5-Star Service
Leave your ego behind and lead with a servant’s heart.
Built from over 12 years of hands-on industry experience, because when your admin levels up - your whole business does.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone...
I hear it all the time: Advisors love their admins but keep hitting the same wall. They’re reliable, hardworking, and want to do well - but something’s missing. Follow-through. Consistency. A polished, professional presence.
It’s not a lack of effort; it’s a lack of training. And that’s why I created 5-Star Service - because admins shouldn’t have to guess, and advisors shouldn’t have to train from scratch.
This is the first, and only, training program like it for admins of financial advisors.
It’s not fluff. It’s not theory.
The 5-Star Service training program is practical, field-tested, and made for the day-to-day reality of running a financial practice.
Your admin won’t just be capable - they’ll be confident, proactive, and equipped to handle whatever comes their way.
Whether you're investing in a new hire or developing the right-hand support you already have, this course bridges the gap between potential and high performance.
5-Star Service Lesson Plan
The Three Pillars of Success
Mastering Etiquette: Elevate Your Professional Impact
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Honesty: Building Trust Through Transparency
Respect: Honoring Time, Space, and Perspectives
Consideration: Thinking Ahead to Improve Interactions
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The Golden Rule
Giving and Receiving Tough Feedback with Grace
Choosing the Right Method for Your Message
What to Say (and What to Avoid) in Conversations
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Making a Positive Impression Every Time you Write
Common Writing Mistakes and How to Correct Them
Handling Difficult Situations in Written Communication
Virtual Meetings: How Your Etiquette Shapes Perception
Remote Work Etiquette: The Do’s and Don’ts
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The Secret Ingredient Behind Great Client Experiences
The Power of Presence
Peanut Butter Story
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Understanding Compliance and the U4
Confidentiality Is Non-Negotiable
Handling Upset Clients and Difficult Conversations
Accuracy That Builds Trust: How to Get It Right Every Time
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The Power of Precision
Your Accuracy Action Plan
Trust, but Verify: Working with Third Parties
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What Being Detail-Oriented Really Means
Systems for Catching Mistakes Before They Go Out
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Organization Systems: Your Secret Weapon
Why Following Through Matters
Anticipation in Action: Leading from the Seat You’re In
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Thinking Ahead: The Key to High-Level Client Service
For Advisors: Stay in Sync with Their Work Rhythm
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Even when you plan ahead, unexpected challenges are bound to pop up. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to stay composed, pivot quickly, and turn challenges into opportunities to shine.
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Resourcefulness means finding solutions, not excuses, and it’s what sets problem solvers apart from problem spotters.
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Proactive vs. Reactive: The Service Mindset Shift
Creating Your “Second Brain”
Hi, I’m Mariah.
I've spent the last 12 years in the financial services industry, working with every level of financial planning practice you can think of. And I've probably encountered every different type of financial advisor along the way!
But one thing has always remained the same: No matter where I was, there was a huge gap in training and resources for admins and operations professionals.
This job isn't about pushing paper, and I had to figure that out the hard way: through trial and error, being gritty and resourceful, and being humbled by mentors and colleagues who'd been around the block a few more times than me (ouch!).
That's why I created 5-Star Service. It's the training I wish I'd had from day one - and honestly, even five years in!
Built from real-world experience, 5-Star Service has one goal: to help admins become the most successful they can be. It's filled with practical applications, life lessons, and insights gathered from years of hands-on work.
Above all, my mantra guides every part of this program: "Leave your ego behind and lead with a servant's heart."
That's the key to not just doing your job but truly excelling at it. Great admins don't just support—they lead from behind the scenes.
Imagine your practice running
like a well-oiled machine…
You start your day by walking to your favorite coffee shop.
While in line to order, you strike up a conversation with a fellow business owner who happens to be looking for a financial advisor. As you explain your approach to financial planning, an urgent client email pops up on your phone.
Just as you’re about to set everything aside to respond, you see a second notification - your admin has already handled it with professionalism and grace.
You turn your attention back to the prospect, fully present and confident, knowing that your clients are being taken care of in the background.
This is the kind of freedom you envisioned when you started your practice - and it’s finally here.
That night, you go home to pack for your two-week vacation, feeling calm and prepared. You know that while you're away, your clients will be well-supported, your admin will handle any issues that arise, and your business will continue to thrive.