Financial Moxie opens its doors in Fairfield

FAIRFIELD – A new business has opened its doors on Ninth Street in Fairfield, and is offering customers every tool imaginable to balance their health, wealth and self.

The business is called Financial Moxie® Inc., and was founded by Kristen J. Hafner, who continues as the business’s president and head financial planner. The company just held a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 17 with the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce, which gave the public a chance to peruse the building and learn about the services Moxie offers.

THREE PARTS

The business consists of three distinct parts, Financial Moxie®, Divorce Moxie® and Moxie Bootcamp®.

The company summarized each section of the business as follows:

“Financial Moxie® helps women, families, and small businesses achieve financial confidence by providing financial planning solutions. We make sure our clients understand everything to alleviate their concerns and empower them to take control of their financial futures.

“Divorce Moxie® helps individuals prior to filing, during, and post-divorce by providing Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® services and resources. Our goal is help individuals navigate the divorce process with clarity and knowledge during a very stressful and overwhelming time. Kristen has over 14 years’ experience in this area and is the only Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® in a 250-mile radius of Fairfield.

“Moxie Bootcamp® helps clients balance their health, wealth, and selves. During our 60/90-day programs, clients learn how to balance their food, fitness, and finance habits to reach their goals. Our Moxie Tribes® community is here to provide support and resource to individuals at all levels.”

Hafner explained that her company seeks to give people a sense control over their lives.

“We can only control what we eat, how active we are, and what we spend especially in a world with so much uncertainty,” she said. “Building self confidence in what we can control empowers us to see opportunities otherwise often overlooked during our daily lives. No question is ever too insignificant, and planning is not about how much money is saved in retirement; it is about what life decisions are made along the way. Having a plan is great, however real time financial planning supported by a diverse team of specialists who care makes it achievable!”

GETTING STARTED

Hafner founded Financial Moxie Inc. in 2008. The next year, she joined Cambridge Investment Research and, with her mentor Amy Webber (Cambridge president and CEO), Divorce Moxie was born. Hafner combined her skills from a previous career as a legal assistant with becoming a Certified Financial Planner to assist individuals pre, during, and post-divorce.

“We take the time to understand how clients live their lives to help them invest and plan for their future,” Hafner said.

After the 2008 recession, financial planning within the industry came to the forefront. Hafner has dedicated herself to help individuals at all different income levels. Working in all aspects of individuals lives she saw the need for a supportive community. That’s why in 2021, her dream of encompassing health and wealth came to reality with Moxie Bootcamp.

“Our unique approach helps clients see how their financial health, physical health, and emotional health are intertwined,” Hafner said.

COMING TO FAIRFIELD

In 2019, Moxie Bootcamp was set to launch at a gym in southern California, but the pandemic arrived and changed those plans.

“We contemplated moving it to a virtual platform, however, every fitness business was moving towards virtual engagement, and we did not want our unique program to be lost in the mix,” Hafner said. “Thus, during the pandemic, my team was already based in Fairfield, Iowa, supporting me virtually in [Southern California] so we decided to acquire and build out a physical location while everything was still on lock down.”

Hafner said that, at the time, she didn’t know if the company could run the bootcamp in person in Fairfield, but decided to continue the course.

“The building on Ninth Street is home to our Moxie team and now the home of our in-person Moxie Bootcamp,” Hafner said. “Our flagship programs, Financial Moxie and Divorce Moxie, are currently offered in Iowa, California, and various other states. We hope to launch our Moxie Bootcamp again in person at a Southern California location in 2023.”

RENOVATION

Hafner said the business’s real estate agent, Charity Richardson, suggested moving into the vacant lot on Ninth Street. Mayree Workman, director of client service and operations both in Fairfield and Westlake, California, was skeptical at first. Richardson did a video call with Hafner to show her the property, and Hafner liked the open floor plan, and saw potential.

After purchasing the building, the exterior was painted, all new windows were installed plus a mahogany front door, an all-glass garage door for outdoor workout use, paved workout area and driveway poured, and a sod and outdoor patio area were added.

“The entire interior was gutted and re-designed to fit our office/gym needs,” Hafner said.

Hafner commissioned a mural to be painted on the north side of the building to match the business’s “Health, Wealth, Self” mindset. The mural was designed and painted by Ali Hval of Iowa City.

“The basement has recently been renovated complete with a custom turquoise epoxy floor,” Hafner said. “With the basement rehab, we hope to add Boxing and Barbells program later this year.”

Hafner said she’s very happy with her business, and is glad she stuck it out when the economy turned sour almost 15 years ago.

“After the 2008 recession, I even thought about leaving the industry to teach full-time,” she said. “However, a wise professor challenged me to use my skills to make a difference. Finding a better way to empower others is what drives me to continuously learn, some of my best lessons are from my clients’ very own experiences.”

Apart from Hafner and Workman, the company includes project manager Rhonda Short and certified personal trainer and nutritionist Erica Olson.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com