Mary Sterk, CFP®, founder of Map It Build It Buy It, is a multi-year Million Dollar Plus Producer. Having been the leading female representative for many years, she consistently ranks in the top 5 overall producers for her broker dealer.

 

Mary’s career has taken her from being a divorced mother of two surviving on food stamps, to being a multiple year qualifier for the MDRT Top of the Table honors. Mary’s inspirational story of fighting her way to a better future despite a teenage pregnancy, living in low-income housing, and raising her two small children with no child support, has motivated many to believe that anything is possible. Her quote “If I can achieve this, any one can!” has inspired listeners to strive for their own brighter futures.

 

An avid private pilot, Mary loves flying her Piper Cherokee 235 to meet with advisors and clients alike. Her passion for bringing value to relationships with her clients, family and friends has undeniably contributed to her success. 

 

Mary is the founder of Map It Build It Buy It, located in Dakota Dunes, SD. Her company is dedicated to helping financial advisors grow their financial planning practices in three main areas. 

 

Map It specializes in providing direction and meaning to client’s financial decisions through a six-step program called the Financial Maximum Advantage Program (MAP).

 

Build It brings proven practice management techniques to advisors to effectively run their offices like a real business. Human Resources templates, hiring guides, software integration and day to day servicing processes are the focus of Build It.

 

Buy It has sprung from Mary’s own experience with acquisitions. Having completed three acquisitions of financial planning practices in the last three years, she has become an industry specialist in this area. She shares her experiences in the book, Buy It! The Practical Guide to Buying a Financial Services Practice.

 

Mary acts as an advocate for her peers as a Board Member of the Financial Services Institute. FSI is active in working with compliance and legislative issues facing independent financial advisors. Mary also contributed her efforts towards creating a Women’s Forum, promoting the entrepreneurial efforts of female financial advisors. Being actively involved in her community continues to be a primary focus, and Mary has been a part of the Premier Educations Family Values Focus Seminars, Siouxland Estate Planning Council, Women United, Greater Dakota Valley Jaycees and has taught Financial Planning courses at a local college.