Andrea Schlapia
Visionary & EOS Implementer®Founder & CEO
Andrea Schlapia began her career in banking, then rose through the ranks of global investment firms like Dreyfus, Prudential, and Deutsche Bank. In 2008, she launched Ironstone, which specializes in helping financial advisors.
Andrea is the go-to practice management expert for independent financial advisory firms. She is the founder of Ironstone and creator of Ironstone’s Fundamental 4™ blueprint, a system that guides financial advisory professionals and their teams to grow purposefully, operate efficiently, and leave the next generation with a wealth of knowledge to continue the business legacy.
From Idaho to Ironstone
I grew up on a 10-acre farm in Nampa, Idaho, about 20 miles west of Boise. My father was an Army veteran-turned-local-postmaster, my mother was a homemaker who cared for me and my two older sisters. When I was six, we lost Dad. It was a beautiful summer day. I was on the porch swing with my big sister when the police car arrived. Two people got out and knocked on the door of our house.
That day changed everything.
My Mom was a true Southern belle, but suddenly, she was a single mother with just a high school education and a family to support. So she went to college, got her bachelor’s and master’s degrees as a Special Education teacher, and furthered her career to become a reading specialist. When I was in third grade, Mom sent me to school in a cab because she had to get to class, too. I joke that I’m the first person who ever “Ubered.” She knew first-hand that a high school diploma wasn’t enough and made it clear to me and my sisters, “You will go to college.” It was an order – not an option.
After graduating from Northwest Nazarene University, I worked in banking in Boise and Salt Lake City. Several years later, I was living in Atlanta, but commuting to Connecticut every week for my job. I remember sitting on my bed at the Marriott Courtyard, eating yet another room service burger and fries for dinner while watching a movie on TV when I thought, “How can I use my background in financial services and my experience as an executive coach to help people and businesses succeed?”
At that moment, the idea for Ironstone was born.
Ironstone emerged from Andrea’s driving passion: to bring out the best in everyone she meets.
It’s Not Just a Job. It’s a Calling.
Early in my career, a mentor allowed me to train advisors at our bank. That’s when I fell in love with the idea of helping people discover and tap their natural strengths and talents. Sometimes, a small change can have a huge impact on performance. Watching human beings thrive? That’s euphoria for me. I want to help owners grow their businesses, hire the right candidates for every job and work as a team. I love connecting with people, forging their talents, and changing their mindsets.
Relationship-building is Andrea’s superpower — and the most gratifying part of what she does.
Business With a Personal Touch
The other day, I was on the phone with a group of prospective clients. At the end of the call, I said, “I’m going to send you some information that I think may help your business, regardless of whether we move forward.” It wasn’t something they had to pay for. It was something I was happy to provide because it makes me feel good and gives me a sense of purpose.
Andrea works hard. Laughs often. And never loses sight of her core values.
Spoiler Alert: The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things
I’ve always wanted my work to have meaning beyond material rewards. In my personal life, I don’t want more “stuff.” I want lifelong memories — goosebump memories and experiences, not hot new gadgets or trendy toys. For me, what matters most are the people I spend time with, sharing conversations and collaborations. Now more than ever, I value opportunities to have a positive impact on others, whether they’re colleagues, friends, or family.
Two Fun Facts
Growing up, I was a tomboy and competitive equestrian who took part in 4-H, rodeo, and horse shows. I was Miss High School Rodeo Idaho, then Miss Rodeo Idaho, and was the first-runner up at Miss Rodeo America. Needless to say, there was a lot of big hair involved!
Ironstone is based outside Atlanta in Roswell, Georgia. But as often as we can, my husband Bill and I work out of our second home in North Stratford, New Hampshire. Some dear friends retired there about 10 years ago, and when we visited them, we fell in love with the mountains and woodlands, which remind me of Idaho. Last year, I planted 1,500 tulips! Every spring, we can’t wait to drive up there.
The A-List
Business owner. Educator. Speaker. Coach. Andrea offers every Ironstone client a high-energy blend of professional expertise and personal warmth. She holds designations as a Certified EOS Implementer®, Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), Registered Corporate Coach (RCC™), Human Capital Strategist (HCS), Strategic HR Business Partner (sHRBP), and Certified Administrator of Working Genius, PXT Select™ and Myers-Briggs assessments. Andrea’s work as a practice management specialist and true change agent has been featured in multiple industry publications, podcasts, and speaking engagements. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys travel, gardening, classic films, and breaking a sweat on her Peloton bike.
Testimonials
I have always known how good Andrea is at her craft. The Implementor we needed had to be a fit for everyone on our Leadership Team and we hired her right away. She has been phenomenal! I could have kicked myself for being so bullheaded by trying to do it myself. I can’t say that we wasted 5 years self-implementing, but we sure could have been much further ahead if we had hired her sooner.
I have always viewed the hiring and managing of staff as a weak area within my practice. After hiring Andrea and Ironstone, we now have an exact process for hiring and managing staff. She sets clear expectations and delivers on her promises. I highly recommend Andrea and Ironstone.
Leveraging the EOS Process®, Andrea has helped us work towards achieving sustainable growth for the firm while staying true to our Core Values and the level of client service with which we’ve always operated. Andrea empowers us to grow strategically, reaching new heights while preserving the core of who we are.
Ironstone has helped provide structure and consistency with the implementation of EOS®. The accountability and its timeline have been instrumental in the progress we have made. In her strength, Andrea helps hold us accountable to what we need to do and takes a thoughtful and educated approach to help us get to the finish line. Her coaching style helps us be honest with ourselves and the business.
Working with Ironstone has helped us implement rhythms to our business. EOS® helps keep us accountable to move things forward and tackle the issues at hand. Andrea does a great job of helping point out the blind spots in yourself and in your team. She is there to help bridge the gap between the Integrator and the Visionary and provide conflict resolution, often before the conflict arrives.
My team is no longer overwhelmed; we have a new team member in place that I’m happy with, and everyone is clear on their responsibilities. I’m not as eager to retire; I feel fulfilled, and it’s clear our clients are happy with the quality of our service.
We have been so humbled by what we experienced, tying it all together from the first time we talked to Andrea to everything that has transpired. The progress that we made in just two days was incredible and so impactful. Andrea laid out all the plans for us, and she did it in a way that nobody else has been able to. She’s definitely a pivotal piece of this.
Andrea Schlapia (and her team) have made a direct impact on our firm. She has laid out the coursework for accomplishing our goals. Not only is our firm communicating in a more time-efficient way, but we are also working together with the same goals strategically prioritized. Due to Andrea’s expertise, we now have structure, and we have developed a disciplined process that holds each one of us accountable for the greater good of our company. We would recommend Andrea, time, and time again!
Andrea and her team have been instrumental in assisting us in the laser-like focus of our corporate structure and processes. Each step has been a great experience. Highly recommend anyone who desires to create a more efficient and profitable company consider adopting EOS® and working with Ironstone.
She is in a league of her own, and the best part is that your clients enjoy the improvements while your firm enjoys the rewards.
The end result has been immeasurable in terms of productivity, spirit de corps, positive focus, and a new energy level. We’re ever grateful to Andrea’s group for helping hone our hiring process to a well-oiled machine that can be replicated time and again as we grow!
Because Andrea was so fabulous, I have booked her again and again. She gives an engaging sales training presentation about how our different personalities affect our communication. I always receive great feedback about the sessions she leads.
