15th in The Courier's 20 Under 40 series.

CEDAR FALLS -- A key to success, according to Kelly Christensen, can be found in the time-tested business term "value-added."

"I guess my overall philosophy is that I simply try to bring value to a given situation," said Christensen, 38, a financial adviser with Principal Financial Group.

"Whether that's for the business owner that's maybe too busy to work on his business and always working in it to the family or individual that maybe they're trying to figure the best way to save money for their kids' education," Christensen said.

"I like to look at the whole picture and make sure we're not doing one thing at the expense of another that might need some attention."

Reaching a certain level of success at a young age can be a daunting goal, particularly if you look the part, said Christensen, who says many people guess he's no older than his late 20s.

But even that, he said, doesn't have to be insurmountable.

"Sometimes in an initial conversation with someone, I think my outward appearance of youthfulness is an obstacle," he said.

Such hurdles are cleared, however, if one is willing to show an eagerness to help in any task.

"It's asking the right questions to find out where if anywhere can I be of service and bring value," Christensen said.

Setting goals has always been extremely important, he said.

"They have to be well-defined, specific, with a specific time frame," he said. "Otherwise, it's too easy to give yourself leeway."

Christensen has been in the financial-planning business for five years.

What has he learned?

"It seems like it comes back a lot to this: If I bring value to a person's situation, more often than not, I'll gain a client," he said.

"That has a positive effect for both parties. I don't receive value unless my clients receive value. If they're not getting that, I don't deserve it."

The same can be said for family life, said Christensen, who with wife, Stacey, has three children.

"Family is extremely important; for me, that's No. 1," he said. "I'm lucky in what I do that my schedule is flexible enough that I can do things with my family."

Balancing work and home can be a challenge in and of itself, Christensen noted.

"That's the constant struggle -- making that all work. The priorities have to be there."

Contact Jim Offner

at (319) 291-1598 at

jim.offner@wcfcourier.com.