Meet Judy Carlson | CPA, Fiduciary, and Investment Advisor Representative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Judy Carlson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Judy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own business wasn’t a single moment or a bold leap. It was the result of lived experience.

Early in my life, I went through a period of financial hardship that forced me to confront just how fragile financial stability can be, even for hardworking, responsible people. I learned firsthand that doing “all the right things” doesn’t always lead to security if there isn’t a thoughtful, coordinated plan behind the numbers. That experience stayed with me.

As I built my career in financial services, I began to see that many people, especially individuals and couples approaching or living in retirement, were often given fragmented advice. Investments may be handled in one place, taxes in another, insurance somewhere else, and no one was truly responsible for how it all worked together over a lifetime. What people really may have wanted wasn’t a product or a projection, they may have wanted clarity, confidence, and the certainty that their plan would actually support the life they hoped to live.

I started my firm to change that experience.

I wanted to create a practice built around listening first, understanding real-life goals and expenses, and then designing a customized, coordinated plan that integrates income, taxes, healthcare, longevity, and legacy. Starting my own business gave me the freedom to serve clients the way I believe they deserve to be served, with transparency, care, and a long-term commitment to helping them feel secure not just on paper, but in real life.

That mission still guides everything we do today.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business was built around a simple but often overlooked idea: financial planning should reflect real life, not just numbers on a page.

I work with individuals and couples, many of them approaching or already in retirement, who want to understand how their money actually supports the life they hope to live. Instead of starting with products, accounts, or generic projections, we begin with expenses, goals, timing, and values. From there, I design a coordinated, comprehensive plan that integrates income, taxes, healthcare, longevity, and legacy into one clear roadmap.

What sets my firm apart is how intentional and personalized the process is. Every plan is custom-built using the client’s real numbers and real decisions. We focus on coordination, how each piece of the financial picture affects the others, because that’s where clarity and confidence come from. My goal isn’t to impress clients with complexity; it’s to help them truly understand their plan and trust it.

What I’m most proud of is the client experience we’ve created. Many people come to us feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, and watching that anxiety turn into confidence is incredibly meaningful. Clients often tell us that for the first time, they feel like someone sees the whole picture, not just their investments, but their life.

Getting here was not easy. Like most entrepreneurs, I’ve navigated uncertainty, setbacks, and moments where the path forward wasn’t obvious. I had to learn to trust my instincts, stay aligned with my values, and resist the pressure to build a business that looked like everyone else’s. Over time, I learned that consistency, patience, and integrity matter far more than quick wins.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that clarity is powerful, not just financially, but personally. When you understand where you are, what matters most, and how your decisions connect, everything changes. That belief shapes how I serve clients and how I run my business.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story is this: financial planning doesn’t have to feel intimidating, fragmented, or impersonal. When done thoughtfully and honestly, it can be one of the most empowering tools people have. Helping them move forward with confidence, certainty, and knowing they’re going to be okay is very fulfilling.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want to give them a true Colorado experience, a mix of mountain towns, natural beauty, great food, and unhurried moments. Exploring is a big part of my life, and I love discovering places that feel special rather than rushed.

We’d start close to home with Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Even without a concert, it’s one of those places that sets the tone for Colorado. We’d walk the trails, take in the views, and grab coffee nearby.

One day would be spent in Evergreen, enjoying the relaxed mountain-town vibe, wandering through local shops and coffee spots, and doing something creative like a paint-your-own pottery studio. A fun, grounding way to slow down and be present.

From there, we’d head west to explore some of my favorite mountain towns. Breckenridge would be an easy choice: trolling Main Street, popping into shops, and lingering over a long meal with the mountains as the backdrop. Another day would take us to Vail Village, where the walking paths, alpine architecture, and people-watching make it feel both charming and energizing. Winter Park would round out the mountain-town experience with its laid-back feel, scenic trails, and cozy places to sit and simply take it all in.

Midweek, I’d plan an overnight or two in Palisade, one of my favorite hidden gems in the state. Between the peach orchards, vineyards, and slower pace, it offers a completely different side of Colorado. We’d enjoy wine tastings, great food, and the kind of conversations that happen when no one is in a hurry.

Toward the end of the week, we’d head south to Colorado Springs to visit Garden of the Gods, followed by a cog railway ride to the top of Pikes Peak, an experience that’s both breathtaking and humbling.

Throughout the week, we’d balance exploring with downtime: casual dinners, local wine bars, and places where conversation comes easily. For me, Colorado is about balance, adventure paired with rest, beauty paired with simplicity.

By the end of the week, I’d hope my friend didn’t just see Colorado, but truly felt it, the openness, creativity, and sense that life doesn’t always have to move fast to be meaningful.

Investment Adviser Representative of and advisory services offered through Royal Fund Management, LLC, a SEC Registered Adviser. This material reflects the personal opinions and experiences of Judy Carlson and is provided for informational purposes only. It does not represent the views, positions, or opinions of Royal Fund Management.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There isn’t just one person or moment; many people at different stages of life have shaped my journey.

First and foremost, I credit my clients. They trust me with some of the most important and personal decisions of their lives, and that trust continually challenges me to listen more closely, think more deeply, and do better work. Many of the improvements I’ve made to my process and approach have come directly from the real questions, concerns, and experiences they’ve shared with me over the years.

I’m also deeply grateful for the mentors and colleagues who encouraged me to think independently and build a business aligned with my values. Their guidance helped me understand that success doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s, and that it’s possible to build a firm rooted in integrity, service, and long-term relationships.

On a more personal level, I’m thankful for my family and close circle who supported me through seasons of uncertainty and growth. Entrepreneurship can be lonely at times, and having people who believed in me, even when the path wasn’t clear, made all the difference.

If I were dedicating this shoutout, it would be to the combination of clients, mentors, and supporters who reminded me that meaningful work is built over time, through trust, resilience, and shared purpose.

Website: https://judycarlson.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judycarlsonfinancialadvisor/

Image Credits
Photos taken by Britta Carlson