As NAIFA’s President, I would like to wish NAIFA members and all of our professional colleagues a happy 4^th of July. We celebrate America’s 250^th birthday knowing that we can take pride in the fact that for the past 136 years NAIFA has helped make our nation better by supporting financial professionals who build financial freedom and security for American families and businesses.

NAIFA is pleased to collaborate with Mediaplanet on its newly released Women in Finance campaign, which highlights leaders and organizations working to expand opportunities for women across financial services.

For many business-owner clients, their company is their largest and most illiquid asset, making accurate valuation essential to estate, retirement, and succession planning. Without a clear understanding of what a business is worth, financial professionals may miss key planning gaps, liquidity risks, and opportunities to help clients protect and grow enterprise value.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, NAIFA Secretary Carina Hatfield reminds us that the American Dream has always depended on people willing to take a chance on themselves, their businesses, and their futures. In her article published in InsuranceNewsNet, The Freedom to Dream, the Courage to Build, Carina reflects on her own journey as a third-generation insurance agency owner and the role financial professionals play in giving others the confidence to pursue their own dreams

Financial professionals can help consumers stay disciplined during market swings by establishing dependable income before focusing on long-term growth opportunities

By Jason Mickool,  guest contributor

Many Americans retire with strong savings and well-constructed plans, but their confidence can unravel quickly once market uncertainty begins to affect their everyday financial security.

A sharp downturn stops feeling temporary and starts feeling like a threat to their lifestyle, healthcare plan, or ability to remain retired. Even people with substantial savings can become hesitant investors once unpredictability takes over. They pull back from equities, claim Social Security earlier than expected, hold excessive cash, or delay spending because the entire strategy begins to feel fragile.

Ryan Scritchlow, an insurance agent with COUNTRY Financial in Bloomington, IL, brings an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for building into his work in financial services.

Before entering the industry, Ryan was already starting businesses, launching his first company in college and developing a strong interest in creating systems, solving problems, and working with people. What ultimately drew him to financial services was the realization that it offered the same opportunity to build, just in a different way. From developing a business and structuring policies to building long term client relationships, the role aligned naturally with his strengths.

Les Robinson’s path into financial services was shaped by a deeply personal experience. While studying finance in college, his family faced a series of crises at once. His grandmother required care, and at the same time his father suffered a heart attack. Watching how overwhelming and financially disruptive that period became left a lasting impression. It also sparked a realization that there had to be a better way for families to prepare. That moment set the direction for a career focused on long-term care and helping others avoid the same challenges.

InvestmentNews’ fourth annual Rising Stars is now open for nominations, recognizing the next generation of standout professionals under 40.

The Fourth of July is always an inspirational holiday that evokes pride amongst Americans and remembrance of our illustrious history. This year, of course, marks a great milestone as the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. A month from now, we will celebrate America250 with flags, parades, and fireworks and also acknowledge our thankfulness that we live in a country built upon the bedrock principles of freedom and liberty.

Stan Walton has spent decades building a career centered on people, purpose, and long-term impact. Based in Edmond, Oklahoma with State Farm, Stan serves as a sales leader supporting 56 independent contractor agents across the Oklahoma City market. His work spans both property and casualty and financial services, with a particular passion for helping customers and agents navigate the often-overlooked areas of life insurance, retirement planning, and legacy strategies.