Shope + Associates, LLC

Helping retirees and near-retirees develop a well-thought-out plan that gives them the confidence to make work optional and live a life of freedom. We do this by helping you manage your assets according to your purpose and values, minimize your lifetime taxes, and generate consistent income. It doesn't end there, though. We continually monitor your plan and meet with you on a regular basis to ensure your needs are met. We keep the process simple and our pricing straightforward, just like it should be.

Managing Partner | Fee-Only Financial Advisor

Shope & Company, Inc.

Operated a private wealth management firm committed to working comprehensively with client's wealth management plans. Responsible for creating investment, financial and estate planning strategies that work together to expand, manage and distribute wealth. Maintained a strong reputation for portfolio management, designing tax and estate planning concepts and strategies to meet and exceed objectives and provide implementation so the family's goals are realized.

Financial Planner | Owner

Sigma Financial Corporation

Sigma Financial Corporation is a comprehensive financial services firm committed to helping clients improve their long-term financial success. Their customized programs are designed to help manage our clients’ wealth by delivering an unprecedented level of personalized service.

Independent Broker Dealer, No Proprietary Products, 9-Time Winner of Investment Advisor BD of the Year, 3-time Winner of REP. Magazines Broker Dealer Report Card

Certified Wealth Strategist® | Financial Planner

Hantz Financial Services, Inc.

At Hantz Financial, in addition to maintaining a financial planning practice, I served in numerous capacities in the growth of the organization.  My responsibilities included:

- Training and developing first-year advisors in the Greater Detroit Region.
- Assisted the Advanced Planning Team, which was focused on solving the issues of High-Net worth clients, in the development of case studies and comprehensive financial plans.
- Helped in the growth and transition of a group of recruited advisors in Northeastern Ohio.
- Worked with advisors between Mid-Michigan and Southern Ohio to reinforce the importance of integrating estate planning into the overall financial planning process for the firm’s clients.

Financial Consultant | Co-Founder

Lennington & Associates, PLLC

Responsible for the implementation of systems and strategies to ensure clients of Hantz Financial addressed their estate planning issues and concerns.  This involved developing a process by which each financial plan included a comprehensive review by an estate planning attorney from Lennington & Associates.

Director of Business Development

American Express Financial Advisors

Served as a paraplanner for a group of experienced financial advisors.  I was responsible for numerous administrative tasks and functions enabling the practice to operate efficiently and effectively.

Paraplanner

Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®) | Helping those 50+ learn how to retire confidently, reduce taxes, and generate consistent income to become financially independent.

If, after reading through the short description of who I typically serve and how I work, you find that we may work well together, feel free to contact me via phone or email for a complimentary, no-obligation initial consultation.

I have been fortunate to work with an outstanding group of committed clients for many years.  While each client holds their own values and visions unique to them, a few commonalities may help you determine if you would also benefit from my services.

- Most clients are either retired or within 10 years of retirement.

- My clients place a high value on financial planning and less emphasis on taking high risks trying to generate maximum return.

- My clients are long-term investors, comfortable with a custom asset management plan based on their risk tolerance, time horizon, goals, and income needs - not day-trading. 
 
- Most clients believe that their wealth is very important to them but no more important than family, faith, health, and community.

I am a Fee-Only financial advisor who takes great pride in acting on behalf of my clients. This means I have a responsibility to put my clients' interests well before my own in all recommendations.

At the core of our relationship is a custom financial plan geared toward life events such as retirement, wealth transfer, business succession, and asset protection.

Communication is key.  In addition to regular phone calls and emails, we will establish regular face-to-face meetings, typically 2-4 times per year.  Regular contact ensures a much higher probability of finding true meaning and success in your wealth.

If you have found you’d like to have a conversation about working together, I’d be happy to dedicate an hour to getting to know you better, discussing your intentions, and determining if I can provide value to you and your situation. 

To set up an initial meeting, contact me at pshope@shopeandassociates.com or by phone at (734) 479-1400.

Patrick Shope

Professional Services Connection

Marketing Coach

Marketing Consultant & Coach

New Business Facilitator

Since leaving the practice of law in 1984, I have been involved in helping owners achieve better small business marketing results.

Initially this help took the form of traditional hard copy books or other small business marketing content for publication.

In many cases, this help was in the form of live and in-person small business marketing and educational events.  Lots of traveling...including a grueling cross country speaking tour focused exclusively on small business marketing.  

For the past few years I have shifted to providing online professional service marketing coaching and training.   

Much better...I can now serve a global market from the comfort and convenience of my home work space.  And you can enjoy professional service marketing coaching and training from the convenience of your own computer.

Best-Selling Business Writer; Marketing Consultant & Coach

Lawrence H. Easto, Barrister & Solicitor

Provided legal advice and related services to self-employed people and owners of small business.

Self-Employed Lawyer

I Help Self-Employed Professionals Market & Grow Their Service Businesses | Marketing Coach | Author of 30+ Books & Online Video Courses | Sharing Practical Strategies for Authentic Business Growth |

Hey there! 

Ever felt overwhelmed by the daunting task of marketing your professional services?

I'm Larry Easto, with over 40 years of experience in legal services, consulting, and coaching, 

I've seen it all. 

But here's the twist 

I've always preferred a facilitative approach over an authoritative one. I would rather empower clients to meet and overcome their challenges than tell them what they should do.  I want to equip them with the right tools to make informed decisions.

That's why I embarked on a journey of experiential learning, studying successful professionals' strategies and adapting them to my facilitative approach. 

I've authored over 30 books, eBooks, and video courses since 1993, sharing practical strategies for professional growth.

Ready to ditch the marketing stress and start growing comfortably? 

Let's connect and discuss how you can develop that successful business that you want . . .  and no doubt deserve.

Larry Easto

I’ve lost clients because I refused to lie for them.
That choice built a career I’m proud of.

Some people wanted quick results.
I wanted honesty.

And that one choice shaped how I do my work to this day.

When I had my first job review, my boss said something I never forgot.
He told me, “Larry, your biggest weakness is impatience.”

He was right. I wanted results now.
But I also learned something bigger.

Patience and honesty are not just personal values.
They are the foundation for real success.

In a service business, your reputation is everything.
Every promise, every message, every client talk builds or breaks trust.

And trust is not built by clever words or marketing tricks.
It’s built by keeping your word.

Values can cost you in the short term.
But they always pay off later.

They bring clients who trust you, respect you, and stay with you.

If you are a coach, therapist, or consultant trying to grow your practice, remember:

✅ Integrity helps people believe in you.
✅ Authenticity helps people connect with you.
✅ Patience makes you stronger, not slower.

When your work matches your values, success lasts longer.

That’s what we focus on inside the Business Accelerator.

We turn your values into simple habits that help you grow your business with less stress and more trust.

Would you like me to send you the link?
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Hello, I’m Larry Easto. 

I help service professionals grow thriving practices without overwhelm

Follow me for simple ways to build your business with confidence.

Helping Service Professionals Build Thriving Practices Without Overwhelm | 40+ Yrs Experience & Author of 30+ Books | 139+ Resources + Coaching & Mastermind | Join the Business Accelerator Today

Everyone around me was busy being the expert.
I was busy being curious, and it changed everything.

When I started my law practice, everyone talked about being an expert.
Know the law. Follow the rules. Stay inside the lines.

One day, I heard about something new called a memory typewriter.
It could remember what was typed and play it back later.

I didn’t type. That was my secretary’s job.
But I was curious. So I asked her to try it.

She loved it.
We bought one.
And our work got faster and easier right away.

Not because I knew more.
But because I was open to trying something new.

That moment taught me something big.
Curiosity opens doors that expertise can’t.

Now, I make space every day to stay curious.
When my mind has room to wander, ideas show up on their own.

One of my clients, Laura, did the same.
She followed her curiosity into a church she had always walked past.
That visit led her to meet Joyce.
Together, they started “Healthy Mind & Body” workshops that grew both their businesses.

Curiosity helps us see what we might miss.
It brings new people, new ideas, and new chances.

If growing your business with less stress and more discovery feels right for you,
you might enjoy exploring the Business Accelerator —
139 simple tools, real support, and guidance you can adapt in your own way.

Because your best growth won’t come from what you already know.
It’ll come from staying curious.

👉 Explore the Business Accelerator - https://lnkd.in/gXN-BYnH
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Hello, I’m Larry Easto. 

I help service professionals grow thriving practices without overwhelm

Follow me for simple ways to build your business with confidence.

I was ready to jump into a new opportunity last week. 

One small pause changed my mind.


A podcast team reached out with a project that sounded very exciting.

New people.
New ideas.
New energy.

For a moment, it felt like something I should say yes to right away.
But I stopped myself.

I took one quiet evening to sit with it.

No pressure.
No decision.
Only space.

The next morning, things looked different.

What felt exciting at first now felt heavy.
The work needed was huge.
The reward was far away.

And the project did not match where I wanted my work to go.

So I thanked them and let it go.

That small pause helped me avoid a choice that would have pulled me off track.
And it reminded me of something I often forget.

Self-reflection is not a long practice.
It is a simple moment of honesty with yourself.

When I feel unsure, I slow down.

Sometimes I walk.
Sometimes I listen to music.
Sometimes I sit in silence.

I choose whatever feels right at that time.
Then I ask myself a clear question.

Which choice helps my long term success and which one is only noise?

Many service professionals feel stuck because life moves too fast.
But when you slow down, you can hear what you truly need.

Reflection leads to insight.
Insight guides better action.

Better action helps your business grow in a healthy way.

P.S. How do you make space to listen to yourself when life feels loud?
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Hello, I’m Larry Easto. 

I help service professionals grow thriving practices without overwhelm

Follow me for simple ways to build your business with confidence.

I walked into that room expecting criticism.
I walked out with a standing ovation and a new meaning of friendship in business.

A few years ago, I worked on one of the hardest projects of my career.
I had to create a training program about a social issue I cared about deeply.

It was a tough topic.
I wanted people to learn and think, not argue or feel defensive.

When we finished the first session, something amazing happened.
The group stood up and gave us a standing ovation.

They called the session fun and informative.
But for me, it felt like more than that.

It didn’t feel like client work anymore.
It felt like something I had built with friends who shared the same purpose.

That moment taught me something important:
The best client relationships feel like friendships.

Here are 5 things I’ve learned from that:

1️⃣ Respect each other. Listen, share, and value what both sides bring.

2️⃣ Keep clear boundaries. When you say no, mean it. Respect keeps trust strong.

3️⃣ Work toward the same goal. You grow faster when you move in the same direction.

4️⃣ Be honest and kind. Tell the truth in a caring way, even when it’s hard.

5️⃣ Enjoy the work. When you care, work starts to feel meaningful.

That’s what has worked for me.

But every relationship is different — and that’s the point.

Find your own way to build trust and warmth with your clients.

P.S. How do you build friendship-level trust with your clients while keeping healthy boundaries?
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Hello, I’m Larry Easto. 

I help service professionals grow thriving practices without overwhelm

Follow me for simple ways to build your business with confidence.

I built my business on one habit most professionals forget.

Many service professionals spend all their time looking for new clients.
But they often forget the ones they already have.

Here is something I learned after many years in business.
Your next opportunity often comes from someone you already know.

When I worked as a lawyer, I made a simple habit of dropping by my clients’ offices to say hello.

No pitch.
No hidden plan.
Just a friendly visit.

Most times, I walked away with one of three things.
A new project.
A referral.
Or a helpful idea about what clients really needed.

That small habit of keeping in touch helped me build a strong and steady practice.

Today, we stay connected in different ways.
But the idea is still the same.

Send a short message.
Share something useful.
Ask how they are doing.

Simple actions like these do three things.

1️⃣They help people remember you.

2️⃣They show you care.

3️⃣They keep your name top of mind when someone needs your help.

Something that worked for me was reaching out to one past or current client each week, just to reconnect.

You might find your own way that feels natural.

Keeping in touch is not a marketing trick.
It is what builds real, lasting relationships.

P.S. - How do you keep in touch with your clients in a way that feels natural and real? 👇
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Hello, I’m Larry Easto. 

I help service professionals grow thriving practices without overwhelm

Follow me for simple ways to build your business with confidence.

Most people lose clients for one simple reason —
they stop listening.

I learned that the hard way.

For years, I thought business growth came from doing more, talking more, knowing more.

But the truth?
It came from slowing down.

From pausing.
From really hearing what people were saying — not just waiting to reply.

That shift changed everything:
less stress, better clients, steady growth.

Sometimes the skill that helps you grow
isn’t a new strategy.
It’s listening.

P.S. - What business skill has made the biggest difference for you?
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Hello, I’m Larry Easto. 

I help service professionals grow thriving practices without overwhelm

Follow me for simple ways to build your business with confidence.

The Hidden Cost of Not Investing in Business Skills

One small mistake in my first book almost convinced me to quit writing forever.

Progress matters more than perfection.
I learned this many years ago when I wrote my first book.

I checked every page again and again.
I wanted the book to be perfect before I sent it to print.

When I finally felt everything was right, I approved the printing of too many copies.

Then the books arrived.
And right at the beginning, I saw a big editing mistake.
Then another one.
My heart sank.

I had tried so hard to make everything perfect.
But it still was not perfect.

At the launch party, I told a friend who is also an author about the mistake.
He smiled and shared something I will never forget.

He told me some artists leave small flaws in their work on purpose.
Because only God makes perfect things.

His words helped me breathe again.

A year later, a major publisher bought the rights to the second edition.
That edition became a best seller.

Same book.
Same lessons.
Just less pressure to be perfect.

Since then, I have looked at my work in a different way.
I try to give my best.
I try not to let perfection take over my peace.

Many service professionals I meet face the same struggle.
Perfection takes time.

It takes energy.
It takes joy.
It slows things down.

Sometimes it even stops work that could help someone.

Only you can decide what feels right for you.
Some people choose perfection.
Some choose progress.

There is room for both.

If you are curious about finding a calmer way to grow your service business, you can message me anytime.

I am happy to walk through things with you.
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Hello, I’m Larry Easto. 

I help service professionals grow thriving practices without overwhelm

Follow me for simple ways to build your business with confidence.

taplio

The Battle

Patrick Shope

Larry Easto

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The Battle

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