From small-town Nebraska to financial advisor, Penny Kreikemeier’s journey is a story of relationships, determination, and taking a leap of faith.
Penny Kreikemeier grew up in Dodge, Nebraska, a small community of about 600–700 people. She graduated with a class of just 13 students and stayed busy throughout high school, participating in volleyball, basketball, track, and swimming, while also playing piano at her church. Penny attended Midland Lutheran College in Fremont after high school, and chose to focus her energy on her education.
At Midland, Penny earned a double major in business management and marketing. She also gained valuable experience working at a bank as a teller during evenings and weekends. Her father’s career in banking had sparked her interest in the industry, and her natural strength in math made banking a good fit.
She quickly discovered that she enjoyed the details and responsibility that came with financial services. After graduation, Penny joined Pinnacle Bank in Gretna. Her role was largely behind the scenes, where she handled ATM balancing for locations across multiple states, Visa debit card activations, disputes, and some fraud investigation.
While the position allowed Penny to use her attention to detail and interest in compliance, something was missing: relationships.
Most of her work happened from a cubicle, with communication taking place primarily over the phone or through email. Customer interactions were generally transactional. Customers came in to make a deposit or withdrawal and then went on their way.
Penny eventually realized she wanted something different.
In February 2012, she joined Jon Schuetz’s Edward Jones office after learning about an opportunity to work in a new office near Gretna. The move represented a significant change. After years of working primarily behind the scenes, Penny had to relearn how to have conversations and build relationships with people.
The difference between having "customers" and having "clients" became especially meaningful.
Instead of simply completing transactions, Penny was now part of a business built around relationships. She discovered that the people-focused environment was a much better fit for her personality than she had realized.
For nearly a decade, Penny thrived in her role as a branch office administrator. She loved the paperwork, the details, and—most importantly—making things happen for clients and the team.
At the time, becoming a financial advisor wasn't something she had seriously considered.
Taking a Leap of Faith
In April 2022, Penny faced one of the biggest career decisions of her life when Jon decided to leave Edward Jones and partner with Brent Connelly to form Soar Wealth Strategies.
The transition was stressful and full of unknowns. Penny wasn't sure what would happen if she stayed at Edward Jones. She didn't know what her future role would look like, which advisor she might work with, or even whether she would still have a position.
Her strong relationship with Jon, her familiarity with Brent, and her confidence in the team gave her the courage to take the leap. She joined John, Brent, and as part of the new team.
One of her initial concerns about working in a larger office was quickly forgotten once she learned that everyone had a lot in common: all are detail-oriented, compliance-minded, driven, and committed to doing things the right way for the clients.
What began as a concern became another example of how taking a leap can lead to something better than expected.
From Behind the Scenes to Financial Advisor
Then, in 2023, Penny was presented with another opportunity—one she hadn't necessarily seen coming.
Jon and Brent approached her to consider becoming a financial advisor.
Penny's first reaction was uncertainty. She had four children at home and hadn't studied for a major exam in years. The thought of preparing for three required exams while maintaining her responsibilities at work and home seemed daunting.
But the partners saw something in Penny that she hadn’t yet see in herself.
She started with a prerequisite exam in February 2023, viewing it as a test. If she passed, she would take that as a sign to keep going.
She passed.
That led to the Series 7 exam and the next steps in her journey. Over the next year or two, Penny studied whenever and wherever she could. She studied in her car while waiting for her children to finish practice, arrived early at games so she could study during warm-ups, and stayed up late after everyone else had gone to bed.
She wasn't given extra hours in the day. She simply found ways to make the hours she had work.
A Different Kind of Advisor
Today, one of the things Penny enjoys most about being a financial advisor is that no two days are the same.
Every client has different circumstances, goals, and concerns. While she can plan and time-block her day, client calls and unexpected situations often change the course of it.
That variety is part of what makes the job rewarding.
Penny's transition from client relationship manager to advisor wasn't without challenges. She was extremely confident in the role she had known for years, but becoming an advisor required her to develop new skills, think differently, and step outside her comfort zone.
She also had to learn to trust others with the responsibilities she once handled herself.
Today, she sees those challenges as part of her growth.
One of Penny's greatest strengths is her ability to connect with people. She strives to meet clients where they are, listen with empathy, and create an environment where people feel comfortable being honest.
Financial conversations don't have to be intimidating, and clients shouldn't feel embarrassed or judged if they've gotten off track.
Penny also places a particular emphasis on making sure women feel included in financial conversations. She wants wives to feel comfortable asking questions, understand what's happening with their finances, and know that their voice matters.
Her philosophy is simple: Listen, Educate and Serve as a Resource.
Rather than positioning herself as the person who has all the answers, Penny wants to help clients make informed decisions in an environment where they feel supported. In a world where financial information is constantly changing, she believes having a trusted resource can help clients avoid making emotional decisions and stay focused on what matters most.
Life Outside the Office
Penny has been married for 19 years to her husband Adam. They have four children: Grace, 15; Isaac, 13; Eli, 10; and Chloe, 8. Penny and Adam can be found most evenings and weekends at the ballfield or at the gym. They wouldn’t have it any other way.
Balancing motherhood, a demanding career, and the pursuit of a new professional goal hasn't always been easy. But Penny's experience has taught her an important lesson, there may never be a perfect time to take a leap.
When she decided to pursue her career as an advisor, she heard plenty of reasons why it might be difficult.
"You have a lot of kids."
"You're too busy."
"How are you going to add that to your plate?"
Those comments could have become reasons not to pursue her goal. Instead, Penny chose to focus on what she could control.
Her advice to other working mothers is straightforward:
Don't let outside noise stop you.
If you wait for the "right time," you may wait forever. Life doesn't suddenly become less busy, and children don't stop getting older and busier.
If there's something you are determined to accomplish, Penny believes you can find a way to make it work—with dedication, discipline, and a willingness to use the time you have.
Her own journey is proof.
From a small-town Nebraska upbringing to banking, from a cubicle to client relationships, and ultimately from behind the scenes to the advisor's chair, Penny Kreikemeier has continued to grow by embracing change and believing in what comes next.
And sometimes, the biggest opportunities begin with simply being willing to take the leap.
Thank you, Penny, for all that you do for our clients! We are excited to watch you SOAR into a very bright future.