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Carl Richards

Creator of the Behavior Gap

Carl Richards is the Chief Brand Officer at Elements, a software company for advisors.1 He is also the creator of the Sketch Guy column, which appeared weekly in The New York Times for a decade.4 Carl is a Certified Financial Planner™.235

Richards uses simple sketches to explain complex financial concepts.245 These sketches form the basis of his books, The One-Page Financial Plan: A Simple Way to Be Smart About Your Money and The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money.245

Carl's sketches have been showcased in exhibitions at the Kimball Art Center in Park City, Utah, Parsons School of Design in New York City, The Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California, and the Mansion House in London.45 His work is also on display in businesses and educational institutions globally.45

Before becoming Chief Brand Officer at The Elements Financial Monitoring System™ in January 202246, Carl Richards held positions such as:

  • Financial Advisor at Prudential Securities (1996-1999)6
  • Wealth Manager at Merrill Lynch (1999-2004)6
  • Founder of Clearwater Asset Management (2004-2009)6
  • Director of Research at TCI Wealth Management (2008-2009)6
  • Founder of Prasada Capital Management (2010-2012)6
  • Director of Investor Education at BAM Advisor Services (2012-2016)6

Carl Richards graduated from the University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Finance (1993-1997).46

Highlights

Feb 4 · twitter

We all carry an invisible number above our head.

At some point, the number stops being information and starts being something we defend.

We protect it. Grow it. We become obsessed with comparing it.

That’s rarely where clarity lives.

👉 You can pick up your copy on Amazon or wherever you buy books. https://t.co/9I2QQ8pyUz   If you’re in the U.S. and ordering for a firm, team, or event, you can purchase bulk copies at a discount here: https://t.co/MW3H14E023

We all carry an invisible number above our head.

At some point, the number stops being information
Feb 4 · twitter

Most conversations about taxes start too late.

This sketch shows the difference... On the left are the taxes you paid. On the right are the taxes you could have paid.

That gap is not about loopholes or clever reporting. It is about planning... or the lack of it.

Good tax work happens upstream. Before the sale. Before that big decision is final.

Once you see this distinction, it is hard to unsee it. And it changes how you talk with clients about what actually matters.

→ This sketch is available as a digital license if you want to use it in client conversations, presentations, or internal training. This art is meant to be used. https://t.co/SHsF2QuMjt

Most conversations about taxes start too late.

This sketch shows the difference...
On the left are
Jan 9 · businesswire.com
Snappy Kraken, Carl Richards Launch Email-Based Course
Jan 9 · Business Wire
Snappy Kraken, Carl Richards Launch Email-Based Course - Business Wire
Snappy Kraken, Carl Richards Launch Email-Based Course - Business Wire
Jul 29 · theorg.com
Carl Richards - Chief Brand Officer at Elements Advisors | The Org
Carl Richards - Chief Brand Officer at Elements Advisors | The Org
Feb 7 · Built In
Documentation Processes for Business - Built In
Documentation Processes for Business - Built In
Nov 17 · cfala.org
A Fireside Chat With Personal And Behavioral Finance Expert Carl ...
Jan 12 · fitadvisors.com
Episode 53: Communicating Uncertainty with 'Sketch Guy' Carl ...

Related Questions

What inspired Carl Richards to start the "Sketch Guy" column in The New York Times?
How has Carl Richards' work impacted the financial planning industry?
What are some key takeaways from Carl Richards' book "The Behavior Gap"?
How does Carl Richards use storytelling in his branding efforts?
What are some examples of Carl Richards' sketches and their impact?
Carl Richards
Carl Richards, photo 1
Carl Richards, photo 2
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Location

Park City, Utah, United States