

He was talking about your income. 

How quickly can you get it up there with your paycheck? 

In other words, what you save versus what you return. 

Just look at this example:

A 100% return on $1,000 is $1,000.

But a 10% return on $100,000 is $10,000.

10X less the return, yet 10x the dollar amount. 

And here's the best part about this. 

It's much easier to do the latter. 

In other words, it's much easier to save to $100,000 than trying to get a 1,000% return on an investment.

Not easy, but not impossible either. 

So if you haven't hit that number?

Focus on your savings rate. 

Not just your returns.

The market can wait.

If you grew up watching any of these as a kid:

- Spongebob
- Hey Arnold
- Powerpuff Girls
- That's So Raven
- Boy Meets World
- Hannah Montana
- Dexters Laboratory
- The Magic School Bus
- Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
- Fairly Odd Parents
- Wild Thornberrys
- Jimmy Neutron
- Lizzie McQuire
- Ed Edd n Eddy
- Dragon Ball Z
- Pokemon
- Yu Gi Oh
- All That
- Catdog
- Rugrats
- Arthur
- Doug

It's time to open up a Roth IRA.

75% of Americans regret not investing earlier. 
 
Here is the power of starting early (and the cost of waiting):
 
What you see in the illustration are 4 people: 
 
- 20 year old 
- 30 year old 
- 40 year old 
- 50 year old 
 
Now, as you get older, your income increases. 
 
Therefore, each generation can contribute more. 
 
So I ran a quick calculation. 
 
For ever 10 years, double the contributions. 
 
You can contribute more, but have less time to invest. 
 
Assuming an average return of 7%? 
 
The results are simply remarkable. 
 
A 20-year-old who is dedicated to starting early can outperform those with higher contributions. 
 
That doesn't mean high contributions don't matter. 
 
They absolutely do! 
Especially early on your journey. 
The difference, though, is returns helped. 
 
Over time, those returns made a difference thanks to time. 
 
It's really simple, but holds a huge lesson. 
 
There is power getting off to a good start. 

You should have started sooner. 

But you aren't too late.
 
Don't wait any longer!

Most don't realize they could put up to $72,000 in a Roth. 

Here's the "Mega Backdoor Roth" explained:

Compared to the IRA, the 401 k) has a couple of advantages, including: 
 
- Larger contribution limitations 
- Matching contributions 
- No income limitation 
 
In addition, it still offers a Roth component. 
 
But the part people overlook? 
 
The total contribution limit. 
 
On the employee side, it's $24,500 (2026).
 
Combined with the employer side it's $72,000. 
 
But there is another secret in it. 
 
If your employer allows it, they may permit additional after-tax contributions. 
 
This is taking additional income that has already been taxed and contributing it to a 401(k). 
 
For example: 
 
If the employee contributes $24,500 and the match is $7,500, that's $32,000. 
 
$72,000-$32,000 = $40,000
 
The employee can contribute an extra amount into there. 
 
But that's not where the magic happens. 
 
The magic is what you can do after. 
 
These contributions can be converted to a Roth account. 
 
This can happen in two ways: 
 
1) In-Service Distribution: Make an after-tax contribution + transfer it to an outside Roth IRA 
 
Or 
 
2) In-Plan Roth Conversion: Make after-tax contribution + transfer funds to the Roth 401k of plan 
 
Once again, your employer must allow both after-tax contributions and this type of transfer so check with them first. 
 
This strategy make large contributions to a tax-free account of this size is well known as a "Mega BackDoor Roth". 
 
It's a complicated process so always be sure to coordinate this with a financial professional. 
 
If you're looking to make great strides towards building your future, this is an option you shouldn't overlook. 
 
It's a great vehicle for financial independence.

Note: This is purely educational and should not be considered financial or tax advice. Consult with a professional on your situation before implementing this.

A $300,000+ earner with less than $15,000.

As a financial planner, I've seen more of these inquiries over the last year.

I can't stress this simple message to you all enough:

High income will take you to the next stage of your life. 

Zero planning around it will reverse that.

So when you get a bump in income…

What’s your game plan?

Let’s hear it.

Them: The 401(k) is a scam! 
 
Me: Why do you think that?
 
Them: It's locked until you are 60! 
 
Me: You can get it out early with strategies like 72(t), Rule of 55, Roth Conversion Ladder, and many other reasons. 
 
Them: Well it has high fees! 
 
Me: New 401k providers offer low-cost plans + low-cost funds and you can roll it out later if you really don't like it when you leave. 
 
Them: Well it has limitations! 
 
Me: Yeah but you're talking about $24,500 (2026) for a year, not including the match you get. 
 
Them: Well, the match has a vesting period! 
 
Me: So does equity. It's an incentive and still FREE money in the end. 
 
Them: Well, it was created to supplement your retirement, not fully fund it. 
 
Me: I agree. That's why you don't put all your wealth into a single vehicle and utilize multiple to your advantage.
 
Them: Yeah, well, it's taxed as income at retirement! 
 
Me: Yeah, that's precisely why you get a deduction upfront, and your funds grow tax-deferred, which helps retain wealth over time rather than tax sales and income each year. 
 
Them: Yeah well.... it still sucks! 
 
 
 
Not as many as the excuses made against the 401(k). 
 
It ain't all that bad as people make it to be. 
 
No one claims it will solve all your problems. 
 
But it's not a scam.

Make too much income for a Roth IRA? 
 
Here's how to get around it legally (Updated for 2026!)
 
First, what's the problem? 
 
The Roth IRA is a great vehicle for tax-free growth. 
 
But there are income limitations. 
 
For 2026, those limitations are as follows: 
 
- $153,000 for single filers 
- $242,000 for married filing jointly 
- $0 married filing separately
 
Make above these amounts? 
 
They get phased out or entirely ineligible. 
 
So what to do? 
 
Instead, you could contribute to the Traditional IRA. 
 
But are you contributing to a 401k? 
 
Those deductions might also phase out! 
 
This seems like a lose-lose scenario. 
 
But it opens for an opportunity. 
 
The good news is that you can use the IRA to fund a Roth IRA. 
 
This is known as a Backdoor Roth IRA. 
 
Here's what you could do: 

FIRST: Move all existing IRA money into an employer plan like a 401k. 
 
1) Open a Traditional IRA & Roth IRA 
2) Fund the Traditional IRA 
3) Do NOT invest the funds 
4) Initiate a Roth Conversion into the New Roth IRA 
5) Elect not to withhold taxes 
6) Invest in the Roth IRA 
7) File Form 8606 to show non-deduction in Traditional IRA 
 
This process is why having a Roth 401k is pretty handy: you can make any contribution with no income limitations. 

Remember, this is purely educational and is shown here for simplicity.
 
This is not financial or tax advice, so please consult with a financial and tax professional first.
 
But the door is open for tax-free money!

You've gotta find the right key.

Note: This is purely educational and not financial or tax advice. Seek a professional before acting on any of the information.

80% of their thoughts are on things they can’t control.

Here's why it's a losing choice:

If you spend all your time focusing on the things you can't control, you're investing in a losing strategy.

We see it all the time with money:

You can't control return rates.
But you can control savings rates.

You can't control tax laws.
But you can control tax planning.

You can't control interest rates.
But you can control your credit score.

You can't control contribution limits.
But you can control diversifying accounts.

You can't control risk of an asset.
But you can control your asset allocation.

You can't control when an emergency will happen.
But you can control the management of your short-term reserves.

You can't control tuition prices.
But you can control which vehicles to choose.

You can't control social security reserves.
But you can control your retirement vehicles.

You can't control inflation.
But you can control where your cash gets parked.

You can't control your death.
But you can control your estate plan.



Want to know why we do financial planning?

Because life is usually out of our control.

Your plan gives you the steering wheel.

Up to you how you steer with it.

Don't sleep on the wheel.

Cutting your Netflix subscription will make you a millionaire.

Here's how you can do it in a year:

- Cut the $18
- Take the $18 and invest it
- Get a return of 5,555,456%

Boom. You've got $1 million

Why aren't more Millennials doing this?

Let's normalize not having everything figured out by your 30s.

Purchasing a home without running the numbers is a coin flip. 

Yet, this is exactly how 99% of people do it.

They'll just look at what the bank will allow them to get.

But they don't look at your numbers:

- Your goals
- Your expenses
- Your future maintenance
- Your potential new furniture
- Your phantom costs not disclosed

And no, going with the notion that "it will pay off later" is not a good strategy. 

Please run the numbers before executing on a home purchase. 

You'd be surprised how unprepared some are for it.

It's not like you can change your mind very easily.

After all, it's only 30 years you are stuck with it...

If your business goes to zero, you close your doors.

If the stock you own goes to zero, they close their doors. 

If the index fund you own goes to zero, money is no longer a problem. 

Now take a look at these three and answer one question:

Which of the downsides is more likely to occur?

High reward comes with high risk. 

It's not about not taking risk. 

It's about managing it.

Welcome to Risk 101.

You can make 7 figures of income. 
 
But it's all useless without this: 
 
"The art is not in making money, but keeping it" 
 
This is especially true with HENRY's. 
 
What is a HENRY? 
 
→ H-igh 
→ E-arner 
→ N-ot 
→ R-ich 
→ Y-et 
 
I've seen this with many cases of successful business owners and tech executives. 
 
Lots of talented people making fantastic revenue and income. 
 
But not many of them without a game plan to keep it. 
 
The culprit is usually simple: 
 
Lack of financial planning. 
 
Without clarity, you don't know what to do with what you earn. 
 
You worked hard to earn your income. 
 
Now make it work harder for you to grow. 
 
But you don't have to struggle at it alone. 
 
If you do, you might need help at it.

"My commissions are taxed at a higher rate"

Not true always. Why is it wrong?

Let's look at an example here.

Selling Sally works hard at her job.

She typically gets half in salary and half in commissions.

She’s hit her quota and is excited for those commissions to kick in.

But when she checks her paycheck, she notices something…

Her commissions were "taxed" at a lower rate than her salary.

At first, this seems great, more money in her bank account!

But then, tax season arrives.

After filing her taxes, her accountant lets her know she owes a massive tax bill!

Now she's frustrated that she has to write a big check and wonders:

Did something go wrong with her return?
Did she get taxed more than expected?
Did she get hit with some penalty?
Nope.

She owes more because her employer withheld less than she actually owed.

And that's the key word here: withheld.

Whenever you have monthly income like a salary, it’s considered “regular,” which gets taxed progressively like usual.

But whenever you have irregular income like:

Awards
Bonuses
Commissions
Equity Compensation
Or anything that doesn’t pay monthly
…it’s considered “supplemental.”

And these irregular forms of income are withheld at different flat rates by default.

For commissions, the default withholding is 22% for the first $1 million and 37% for any amount beyond that (Federal rate for 2025).

This is just withholding, not the actual tax owed.

Since Sally makes $500,000, her actual marginal tax rate is 35%.

But her commissions were only withheld at 22%, which wasn’t enough.

So instead of getting a refund, she ended up owing the difference at tax time.

She didn’t pay more for her commissions.

She just had less withheld than owed.

Big difference!

(Sally is a hypothetical example, but you get the point)

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Talks about #money, #wealth, #investing, #personalfinance, and #financialplanning

I don't know who needs to hear this, but just because you can afford the down payment for a home doesn't mean you can afford the mortgage payments. 

☝ Read that again

For the love of g*d, stop using absolutes with your finances:

You don't need to max your 401(k).
But don't leave your match behind.

You don't always need life insurance.
But you should get coverage for your family.

You don't need live on the edge.
But you should know your limits.

You don't need to invest everything.
But you should understand your timeline.

You don't need to open a 529 for your kid.
But you should prepare to support them eventually.

You don't need to have a strict budget.
But you don't have to live a Ramsey life either.

You don't have to pay off all your debt now.
But you don't have to completely avoid it either.

You don’t need to own a home.
But you should have a housing plan.

You don’t need to pick individual stocks.
But you should understand what you own.

You don’t need to retire and quit work all together.
But you should build the option to choose your path.

You don’t need multiple income streams.
But you should protect against a single point of failure.

Read what you want and take advice from whoever. 

But your situation is not black-and-white. 

Stop thinking like it too.

Your child can borrow to pay their tuition costs. 

But you cannot borrow to pay your retirement costs. 

Remember this as you prioritize where your wealth goes.

Friendly Reminder: Robinhood is not meant for you to create a strategic means of creating wealth. 

It's a place to mess around with your "F*** You" money.

Big difference.

Carolyn Christie

Founder- Are you hiring? My team can help!

Top Social Media Networker with a demonstrated history of thinking outside the box to find top candidates for hiring companies.  

Check out my content, open to collaborations!

Follow me #carolyntherecruiter

Chief Executive Officer

Let them talk.
Let them say whatever they want.
Who cares.

Life gets a lot better when you stop living it for other people.

We worry about the opinions of people we don’t even like.

I had to burn down my old life.
I didn’t want to.  But I had no other choice.  
That life was literally killing me.

Everything changed.
Sold the house as fast as I could.
One of those deals where you lose money but you don’t care because you just need out.

Said goodbye to neighbors.
Watched strangers carry my furniture out.

Thought about the day my ex and I stood in that same house watching it get built.  Carrying my son around in this house with tape. 

Fresh paint.
Fresh dreams.
So much potential. 

I remember not wanting to live in it the first week.  I wanted it to stay perfect.

I didn’t even want furniture in it. 
Just wanted this whole fresh clean slate. 

But inside that house…

Misaligned partners.
Misaligned dreams.

A life that looked good on paper but that I knew would eventually implode. 

And it did. It all came crashing down. 

Pulled my son from private school.
Put him into public school.  

A choice I cried about endlessly. 
Shared custody. 

So much change. Hit me at once.
Seemed insurmountable.  

But here I am.
On the other side.
In my own apartment.
Building a life from scratch.
My son happier and happi is , each and every day. 

And who would have thought, he’d love the public school so much more.  

And recently he even told me it would be okay if I had a boyfriend.  Said he wanted me to be happy and in love.

Words I never expected to hear from my six‑year‑old.

I bought a BMW with the the shi*iest credit. 
People talked.
Of course they did.

Did she borrow money? 
Did someone co‑sign?
Did she pay all cash?
Did someone buy it for her?

Let em wonder.

Stop building a life for people who don’t live it.
And definitely don’t take advice from others who have never had to do what you’ve done. 

My life isn’t perfect.
Not even close.
Every morning I wake up thinking, “How am I going to make it today? How am I going to make money today?”

But it’s my life. 

And I’d rather live in something real than stay in something that only looked good from the outside.

My credit score went up ten points last week.
Small, but momentum. 

Incremental improvements are everything when you’re rebuilding.  

Real change throws everything out of order before it settles.

Let em talk about you.  
You have the courage to do sh*t they never did.  

Happy Tuesday. 
Cheers to the rebuild. 
And not giving a f about what others think.  

Let’s fuck*ng go. 

PS. Have you ever had to start over?

I help founders avoid paying contingency fees. WAITLIST for new clients.

No alternative text description for this image

Don’t threaten me with a good time. 

Apparently someone in my comments section said I’d never be taken seriously because of what I was doing and wearing.. and I’m so disappointed I missed out on all the entertainment. 

Being taken seriously really hasn’t been an issue for me… but to that gentleman thanks for the concern.  

Bullying though, not really a fan.  
So if someone wanted to share this gentleman’s name with me, I can show him how seriously I should be taken. 

We need to start making bullies a bit more accountable.  Ignore it and you are co-signing it.  

Anyways back to the clothing thing.  
It’s 2026. And we still are living in an entire system of arbitrary rules. 

Hair must look like this. 
Clothes must look like that.  
Tattoos are unprofessional.  
Women must wear heels.  
Men must be clean shaven. 

What did I miss? 

This is exactly why I don’t fit into corporate America.  

If I want my hair in a bun it’s in a bun. 
If it’s wet that day it’s wet. 
If I want to wear a blazer, with a showy blouse I’ll wear it. 

The same people policing outfits and calling out what’s professional and what’s not, think it’s perfectly acceptable to troll strangers online. Not smart.  

At some point we all need to give fewer fs about what other people wear and post. 

And more attention to how we treat each other.  

Please don’t ever let me ever be the person wasting energy in someone else’s comment section trying to control things that don’t concern me. 

Professionalism in 2026 should be simple:

Do your job.  
Treat people decently. 
And stop micromanaging other people’s decisions. 

PS. Here is a picture of me not being professional.  

And you know what I will still be slinging deals all day long regardless of this arbritary rule book✌️✌️

And you should be careful who you bully. Some people will roll over and accept it. And other times you mess with the wrong girl.  

Just saying. 

Do you think it’s anyone else’s business what we wear or look like if it’s not impacting our performance? 

Cheers to not being professional since 1984. 
Over and out.

If you were asked what you want, and to write it down right now. 

Would you know what to write?

I was asked this question, and completely stalled. 

It was then I realized I didn’t know what I wanted.  And I needed to get crystal clear on that. 

We wonder why we don’t get what we want. 
And that’s because a lot of us don’t even know what it is that we want. 

The universe will deliver everything you want. 
But not if you don’t know what it is. 

So I’ve finally gotten clear:
I want to be wildly successful.  I want to close deals through my reputation alone, the deal is already closed before I even walk in the door. 

I want to get into high ticket sales.  

I want to continue to expand this addiction center nationally so more people have help. 

I want to get into the best shape of my life. 

I want to live on my terms and have freedom. Freedom is how I define success. 

I want to get married again, crazy right?! 😍
Lucky number 3.  

I might even want another baby but that one’s debatable. Your girl is aging. 

I believe peptides are the future.  And I want to partner with wellness centers, as peptides continue to explode into a trillion dollar industry.  

I want to buy my own longevity center. 

I want to build a life where I’m successful but my family always comes first.  

Now, I ask you.. what do you want and can you write it down instantly? 

If you can’t, you will continue to flounder, go in circles and wonder why the universe won’t deliver for you. 

Cheers and Happy Monday!!  
PS. Are you bold enough to tell me what
You want in the comment section?

Snap judgements are a huge fing mistake.  

I walked into an Audi Dealership.  I had an Audi already and I really thought I’d stay in the Audi family.  

I walk up to the salesman and he sits me down asks me a few questions.  We are kind of shooting the sh*t.  

I’m my typical vulnerable self and make a joke
To him about my credit not being the greatest.  I also tell him I’m self employed.  

After this interview that I didn’t know I was having, I ask him to walk me around the lot.  

He literally shows me a used jeep.   And I go jeeps are great but why the f do you have that here.  This is an Audi dealership.   I tell him I’m interested in an Audi that’s why I came here.  

We go back to his computer where he proceeds to tell me he’s guessing I won’t get approved for much.   And I should really consider the Jeep.  

The next day I go and buy a BMW more expensive than any of the cars I requested he show me.  

The customer service team calls me a couple
Of days later. And to we just want to follow up on you experience.  

And I said it was fine.    I really wasn’t shown any cars I guess for some reason you guys thought I could only get financed for a jeep.  

Either way I bought a BMW 5 series and I prefer new cars so the Jeep really wasn’t a match for me.  

I think they made a snap judgement on a single mom, getting divorced that was self employed.   

And it was a mistake.  

Yalll this comeback is personal.  

As Pretty Woman would say , “Big Mistake.   Huge.”

Some of you are under estimating people you really shouldn’t be.      

PS.  Rooting for all of you being underestimated because the under dog always wins.   

Can any of you relate? Am I just chopped liver now that I’m a single mom? 🤣❤️🔥

And a special thanks to the BMW salesman who treated me like a queen and made me feel seen.

I want to be obscenely rich.
Some people act like that’s a bad thing, but I make no apology for it.

Rich in money.
Rich in love.
Rich in health.
Rich in freedom.

If you aren’t rich now and you want to be, you have to stop accepting things you used to accept.

You have to stop making the same decisions that give you the same results.

Recently a man asked me if he could “crash at my house.” 🤣

Someone I’ve kept around for the past year.
And for a second, I felt that old pull. Well… “you’ve already put this much time into him.”

That’s a bullsh*t excuse.  
That’s the sunk cost fallacy.

Staying in something just because you’ve already spent so much time.  Energy. 
Emotion.  Whatever. 

So I asked myself:
Will saying yes give me the results I want?
Will it make me rich? In love, in peace, in standards?

No. It won’t.
So I said no.

When you finally accept that you are responsible for everything. And I mean everything your whole life shifts.

You have a bad love life? You’re responsible.
You hate your job? You’re responsible.
You’re in debt? You’re responsible.

As soon as you own it, you can change it. 

Even one small choice in the right direction pulls you out of the hole you dug by staying too long.

What you are not choosing is choosing you.

You are never too deep in a path, a habit, a career, or a relationship that you can’t change it. 

You can always choose again.  

Especially when the only thing keeping you there is the time you’ve already wasted.

PS.  What have you stayed too long in? 

The only one responsible for creating their dream life is you.  Now LFGGGGGGG!!!! No more BS excuses.  For me. Or for you.

I know what you want.  

I know what you want, because we all want it. 

To make an impact. To make money.  But to live our life.  

We know our time here is limited.  We know e have an expiration date.  

And I mean this from every part of my body heart and soul.  If you can’t stand your job. Quit it. 

I don’t care how many times you have to rebrand, reinvent, pivot to do something that you love.  Do it.  

Earlier I was talking to one of the very first individuals I worked with in the staffing industry.  I have massive respect for this individual.  

He is in true IT Solutions IT staff Augmentation.   He doesn’t just ask about your numbers.  He wants to know who you are.  What makes you tick.  What you care about.  And how you can make an absolutely SICK amount of money.  

This role is fully remote. I’m looking for someone out of IT sales solutions, Or IT staffing.  

While the position is remote we do want this individual to be based in DC metro because most of the clients will be based in that area.  

The name and expertise of this organization sells itself.  And they actually keep their sales reps around.  And care about their life outside of work. 

CRAZY RIGHT.  I need 2 sales AE out of IT staffing DC metro immediately. 

This won’t last long, this is Willy Wonkas Golden ticket.  But in opportunity form.  Will you pass along and share comment for reach to fill these sales roles? 

You know what’s great about remote roles? You get to where whatever the f you want. 

PS. What else is great about remote roles?

Who wants a fully remote role?! 

I’m GOING TO GET ONE OF YOU A JOB.  

Seeking Admissions Coordinator. I think this job sounds freaking awesome.  You are literally changing lives from your home. 

I need someone with experience in high volume calls or someone coming from
2 years of substance use industry background in any capacity.  

Will you do a good deed for the first week of the year and help someone land this role? 

This role will go quickly don’t miss it. 

Please comment the name of your dog for visibility :) and share to spread the word.  

Send resumes to carolyn@ascensionrs.com 

PS.  BEING FULLY REMOTE ROCKS! 🎸 am I right or am I right?

I don’t give discounts anymore. 

What do you think of when you here the word discount. 

Not as good of a service.  
Less than. 
Beginner. 
Trying to test the waters. 

Here’s what I’ve learned- the clients and companies that negotiate with me so heavily are usually the worst ones to work with. 

And why would I give a discount? I’m the best. Just kidding. But I’ve worked hard to have one of the biggest Recruiter networks out there.  

I’ve been in this industry my entire career. 
There is almost nothing I can’t fill. And if I can’t fill it I know all the best Recruiters in virtually every space to knock it out with me.  

I’ve brought down my retainers so low because I was passionate about a space, or the company industry was notoriously low in pay. 

Guess what happens?
You give them a discount and they end up being your biggest headache. 

If a company is trying to get you down low, lowballing you etc.  don’t think that’s gonna come with less work.  

Often times it comes with more.  

High paying companies= good companies 
High paying clients= good clients.  

It’s 2026!  
Know your worth. 
Know your value. 

And no freaking DISCOUNTS!

PS.  I got fired from my lowest paying client.  
Not only was I not upset.  It was a relief. 

Have you noticed that the people who negotiate you down the hardest usually treat you the worst  (whether it’s a client or an employer?) show of hands 👋

Someone’s mad as hell right now because you are not suffering the way they expected you to. 

Keep dissapointing them.  

PS. Why is it that sometimes we get more support from strangers on the internet than our own friends? Ever notice that? 

I’m rooting for all of you to succeed.  And I know you will 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Your next chapter is going to be the most
successful chapter of your life. 

Your only job is not to sabotage it.  
All you need to do is get the fuc* out of the way. 

PS. What’s one thing you are done sabotaging? I’ll go first. 

My answer= love. 

This is the year of Abundance.  

Claim it 👇

I’m at a point in my career where I know exactly what I bring to the table.

I know how to recruit.
I know I can walk into almost any role and deliver without needing training.  

And because of that, I’m also in a place where I can turn down clients or roles that don’t make sense for me.

Humans need challenge.

If I’m doing beginner‑level calls every day, I’m not growing.
I’m just repeating.
And repetition without growth eventually turns into misery.

The other day I was asked to take notes on a recruiting call while someone filled out a template.
I get why the task exists.
But it made no sense for someone with my experience.

This is like taking a race horse and making him suddenly do pony rides around a ring.  

I’ve been in this industry long enough to know when something is below my skill set.

And yes, I could do this job in my sleep.
No that’s not ego.  It’s just knowing what you bring to the table, and not wasting your time on roles that dont stretch you. 

When everything becomes automatic, you stop feeling engaged.
You stop actually using your talent.

There’s a psychology concept called Desirable Difficulty.

Your brain pays more attention when something requires effort.

Too easy, you check out.
On the flip side if it is too hard, you shut down.

The middle is where you grow.

That’s why I need a challenge.
Enough stretch that I’m not sleepwalking through my day.

And honestly, that’s true for everyone.

If your role has no challenge, there’s a limit to how long you’ll stay.  Mentally or physically.

If there’s nothing to reach for, you eventually stop reaching.

PS.  If your employee keeps asking for more responsibility and they aren’t getting it, they are about to walk.  

Employees aren’t lazy. They are bored. 
Its simply biology.  

Throw me a real challenge 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Some of you feel so fing guilty about wanting to explore outside of your field.  

Why? I’d argue it’s less normal to never ever question what else is out there.  

Humans love novelty. Doing new shit.  I learned awhile ago that I have no interest in climbing the corporate ladder.  I wish I did. 

But I like doing different things all over the place. I like opening the door to new people and new opportunities.  And I like having that option.  

You have to know yourself.  

There is nothing wrong with all of a sudden wanting a change. 

I genuinely think that at the end of the day I made a good choice being a Recruiter. 

I’ve made an impact. 
I’ve met and worked with some incredible people. Ive partnered with some absolutely brilliant founders.  Hiring Managers and CEOs. And shockingly some days I even feel really good at my job.

But, I’ll be honest with you. 
I’m 41. 
I’m naturally curious. I like to bounce around. And call it my ADD, whatever it may be, I can’t help but wonder what else is out there.

New trades, new experiences.  

Research shows that people hit a major “career curiosity spike” in their late 30s and early 40s. 

Some may call this a mid life crisis. 

It’s one of the most common ages to question your path, crave novelty, or wonder what else you could be doing. 

Your brain starts reevaluating what feels meaningful.

A random day comes
Along when you are going through the motions, doing your job well, you’re respected, you’re hitting your numbers… and something in you asks, “Is this it? Is there more?”

That’s not selfish. 

Later on today I’m walking into an Aston Martin dealership in Charlotte because I’m
Curious what it would be like to sell the shit out of some fancy cars.

I’m not saying I’ll do it. Nor that I’ll get hired.  I’m simply saying I’m curious so f it.   Go try it.  Or at least explore it. 

And I know what people might say or think? You want to walk away from your comfortable life of recruiting and fancy retainers to go sell cars? 

But it’s your life not there’s.  And other peoples opinions on what you do for a living matter 0.  

Y’all know Shelby Sap, she sells high ticket courses and makes a shit ton of money. 

And she started her path doing door to door pest control. Not a glamorous path but she killed it and made her own way.  

Point of this is- you aren’t selfish for wanting to pivot at some point in your career.  And don’t be afraid to go backwards or start over if that is what you want to do.  

Do what makes you happy. If you are making 50k, happy as a lark, with the freedom
You want. 

You win.  

Don’t let other people’s opinions keep you from doing what you love.  Or at the very
Least dipping dipping your toes into new waters.  

You aren’t selfish.  You are curious.  
And it’s ok not to want to do the same thing over and over again for the rest of your life.  

PS.  Do you think the grass is always greener on the other side?

Happpppy Friday!!!!! 

Friday’s are my favorite day to bring the heat and network.  Why do I want to network? 

I want to find candidates to hire.  I want to open my network up to recruiters and jobs. 

And honestly I want to make money.  

What about you- tell me why you are on LinkedIn.  

Let’s network, will you help me light this up!! 

PS. I’m looking for HR Generalist and I’m looking for two title processors. I’m also looking for people who need high ticket closers. LFGGGG.  

Spread Friday cheer!

My boss won’t let me grow.  

Man.. how many times I’ve heard that line. 

Let you?

The power we let our bosses have.  Asinine.  As if they can dictate our entire career…

My boss doesn’t see my potential. 
My boss doesn’t recognize me.  
My boss treats me badly. 
My boss doesn’t communicate with me. 
My boss yells at me in front of my colleagues. 

There are a bazillion other companies with a bazillion other bosses with a billion other teams. 

If your boss sucks, quit, and go find a new one. 

I deleted an ex boss of mine from LinkedIn.  
Shocking I know.  Unheard of.  How could I? 

I worked for that company for years as a top performer and when I asked if she could be a reference “she told me I don’t think I can, I’m not sure we are allowed to give references.”

Well that just got you deleted from my LinkedIn.  

Why would I keep her in my network? 

It’s not me burning a bridge. She already lit the match and dumped the gasoline all over the bridge.  

And if she won’t give me a much deserved reference she is not going to be a strategic part of my network. 

And for that I make no apology.  

Guess what.  
I’ve never had to use her for a reference once.  And I don’t intend to.  

And you know what I’m pretty sure she is still out there being a terrible leader, but I’ve gone around her and made my own way.  

You aren’t stuck.  
And complaining about your boss gets you nowhere.  

Your boss yells at you and embarrasses you in Public? And you are allowing it? 

Look. we don’t tolerate bullies at school. 
Nor in the workplace. Ever.  

Some of you are letting your boss run your life and then some.  

If one boss can block your whole path.
You are on the wrong path.  

If you can relate to this post at all, “you deserve better” and you know you do.  

Now go do something the fuc* about it. 

PS. Happy Friday! 

I’m gearing up for what is supposed to be a catastrophic ice storm in Charlotte.  Whose excited?! Duke Energy if you don’t get your sh*t together for this upcoming storm so help me.

Pain isn’t the enemy. It’s the push we need.
No pain. No gain. 

Yesterday my bumper fell off my car.  Well there was a curb.  🤣It’s a long story.  But it was the straw that broke the camels back on that Audi.  

I already shared with you my credit sucks.  
Boo hoo. 

I don’t mean to brag or anything but for some reason my credit went up one point. Hallelujah.  

Anyways I digress. 

My bumper comes off.  
It’s scraping on the ground so I pull into my ex husbands house and he zip ties it on.  

It looks like a hot mess express. 
Here comes the money spiral. 

Things start to go my way and I get hit with the sudden reality.  I may need a new car.  

I’m a single self employed mom working on building from scratch. With no reserve or golden age. 

And then the answer hits me. 
I buy a lottery ticket. 

And I lose.  

And then I decide to get to F*ng work.  
I score two new clients. 

The fear over my car pushed me to make some money.  

I guess all this rambling is just to say I know some of you are dealing with some heavy things.  Some money problems.  And I know how scary that can be. 

I know what it feels like to just randomly have your bumper fall off.  And to have your car zip tied like some science project.  

But take a deep breath. 
Control what you can. 
And let that sh*t fuel you. 

Everything I have gone through I’m thankful for. I wouldn’t be me without it. 

LFG.  We aren’t gonna let these bumpers falling off and zip ties derail us. Or our pets heads falling off. (Movie quote) 

By the way. 
This is not sponsored.  But I have been obsessing over apps that give you instant cash, and don’t hurt your credit. 

These aren’t loans. 
They are cash apps. 
And I refuse to use credit cards. 

These cash apps will literally give you 200-700 instantly with no hard credit checks.  

If you are in a pickle and your car blows up my favorites are:

Moneylion Get up to $55! Use my code $SportyCarolyn777 when you join MoneyLion.
https://lnkd.in/ecmuaQaH

Dave https://lnkd.in/epaVJryB

I’ve tried others but they suck. 
You can also play games and take surveys to make money but I don’t think it’s enough to waste time doing it.  

And these don’t hurt your credit. They actually help you grow it.  

As a single mom I’d be lying if I didn’t say these apps have saved my ass a few times when I was waiting for pay. 

They also analyze your spending tell you everything you’ve spent and where.  Where you can save money, where you are spending too much money. It’s like a budget within an app. I love it.  

You can also invest in them.  
Or do rainy day saving fund.  

Anyways thought I’d share in case it helped. 

But please remember- The discomfort you experience today will lead to your success tomorrow. Keep f*cking going. 

PS. Anyone want to cosign for me to get a new car? 🤣 Don’t be shy.  I’ll wait.

Dads I don’t think you know how important you are.   And if you need a reminder here is mine. 

My Dad was my world.  I trusted him more than you could ever trust anyone.  I always felt like no matter what happened. I’d be safe.  Because I had my Dad.  

When you grow older you suddenly realize there is a lot of sh*t you have to navigate on your own.  And that doesn’t change.  

My Dad wasn’t perfect.  He had some pretty big flaws. Don’t we all.  

But he was My Dad. And he was everything to me.  

I remember the last days in the hospital, when the nurse asked him if he knew my name.   To gage how loopy he was.  

And he proudly said. “That is my daughter Carolyn.” In the the most proud voice I could have ever heard.  

I cry as I write that.  Sometimes these moments of grief hit hard.  But whenever I feel like I don’t know if he’d be proud of me. Or if I’ve made the right decisions. 

I remember how proudly he said his Daughter that day.   I’ll forever hold on to that memory.  As proof of how much he loved me.  

For those of you that still have your parents.  You are so blessed.  I miss my Dad every day and I’ll never stop missing him.  

And even on my worst days, I know he loved me.  And I know he was proud of me. 

And I’d trade everything just to sit next
To him.  One more time.  And listen to the rain together.

You aren’t meant to do it all alone. 

Learn from my stupid mistakes. 

When I first started working for myself, I made it very clear “I’m working for myself”.  That means my rules. My game. My thoughts. My plan”.  

I don’t need your help. I know everything I need to know about Recruiting etc.  I can do this job in my sleep. And stand on this lone island, as I want to… and make this happen all by myself. 

I don’t need your advice and I don’t need to brainstorm with you.  

And that is a huge fing mistake for anyone to make.   We act like it’s weak to accept help from others, or shoot the sh*t with others.  But it’s actually ridiculously dumb not to.

Not everyone is out to get you. The truth is I wouldn’t even be surviving if I hadn’t gotten the help, and advice from a few other business owners. 

Some of us give back, because we remember the help and advice we got, when we first got started.  

Many of us actually want the opportunity to give back.  

To act like you don’t need the help, or want to be a one man show is only going to take you so far.  

I’m very guarded with my time.  In a lot of ways I have to be, because I could fill my days with people trying to sell me on various products etc when I’m a single mom whose bills simply pile up.  No alimony. All commission.  That I pull in by myself. 

But sometimes you gotta get out of your own way and accept the help. 

Today I had a call, I was ready for a sales pitch.  But the individual asked me specifically I really like your style, I like the way you market yourself, how can I help you? 

And instead of just giving off my usual answer of bs “no need to help me I’m just glad to be connected”.  

I was actually direct in exactly how he could help me.   And it worked.  In turn, I asked him how can I help him, and he said I want you to volunteer and support my Cancer charity.  

It was an easy yes. I’ve been dying to get more involved in charity work etc.  almost as if this whole exchange was divine timing.  

Two direct people having a very direct
Conversation about what we wanted from
Our exchange.  And it ended very successfully. 

Anyways, the next time someone asks you how they can help you.  Maybe get the f out of your own way, and be direct. 

The people you see sitting at the top.   I’ll tell you this…

They did not fuck*ng get there alone.  

Most of us are building a network that we aren’t even using.  Including me.  

PS.  Will you be brave enough to say how we can help you in the comments? 

Y’all ready for this snowstorm to hit 🥶

I bought a BMW.  

I thought I’d be a forever Audi lifer.  Audi drivers you get it.  But the BMW surprised me. 

It’s amazing how much better cars have gotten. The new safety features are amazing and I think I’ll side swipe far less people. 🤣

I could hear my Dad from Heaven saying, Carolyn go with the Honda.  It will last you forever.  And in my eyes he was never wrong.  

I probably should have listened.  Single
Mom. Self Employed.   Bills out the wazoo. Autistic son.   (He wanted me to get a Tesla
Sigh) had to let him down on that one. 

That or a cyber truck.  Which was a helll nooo and I can’t afford to drive a trash can.  Sorry
To those that offended.  

I have really no point to this post besides I have a car payment now.  And I haven’t had one in forever. 

That scares me a bit.  So let’s make some money shall we? 

I NEED TWO CLOSERS in title processing in Columbus Metro area immediate hires great pay. 

PS.  What do you think, did I make a good
Decision? Team Audi, Team BMW or team Lexus.  

Or team Honda? like my Dad would have told
Me, and we all know he was right. 🤣

I am proud of the purchase though, what can I say? She purty. I’ve always had black cars but a girl can change ❤️

Y’all help me find some title processors PLEASE?! Columbus Metro Ohio I’ll
Pay.

Yesterday I randomly waltzed into a Mercedes-Benz dealership.

Asked for the Sales Manager.

Told him my background was in high-ticket sales.

Walked out feeling like the opportunity was already mine.

So I kept going.

BMW.
Waited for the Sales Manager.
Took my shot.
Same feeling walking out.

Then Cadillac.
At this point, I’m feeling really good about myself. 

No resume. 
No prep.
Just confidence and a smile. 

I even thought about trying Porsche or Aston Martin. I’ve never sold cars, so probably a stretch.  But you don’t know unless you try.

I’m probably not going into car sales. 

I have flexibility in my career, and I’ve built a name in this industry that’s hard to walk away from. 

But doing this gave me a reset I didn’t know I needed. It reminded me I’m not stuck in one lane.

My family didn’t get it. That’s fine. 

Not everyone understands why you want to explore something.  

But taking the shot, built my confidence and broke up the monotony. 

You really can’t know what an industry can offer until you sit across from someone who works in it.

I wish more industries functioned the way car sales does.   Random walk ins. Take your shot, and no one turned their nose up to me. 

Hats off to the automobile industry for being like that.

Quite the opposite of the slimy industry
People make it out to be.

People shut down entire industries without ever having a single conversation.

And the most successful people I’ve known were the total opposite.

Curious, willing to try things, and never too proud to start somewhere if it got them on the right path.  

Do you know how many CEO’s started
Their career in door to door sales? Or waiting tables? 

And would never take back that experience? 

Yesterday was a lot of fun. 

I’m going to send every single one of those Managers a thank you note. 

Because you never know what the future holds. I’m never above having a plan B.  

The ego closes doors. 
Stay open.  Stay humble. 

Have you ever taken a job you didn’t really want at first, but it ended up opening a door for you?

PS.  Happy Friday we made it!

I’m an addict.

Addicted to wellness. 
Addicted to biohacking.  
Longevity centers. 
And I believe that peptides are the future. 

This morning I baked my arse in a sauna.  
Yesterday I got cyrotherapy. And red light therapy. 

Currently getting an IV.  And this industry.  
I want fing in.  

So here’s what I did.  I made friends with everyone at this wellness center.  Before I went in for my ask.  

Finally, now that I know everyone by name I get the confidence to ask the nurse, hey you guys aren’t by chance hiring are you? 

And they said yes actually we are part time.  

I didn’t even ask what role I just basically said. I’m in.  They said can you work every other weekend.  I’m like yup. 

Here is what I know- in life you should always follow the pull.  Follow the passion.  The money always always comes.  I don’t care if you have to start at the front desk to get your foot in the door.  🚪 if you feel the pull that is the direction you go.  

“According to Grand View Research, the global peptide therapeutics market is projected to grow from $117.26B in 2024 to $260.25B by 2030 (a 10.77% annual growth rate.)

Peptides and longevity aren’t trends; they’re two of the fastest‑expanding sectors in modern wellness.”

So If this wellness center takes a look at me or my resume and says no, I’ll go get a damn IV at every single center and do the same approach until I win.  

I’ll be one hydrated mother fer. 
And they will know me by my face.  
Likability outside the resume.  Most important. 

My resume is sh*t for this industry that’s why I have to take an in person approach. 

My end goal? I want to buy one of these wellness centers.  And I can’t do it without knowing the industry from inside out.  

Some of you are afraid to follow the pull that you are so obviously passionate about. 

That pull is the answer.  
If you have to start at the ground floor, I’d do that all day long every day over something that you know you are good at, but that makes you miserable.  

PS.  May you all get the guts to follow your passions in 2026.  LFGGGGGG! I’ve never been more excited for the direction my life is going.  ❤️ 

Are you all taking peptides? 
If so, drop your stack!!!!!!!!!   
Curious- do you know what they are?

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The Battle

Max Pashman, CFP®

Carolyn Christie

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The Battle

Max Pashman, CFP®

Carolyn Christie

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Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Max Pashman, CFP®'s LinkedIn Performance

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