Image of the Buried in Work Episode 32 - Mark Willis

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Episode Notes

Did you know you can become your own bank? Discover how to grow wealth, reduce taxes, and leave a lasting legacy.

In this episode of the Buried in Work podcast, Adam Zuckerman sits down with Mark Willis, a Certified Financial Planner® and the owner of Lake Growth Financial Services. Mark is not your average financial advisor—he’s a wealth architect who’s helped hundreds of clients take control of their financial futures using innovative strategies like self-banking, real estate investing, and tax-free wealth growth.

If you’ve ever felt like a “tennis ball floating down the gutter of life” when it comes to money, this conversation is for you. Mark dives deep into how to align your financial decisions with your values, build financial certainty, and use tools like whole life insurance to create a legacy for your loved ones.

Key Takeaways

  • Why traditional financial advice could be holding you back.

  • How the "bank on yourself" strategy allows you to borrow against yourself instead of relying on banks.
  • The key differences between high-yield savings accounts and whole life insurance.
  • Why deferring taxes can feel like postponing a root canal—and what to do instead.
  • How Mark helped a client set up a policy that could fund their retirement, their kids’ college, and their legacy.

Mark also shares personal stories, including how his own family navigated end-of-life planning and the importance of being prepared with tools like wills, trusts, and survivor checklists. You’ll walk away from this episode with actionable strategies to rethink your finances and take control of your future.

Show Links

  • ● Book a 15-minute strategy session with Mark: https://kickstartwithmark.com/

    ● Learn more about the "Bank on Yourself" strategy and other tools: https://lakegrowth.com/

    ● Check out Not Your Average Financial Podcast: https://nyafinancialpodcast.com/

About Mark Willis

Mark Willis, CFP®, is a financial visionary on a mission to help individuals think differently about their money, economy, and future. After graduating with six figures of student loan debt and witnessing the financial devastation of the 2008 economic crisis, Mark discovered a way to transform his debt into real wealth. This pivotal experience inspired his pursuit of predictable and secure financial strategies for himself and his clients.

As the owner of Lake Growth Financial Services in Chicago, Illinois, Mark has guided hundreds of clients toward reclaiming control of their financial futures. A three-time #1 best-selling author, Mark specializes in designing custom, tax-efficient financial strategies that go beyond the conventional approaches of stock brokers, attorneys, and traditional financial advisors.

Mark also hosts the popular Not Your Average Financial Podcast™, where he shares innovative solutions for creating wealth through real estate, paying for college without breaking the bank, and generating sustainable, tax-free retirement income. His strategies empower clients to grow their wealth predictably, become their own source of financing, and achieve financial independence.

Dedicated to reshaping the financial landscape, Mark Willis provides a roadmap for building wealth and securing a future that is not only stable but thriving.

Other Buried in Work Podcast Episodes

  • Published On: February 5th, 2025

    Episode 33 | What Really Matters: Kate DeBartolo on Turning Tough Conversations Into Connection

  • Published On: January 29th, 2025

    Episode 32 | Mark Willis: Take Back Control of Your Money and Build a Legacy You’re Proud Of

  • Published On: January 22nd, 2025

    Episode 31 | Penny Smith on Dying, Living Without Fear, and Why Hospice Isn’t What You Think

  • Published On: January 15th, 2025

    Episode 30 | Helen Bauer: The Truth About Hospice, Caregiving, and Finding Dignity in End-of-Life Choices

  • Published On: January 8th, 2025

    Episode 29 | Sara Williams: The Shocking Truth About Funeral Costs & Planning Ahead

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