Areas of Focus
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Coaching
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Investment Management
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LGBTQ Couples
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Owning a Business
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Setting Up Retirement Accounts
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Socially Responsible Investing
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Taxes
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Women & Wealth
About Me
Bonnie is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®), and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) based in Topeka, Kansas. She brings a unique blend of expertise and down-to-earth friendliness to clients from all walks of life, helping them confidently navigate their financial journeys.
Bonnie is a Kansas State University and Washburn University School of Law graduate. She founded Maize Financial to help make financial advice accessible to everyone. In 2024, she earned her CFP® and AFC® designations and welcomed Cale Yost as her business partner. Together, they rebranded the firm as Blazing Star Financial, inspired by the spectacular native plant found on Kansas prairies. Like the plant’s deep roots and resilience help it thrive in challenging conditions, Bonnie and Cale aim to help clients establish solid financial foundations to succeed no matter the circumstances.
With Cale on board, Blazing Star Financial serves more clients while maintaining the same high level of personalized service. They also launched Blazing Star Tax to offer small business advisory and tax preparation services, giving clients a more holistic approach to their financial well-being.
Bonnie is incredibly passionate about providing a safe space for individuals traditionally underserved by financial services. She focuses on women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and narrowing the racial wealth gap. She believes everyone deserves the opportunity to feel financially secure and works to make that a reality for her clients.
Outside of work, Bonnie enjoys life with her husband and three children outside Topeka. You can find her collecting far too many books and houseplants or watching hockey in her free time. She also enjoys serving with a local non-profit, helping to educate and financially empower under-resourced communities.
Professional Designations
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Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)
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Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF)
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Advisor for Women™ Certificate
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Affirming Advisor™
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Certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets
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CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional
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Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Affiliations
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AFCPE
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CFP Board
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Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals
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Fee Only Network
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Financial Planning Association
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Measure Twice Planners
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National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
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National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP)
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Willow
Primary Location
1301 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66612, United States
Meeting Options
- Video Conference
- In-Person
- Phone
Compensation Methods
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Advice-Only
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Fee Only
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Hourly Rate
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One-time Financial Plan
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Percentage of Assets Managed
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Pro Bono
What to expect in the first meeting
Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to schedule a free introductory call. We'll get to know each other and I'll listen to understand your unique circumstances so we can determine the best way to proceed. I look forward to speaking with you.
Offers Investment Management
Yes
Offers Tax Preparation
Yes
About our Firm
Blazing Star Financial
What we do: We offer financial coaching, project-based and comprehensive financial planning, and investment management, priding ourselves on being accessible and affordable for everyday people.
We state our fees upfront, don't sell products, don't have minimums, and constantly strive to keep costs low to serve a wide variety of people.
Who we work with: We love working with women, LGBTQIA+ folks, and working- and middle-class people, serving clients in-person in Topeka, Kansas and virtually across the country.
Financial services has traditionally focused on serving high net worth individuals, leaving many people with no one to turn to for trusted, affordable advice. We're here to fill that gap.
How we help: We can help you simplify and automate your finances, meet your goals, and make a positive impact, no matter how much money you have.
OUR SERVICES:
💳 financial coaching: Struggling to pay your bills, wanting to improve your credit, or buried in debt? This is the package for you.
📝 financial planning: Whether you need a one-time checkup or prefer ongoing support, we have an affordable solution for you.
📈 investment management: We partner with Altruist to offer a delightful, fully digital experience, with features to help your money work harder for you.
FINANCIAL COACHING:
👉supportive: We will never talk down to you.
No shame.
No embarrassment.
Let us be your partner in building new possibilities for your future.
👉affordable: You don’t need to have a lot of money to have questions or need help. We strive to keep fees low so we can serve a wide variety of people.
Why? Because we truly believe everyone deserves to feel financially secure.
👉convenient: We can meet in person or use the latest tech to meet--whatever is easiest for you.
Need a simple way to keep up with your finances? There's an app for that. Let us make life easier for you.
👉flexible: Have a question? Send a quick text or email.
Evening and weekend meeting times available. Your first meeting is absolutely free and you can schedule right here.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? We offer flexible packages with straightforward pricing.
✅ The One Page Plan: You're busy. Or maybe just not ready for a long-term relationship. That's cool! We now offer a one-page plan for a low flat fee.
Best for working individuals with household income <$150,000 who are saving and investing toward future goals.
For bigger projects, hourly planning is available.
✅ Ongoing Planning: You're ready to take your finances to the next level and want a long-term, trusted partner to help you reach your goals.
I'll work with you to set personalized goals and create a plan for every area of your financial life.
Best for those with big plans and looking for a long-term planning relationship.
✅ Investment Management: Streamlined, fully digital asset management. I partner with Altruist to give you a delightful experience and keep fees low.
Investment management is available as a stand-alone service or discounted when combined with financial planning.
Education
Washburn University School of Law, Doctor of Law- JD; Kansas State University, B.S., Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning
Volunteer Experience
Bonnie serves as Treasurer, Financial Empowerment Program Manager, and VITA Site Coordinator at Omni Circle Group in Topeka, Kansas.
Awards and Honors
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2024 YWCA of Northeast Kansas Woman of Excellence
Hobbies and Interests
- Family
- Hockey
- Reading
- Volunteering
Who We Serve
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BIPOC
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Business Owners
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Entrepreneurs
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Families
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Gen X
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Gen Y / Millennials
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Gen Z
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Individuals
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LGBTQ
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LGBTQ Couples
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Non-Traditional Clients
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Nonprofit Employees
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Parents
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Single Women
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Widow
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Women in Transition
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Women Professionals
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Women’s Finance
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Young Families