Episodes

6d ago

Succession planning is rarely easy, but when life circumstances accelerate the timeline, it requires courage, clarity, and deep trust in your team. This episode explores how to manage an ownership and client transition with empathy, structure, and transparency. KayDee Cole is the founder of Clarity Wealth Development, an RIA based in Corvallis, Oregon, that manages $200 million in AUM for 220 client households. Listen in as KayDee shares how she navigated an expedited succession plan after a cancer recurrence, selling equity to her COO through a seller-financed loan and preparing other team members for ownership. We also talk about the structured four-meeting process she created to transition clients to new advisors, how she coached her team through readiness conversations, and how transparent communication helped retain nearly all clients through the change. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/468

Dec 9

A key part of converting a contact or prospect into a client is an advisor's ability to explain what they offer and to show how they're the right person to solve their pain points. This episode explores how leading with empathy, asking the right questions, and storytelling can help financial advisors turn curiosity into client commitment. Derek Kinney is the founder of Success for Advisors, a speaking and coaching firm that helps financial advisors communicate more effectively with prospects and clients. Listen in as Derek shares how he teaches advisors to open conversations with relatable "You know how..." statements that frame a prospect's problem and position the advisor as the solution (without giving away the fix too soon). You'll learn how using a calm, deliberate speaking style can convey authority and trust, why his "million-dollar questions" uncover what clients really want, and how sharing the successes of current clients in similar situations can move prospects naturally toward engagement. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/467

Dec 2

Growth rarely comes without sacrifice—and for many advisory firm owners, that means making bold investments that might pinch margins today to create momentum for tomorrow. This episode explores how strategic hiring, branding, and compensation design can help accelerate growth while building a stronger, more scalable team. Morgan Nichols is the CEO of LifeBranch Wealth Partners, an independent broker-dealer practice based in Grapevine, Texas, overseeing $630 million in AUM for 830 households. Listen in as Morgan shares how she doubled her firm's size in just three and a half years in part by investing ahead of the curve, from hiring before capacity hits a breaking point to rebranding her firm to reflect a broader, growth-oriented vision. You'll learn how she designed clear career paths and compensation models that balance stability with opportunity, why she added a dedicated business development director to fuel new growth, and what helped her stay resilient through challenging growth stages. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/466

Nov 25

In an environment where there is no shortage of external acquirors, many RIA founders receive regular inbound inquiries from potential suitors. While the compensation from such deals (and the ability to shrink the administrative burdens they face) might be tempting, these offers can be weighed against a desire to grow independently and perhaps pass it on to the next generation. Todd Pisarczyk is the founder of Momentous Wealth Management, an RIA based in Vancouver, Washington that manages $400 million in AUM for 400 client households. Listen in as Todd shares how he hit a turning point after reaching 350 clients and feeling trapped by success, then built a detailed spreadsheet (included in the show notes) to analyze whether to sell or keep his firm. We talk about how the numbers (and lifestyle considerations) ultimately led him to stay independent, the changes he made to scale sustainably, and how his definition of success has evolved from "more growth" to creating a legacy where others can thrive. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/465

Nov 18

Attracting and retaining top talent is one of the greatest challenges for growing advisory firms. As teams expand, success depends not just on recruiting, but on creating a culture where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. This episode explores how intentional talent development and leadership coaching can help firms build thriving, future-ready teams. Katie Calagui is the owner of Katie Calagui Consulting, a coaching and consulting firm that partners with financial planning leaders to strengthen their people systems and firm culture. Listen in as Katie shares how firms can move beyond traditional HR to invest in true people development, building training, mentorship, and advancement pathways that reduce turnover and develop next-generation advisors. You'll learn the key metrics that reveal whether your talent strategy is working, common leadership blind spots, and why the best coaches don't give advice—they draw out the wisdom firm leaders already have. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/464

Nov 11

While many advisors seek client referrals, an intentional approach can lead to a steadier flow of leads. Today's guest breaks down how coaching clients on making introductions and small communication tweaks can turn satisfied clients into proactive advocates, driving steady, qualified opportunities week after week. David Stevens is the President of Stevens Capital Partners, an RIA based in Omaha, Nebraska, managing $500 million in AUM for 475 households. Listen in as David shares how he's built a thriving referral engine—receiving 10 to 15 client introductions per week—by teaching clients how to make meaningful connections instead of simply "asking for referrals." You'll learn about the timing and phrasing he uses to normalize referrals during onboarding, how he uses text messaging in this process, and how his firm has adapted as it has added clients across a range of segments. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/463

Nov 4

Finding the right firm fit (and a well-defined path to partnership) can take time—and sometimes, the courage to start over. From wirehouse beginnings to RIA partnership, Maggie Rapplean's journey shows how clarity, persistence, and the right environment can open the door to both ownership and balance. Maggie is a Partner at Moneta Group, an RIA based in St. Louis, Missouri, where she oversees $250 million in AUM for 108 client households. Listen in as she shares how her career transitions have helped her find the equity path she was seeking. We talk about how she successfully took over a retiring advisor's book of business, how she achieved a high retention rate in part by refreshing these clients' financial plans and offering deeper tax planning services, and how building her own team has helped her balance career growth with family life. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/462

Oct 28

Crafting a charitable giving strategy isn't just about tax efficiency—it's a way for clients to define the deeper purpose of their wealth. When advisors center generosity in both planning conversations and firm culture, they can strengthen relationships and attract values-driven clients. This episode explores how integrating charitable intent into financial planning not only expands impact, but also fuels practice growth. Zac Larson is the co-founder of IntentGen Financial Partners, a hybrid advisory firm based in Naperville, Illinois, managing $550 million in AUM for 895 households. Listen in as Zac shares how he positions clients as "engaged partners" by focusing not just on net worth but on "net impact," as well as how he uses working conversations about priorities and passions to uncover giving opportunities. You'll learn how IntentGen tracks and publishes the charitable donations it facilitates to build community trust, why the firm built its pod structure to expand advisor capacity, and how its flat-fee-plus-AUM model supports a wide range of engaged clients. Zac also reflects on hosting community fundraising events, offering personal touches like client phone calls, and why building around generosity has been key to attracting aligned clients and creating lasting impact. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/461

Oct 21

While many financial advisory firms seek to move 'upmarket' and serve high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, these clients typically require (and often demand) a different level of service—and can benefit from a more integrated experience across legal, tax, and financial domains. For these firms, creating efficient operational systems is paramount, particularly when it comes to the processing and security of their frequent high-dollar transactions. Stephanie Hughes is the CEO of Wiss Family Office, a multi-family office based in Florham Park, New Jersey, that oversees approximately $1 billion in AUM for 220 households. Listen in as Stephanie shares how her firm delivers a "one-stop shop" experience that reduces client stress by consolidating financial, tax, and legal services under one roof. We talk about the importance of integration and internal communication across service lines, the tools her team is building to monitor client activity and prevent fraud, and how internal workflows support the firm's high-volume, high-stakes client transactions. Stephanie also explains the value of being affiliated with a tax firm, and how that connection drives both strong referrals and immediate client trust. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/460

Oct 14

Tax planning strategies can fall flat if financial advisors and CPAs aren't working together. Miscommunication, timing issues, and a lack of context can create friction—or worse, lead to missed opportunities or costly mistakes. Steven Jarvis is the CEO of Retirement Tax Services, a tax education and preparation firm that partners with financial advisors across the country to better serve their clients. Listen in as Steven explains how advisors can build trust with CPAs through proactive communication—not just sending over forms during tax season, but also giving context to planning decisions, providing year-end summaries, and getting ahead of major moves like Roth conversions or Qualified Charitable Distributions. You'll learn how aligning with CPAs as collaborative decision-makers can lead to better returns for clients and the potential for cross-referrals, and why timing conversations around a CPA's calendar matters. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/459

Oct 7

Given the high stakes involved (and the desire to provide high-quality service) when working with clients, it can be tempting for financial advisors to lean into perfectionist tendencies. However, doing so can sometimes lead to overwork and potentially burnout, particularly as a firm grows over time. Lisa Brown is the President of Greenwood Gearhart, an RIA based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, managing $1.8 billion in AUM for 1,070 households. In this episode, Lisa shares how her firm's early culture of "urgent perfectionism" led to overwork amongst firm leaders and team members alike, and why she developed a new leadership mantra: "calm excellence." Listen in as we talk about how Greenwood Gearhart redesigned workflows to reduce team burnout, eliminated meetings and ensured those that remained focused on high-leverage activities, and created the conditions for sustainable growth—for clients, teams, and firm leaders alike. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/458

Sep 30

While many financial advisors begin with dollars and data, today's guest believes the path to long-term client relationships starts with one powerful question: What brings you joy? By focusing on leading with purpose and values, he has grown a $200M firm and attracted clients who align with his philosophy. Larry Sprung is the founder of Mitlin Financial, an advisory firm based in Hauppauge, New York, and affiliated with Carson Group, that serves 200 client households. In this episode, he shares how he begins prospect meetings with open-ended "joy" questions to set a nonjudgmental tone and show prospects that his firm is focused on their well-being, not just their finances. Listen in to learn how Larry has built trust before prospects ever book a call, how his values-first mindset has led to a loyal client base, and how he's now intentionally scaling after years of running a lifestyle practice. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/457

Sep 23

Scaling a solo advisory firm into a thriving team-based business takes more than strong systems—it takes a shared sense of purpose and values that guide every decision. This episode explores how one advisor used a living "Blueprint" to align her team, empower her staff, and create a consistent, values-driven client experience. Hilary Hendershott is the founder of Hendershott Wealth Management, an RIA based in San Jose, California, overseeing $260 million in AUM for 150 client households. Listen in as she shares how her firm's "Blueprint" (anchored by individual callings, an ultimate intent, and a firm-wide promise to create safety and openness) shapes internal culture and client communication alike. You'll learn how this document differs from a traditional mission statement, how it evolves with team input, and how it supports key business decisions. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/456

Sep 16

Executive pay packages are complicated—which often leads to these individuals leaving money on the table. From equity negotiations to non-compete clauses, the right financial advisor can help clients fight for what they're worth. In this episode, we dig into how advisors can create real value for their clients during career transitions. Emily Shacklett is a Managing Director at Fairport Wealth, a practice within Hightower Advisors that manages $4.8 billion in AUM for 2,000 households. Listen in as Emily shares how she guides executives through every aspect of their compensation package, from salary and bonuses to stock options and workplace flexibility. We also talk about how she also offers value by determining when these clients would benefit from coordinating with an attorney (and having a list of vetted partners ready when they do), how she conducts educational events targeted at individuals who fit her ideal client profile, and her own path to leadership in her practice. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/455

Sep 9

Behavioral finance is often viewed as abstract but it can be a powerful, practical tool for helping clients make better decisions and build lives that align with what matters most. This episode explores how applying behavioral insights and positive psychology can deepen client relationships and drive more meaningful planning conversations. Dr. Daniel Crosby is the Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion, a technology platform serving financial advisors. Listen in as Daniel shares how he's turned complex behavioral concepts into usable advisor tools, including a "money personality" framework and a flourishing goals assessment. We talk about why understanding where clients fall on five key money dimensions - like communication style or spending vs. saving - can help reduce judgment and improve client outcomes, and how identifying gaps between what clients value and how they feel they're doing in life can spark more relevant financial goals. Daniel also reflects on why advisors must examine their own money beliefs and blind spots, and how practicing nonjudgmental listening may be the most powerful behavioral tool of all. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/454

Sep 2

Delivering financial planning efficiently doesn't have to mean compromising on depth or personalization. This episode explores how a "working session" model can streamline the client experience, reduce prep and follow-up time, and still create space for thoughtful, relationship-driven planning. Becky Walsh is the founder of Oak Maple Finance, an RIA based in Burlington, Vermont, that oversees approximately $80 million in AUM for 75 client households. Listen in as Becky shares how she structures her onboarding into a six-month planning sprint with four real-time working sessions, drastically reducing the hours spent outside of client meetings. We discuss how this approach helps her serve Earners Wanting Advice Now (EWAN) clients with a flat complexity-based fee while maintaining a personalized experience. Becky also explains how she uses software tools like Elements and Money Quotient to assess a client's financial picture and mindset, how she tailors service tiers after the initial planning "sprint" to match ongoing client needs, and why the support of a trusted peer study group has been a powerful driver in her own professional growth. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/453

Aug 26

Scaling an advisory firm quickly requires more than just marketing - it demands intentional infrastructure, rapid lead conversion systems, and a team built for volume. This episode explores how investing heavily in digital marketing, building internal efficiencies, and empowering advisors can drive explosive growth without sacrificing client service. Gabriel Shahin is the CEO of Falcon Wealth Planning, an RIA based in Ontario, California, that oversees $1.4 billion in AUM for 1,500 households. Listen in as Gabriel shares how his firm grew from $200 million to $1.4 billion in just five years by generating 2,500 leads per month and onboarding nearly 500 clients annually. We dive into how his team maximizes paid ads on Google with targeted landing pages and lead magnets, why content creation for SEO and "answer engine" optimization is central to their strategy, and how they ensure fast follow-up by assigning staff to manage inbound leads. Gabriel also discusses his firm's revenue-based compensation model for its advisors, why he views his advisors as his top clients, and how stepping out of day-to-day operations has allowed him to focus on leading the firm into its next phase of expansion. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/452

Aug 19

Running a successful advisory firm takes more than great client service - it also means learning how to lead a team and build infrastructure to support growth. This episode explores how developing leadership skills, hiring intentionally, and leaning into personal values can lay the foundation for a thriving, mission-driven business. Maggie Kulyk is the founder of Chicory Wealth, an RIA based in Decatur, Georgia, that operates virtually and oversees $760 million in AUM for 480 households. Listen in as Maggie shares how she grew from a self-described "terrible" manager into a visionary leader by making key hires with complementary strengths to her own, delegating wisely, and developing a strong leadership team. We discuss how her firm finds and trains homegrown advisors aligned with its values, how Maggie structured an internal ownership track for future successors, and why breaking away from a broker-dealer and going fee-only was the right move for her long-term vision. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/451

Aug 12

High-net-worth retirees are hungry for clear, actionable retirement education - but often don't know where to find it. This episode explores how hosting local educational seminars can create a consistent pipeline of engaged prospects and drive meaningful business growth for financial advisors. Ryan Morrissey is the founder of Morrissey Wealth Management, an RIA in North Haven, Connecticut, overseeing $140 million in AUM for 150 households. Listen in as Ryan shares how he organizes his retirement planning seminars through local adult education programs to attract his target audience, how he's found that charging a small nominal fee for the classes boosts participant engagement, and how offering a free consultation as a "bonus class" consistently converts attendees into new clients. We also discuss his transition from wirehouse to RIA ownership, how he navigates compliance as a growing firm, and why he's focused on keeping his service model simple and impactful as he continues to scale. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/450

Aug 5

Financial planning clients expect responsive, detail-oriented service—and the firms that deliver consistently are the ones that keep them for decades. Michelle Perry Higgins has seen that firsthand, and she joins us today to share how setting and maintaining high client service standards, alongside thoughtful listening and planning, can drive both long-term retention and organic growth. Michelle is a principal of California Financial Advisors, an RIA based in San Ramon, California, that oversees $2 billion in AUM for approximately 1,500 households. Listen in as she talks about how her firm has grown entirely organically, fueled by her "non-negotiable" service practices (such as ensuring no client waits more than 5 minutes for a meeting) and maintaining a greater than 99% client retention rate. She also explains how she uses tools like an "Everything Binder" to help clients organize their financial lives, why she builds time into her schedule after every meeting to record personalized notes, and how going deeper in client conversations uncovers what really matters. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/449

Jul 29

High-net-worth individuals often already have a financial advisor, but many aren't receiving the in-depth investment education or portfolio customization they truly need. That's where Monish Verma comes in. He joins the show today to share his strategy for converting HNW prospects into clients, as well as how a tailored approach to alternative investments and client education can become a powerful differentiator for winning (and keeping) affluent clients. Monish is the CEO of Vardhan Wealth Management, a DBA of Summit Financial, based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, that oversees $560 million in AUM for 225 households. Listen in as he shares how his willingness to spend more time upfront educating prospects and clients has led to higher trust, retention, and referrals. You'll also hear how his team carefully vets alternative investments and helps clients understand where they fit in their portfolios, why he encourages mutual "interviews" with prospects to ensure good long-term fit, and how breaking away from the wirehouse world gave him the autonomy to grow his business on his own terms, while still benefiting from shared services by working with an RIA platform. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/448

Jul 22

Financial advisors frequently seek out relationships with Centers Of Influence (COIs) such as accountants and attorneys, but sometimes find that it's hard to get referrals from these professionals. Advisor marketing expert Dan Allison believes this is because COIs fear putting their own reputations on the line and joins the show today to explore how financial advisors can reframe COI relationships by reducing that risk and building real trust over time. Dan is the owner of The Exchange, a virtual content platform and community focused on helping financial advisors master client acquisition and relationship-building. Listen in as he shares how to approach the first COI meeting to set the tone for a high-value relationship, why building credibility often takes months (or even years), and how to use client feedback to reinforce the COI's confidence in making future referrals. We also discuss creating regular touchpoints with COI partners, setting up COI mastermind groups to drive both learning and connection, and how finding partners who already serve your niche clients can lead to deeper, more consistent referral streams. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/447

Jul 15

After growing her AUM by $30 million in just two years, Misty Lynch has become a go-to financial planning expert for small business owners and families within her community. This is thanks in part to her reputation inside local Facebook groups frequented by her ideal target client, where she rarely promotes herself but is frequently recommended. Misty is the owner of Sound View Financial Advisors, an RIA based in Massachusetts that manages $46 million for approximately 100 households. In this episode, Misty shares how her early content creation efforts (including a blog and a podcast) laid the groundwork for greater visibility and referrals, as well as how purchasing a retiring advisor's practice helped her jump-start firm ownership. You'll hear how she raised legacy client fees while implementing a scalable service model, how leveraging life coaching techniques has deepened her client relationships, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/446

Jul 8

James Conole's firm has experienced explosive growth over the past few years (expecting to double its revenue to more than $10 million in 2025) thanks in part to his YouTube channel, which educates and builds trust with ideal prospects before they ever book a meeting. James is the founder of Root Financial, an RIA based in Encinitas, California, that oversees $1.3 billion in assets under management for 630 client households. In this episode, he shares his YouTube strategy, including how narrowing his content focus to the needs of wealthy pre-retirees and retirees led to fewer views but better-fit clients. Listen in to learn how Root was able to implement a "one-meeting close" with prospects partly due to their familiarity with how the firm operates as well as how the firm systematized client onboarding into a five-meeting process. James also talks about creating the tech-centric "Root University" to ensure consistent advisor training, how his firm builds culture in a remote-first team, and what comes next as the firm continues to scale. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/445

Jul 1

When Libby Greiwe realized that most client onboarding processes felt either clunky or cold, she decided to transform her own. What she has developed—based on her years as both a financial advisor and coach—is a system designed to create a seamless, personalized client experience that not only demonstrates professionalism, but also inspires client referrals within their first 100 days with the firm. Libby is the founder of The Efficient Advisor, a coaching and consulting business based in Loveland, Ohio, that helps financial advisors build systems to run their firms with less stress and more efficiency. Listen in as Libby shares how she breaks down onboarding into three 30-day phases, how her firm tracked client "intel" for meaningful personalization, and what she believes is the key to client loyalty and long-term growth. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/444

Jun 24

Griffin Kirsch built a $200 million AUM firm in just five years—while maintaining a 70% profit margin. Delivering high-touch planning to business owners and real estate investors without charging fees on those assets, Griffin's focus on providing hard-dollar value to his clients (especially around tax strategy and real estate decisions) has fueled deep trust and strong referral-driven growth. Griffin is the owner of GK Wealth Management, an RIA based out of Nevada that oversees $200 million in assets under management for 450 households. In this episode, he shares how his unconventional model helped him scale quickly, how proactive outreach to businesses during the COVID pandemic sparked major momentum, and why he segments clients by complexity rather than AUM. He also explains how he developed partnerships with CPAs that generate ongoing referrals, as well as how outsourcing investments and empowering junior advisors allow the firm to grow sustainably—without necessarily relying on him at the center. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/443

Jun 17

David Bahnsen has built a reputation for speaking his mind, not only on issues related to financial markets, but also on topics many advisors shy away from, like religion and politics. Which has paid off for him in the form of attracting $100 million of new client assets to his firm per month as his content has built his credibility, deepened audience engagement, and drawn in both like-minded clients and those who respect his authenticity. David is the Founder of the Bahnsen Group, an RIA based out of California that oversees approximately $7.5 billion in assets under management for 1,800 client households. In this episode, he shares how his unconventional content strategy has driven firm growth, why he made the strategic decision to step away from serving clients directly to focus on scaling the business, and how his unique compensation and development model fosters long-term success for his team. He also discusses integrating tax prep as a value-add rather than a profit center, expanding into smaller markets to build a national brand, and his commitment to mentoring his advisors as he plans for the firm's future. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/442

Jun 10

As advisory firms grow, so does the complexity of compliance—and Leila Shaver has built a business dedicated to helping them scale without costly missteps. She provides strategic guidance that keeps firms aligned with regulatory expectations as their teams, client bases, and responsibilities expand. Leila is the founder of My RIA Lawyer, a Georgia-based legal and compliance firm serving RIAs, broker-dealers, and other financial services companies. In this episode, she shares insights into when firms typically seek outsourced compliance support, the key differences between broker-dealer oversight and RIA regulation, and why firms might consider including their compliance professionals in business strategy business strategy decisions. You'll also hear about the latest developments in advisor-facing compliance technology and how Leila's own entrepreneurial journey mirrors that of the clients she serves. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/441

Jun 3

What if you could decode a client's financial behavior before the first meeting? Nina Hajjar has done just that by creating a custom "money personality" assessment. This innovative tool helps her advisory team better understand client behavior, tailor communication styles, and deliver more personalized, consistent service across their $500-million practice. Nina is a partner at Stratos CA in Los Angeles, and she joins the show today to share how her framework transforms the planning process, complements traditional risk analysis, and even shapes advisor training through what she calls "the art of the meeting." Listen in as she discusses her approach to acquisitions, lessons learned in hiring, and how personal growth—and gut instinct—have guided her leadership journey. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/440

May 27

Alvin Carlos made a strategic decision to build internal efficiency and client accountability into the heart of his planning process—a move that not only streamlined how his team manages financial plans and client tasks, but also helped him scale. Turning Monday.com into the operational core of his firm, he has carved out a niche in serving younger clients profitably, while keeping his tech stack lean and highly functional. Alvin is the CEO of District Capital Management, an RIA based out of Washington, D.C., that generates $850,000 of annual, primarily retainer-based, revenue serving 155 households. Listen in as he shares how he uses Monday.com and RightCapital together to streamline financial plan presentations and track client follow-on tasks and also leverages AI tools like Krisp to generate meeting summaries and action items at a lower price point than industry-specific options. He also talks about how he profitably serves clients in their 30s and 40s with a complexity-based retainer model—adjusting fees to improve accessibility while monitoring labor efficiency to guide hiring decisions—and why building a mission-driven firm that allows him to serve clients from a variety of backgrounds and grow the number of job opportunities for financial planners is core to his long-term vision. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/439

May 20

In this episode, financial advisor Nikki Savage discusses her approach to enhancing client retention and satsifaction by engaging in thoughtful, intentional relationship-building—specifically asking deep questions that uncover her clients' true needs and using that insight to create highly personalized experiences. Listen in as Nikki reflects on filtering feedback to stay true to her values and how building her practice authentically has been at the center of her success. She also explains why a strong advisor-client fit is essential, how she addresses client misconceptions to maintain focus during market volatility, and how in-person events help connect with her ideal target prospects by creating a comfortable setting to discuss financial challenges in their lives. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/438

May 13

After the 1986 Tax Reform Act, Ed Slott made a strategic decision to specialize in IRAs—a move that not only set him apart in a niche field, but also helped him build a nationally recognized reputation as a leading expert. By leaning into his niche, he intentionally set himself apart from generalists by charging more to reflect the unique value he delivers. Today, Ed is the President of Ed Slott and Company, a financial education firm based in Rockville Centre, New York, offering seminars and newsletters for both financial advisors and consumers, with a particular focus on IRAs. In this episode, he shares how having specialized knowledge of the ins and outs of IRAs helped him stand out among other tax experts, the marketing strategies that grew his visibility (leading to a nationwide speaking business and the launch of his Elite IRA Advisor Group), and much more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/437

May 6

Nicole Gopoian Wirick is the President of Prosperity Wealth Strategies, an RIA based out of Michigan that oversees $70 million in assets under management for 40 households. What's unique about Nicole is how she hired a branding consultant early on to develop a clear brand identity that reflects her financial planning philosophy and resonates with her ideal clients. This brand now acts as a filter for deciding which marketing opportunities are worth pursuing, helping her stay focused and aligned. Listen in as Nicole shares how she developed a distinct brand identity by first exploring her ideal lifestyle and values, leading to a "brand DNA" that shapes everything from her marketing to her client experience. She explains how this branding attracts clients seeking deep financial planning around estate and legacy issues, and how she built trust and referrals by nurturing relationships with centers of influence and delivering personalized, planning-led advice. Nicole also reflects on evolving her brand as she grows her team, presenting recommendations through client-friendly summaries, and staying motivated during her transition to independence by focusing on meaningful progress over metrics. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/436

Apr 29

Gideon Drucker is the CEO of Drucker Wealth, a hybrid advisory firm based out of New York City that oversees approximately $1 billion in assets under management for 800 client households. What's unique about Gideon is how he launched a "Wealth Builder" service model to support high-income next-gen clients—within a firm traditionally focused on retirees. In just five years, the offering has added 275 client households and become the primary engine of growth for Drucker Wealth. Listen in as Gideon shares how he structured his firm's Wealth Builder division with a high advisor-to-operations staff ratio to meet the complex needs of mid-career professionals, ensured profitability by setting a minimum fee while introducing gradual fee increases for existing clients by clearly tying them to the firm's growing value. He also discusses how his clients regularly make referrals without directly being asked to, his transition from direct client service to firm leadership and management, and how his early cold-calling days pushed him toward a content-based marketing strategy that consistently brings in qualified prospects. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/435

Apr 22

Vanessa N. Martinez is the CEO of Expressive Wealth, an RIA based out of Chicago that oversees $135 million in assets under management for approximately 70 client households, including 10 'core' ultra-high-net-worth families. What's unique about Vanessa is how her firm goes beyond traditional estate planning to help high-net-worth clients engage in in-depth legacy planning. This approach ensures clients pass down not just their assets, but also the values and principles that helped them build their wealth. Listen in as Vanessa shares how she guides clients through a multi-meeting discovery process to clarify their estate and legacy plans and articulate the family values they want to pass on, encouraging them to document these legacies to avoid future misunderstandings. She also explains how her deep involvement in clients' lives, along with neighborhood-based client events, helps foster strong relationships and organic referrals. Vanessa also discusses the unique role of her firm's Chief Clinical Officer in facilitating family legacy conversations and how legacy planning allows clients to pass down not just wealth, but the emotional and intellectual values that shaped it. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/434

Apr 15

Cameron Passmore is the CEO of PWL Capital, a wealth management firm based out of Ottawa, Canada, that oversees just over $5 billion Canadian dollars (or approximately $3.5 billion U.S. dollars) in assets under management for 2,400 client households. What's unique about Cameron is that after growing his firm's revenue from $2 million to over $20 million as an independent firm over the past decade, he recognized that the next phase of growth required a different approach. By combining with a larger financial conglomerate, he positioned the firm to pursue another 10X growth opportunity in the decade ahead. Listen in as Cameron shares how his firm achieved explosive growth by serving early Shopify employees, building a content engine that has served as a key driver of inbound leads, and differentiating through a planning-first, passive investing approach that is not typical in the Canadian advice landscape. Cameron also discusses his firm's investment in an institutional-grade data lake to enhance the client experience, how their planning teams operate efficiently at scale, and why always being open to new connections has led to some of his biggest business opportunities. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/433

Apr 8

Seth Scott is the founder of Heartwood Financial Planning, an advisory firm in Fresno, California that manages $100 million in assets for 850 client households. What makes Seth's approach unique is his development of an "input deliverable" that simplifies tax planning for his ideal target client, allowing him to demonstrate value without creating time-intensive, custom reports for each individual. By offering this tool, he not only saves time, but also builds trust with prospective clients who may later seek more comprehensive financial planning services. In this episode, Seth also discusses his transition into financial planning from previous jobs in urban planning and real estate, how he grew his business by serving retiring advisors' client books without having to contribute upfront capital, and why he became a Certified Tax Preparer to better serve his niche. Listen in to hear how he makes inroads with his target clients by helping churches set up 403(b)(9) retirement plans and how his faith has guided him through the challenges of business growth and changing careers. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/432

Apr 1

Nick Rodkin is the managing partner of Stoic Financial, an LPL-affiliated advisory firm based in Florida that oversees $107 million in assets under management for 70 client households. What's unique about Nick is that after nearly 15 years as a financial advisor, he pursued a master's degree in marriage and family therapy to enhance his ability to help couples resolve financial conflicts. This additional expertise allows him to address relationship dynamics that may hinder financial decision-making and the implementation of his financial planning recommendations. Listen in as Nick shares how he helps client couples navigate their financial relationships by using structured conversations to uncover money mindsets, encouraging them to become "budget buddies" rather than "expense enemies." He explains how his service model allows for AUM-based financial planning, flat-fee coaching, and hourly therapy sessions, enabling him to serve a diverse client base. Nick also reflects on how his own therapy journey reshaped his approach to financial planning, shifting from a product-focused mindset to a more human-centered practice that emphasizes actionable advice and meaningful client conversations. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/431

Mar 25

AJ Ayers is the co-founder of Brooklyn Fi, an RIA based in Brooklyn—but operating as a fully remote business—that oversees $370 million in assets under management for more than 400 client households. What's unique about AJ is how she and her business partner successfully tackled the hiring, training, and operational challenges of rapidly scaling their advisory firm from the ground up to $5 million in revenue in just seven years. Their strategic approach to systems and processes allowed them to sustain growth while maintaining efficiency and service quality. Listen in as AJ shares how she and her firm rapidly scaled their advisory business, growing to 14 new clients per month while building a structured training program to onboard advisors in their specialized equity compensation niche. She explains how they leveraged LinkedIn's Recruiter platform for proactive hiring, developed Gemifi software to streamline equity compensation planning, and implemented a three-part fee model to align revenue with client needs. AJ also reflects on delegating firm operations to reduce her own work schedule, hiring an HR professional to strengthen company culture in a remote environment, and overcoming impostor syndrome by earning niche-relevant certifications and gaining hands-on client experience. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/430

Mar 18

Ali Nasser is the Founder of the Wealth Integration System for Entrepreneurs (WISE), an education and coaching company based out of Houston that works with entrepreneurs facing a liquidity event and trying to figure out what's next—as well as the financial advisors who serve them. Having built a successful advisory business by helping high-net-worth entrepreneurs align their financial goals with their entrepreneurial mindset, even when it conflicted with traditional financial planning advice, Ali's approach was so effective that he eventually sold his advisory firm to focus exclusively on coaching and consulting services for entrepreneurs. Listen in as he explains how he helps entrepreneurs manage concentration risk, overcome reluctance to invest outside their business, and address lingering financial scarcity mindsets despite their significant wealth. You'll hear about his journey from advisory firm owner to full-time coach, the challenges of ensuring a team delivers a consistent, high-level client experience, and why he ultimately decided to focus on empowering business owners and the advisors who serve them. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/429

Mar 11

Lorie Jones is the Wealth Manager at Fearless Financial Advisors, a DBA of hybrid advisory firm Fidelis Wealth Advisors based out of Colorado, where she oversees $30 million in assets under management for 88 households. What sets Lorie apart is how she maximized the capabilities of Salesforce CRM—typically used by larger firms due to its advanced features and higher cost—to streamline processes and workflows while working at a mid-sized advisory firm without the need for costly Salesforce developers, demonstrating how a well-optimized CRM can enhance efficiency across the firm. Listen in as Lorie shares how she leverages Salesforce's "clicks not code" functionality to create custom automations—such as her innovative "magic buttons"—that streamline firm operations, from client onboarding to money movements. She also discusses her journey from an administrative role to firm partner, her transition into full-time advising to focus on serving high-net-worth women, and how she overcame the challenges of launching her own practice. Lorie also reflects on balancing earning her CFP and MBA while raising five children, how starting a podcast helped her gain confidence in prospecting, and why learning from mentors empowered her to take bold career risks. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/428

Mar 4

Sten Morgan is the owner of Legacy Investment Planning, a hybrid advisory firm based in Franklin, Tennessee, that oversees $220 million in assets under management for 90 client households. Today Sten joins the show to share how he made the difficult decision to turn over his entire original team and rebuild with a new director of operations to create a stronger foundation for future growth. He explains how he identified cultural and operational misalignments, navigated tough conversations with employees, and structured his hiring process to ensure the right people joined his firm. Listen in as Sten walks us through his firm's five-step hiring process, why he insists on interviewing at least 4-6 candidates before making an offer, and the strategies he uses to work effectively with recruiting firms. He also shares why he's focusing on operational efficiency before engaging in a period of growth, how he proactively hires for roles before the need becomes urgent, and his structured approach to iterating on business ideas. If you're looking for insights on building the right team for long-term success, this episode is for you. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/427

Feb 25

Jennifer des Groseilliers is the CEO of The Mather Group, an RIA based in Chicago, Illinois, that oversees $15 billion in combined assets under management and advisement for approximately 4,400 client households. Today Jennifer shares how her firm has designed an program of broad-based equity awards across the firm to align the interests of employees with the firm's long-term client service and growth goals. In this episode, Jennifer breaks down how her firm sets performance targets and ensures that employee incentives are tied to the firm's enterprise value. We also discuss how The Mather Group streamlines operations through goal-setting systems like SMART goals and HR tracking tools, separates sales and advisory roles to optimize client acquisition and service, and fosters leadership development through emotional intelligence. Listen in to learn how strategic equity grants can drive business success while empowering employees. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/426

Feb 18

Sebastian Guerra is the President of Guerra Wealth Advisors, a hybrid advisory firm based in Miami with nearly $15M of revenue and almost 60 team members, supporting over 1,700 client households. What's unique about Sebastian is how his firm has implemented a quality control system where a team member follows up with clients right after their advisor meetings to gather feedback and ensure high service standards. This approach not only improves the client experience, but also encourages referrals, online reviews, and social media engagement by prompting clients to act immediately after providing positive feedback. Listen in as Sebastian discusses how the firm attracts and consolidates assets from new and existing clients—onboarding nearly 480 households in a single year—with educational events and a streamlined process enabling advisors to handle up to 35 weekly meetings. He also highlights how his firm has benefited from using the Entrepreneurial Operating System amidst its rapid growth, how his firm leverages an in-house recruiter to find top talent, and how he balances his business commitments with his evolving priorities as a new husband and father. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/425

Feb 11

David Grau Jr. is the president of Succession Resource Group, an advisory consulting and valuation business based out of Oregon that serves independent financial advisors with RIAs and broker-dealers. What sets David apart is his two decades of experience supporting financial advisory firms, which has allowed him to identify best practices for founders and successors navigating increasingly complex internal succession plans. This is especially valuable as founders face growing challenges due to frequent, high-valuation offers from private equity-backed acquirers. Listen in as David shares best practices for preparing firms for internal succession, including establishing defined career tracks, organizing business metrics, and breaking ownership transitions into manageable tranches to ease financial commitments for successors. He discusses why internal successions remain viable—despite the allure of high valuations from private equity-backed buyers—highlighting how these deals often include challenging growth targets and less favorable terms hidden in the fine print. David also explains how preparing for internal succession can actually boost external valuation and why founders may find greater satisfaction in leaving a lasting legacy through their firm by transitioning it to internal successors. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/424

Feb 4

Cristina Livadary is the CEO of Mana Financial Life Design, an RIA based in Los Angeles (that works virtually with clients nationwide) overseeing approximately $70 million in assets under management for 119 client households. Cristina's firm helps "sandwich generation" clients by crafting financial plans that address their personal needs and goals while also offering optional add-on planning engagements to tackle the financial challenges of their aging parents, who may require support in the future. This dual-focus approach ensures comprehensive support for clients navigating intergenerational financial responsibilities. Listen in as Cristina shares how her personal experience navigating the challenges of caring for aging parents and young children inspired her to focus on serving this niche. She also discusses how she transitioned her firm to a complexity-based fee structure, how she conducts 20-minute "fit" meetings to determine whether prospective clients will be a good fit for her firm's services and fee model, and the lessons she's learned about creating defined roles for new hires in order to build a cohesive team. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/423

Jan 28

Kay Lynn Mayhue is the President of Merit Financial Advisors, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Georgia that oversees approximately $13 billion in assets under management for 26,000 households. What's unique about Kay Lynn is how she cultivated her advisory, management, and leadership skills to progress to become president of a national RIA enterprise. In her role, she now spearheads the firm's proactive mergers and acquisitions strategy. Listen in as Kay Lynn shares her journey from client-facing advisor to firm leader, including the pivotal lessons she learned about leadership after her team once threatened to quit due to her early management style. She also discusses her approach to mergers and acquisitions, how her firm uses personality assessments to strengthen hiring and client relationships, and her firm's "organic growth tracks" for advisors. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/422

Jan 21

Daniel Friedman is the CEO of WMGNA, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Connecticut that oversees approximately $270 million in assets under management for 200 client households. What's unique about Daniel is how his firm offers "in-house" tax return preparation as part of its one-stop-shop service, while outsourcing the actual preparation work to trusted CPAs paid from his firm's revenue. This allows Daniel's team to focus on delivering tax planning analyses and strategies, which are central to the firm's value proposition for clients. Listen in as Daniel discusses how his firm combines a subscription-based planning fee with an AUM charge on investments it manages and how it has implemented a money-back guarantee with very few clients taking them up on the offer. Daniel also explains how his firm embraces the concept of "Restylement" to help clients redefine their next life chapter, the key role of a "director of first impressions" in fostering client relationships, and how persistence and exceptional service have fueled his firm's long-term growth and success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/421

Jan 14

Michelle Underwood Gass is the Founding Principal of Paradigm Advisors, an RIA based out of Dallas that oversees approximately $110 million in assets under management for 80 client households. What's unique about Michelle is how she developed a structured meeting process to guide new clients through her in-depth planning system, ensuring a standardized experience while retaining the flexibility to customize each client's financial plan, prioritizing their unique needs and goals. Listen in as Michelle shares her 5-part planning process, beginning with a "Get to Know You" meeting that incorporates Life Planning exercises to uncover client priorities and ensure a mutual fit, followed by a tech-enabled "Uncluttering" process to streamline document collection and onboarding. She explains how her "Intrinsic Discovery" and "Discovering Opportunities" meetings prioritize key planning areas, avoiding overwhelm for busy working-age clients, while tools like eMoney's Decision Center and Hubly workflow management software support efficient plan implementation. Michelle also discusses her combined flat planning and AUM-based fee structure that allows her to serve high-earning professionals and hedge fund veterans, and how launching her financial planning business brought her a renewed sense of purpose after stepping away from managing a hedge fund. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/420

Jan 7

Peter Krull is the Director of Sustainable Investing of Earth Equity Advisors, an RIA based out of North Carolina that oversees approximately $200 million in assets under management for 250 client households. What sets Pete apart is his ability to grow his firm by helping clients align their portfolios with their personal values, turning investments into a reflection of the businesses they want to support. He achieves this while maintaining well-diversified, market-aligned portfolios that are prudently allocated to sound businesses. Listen in as Pete shares how his sustainable investing approach focuses on identifying sectors and companies poised for future success, differentiating it from socially responsible and ESG investing by taking a bottom-up, forward-looking perspective. He explains how he uses a combination of industry insights, quantitative metrics, and third-party evaluations to construct client portfolios with a mix of equities and fixed-income investments that align with sustainability criteria while meeting clients' risk tolerances. Pete also discusses how serving a well-defined niche has expanded his business opportunities, enabling him to attract clients who want their investments to support the future they envision, and how merging with a larger firm has allowed him to scale his offerings and reach even more like-minded investors. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/419

Dec 31, 2024

Stacey McKinnon is the chief operating officer of Morton Wealth, an RIA based out of California that oversees approximately $3 billion in assets under management for 1,300 client households. Stacey has spearheaded a leadership training program at Morton Wealth to support middle managers, many of whom transitioned from hands-on roles to managerial positions, equipping them with essential communication and management skills. This initiative was crucial as the firm's workforce doubled from 30 to 60 employees over four years, surpassing the capacity of senior leadership to manage a growing team. Listen in as Stacey shares how she tackled common managerial challenges at Morton Wealth by identifying problematic archetypes and integrating the Admired Leadership Program to elevate managerial skills across the board. She discusses the firm's shift from a rigid to a flexible client meeting schedule—facilitated by WorkBoard's OKR tools—to better accommodate the dynamic work environment and enhance client interaction. Stacey also reflects on personal productivity strategies and the invaluable leadership insights gained from U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Head Coach Emma Hayes, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a self-sustaining team that can thrive even in her absence. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/418

Dec 24, 2024

Paul G McManus is the CEO of More Clients More Fun, a marketing company that helps financial advisors conceptualize and publish their own book in a consolidated 6-week process. Paul advises financial advisors to write books not for potential royalties, but rather to establish their authority, differentiate themselves from competitors, and enhance client engagement. In this episode, he talks about how even a short book can achieve these goals, as well as how advisors can use books they've written to foster initial trust with prospects. Listen in as Paul shares how he assists advisors in creating concise books that can be read quickly—enhancing the probability of completion—and using Amazon's self-publishing platform for cost efficiency and update flexibility benefits. You'll learn about his six-week book production process, what he has seen advisors do to promote their books successfully, how a book can be used to grow marketing lists, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/417

Dec 17, 2024

Fran Toler is the CEO of Toler Financial Group, a DBA firm under the RIA Rossby Financial, that oversees nearly $200 million in assets under management for 280 households. Fran discusses how she transitioned from an independent broker-dealer model to a 'supported independence' corporate RIA platform to reduce her compliance burdens while paying lower platform fees by partnering with a service provider that doesn't charge for functions her staff already performs. This strategic move enables her to have greater autonomy without the full list of compliance responsibilities associated with complete independence. Listen in as Fran shares how her firm's public stance on progressive values has led to client and AUM growth by attracting clients and staff who share these ideals, why she offers new hires a stable base salary to ensure she includes talented candidates who might not have the financial backing to succeed in an 'eat what you kill' environment, and how she is approaching succession planning as she contemplates her eventual retirement. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/416

Dec 10, 2024

Erika Wood is the Director of Wealth Management of VisionPoint Advisory Group, a hybrid advisory firm based in Dallas that oversees approximately $3 billion in assets under advisement for both 780 client households and retirement plans. Erika's firm stands out for its use of centralized financial planning and service teams, along with a ticketing workflow system, to streamline a firm-wide planning process, efficiently serving a private wealth client base with $600M in assets under management. Listen in as Erika shares how her firm streamlines client meetings and task completion, ensuring efficiency and accuracy across all client interactions. She discusses her firm's approach to client segmentation and fee-setting based on a data-centric analysis of service costs, adding a profitability buffer to maintain a sustainable business model. Erika also talks about how her firm builds client loyalty, as well as the importance of advisors finding their niche in the financial planning field to maximize their unique strengths. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/415

Dec 3, 2024

Eric Franklin is the Managing Partner of Prospero Wealth, an RIA based out of Seattle that oversees $52 million in assets under management for 80 households. Eric uniquely grew his assets under management to $50 million in just three years by targeting employees at big tech firms and adapting his planning process into smaller, manageable segments. This approach, which spreads out financial planning over time, proved more valuable for his busy clients, preventing them from feeling overwhelmed. Listen in as Eric shares how he enhances client engagement by focusing on a few planning priorities at a time and starting engagements with goal-setting exercises to clarify and prioritize their objectives. He details his targeted marketing strategy toward tech employees, his own transition from tech to financial planning, and the growth of his firm through hiring like-minded advisors from the tech industry. You'll hear how he's leveraging technology tools for efficient communication, why he recommends industry conferences for career changers to learn best practices before launching their financial planning careers, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/414

Nov 26, 2024

Kevin Leahy is the CEO of Connecticut Wealth Management, an RIA based out of Connecticut that oversees approximately $4 billion in assets under management for 1,100 households. Kevin's firm stands out for its systematized training program designed to onboard and develop young talent straight out of college, effectively maintaining a robust advisory talent pipeline. This approach has supported the firm through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, ensuring a smooth transition of clients from retiring advisors to new ones, all while keeping a low client-to-advisor ratio of 35-to-1. Listen in as Kevin shares how his firm's structured new hire training program starts with comprehensive initial training on systems and financial planning processes, followed by a focus on enhancing client communication skills. He also discusses sourcing new talent from a vetted internship program and how hiring in cohorts optimizes learning and integration. You'll also learn about the interview process Kevin's firm uses with veteran advisors, how his firm is able to maintain its core values as it grows, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/413

Nov 19, 2024

Anjali Jariwala is the Founder of FIT Advisors, a California-based RIA that operates virtually nationwide, managing $65 million in assets for 45 client households. Over the past six years, Anjali has tripled her annual revenue from $250,000 to $750,000 while only adding a net of 10 client households by focusing on physicians with complex tax needs and small business owners with revenues of $5M-$20M. She achieved this growth by enhancing her service offerings with advanced financial planning and CFO services, while raising her fees to reflect the increased value. Listen in as Anjali shares how she transitioned from paid ads to creating niche-specific blog and podcast content that continues to attract high-quality prospects long after she paused active content creation to support her clients and manage personal stress during the early days of the COVID pandemic. She discusses her strategic approach to growing her revenue by raising her minimum annual retainer fee while keeping her client base compact, and how offering tailored services like advanced tax planning and CFO-style business planning justifies these fees for her clients. Anjali also reflects on her decision to limit her client count to enhance service quality, her use of an outsourced Chief Investment Officer to conduct investment research and cue up trades for her to execute, and how she defines success now that she has built a financially thriving practice. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/412

Nov 12, 2024

Larry Kriesmer is the Chairman of Measured Risk Portfolios, an RIA based out of San Diego that oversees $350 million in assets under management for a combination of internal retail clients and external financial advisor clients. What's unique about Larry, though, is how he is able to get clients comfortable with taking equity market risk using an approach that actually puts 85% or more of client funds in Treasuries (effectively creating a floor on potential losses) while investing the rest into options on equity indexes to offer potential upside that still can approximate the returns of a conservative, moderate, or even aggressive balanced portfolio that might have otherwise simply allocated directly to the S&P 500. Listen in as Larry shares how he implements this strategy and introduces its potential benefits and risks to clients, the tax benefits available when using options, the importance of careful management when using options due to potentially rapid pricing changes, and his commitment to reinvesting in his firm to build a lasting business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/411

Nov 5, 2024

Emily Biehler is the co-founder of TrailWise Financial Partners, an RIA based out of Colorado that oversees approximately $80 million in assets under management for 200 client households. What's unique about Emily, though, is how her firm ensures every client can be served profitably through a combination of a complexity-based minimum fee arrangement, coupleed with a strucutred data gathering, plan delivery, and client communication processes that encourage client accountability and follow-through on action items recommended by their advisor severy client really sees the value they receive for the fees they are paying. Listen in as Emily discusses the custom workbook she uses that asks clients to explore their goals and values, how she uses asynchronous video messages to efficiently communicate with clients between meetings, and why she decided to start her own firm with a focus on accountability and client-centered comprehensive planning following a failed succession at her prevoius firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/410

Oct 29, 2024

Travis Hornsby is the founder of Student Loan Planner, an RIA and student loan consulting company based out of North Carolina that serves nearly 1,400 households with ongoing financial planning and has consulted with over 15,000 clients on student loan debt. Travis quickly expanded his financial planning client base to 1,400 in just over a year by leveraging his extensive pool of student loan consulting clients, which had significantly grown over the past decade. Listen in as Travis shares how he carved out a niche in student loan planning, which laid the groundwork for transitioning into comprehensive financial planning. He discusses his strategic approach to pricing and client service that spurred rapid business growth, and delves into the personal and professional transformations that prompted his move to establish an RIA. Travis also reflects on how his personal journey through FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement influenced his business decisions, allowing him to seize growth opportunities that aligned with his values and effectively broaden his service offerings. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/409

Oct 22, 2024

Maddi Keegan is a financial advisor and the Director of Operations at Frazier Financial Advisors, an RIA based out of Ohio that oversees $860 million in assets under management for 650 client households. After building a successful solo advisory firm, Maddi merged her business with Frazier Financial Advisors, where she secured a stake and stepped into both advisory and operational roles to help scale the business. Listen in as Maddi shares how her strategic merger with Frazier Financial Advisors allowed her to expand her impact, blending her expertise with the firm's resources to enhance client services. She details her journey from a solo practitioner to a key player in a larger firm, including her initial investment in SEO that significantly boosted her client base, and her decision-making process that led to successfully transitioning her clients to the new firm. Maddi also discusses the broader benefits of networking and her proactive role in community leadership, which opened doors to opportunities that shaped her career trajectory. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/408

Oct 15, 2024

Mark Asaro is the Chief Investment Officer of Noble Wealth Management, an RIA based out of Colorado that oversees $320 million in assets under management for 160 households. Mark stands out with his liability-driven investing approach, which builds retirement portfolios focused on managing sequence of return risk, leveraging the use of closed-end bond funds to generate income to cover client expenses during the critical early retirement years. Listen in as Mark shares how Liability-Driven Investing (LDI) matches retirement portfolios to client spending needs, securing early retirement finances through strategically allocated fixed income to generate income and equity to manage inflation risk. He dives into his tactical approach to rebalancing portfolios, using market conditions to optimize asset allocations between equities and bonds. Mark also reflects on his firm's strategic shift during the 2022 market downturn, when it capitalized on high bond yields, why he believes investment management isn't a commodity, and how the LDI approach ultimately supports clients' long-term financial stability and peace of mind. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/407

Oct 8, 2024

Michael Kramer is the Manager of Natural Investments, an RIA based out of San Francisco that has offices across the country and oversees $1.9 billion in assets under management for 1,300 households. Michael's firm uniquely employed a perpetual purpose trust structure for its internal succession plan, which allowed the founding partners to monetize their ownership without burdening new advisors with debt. This approach also fostered a more equitable leadership structure, not solely based on share ownership. Listen in as Michael talks about the firm's governance by "trust stewards" and the unique role of a "trust enforcer" to ensure accountability as well as why the firm chose this model over traditional ESOP or cooperative structures. Michael also reflects on building his practice from the ground up, leveraging public speaking to attract like-minded clients, and embracing his role as a "seed planter" to foster a business that embodies his values and sustains beyond his tenure. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/406

Oct 1, 2024

Gaetano Sacco is a partner and senior financial advisor at Fountainhead Advisors, an RIA based out of New Jersey that oversees approximately $900 million in assets under management for 1,000 households. Gaetano transformed his early career challenge of perceived inexperience into a distinct advantage, highlighting his youthfulness to reassure retirees that he can be their dedicated financial advisor for the long haul. Since breaking away from the insurance world, he has impressively grown his practice to $75 million in AUM in just five years, capitalizing on his long-term commitment to clients as a major selling point. Listen in as Gaetano shares how his early experiences in insurance sales and, ironically, achieving "Financial Planner of the Year" led him to transition from insurance to the RIA channel, driven by a desire for deeper client relationships and personal life changes like marriage and fatherhood that enhanced his ability to connect with clients. He also discusses how leveraging his age as an asset has helped grow his practice through proactive client communication during the COVID-19 downturn and by hosting in-person client appreciation events to build loyalty and attract new clients. You'll learn the pivotal role of joining an advisor study group in Gaetano's professional development, his decision to reject a job offer due to poor company culture, and how his commitment to a client-centric, planning-focused career provides daily motivation while maintaining work-life balance. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/405

Sep 24, 2024

Ann Garcia is a partner of Independent Progressive Advisors, an RIA based out of Portland that oversees approximately $115 million in assets under management for 120 clients. Ann has distinguished herself by developing a nationally recognized expertise in college financial planning, a specialty that has grown alongside her advisory business, now focusing on mid-career professionals who balance saving for their children's college education with their own retirement planning. This dual focus reflects the evolving needs of her clientele as they navigate significant financial milestones. Listen in as Ann shares how she developed her reputation as a college planning expert by transforming client queries into a specialized blog that gained national attention, eventually leading to the publication of a book on college planning and the creation of an online course. She also discusses how her expertise has attracted mid-career professionals, to the point where her firm is nearing capacity in its current form, how purchasing a retiring advisor's practice laid the groundwork for the firm she desired, and how she refined her sales skills early on by taking meetings with all prospects who approached her, even if they were not a good fit for her firm. Ann also emphasizes the importance of initiating early discussions on college affordability within families and describes her decision to leave a prominent firm to create one that aligns with her values, allowing her to serve clients she truly understands and appreciates. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/404

Sep 17, 2024

Eric Stein is a Partner at East Bay Investment Solutions, a firm that offers fractional Chief Investment Officer services, supporting over $6 billion in assets under advisement across 26 advisory firm clients. In this episode, we discuss how Eric leverages his extensive investment expertise not by managing portfolios for individual clients as a traditional financial advisor, but rather by embracing his role as an 'investment nerd' serving as a fractional Chief Investment Officer, supporting multiple advisory firms and their clients. Listen in as Eric shares how his fractional Chief Investment Officer service operates, providing investment research, portfolio design, and market commentary while leaving portfolio implementation up to the advisor themselves. He also discusses his winding career path, from commercial banking to Goldman Sachs Asset Management and as a CIO for a national RIA, to his current role, which he found after a careful 'dating' process with his business partner to ensure their visions aligned. Eric also reflects on his experiences across large national businesses and smaller firms, emphasizing the importance of role exploration, effective management practices, and learning from both successes and failures to navigate challenges that arise. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/403

Sep 10, 2024

John Mason is the President of Mason & Associates, an RIA based out of Virginia that oversees $370 million in assets under management for approximately 390 client households. What's unique about John, though, is how joining a firm that served the niche of Federal government employees allowed him to quickly accelerate his own learning curve and demonstrate his expertise early in his career as a 20-something—ultimately enabling him to more quickly begin bringing in his own clients. Listen in as John shares how his firm's specialization in serving Federal employees allows it to operate efficiently and develop deep relationships with clients, and how his firm generates client leads through a podcast focusing on the issues facing its ideal target client. He also discusses his firm's transition from a broker-dealer to the RIA model, which boosted its per-client revenue while bringing down all-in costs for clients, how he managed the delicate process of transitioning unprofitable clients to more suitable advisors, why he thinks fee-only advisors sometimes underrate the importance of insurance planning, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/402

Sep 3, 2024

Zack Hubbard is the Director of Financial Planning and Participant Engagement of Greenspring Advisors, an RIA based out of Maryland that manages $2 billion of private wealth assets under management for 1,300 client households and advises on an additional $5 billion in retirement plan assets. Zack and his firm have developed a financial wellness offering that profitably delivers both self-serve technology and direct one-on-one financial advice to employees of businesses using their fiduciary 401(k) services. This approach not only supports plan participants, but also generates a steady stream of referrals for his firm's private wealth services. Listen in as Zack shares how his firm uses a three-tiered approach to fiduciary financial wellness for 401(k) plan participants, comprising of education, one-on-one advice, and implementation support, how his firm develops new advisors by allowing them to have many 'at bats' with retirement plan participants, and how he made the decision to shift from client-facing roles to his current position as a manager. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/401

Aug 27, 2024

Mark Tibergien is the former CEO of Pershing Advisor Solutions, a former Principal with Moss Adams Consulting, and a longtime practice management consultant and thought leader in the financial advisory industry. Over his 50-year career in financial services, Mark has witnessed the evolution of the financial advice industry and has actively defined best practices for advisory firms aiming to scale up and build enduring businesses. His extensive experience has enabled him to measure and track the key strategies that help firms not just grow in size, but also enhance their scalability and operational efficiency. In this episode, Mark shares his insights on the crucial distinction between growing in size and truly scaling an advisory firm, emphasizing that genuine scale is achieved when revenue increases outpace expenses. He also discusses the ongoing industry consolidation and outlines the different types of firms looking to acquire RIAs—financial, tactical, and strategic buyers—highlighting how smaller firms can still thrive by focusing on local excellence or specific client demographics. Listen in to learn about the importance of proactive succession planning and defining personal measures of success, which influence both strategic decisions and the broader impact of the advisory business on the community and the industry. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/400

Aug 20, 2024

Kelli Kiemle is the Managing Director of Growth and Client Experience of Halbert Hargrove, an RIA based out of California that oversees $3.1 billion in assets under management for 75 households. Kelli uniquely spearheads initiatives at Halbert Hargrove to uphold the firm's four core values and foster a strong corporate culture, a critical task as the company expands to 50 employees across 10 offices in the western United States. This growth makes even their in-person offices effectively 'remote' and 'virtual' relative to the leadership at the firm's main headquarters. Listen in as Kelli shares how she has implemented effective communication and relationship-building programs at Halbert Hargrove, including biannual in-person meetings and weekly all-hands sessions to enhance accountability and integrate new hires through a formal two-year mentorship program. She discusses initiatives that reinforce the firm's core values—like sharing 'Gladiator Stories' and 'Goofs That Give Us Guidance'—and aligns employee benefits with these values by supporting education, charitable contributions, and family care, while also managing a unique vacation policy to prevent burnout. Additionally, Kelli explains her strategic role in growing the firm's AUM past $3 billion, utilizing external PR and SEO, and integrating sales coaching to enhance client acquisition efforts without compromising the firm's fiduciary commitments. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/399

Aug 13, 2024

Eric Wulff is the CEO of Marcum Wealth, an RIA based out of Cleveland that oversees $2.5 billion in assets under management for approximately 2,700 households. Eric has uniquely developed Marcum Wealth into a multi-billion-dollar firm under the umbrella of a national accounting firm, largely by fostering mutually beneficial relationships with internal CPAs to secure referrals of their accounting clients to his financial planning business. This strategy has effectively integrated and leveraged the firm's existing services to expand its client base and enhance its financial planning division. Listen in as Eric shares his strategic approach to generating internal referrals at his firm, using a "give to get" philosophy with CPAs to ensure his advisors are top of mind for financial planning referrals, especially through exit planning services that help maintain CPA-client relationships beyond traditional business needs. He also explains how his firm standardizes financial planning across national offices through a centralized team, the effectiveness of presenting detailed financial plans to prospects before they commit, and his targeted acquisition strategy focusing on growth-minded mid-career advisors. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/398 Headers: What Marcum Wealth Looks Like Today [6:35] Using A Team-Based Approach To Building Financial Plans [16:10] Linking Marcum Wealth's Planning Process To Its Asset Allocation Frameworks [28:44] Converting Prospects Into Clients Through The Plan Delivery Process [33:06] How Marcum Wealth Generates Referrals From Its Attached CPA Firm [46:10] Dividing Advisory Teams By Geography And Client Segments [57:43] Marcum Wealth's Strategic Approach To Acquisitions [1:04:21] What Surprised Eric The Most Building An Advisory Business [1:15:40] The Low Point On Eric's Journey [1:17:34] What Eric Would Tell His Younger Self [1:22:58] Eric's Advice For Younger Advisors [1:24:15] What Success Means To Eric [1:27:25] The following contains the thoughts and opinions of Eric Wulff, CEO, of Marcum Wealth, LLC. Marcum Wealth is an investment adviser registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The statements herein are intended as brand and general educational and informational content only, and no viewer should construe any statements as an offer of Marcum Wealth's advisory services. Viewers are encouraged to discuss the content of this broadcast with, and direct any questions to, the financial professional of their choosing.

Aug 6, 2024

Jaime Benedetti is the Managing Principal of Benedetti, Gucer, and Associates and BEAM Wealth Advisors, hybrid advisory firms based out of Georgia and Louisiana that oversee a total of $1.2-billion in assets under management for approximately 900 households. Jaime's firm has uniquely expanded to over $1 billion in AUM over the last 20 years, largely through six strategic acquisitions of mixed fee-and-commission practices from retiring local advisors, which he successfully converted into ongoing, recurring revenue financial planning clients - an approach that has not only fueled growth but also streamlined the firm's revenue model into a more predictable and sustainable framework. Listen in as Jaime shares how he has skillfully managed the acquisition of firms with assets ranging from under $10 million to nearly $500 million, evolving from using personal funding sources to securing bank-financed loans that cover the full purchase price. He explains his strategic approach to converting acquired firms from commission-based to fee-based models, details his method for identifying potential acquisition targets through a combination of recruiters, marketplaces, and networking, and shares the importance of taking time to integrate new acquisitions thoroughly, which has not only retained clients but also attracted sellers who prioritize the welfare of their clients post-acquisition. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/397

Jul 30, 2024

Michelle Klisanich is a Wealth Advisor for Financially Wise Divorce, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Minnesota that oversees $87-million in assets under management for 91 households. Michelle stands out by effectively applying insights gained from multiple business coaches throughout her career, enabling her to precisely target and market to her desired clientele—women undergoing divorce. This focus allows her to transition these women into long-term advisory clients, with whom she builds deep, enduring relationships. Listen in as Michelle shares how she developed a structured process to guide clients through divorce, linking them with pre-vetted professionals and providing a roadmap for life post-divorce, while ensuring they are interested in ongoing advisory relationships. She discusses leveraging her early career challenges and business coaching to specialize in divorce planning, using online networking to build influential connections and streamline her client base from 350 to 90 focused, profitable relationships. Michelle also reflects on how her personal divorce experience inspired her to help similar women, overcoming "impostor syndrome" by gaining confidence through small wins and recommending that newer advisors learn from experienced colleagues to navigate early career challenges. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/396

Jul 23, 2024

Dustin Mangone is the Director of Investment Advisor Services of PPL Loan, a firm based out of Texas that facilitates conventional bank loans to financial advisors. Dustin's firm uniquely enables financial advisors to access bank lending—a traditionally difficult source of debt capital in the advisory industry—for financing various transactions, including RIA and independent broker-dealer acquisitions, internal succession plans, and other growth initiatives. This approach provides vital support for advisors looking to expand or transition their businesses. Listen in as Dustin shares how his firm partners with banks to provide loans to financial advisors purchasing advisory firms, enabling sellers to receive the purchase price upfront and increasing loan amounts as advisor repayment success grows. He discusses the key financial metrics used to determine loan amounts for mergers and acquisitions, such as the buyer's capitalization and the selling firm's recurring revenue, and explains how these loans support both full purchases and partial buy-ins during internal firm successions. Dustin also touches on current trends in advisory firm valuations, the differences between conventional bank loans and Small Business Administration loans, and the continued robust financing opportunities for advisory firm transactions, underscoring the inherent stability of these businesses due to their long-term client relationships. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/395

Jul 16, 2024

Christi Van Rite is the Founder of White River Consultants, a firm that provides administrative family office services to 17 ultra-high-net-worth households. Christi, whose firm is on track to generate nearly $1.5M in revenue this year, offers her insights into the complexities of managing extensive personal finances. You'll learn about the four primary pillars of Christi's services—personal bookkeeping, payroll for household employees, property management, and information and document management—and how each of these plays a role in maintaining financial order and security. Join us as we delve into Christi's journey from a traditional financial advisor to a leader in administrative family office services. You'll hear about her strategies for managing the financial needs of complex client households, the importance of using a client-owned tech stack for flexibility, and the role of robust referral pipelines in growing her business. Christi also shares her approach to curating, onboarding, and training specialized team members, managing risks associated with serving high-dollar families, and why she believes this niche is a fulfilling career path for financial advisors. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/394

Jul 9, 2024

Alex Lewis is the owner of Blackbridge Financial, a hybrid advisory firm based out of South Carolina that oversees approximately $330 million in assets under management for 415 households. At just 29 years old, Alex boldly acquired his firm through a multi-million-dollar loan, stepping in as the successor to the founder. Over the past four years, he has transformed the business by overhauling the staff, technology, and service structure—nearly doubling the firm's AUM in the process. Listen in as Alex shares how he gained trust and smoothly transitioned into ownership by increasing his client-facing roles and negotiating a seller-financed purchase, setting the stage for financial challenges that included managing a hefty initial loan payment. You'll learn how his firm categorizes clients into five service tiers, tailors experiences with personal touches like preferred beverages, and expands the team to uphold a high-touch service model, ensuring each advisor manages no more than 150 clients. We also discuss Alex's career shift from public accounting to financial planning, his strategic fee adjustments that reinforced client trust, and his use of influential business strategies from books to continuously refine and grow the firm he envisioned. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/393

Jul 2, 2024

Kristopher Heck is a Founding Partner of Tanager Wealth Management, an RIA based out of London that oversees approximately $1.1 billion in assets under management for 630 households. Kristopher's firm stands out by scaling to over a billion dollars in AUM, specializing in serving clients with financial and personal ties to both the United States and the United Kingdom, a niche lacking a standard playbook. This unique focus on complex transatlantic tax, estate, and planning issues has allowed them to develop a highly differentiated expertise in the marketplace over the past decade. Listen in as Kristopher shares his journey of founding Tanager Wealth, drawing on his personal experiences as a US expatriate to specialize in cross-border US-UK financial planning. He explains how his firm fosters a learning environment through internal blogs, videos, and lunch-and-learns, as well as how establishing early partnerships with other expatriate-focused professionals has cultivated a robust referral network. We also discuss the structure of separate advisory and planning teams that enhance career development and knowledge sharing within the firm, highlighting the importance of combining the right people and technology to effectively scale and succeed in the financial advisory landscape. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/392

Jun 25, 2024

Christopher Jones is the Founder of Sparrow Wealth Management, an RIA based out of Orlando that oversees approximately $110 million in assets under management for 69 households. Chris has distinguished himself by building a highly efficient solo practice that operates under 25 hours per week, enabling him to spend more time with his family. He achieved this by concentrating solely on the most crucial financial planning tasks for his clients—and outsourcing or eliminating all other activities. Listen in as Chris shares how he streamlines his financial planning process by collaboratively working through plans during annual meetings, focusing on clients' goals instead of detailed cash flow analyses, and managing cash requests through a single annual distribution. He explains his efficiency improvements through a curated tech stack of specialized AdvisorTech products and the strategic decision to manually update client balances, a move away from excessive customization that has significantly grown his AUM. We also discuss how transitioning to a remote practice has allowed Chris to live closer to family, how he generates referrals from well-connected clients, and his approach to managing perfectionism by outsourcing tasks to alleviate time constraints and reduce anxiety. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/391

Jun 18, 2024

Brent Carnduff is the Founder of Advisor Rankings, a marketing firm based out of Idaho that specializes in search engine optimization for financial advisors. Brent's firm uniquely assists advisors by enhancing their organic SEO through targeted content creation, designed to attract prospects with specific planning needs, and also boosts advisors' local SEO, ensuring top placement in Google rankings when consumers search for nearby financial advisors. Listen in as Brent shares how he guides advisors to enhance their local SEO by starting with a fully optimized Google Business Profile and encouraging systematic client reviews to improve search rankings and increase website traffic. We also discuss strategies for boosting organic SEO, the importance of serving a specific niche for better Google rankings, the different timelines for seeing results with local versus organic SEO, and how hiring a coach has transformed Brent's business practices, enabling him to focus on delivering top-tier SEO advice. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/390

Jun 11, 2024

Mark Berg is the Founder of Timothy Financial Counsel, an RIA based out of Illinois that's on track to generate $5 million in annual revenue this year serving 800 households. Mark's firm stands out for its rapid growth, scaling from $1.8 million to $5 million in revenue within just six years while maintaining a 25% profit margin, achieved entirely through an hourly fee model. Listen in as Mark shares how he structured his firm to succeed with an hourly fee model, his strategic implementation of time-tracking software for efficient billing and capacity management, and how he uses a client waitlist to handle increasing demand. We also discuss Mark's innovative approach to scaling the firm by hiring a president without a financial planning background, as well as why he sees the hourly fee model as a vast opportunity for reaching a broader client base. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/389

Jun 4, 2024

Freeman Linde is the cofounder of La Crosse Financial Planning, an RIA based out of Wisconsin that oversees nearly $50 million in assets under management for 73 clients. Despite industry norms suggesting the need for tens of millions in assets to go independent, Freeman launched his own RIA with just $7M in AUM, shared with a business partner. Leveraging the freedom to create an SEO-optimized website tailored to their local community, they rapidly expanded the firm to $40M in less than four years. Listen in as Freeman shares his strategic decision to operate as an independent RIA, utilizing a custom spreadsheet to analyze and favor the financial benefits over traditional broker-dealer models, including flat-cost expense management and the ability to offer lower client costs while raising AUM fees. He also discusses how adopting a focused local SEO strategy and creating distinct websites for niche markets accelerated his firm's growth, as well as his effective client-conversion approach. You'll hear how expanding his service offerings has solidified client loyalty and supported a sustainable business model that prioritizes recurring revenue over constant new client acquisition, inspiring newer advisors to start in fee-only environments. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/388

May 28, 2024

Today we're joined by Jenny Martella, Principal and Wealth Manager at Modera Wealth Management, whose unique journey in the financial advisory world saw her and her partner achieving remarkable success in growing their firm from $19 million to $250 million in assets under management within 7 years. Jenny and her previous partner were so successful that they decided to seek a merger with Modera Wealth, a much larger enterprise, so they could focus on their strengths. In this episode, we explore Jenny's strategies for growth, the challenges of operational responsibilities, and the decision-making process behind merging with a larger firm. Listen in as Jenny discusses the intricacies of the merger process, from exploring potential partners to navigating the transition of clients and brand identity. She also shares lessons about managing change, adapting to new technologies, and finding her place within the larger organization. You'll learn about her methods for effective client communication and maintaining personal inspiration in the face of professional challenges, ideas for preserving brand identity during a merger, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/387

May 21, 2024

Dann Ryan is a Managing Partner at Sincerus Advisory, an RIA based in New York City that oversees approximately $165 million in assets under management for nearly 150 client households. Despite 17 years in the financial advisory business, Dann's persistent imposter syndrome fuels his anxiety before every client meeting, driving him to maintain high standards and accountability. This relentless pursuit of excellence has enabled Dann to build a thriving financial planning business that consistently attracts new client referrals. Listen in as Dann shares how he and his partner have successfully quintupled their AUM in five years through exceptional client service that spurred referrals and led to a waitlist system, and why they continue to use an AUM fee model despite a shift towards more planning-centric services. He discusses his early career at a fee-only advisory when such paths were less common, the long hours spent building financial plans as crucial career investments, and his decision to start his own firm after not becoming a partner at his previous job. We also explore his agile approach to financial planning, his openness to incorporating clients' investment ideas, and how serving a diverse client base while building lasting relationships has helped manage his imposter syndrome and enhance his career success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/386

May 14, 2024

Danielle Howard is the owner of Wealth By Design, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Colorado that oversees about $35 million in assets under advisement for 35 client households. Danielle's unique "Financial Fingerprints To Footprints" process assists clients who have difficulty implementing financial plans by uncovering and addressing their money memories. This approach helps them understand how past financial lessons shape their current financial identities and may hinder future goal achievement. Listen in as Danielle shares how she structures her financial planning engagements, using a 5-meeting sequence focused on understanding the client's financial situation and the psychological factors influencing their money management. She discusses her transition to a planning-centric business, influenced by personal experiences with life planning questions, and explains how she adapts her client headcount to suit different life stages. We also explore the unique contributions women can make in the financial planning industry, Danielle's evolving definition of success, and the personalized career paths available in the industry that allow for personal fulfillment while aiding clients in achieving their financial goals. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/385

May 7, 2024

Hannah Provost is a partner and financial advisor at Lomanto Provost Financial Advisors, a hybrid advisory firm based out of New York State that oversees approximately $150 million in assets under management for 380 households. Hannah's unique journey in finance began with retail banking, progressing from lending and teller roles to a bank-based financial advisor, before she decided to broaden her expertise by working as an assistant under a seasoned advisor. This strategic move enriched her skills and knowledge, eventually propelling her to become a lead advisor and later a joint partner in the firm. Listen in as Hannah shares her journey of balancing work, family, and education to advance her career, emphasizing how the CFP certification guided her path and how early participation in client meetings fast-tracked her to a lead advisor role. She also reveals how leveraging community visibility and smart automation tools has been key to managing a growing client base, the importance of seeking supportive mentors as "green flags" in the industry, and how her early investments have paid off in a successful practice and robust work-life balance. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/384

Apr 30, 2024

Troy Sharpe is the Founder and CEO of Oak Harvest Financial Group, an RIA based out of Houston that oversees $750 million in assets under management for 1,000 households. Troy's firm uniquely grew its AUM from $85 million to $750 million in five years by focusing on organic growth through diverse marketing strategies, including a radio show, in-person seminars, and notably, a scalable YouTube channel. Listen in as Troy shares his innovative marketing strategies that transformed educational seminar content into targeted YouTube videos for pre-retirees and retirees, emphasizing trust over immediate sales pitches, and aiming for a threefold return on marketing investments. He also discusses the expansion of his firm's marketing and advisory teams to support its growth, the adoption of a 3-advisor pod system for enhanced client interaction, and the creation of the "Retirement Success Plan" for dynamic retirement planning. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/383

Apr 23, 2024

Tyson Ray is the CEO of FORM Wealth Advisors, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Wisconsin that oversees approximately $900 million in assets under management for just over 800 client households. Tyson's unique "Total Relationship" planning approach emphasizes assessing clients' immediate lump sum spending needs, such as new car purchases or vacations, to ensure their portfolios maintain sufficient cash reserves for these goals. Listen in as Tyson talks about his firm's unique approach, their strategic growth through acquisitions, and the crucial lessons learned on due diligence. He also shares the operational challenges he experienced, as well as the solutions he found that have streamlined his firm's operations. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/382 Securities through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA / SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. FORM Wealth Advisors is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Raymond James and its advisors do not provide tax advice. Podcast guest is Tyson Ray, CEO, Founding Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor at FORM Wealth Advisors. FORM Wealth Advisors is located at 431 Geneva National Ave S, Lake Geneva, WI, 53147; 262-686-3005.

Apr 16, 2024

Ashley Quamme is the Founder of Beyond The Plan, a consulting firm based out of Georgia that offers a Fractional Financial Behavioral Officer service, including consulting and training to advisory firms for new or existing clients. What sets Ashley apart is her expertise in psychology and couples therapy, which enables her to assist clients in managing their financial relationships and also equips advisors with strategies to overcome client obstacles. Listen in as Ashley shares insights into her work with advisory firms and her unique approach to understanding financial behaviors and biases. You'll learn how this has been instrumental in advising on challenging client situations, the ups and downs she experienced launching a consulting practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the tools she uses to enhance clients' self-awareness regarding their money mindset. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/381

Apr 9, 2024

Andrew Leonard is the Managing Partner of Geometric Wealth Advisors, an RIA based out of Washington, D.C. that oversees approximately $750 million in assets under management (AUM) for 200 clients. Andrew's firm stands out for tripling its AUM in four years, achieving this growth by mirroring the management consulting approach of their clientele—focusing first on scaling their team's talent density through careful hiring and training, then determining the number of new clients they can onboard annually based on the team's growth capacity. Listen in as Andrew shares insights on Geometric's growth strategies, from adopting management consulting firm lessons for hiring and training to the early appointment of a COO for overcoming people-management hurdles. We also discuss how he maintains a vibrant company culture virtually, provides high-touch services to affluent clients, and integrates unique investment opportunities—all while navigating the firm's expansion through the 'dangerous middle' from $200 million to $2 billion in AUM. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/380

Apr 2, 2024

Hans Blake is the founder of Intelligent Investing, an RIA based out of South Carolina that oversees $50 million in assets under management for 40 households. What's unique about Hans is how he developed Intelligrations, a financial dashboard software that simplifies clients' financial data into a single-page, comprehensive visual overview of their assets, through his desire to create a more centralized dashboard for his clients and his deep fascination of technology as a behavioral finance tool. Listen in as Hans shares his journey from the initial concept of Intelligrations, focusing on high-level financial goals and guiding client behaviors, to its development into a comprehensive software integrated with industry vendors. We also discuss how he positions Intelligent Investing as a boutique advisory for high-net-worth executives—emphasizing core values to highlight the firm's approach and distinguish between long-term and short-term clients—his discovery process for understanding client finances and values, and how he has transformed initial rejections into opportunities. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/379

Mar 26, 2024

Michael Collins is the CEO and Founder of WinCap Financial, an RIA based out of Boston that oversees $80 million in assets under management for 70 client households. Since 2021, Michael has distinguished himself by growing his firm by over $10 million in assets under management annually, utilizing leads purchased through SmartAsset and investing $5,000 per month, which has allowed him to achieve a return of $10,000 in recurring revenue within less than 100 days. Listen in as Michael shares insights into his marketing and content creation strategies, including maintaining a $5,000 per month marketing budget with a 95% failure rate by focusing on the financial ROI from successful prospects, and enhancing his SmartAsset lead conversion with a time-efficient blog writing process involving ChatGPT. He also opens up about the transition's challenges and rewards, as well as the value of persistence, innovation, and the strategic use of technology in achieving business growth and client engagement. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/378

Mar 19, 2024

Meredith Moore is the Founder and CEO of Artisan Financial Strategies, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Georgia that oversees $77 million in assets under management for 120 client households. Despite facing a daunting diagnosis of a 7cm Glioblastoma tumor in her brain in 2005—which led to years of surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy—Meredith remarkably kept her firm operational and thriving, growing it to over $1 million in annual revenue while still serving her clients. Listen in as Meredith shares how she navigated significant challenges and drove her firm's growth through strategic early hiring, a pivotal revamp of the hiring process, and specializing in advising women senior executives and entrepreneurs. She also discusses the impact of her TEDx talk on couples' dynamics with money and leveraging it as social proof to expand her professional network, as well as what has been crucial to her sustained success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/377

Mar 12, 2024

Eric Simonson, Founder & CEO of Abundo Wealth, joins the show to share how his 'advice-only' RIA model revolutionized the financial planning landscape. Despite launching just four years ago, Abundo has soared to oversee $600M in assets for 420 client households, with a unique approach generating over 30 new clients monthly. In this episode, Eric shares his strategies for empowering clients to implement investment decisions, maintaining advisor workload balance, and navigating the evolution of Abundo's fee structure, all while embracing the entrepreneurial challenges and growth opportunities of building a groundbreaking firm. Listen in to hear why Eric believes the younger generation is shifting direction when it comes to giving up control of their finances, how his team schedules meetings with clients to ensure they feel comfortable, and the steps his team takes to set expectations for their clients. You'll learn about the pivotal role of referrals, the future of social media marketing, and Eric's unwavering commitment to his vision, even during the early days when financial sacrifices were necessary. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/376

Mar 5, 2024

Rob Schultz is the Senior Partner of NWF Advisory, a hybrid firm based out of Los Angeles, where he oversees nearly $500 million in assets under management for 200 households. Rob has uniquely developed a streamlined meeting process with a standardized agenda that enables him to focus on individual client needs while managing over 20 meetings weekly, ensuring his firm's growth is both sustainable and efficient. Listen in as Rob shares how he efficiently manages those meetings through a structured agenda and the assistance of a paraplanner for preparation, alongside utilizing Microsoft Word's audio transcription for quick note-taking. He also discusses his unique journey from kinesiology and med school to finding his passion in financial planning at UCLA, a field that marries his desire to help people with his affinity for numbers, and his growth strategy through acquiring retiring advisors' practices and enhancing operational efficiency with outsourced TAMP providers and ETF model portfolios. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/375

Feb 27, 2024

Dianne Nolin is the Managing Partner of Argent Bridge Advisors, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Virginia that oversees $500 million in assets under management for 350 households. Dianne uniquely enhanced her firm's marketing and profitability by transforming its loss-leading divorce financial planning service into a profitable revenue stream, recognizing its value and charging appropriately for the extensive time invested by her team. This shift in strategy capitalized on the existing benefits provided to clients and ensured fair compensation for their efforts. Listen in as Dianne shares her journey at Argent Bridge, from becoming aware of the firm's impactful service offerings to establishing new client relationships through divorce financial planning, which enhanced the firm's growth and referability in the divorce niche. We also discuss her transition to a more formal partnership structure, her approach to clear value communication, and the realization that her strength lies in knowing whom to consult rather than having all the answers. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/374

Feb 20, 2024

Ben Hockema is the Founder of Illuminate Wealth Management, an RIA based out of Illinois that oversees $100 million in assets under management for 55 households. Ben's unique journey in the advisory world saw him rise from intern to partner over 13 years at a growing firm, only to discover a cultural mismatch. He navigated this challenge by engaging passive equity investors for his new startup RIA, enabling him to acquire a portion of his client base and establish the business he truly envisioned. Listen in as Ben shares his strategic journey in the financial advisory world and details his rapid growth from $16M to $100M in assets under management in three years. You'll also hear about his evolution from intern to partner, his realization of a misalignment with his firm's vision, and how he navigated the emotional challenges of leaving long-standing business relationships, finding invaluable support in a peer advisor study group and learning the power of asking 'dumb' questions for career growth. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/373

Feb 13, 2024

Melody Townsend is the President of Townsend Financial Planning, an RIA based out of Kentucky that oversees $112 million in assets under management for 160 client households. Embracing a transformative business model, Melody's strategy centered around providing a comprehensive suite of services, blending financial planning with investment management. This significant shift from a fee-based to a value-based model underpinned the firm's remarkable growth trajectory, leading to a near-million-dollar revenue stream. Listen in as Melody shares the intricacies of her 20-year journey, detailing the pivotal transition from financial planning to a more inclusive wealth management approach, and how this strategic shift not only quadrupled the firm's revenue, but also enhanced the quality of client services. The discussion also covers the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of team building, and the evolution of Melody's role as a leader and advisor in the financial industry. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/372

Feb 6, 2024

David Savir is the Co-Founder and CEO of Element Pointe Family Office, a fee-only RIA based out of Miami that oversees almost $1.6 billion in assets under management for 50 client households. David's unique approach at Element Pointe, developed over eight years and catering to high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients, involves an Equity Appreciation Rights plan that allows team members to share in the firm's growth. After a 3-4 year vesting period, key members can invest their earnings into becoming future partners, gaining equity, voting rights, and a place on the management team. Listen in as David shares his journey of working with ultra-high-net-worth clients, leading to a strategic focus on this group and a move away from "emerging wealth" clients to better align with their value delivery. He also discusses Element Pointe's evolution from investment management to offering comprehensive financial planning and family office services, his transition from a corporate background at Goldman Sachs and J. P. Morgan to establishing an independent firm, and the challenges of adapting to an independent firm's demands, from team management to technology integration. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/371

Jan 30, 2024

Tim Goodwin is the founder of Goodwin Investment Advisory, an RIA based out of Georgia that oversees $275 million in assets under management for 370 client households. Tim's distinct approach involves a strong focus on search engine optimization, especially Google Reviews, alongside paid search ads to attract individuals actively seeking a "financial advisor near me." This strategy has resulted in a thriving prospecting pipeline, leading Tim to triple his minimum fee requirements over the past two years due to the overwhelming demand generated. Listen in as Tim shares his journey of building a pipeline for growth through a systematic approach to online reviews, resulting in a staggering 50% of his clients posting on Google Reviews, and how his marketing strategies led to a 2.5X return in client revenue. We also discuss how Tim navigated the challenges of balancing firm profitability, employee well-being, and client service, as well as his approach to hiring from his client base, strategies for establishing trust as a young founder, and the creation of Mastermind groups to combat the loneliness at the top. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/370

Jan 23, 2024

Michelle Ogden is the founder of Ogden Wealth, an RIA based out of Florida that oversees $50 million in assets under management for 120 households. Unique in her approach, Michelle chose a cautious and deliberate path for her business growth, avoiding rapid expansion and minimal staff reliance for over a decade. This strategy, however, led to a pivotal moment where the business's success depended entirely on her, prompting her to partner with a TAMP and subsequently more than double her business by focusing on her core strengths. Listen in as Michelle shares her initial reluctance to enter the financial industry, the pivotal moments that led her to establish her own thriving RIA, and how strategic partnerships with third-party platforms catalyzed significant growth at her firm. You'll hear about how her reputation as a trusted financial guide helped expand her client base, as well as her focus on joy in her work, overcoming management challenges, and boosting revenue without increasing workload. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/369

Jan 16, 2024

Thomas Kopelman is the Co-Founder of AllStreet Wealth, a financial planning firm for millennial business owners and those with equity comp that has quickly grown to more than $500,000 of run-rate revenue generated from serving 70 ongoing households. Thomas stands out for his effective use of social media, particularly Twitter, to attract over 170 prospects this year by sharing concise, impactful blog posts. His content, though seemingly simple, directly addresses his audience's needs, making him the go-to financial advisor when they're ready to seek advice. Listen in as Thomas shares his journey from minimal social media engagement to harnessing the power of Twitter and ultimately driving substantial growth for his firm. We also discuss how he filters prospects to ensure quality interactions, his unique financial planning approach with visually appealing, customized templates, and his evolution from intending to run a solo firm to building a supportive team, enhancing both firm growth and workplace enjoyment. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/368

Jan 9, 2024

Kimberly Enders is the Lead Financial Planner and Managing Partner of Enders Wealth Management, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Michigan that oversees $50 million in assets under management for 85 client households. Kimberly's unique journey in the financial industry began with rebuilding her practice from scratch after a divorce in 2015, starting with just 12 clients and $7 million in assets. Over the past eight years, she has successfully grown her business by implementing a highly customized 12-month onboarding process for new clients, fueling rapid growth through referrals. Listen in as Kimberly shares her journey of reinventing her career after leaving a joint business with her husband, focusing on her ideal clients and making it a priority to build strong advisor/client relationships. You'll hear about the lessons she learned from exploring various roles in the financial industry, the challenges she faced in starting her own advisory firm, and how her definition of success has evolved to prioritize autonomy and control over her time, rather than just financial success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/367

Jan 2, 2024

Stevyn Guinnip is the founder of Grow Wellthy, a health and wellness consulting firm based out of Missouri that specializes in working with busy (but not always healthy) financial advisors. Stevyn stands out for her unique approach, blending her family background in financial advice with her extensive experience in health and well-being coaching. She focuses on addressing 'The Big Swap' phenomenon, where financial success often comes at the expense of health, impacting both the quality of life and retirement plans of financial advisors. Listen in as Stevyn shares her insights on the prevalent health issues among financial advisors, stemming from demanding work schedules and personal life pressures, and the critical need for balancing financial success with physical well-being. She also discusses how she leverages advisors' affinity for data and metrics to guide them towards healthier lifestyles, her personal journey—including a life-altering experience in Australia (which reshaped her approach to health and wellness)—and the importance of proactive health management. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/366

Dec 26, 2023

Rob Nelson is the CEO and Founder of NorthRock Partners, an RIA based in Minneapolis that oversees $5 billion in assets under management for 1,500 client households. Rob stands out in the advisory landscape by offering a wide array of services from bill paying to tax preparation, akin to a 'personal CFO'. He achieves this while maintaining competitive AUM-based fees, capitalizing on economies of scale to provide a comprehensive client experience at a cost similar to less extensive firms. Listen in as Rob shares insights into NorthRock Partners' impressive growth from $1 billion to $5 billion in AUM over six years, driven by organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and robust client referrals from high-earning individuals. He also discusses the firm's structure, which empowers advisors with centralized expert teams while maintaining direct client relationships, and his decision to partner with a holding company for long-term expansion. You'll learn about NorthRock's hiring strategies, the importance of practice for developing advisors, and Rob's belief in the firm's substantial untapped potential for future growth. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/365

Dec 19, 2023

Ted Jenkin is the consultant of JPTD Partners, a consulting firm based in Atlanta that helps financial advisors gather offers, negotiate, and ultimately sell their advisory firms. What sets Ted apart is his firsthand experience of selling his own $2.2 billion AUM firm, cultivated over a decade. This unique perspective as a former owner deeply influences his approach, enabling him to empathetically guide other advisors through the nuances of mergers and acquisitions. Listen in as Ted shares the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions, diving into insights from his journey of building a consulting firm and the strategies he employed, such as the 'manufactured celebrity approach', which skyrocketed his firm's success but also led to burnout. He also discusses the nuances of how buyers evaluate advisory firms, the importance of niching down for scalability, and the lessons he learned about recognizing true profit margins and the real value of a firm. You'll hear about his transition from business owner to employee post-sale, the significance of outsourcing weaknesses early on, and invaluable advice for advisors aiming to maximize their firm's value when considering a sale. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/364

Dec 12, 2023

Christa Madison is the Managing Director of Financial Planning and Business Development at Sebold Capital, a fee-only RIA based out of Chicago that oversees $300 million across more than 100 households. Christa's distinct approach lies in her adept use of business development and networking skills to rebuild her client base from scratch three times, amidst personal and professional changes. She transformed these challenges into opportunities, adapting to her evolving skills and competencies to seize larger, more profitable ventures. Listen in as Christa dives into her journey, highlighting the trials and triumphs of her initial foray into insurance sales and the pivotal role of her robust networking and follow-up strategies in rebuilding her client base through various career transitions. She also shares her belief that it takes about three years to transform initial prospecting efforts into a self-sustaining referral network, how she balanced the demands of her burgeoning career with family life, her strategic shift to the RIA channel, and how her early experiences in insurance sales fortified her skills as a financial advisor. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/363

Dec 5, 2023

Jeff Brown is the President of Stratos Private Wealth, an RIA based out of San Diego that oversees nearly $1.5 billion in assets under management for over 350 households. Jeff's firm stands out for its innovative career track system, which features well-defined performance indicators across three levels to systematically guide junior advisors toward becoming lead advisors. This unique structure not only clarifies the path to leadership, but also fosters the firm's ability to cultivate senior advisors from within. Listen in as Jeff discusses his firm's strategy of generating leads for advisors to enhance client retention and explores their unique performance review system alongside growth tactics like client referrals, content creation, and acquisitions. Jeff also reflects on his journey from a wirehouse to embracing the supported independence of Stratos Wealth Partners, the pivotal career lessons from a challenging partnership breakup that now guide his approach to forming partnerships and operations agreements, and the importance of setting ambitious goals early in one's career. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/362

Nov 28, 2023

Peter Tiboris is a Partner of Park Avenue Capital, an advisory firm affiliated with Northwestern Mutual based out of New York City that oversees $2.4 billion in assets under management for over 1,300 households. Peter and his business partner have distinctively grown their firm within the Northwestern Mutual ecosystem through organic expansion and strategic mergers and acquisitions. Their position as one of the largest Northwestern Mutual offices, coupled with their ability to leverage debt-financing, has given them a competitive edge that propels their growth. Listen in as Peter dives into Park Avenue Capital's growth strategies, highlighting their unique approach to acquisitions and the innovative bank financing arrangements that fuel their serial acquisitions. He also shares insights into the creation of 3-person advisor pods designed to enhance client capacity and the firm's commitment to a service-oriented culture that fosters client loyalty, reflects on his entry into the industry post-9/11, and breaks down his forward-thinking approach to business decisions. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/361

Nov 21, 2023

Suzanne Powell is a Senior Financial Advisor that oversees approximately $110 million in assets under management for nearly 150 households at Meridian Wealth Management, an RIA based out of Kentucky. Suzanne stands out for her strategic scheduling, amassing over $100M in AUM by concentrating client and prospect meetings into two 3-month periods each year, enabling her to dedicate the rest of the year to family. She minimizes time on prospecting by efficiently managing a continuous stream of SmartAsset leads with a highly automated response system. Listen in as Suzanne shares her expertise on driving client growth by managing SmartAsset's lead-generation service, setting up effective communication automations, and strategically targeting leads to amass nearly $70M in new assets. We also discuss how she balances a packed schedule of client meetings with preparation and follow-up tasks, using technology to efficiently present financial plans to save time, her method for nurturing long-term client relationships, and her philosophy on integrating work with quality family life now, rather than waiting for retirement. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/360

Nov 14, 2023

Eric Miller, Chief Financial Advisor and Co-Owner of Econologics Financial Advisors, joins the show today to discuss his innovative approach to financial planning. His unique Financial Prosperity Index, a comprehensive assessment covering 100 questions and 9 different domains, provides clients with a holistic view of their financial health—and helps Eric demonstrate the value of his financial planning services beyond traditional metrics like net worth and investment performance. Listen in as we discuss Eric's niche-focused practice, catering to healthcare professionals, and his successful strategies for acquiring new clients while delivering substantial value. You'll get insights into his client acquisition tactics, his evolving perspective on celebrating achievements, and his advice for young advisors on honing communication skills for a prosperous career in financial advising. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/359

Nov 7, 2023

Veronica Karas is a Senior Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST and works from the RIA's Lake Success, New York office, where she oversees $360 million in assets under management for 200 households. What sets Veronica apart is her distinctive 3-question method to garner referrals from clients, centers of influence, and even prospects—all while maintaining a genuine and non-aggressive demeanor. In this episode, Veronica dives into her blueprint for onboarding new clients, leveraging a modular planning method spread over a year, and explains the firm's structure that allows associate advisors to work with multiple senior advisors, fostering a rich learning environment and high-touch client service. We also discuss her early-career challenges, her proactive strategy of daily outreach that bolstered her lead generation, and her commitment to ethical practices, even when faced with tough career decisions. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/358

Oct 31, 2023

Jon Henderson is the Founder and CIO of Echo45 Advisors. Based in Walnut Creek, California, Echo45 Advisors oversees $163 million in assets under management for more than 180 client households. What sets Jon apart is his meticulous approach to integrating technology and personalized service, culminating in a finely-tuned advisor tech stack and a dedicated "Client Concierge" team member armed with a series of checklists to ensure unparalleled client experiences. In this episode, we delve deep into Jon's journey, from his transition to his own firm after he left his more-than-$1 billion AUM team serving 420 clients at Merrill Lynch to his strategic use of technology. You'll learn about his "high tech and high touch" mindset as he expertly navigates the dynamic landscape of financial advisory and hear insights on his holistic perspective on delivering financial services in the modern age. From his pursuit of blockchain and digital asset knowledge to his unique amalgamation of cutting-edge software and personalized service, Jon's story is a testament to the coexistence of technology and human interaction in the realm of wealth management. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/357

Oct 24, 2023

Sarah-Catherine Gutierrez is the founder of Aptus Financial, a fee-only financial planning firm based out of Arkansas that is nearing $2 million in revenue for 480 client households. What stands out about Sarah Catherine is how she has built a multi-advisor, flat-fee, advice-only firm, challenging the industry's common reliance on AUM. Her success is attributed to sustainable marketing systems that allow advisors to concentrate solely on efficient financial planning, free from the distractions of client prospecting. Listen in as Sarah-Catherine shares her strategic approach to transparently communicate her value through her financial planning fee structure and the creation of a trust-based Center of Influence, which eliminates the stress of prospect acquisition. We also discuss her efficient onboarding process that transforms prospects into clients within just two calls, her decision to segment planning fees, and the inspiration behind her custom financial planning spreadsheet. You'll hear about her tailored cashflow strategies for new physicians, her journey in trusting her instincts as a founder, and the ways her unique marketing approach has opened doors to speaking engagements and fresh prospect avenues. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/356

Oct 17, 2023

Brad Arends is the co-founder and CEO of Intellicents, an independent RIA based out of Minnesota that oversees $6 billion in assets under management for more than 3,000 households. Brad stands out for having built a multi-billion-dollar advisory firm by offering comprehensive financial planning to large company employees as an added benefit, rather than targeting multi-millionaire clients. Listen in as Brad delves into his transition from focusing on 401(k) plan participants to expanding into wealth management, addressing the challenges of shifting advisors' mindsets and the evolution of his multi-pronged business model. We also explore the implications of the Pension Protection Act on his decision-making, his strategic move to sell a significant portion of his business to prioritize personal wealth management, and his innovative use of data to craft personalized financial plans. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/355

Oct 10, 2023

Grier Rubeling is the founder of Advisor Transition Services, a consulting firm based out of North Carolina that helps advisors move from one broker-dealer or custodian's platform to another—often while breaking away to start their own firm. Grier stands out with her meticulous approach to aiding firms in swiftly transitioning custodians, a complex task both legally and emotionally. She has developed advanced, real-time Excel tools to keep advisors updated throughout the entire transition process, enabling them to resume their billing services as promptly as possible. Listen in as Grier shares her strategic approach to aiding advisors in navigating the intricate terrain of transitioning between Broker Protocol, non-Protocol, and Protocol Not Applicable (PNA) scenarios, ensuring efficient client data organization and getting advisors back to billing as soon as possible. We also discuss Grier's unique journey into the financial realm (where her intrinsic ability to streamline systems and processes established her as a distinctive expert in advisor transitions), the challenges of hiring and firing her first full-time employee, and what poses the most significant obstacle in advisor transitions. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/354

Oct 3, 2023

Brett Danko is the Founder of Brett Danko Educational Center, a CFP Board Education and Exam Prep Provider, and the CEO and Managing Partner for Main Street Financial Solutions, an independent RIA based out of Pennsylvania that oversees nearly $2 billion in assets under management for 1,700 households. Brett stands out for combining his love for teaching with financial expertise, creating one of the nation's leading CFP exam prep programs and growing his own RIA to $2 billion in AUM. Listen in as he shares his unique approach to CFP exam preparation, as well as insights into his hourly financial planning model and the innovative structure of his firm—which empowers advisors to own their client relationships and design their own fee schedules. You'll also hear about his personal journey from job loss and depression to renewed purpose, highlighting the importance of delegation, mentorship, and self-awareness in building a fulfilling career. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/353

Sep 26, 2023

Bridget Venus Grimes is the President of WealthChoice, a virtual independent RIA that oversees nearly $80 million in assets under management for 68 families, and Co-Founder of Equita Financial Network, an advisor platform that helps advisors share resources. As a solo advisor, Bridget quickly grew her firm to $77M in AUM over 7 years, but found herself stretched thin managing various business aspects while serving her clients. Instead of scaling her firm by hiring more advisors, she chose to delegate non-financial-planning tasks to virtual outsourced contractors, freeing her from day-to-day management responsibilities. Listen in as Bridget shares her journey of building her firm by outsourcing various tasks like compliance, operations, and client scheduling to focus on her niche of female executives. We also discuss her unique approach to compensation and client service, which led her to launch her own firm, and how she invested $30,000 in writing a book for credibility rather than sales. Bridget also dives into the importance of business coaching, learning not to compromise on client fit, and her decision to bring on her daughter as part of a long-term succession plan. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/352

Sep 19, 2023

Jessica Polito is the Founder and Principal for Turkey Hill Management, a mergers and acquisitions consulting firm that assists financial advisors with the sale, acquisition, integration, or merger of their firms. Jessica stands out for her specialized practice in assisting financial advisors and firms, offering comprehensive guidance—from understanding business goals and educating clients on transactions to valuing firms—all without the conflict of an investment banker's success fee. In this episode, she delves into how her investment banking experience informs her unique approach to offering independent M&A advice, as well as why she advocates for a flat-fee model to ensure unbiased counsel. She also shares invaluable insights on navigating the complexities of potential buyers and discusses her personal and professional definitions of success, which include combating imposter syndrome through thought leadership and setting a resilient example for her children. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/351

Sep 12, 2023

Jason Wenk is the CEO of Altruist, a newer RIA custodian that has quickly grown to serve more than 3,500 advisory firms and has become the fourth-largest independent RIA custodian by firm count. In response to the inefficiencies he encountered with existing RIA custodians while building his own TAMP a decade ago, Jason developed an 'all-in-one' custodian platform for RIAs, which incorporates portfolio management and performance reporting software. Listen in as he shares his journey and his all-in-one solution for RIAs, leveraging his experiences as an engineer, RIA owner, and TAMP owner to offer advisors core investment systems at a lower cost. You'll hear about his early business ventures that led him to launch his own RIA, as well as how a client's question about a fixed index annuity sparked a niche content marketing strategy that attracted hundreds of prospects per month. We also discuss Jason's belief in the application of the fiduciary standard to vendors serving advisors, his gratitude for the experiences that prepared him for launching Altruist, and his passion for creating better industry standards to make financial advice accessible to all. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/350

Sep 5, 2023

Olivia Luper is the Founder of Lexicon Advisor Marketing, a virtual outsourced digital marketing company that specializes in working with financial advisors to generate a steady flow of prospects. Olivia is unique in that she initially began as a ghostwriter for financial advisors before soon realizing that quality content needed a robust marketing system to truly attract prospects. Consequently, she expanded her firm to offer comprehensive outsourced marketing services, encompassing everything from lead magnets and mailing lists to social media ads and effective email campaigns. Listen in as Olivia unveils her three-step marketing strategy, emphasizing the importance of clarifying an advisor's message, crafting a comprehensive marketing funnel, and offering hands-on implementation for those who prefer it. We also discuss the power of social media—particularly paid ads—to drive traffic to advisors' websites (and the subsequent nurturing of these leads through a meticulously crafted 7-email sequence), the early challenges that Olivia faced in content creation, and why she believes in the power of authentic storytelling to resonate with ideal clients. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/349

Aug 29, 2023

Jeff Jones is the owner and founder of Cypress Financial Planning, an independent RIA based out of New Jersey that oversees $275 million in assets under management for 380 client households. Jeff stands out for creating custom financial planning spreadsheets in Excel that seamlessly integrate into PowerPoint presentations, an approach that not only crafts a compelling financial story for clients, but also ensures transparency in every projection. Listen in as Jeff shares how he leveraged his engineering background at Lockheed Martin to craft unique Excel spreadsheets, which later inspired a FinTech company now catering to other financial planning firms. You'll learn why he decided not to partner with the FinTech venture (opting instead for specific equity agreements to motivate partners and plan for his exit strategy), as well as how the invaluable guidance from FP Transitions helped in valuing his firm. Jeff also opens up about his early mentorship experiences and his aspirations to contribute through pro bono financial planning. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/348

Aug 22, 2023

Cary Carbonaro is the Senior Vice President and Director of Women and Wealth Services for Advisor Capital Management, an independent RIA with offices around the country that oversees more than $6 billion in assets under management for 1,700 households. Cary distinctively transitioned from selling her practice to United Capital to establishing a leadership role, only to later grapple with the sale of United Capital to Goldman Sachs. This shift presented complexities as she encountered a culture not attuned to her media-centric approach to advisor marketing. Listen in as Cary recounts her decision to launch her own advisory practice during tech crashes and dwindling marketing budgets, as well as her subsequent choice to sell to United Capital. She also discusses the transformative sale of United Capital to Goldman Sachs and its impact on her marketing strategies, her efforts to buy back her practice, and her move to a smaller firm amidst personal challenges. You'll hear about Cary's early career confidence struggles and how her evolving definition of success now goes beyond practice growth. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/347

Aug 15, 2023

Jim Ludwick is the founder of MainStreet Financial Planning, an hourly, fee-only financial planning firm, and Procrastination Junction, a coaching program for fee-only financial advisors looking to improve their sales skills. Jim stands out for his three-decade track record in transforming hesitant prospects into loyal fee-only financial planning clients, not through aggressive sales tactics, but by assisting them in their journey from their current situation to their ideal financial position, effectively helping them overcome their own procrastination. Listen in as Jim shares his journey to success in the financial services industry, discussing how he leveraged networks like the Garrett Network and NAPFA to bolster referrals, as well as why he modified his sales funnel to enhance conversion rates and profitability. You'll hear his perspective on the key to building a top-tier fee-only financial advice business, how he structured his firm around the core principle of work-life balance, and what game-changing strategy enabled him to scale his business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/346

Aug 8, 2023

Lori Van Dusen is the CEO of LVW Advisors, an independent RIA based out of New York state that oversees more than $2 billion in assets under management for over 450 small-to-mid-sized institutions and ultra-high-net-worth households. Lori's unique niche lies in her multi-decade expertise in handling the complexities of investment issues faced by small-to-mid-sized institutions and ultra-high-net-worth families, which she leverages to differentiate her RIA focused on serious investing. Listen in as Lori shares her journey to amassing extensive investment expertise, adopting a unique portfolio management strategy, establishing a governance calendar for client interactions, enduring a lawsuit from Citigroup post-independence, and learning the significance of due diligence when selecting an advisor platform. Lori also reflects on the aftermath of her decision to launch her own RIA, the challenges faced and lessons learned, her journey to rebuild billions in AUM, and her persistent optimism that shaped her into the successful advisory firm owner she is today. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/345

Aug 1, 2023

Brad Barrett is the Managing Director and Partner of One Capital Management, an independent RIA based in Westlake Village, California, that oversees $5.3 billion in assets under management for more than 2,000 client households. Brad's unique approach to business development has helped his firm scale and grow organically by creating multiple niche specializations, or business segments, each led by a dedicated advisor team. Listen in as Brad discusses the firm's unique approach to growth through the development of specialized business segments and the strategic acquisition of niche practices. You'll learn about their innovative media strategy, the importance of regular evaluation of business segments, and the lessons learned from a challenging partnership experience. Finally, Brad shares his insights on the benefits of specialization, the importance of setting realistic career expectations, and the pursuit of long-term advisor happiness and financial success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/344

Jul 25, 2023

Rita Robbins is the Founder and President of Affiliated Advisors, a Super-OSJ with Royal Alliance that supports 90 financial advisors and collectively manages $3.5 billion in assets under advisement. Rita stands out for her pioneering role in establishing one of the first woman-owned Super-OSJs nearly three decades ago. She has observed the transformation of the super-OSJ model from providing local oversight of brokers selling proprietary products to becoming back-office platforms that offer an increasingly open-architecture product shelf along with compliance, technology, marketing, business management, and other support to independent financial advisors. Listen in as Rita shares her journey through the evolution of broker-dealer platforms, her strategies for growing her platform, and how her firm thrived during the pandemic due to its robust technological support. Drawing from her decade-long experience as a wholesaler, Rita discusses the launch of her own OSJ, the expansion of her platform's leadership, and her deep understanding of the advisor community's needs. She also opens up about early-career pressures, a traumatic embezzlement incident, and her ongoing struggle with focusing on uncontrollable factors while navigating business challenges and cycles. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/343

Jul 18, 2023

Nancy Hetrick is the Founder and CEO of Smarter Divorce Solutions, a consulting firm based out of Arizona that provides financial expertise to individuals and couples going through the divorce process. Nancy's unique journey from a do-it-yourself divorce to becoming a divorce expert was driven by her personal experience of non-enforceability, leading her to help other women avoid similar situations. She successfully scaled her divorce practice to 8 team members and $1M in annual revenue, while also growing her RIA to $65M AUM by assisting clients with rollovers and investment implementation post-divorce. Listen in as Nancy shares how she overcame imposter syndrome by recognizing the value of her own life experiences, why she chose to expand her technical expertise to earn her CDFA credential and become a Master Analyst in Financial Forensics and a Certified Divorce Coach, and the strategies she used to grow her network in the divorce niche. We also discuss how she effectively communicates the value of her divorce planning work to prospects, how she earns fees on a divorce case, and what led her to sell her RIA and focus on being a solo practitioner in the divorce field. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/342

Jul 11, 2023

Thor McIlrath is the Owner of McIlrath & Eck, an independent RIA based out of Arlington, Washington, that oversees more than $610-million in assets under management for 970 households. The unique aspect of Thor's business model lies in the way he has organized his firm. Instead of subscribing to the conventional industry practice of fostering deep relationships between clients and a single advisor, Thor has innovated a system where clients interact with a variety of advisors each time they visit, which offers clients a diversity of insights on their situation over time, moving away from reliance on a singular perspective. Listen in as Thor shares his successful transition to a rotating advisor system in his firm, an innovative approach that centralizes client notes and enriches both clients and advisors with diverse insights, earning approval from 80% of his clientele. We also discuss why Thor's hiring philosophy is centered on compassion and empathy, how he ensures a good fit between clients and the firm, and how he uses an adult education class on retirement to give back to the community and drive a steady stream of new clients. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/341

Jul 4, 2023

Melissa Joy is the Founder of Pearl Planning, an independent RIA based out of Michigan that oversees more than $175-million in assets under management for over 250 households. Melissa's unique journey in financial planning saw her rise to partner in a large firm, where she had outside counsel review the partnership and operating documents akin to a pre-nuptial agreement, to safeguard her position should the relationship deteriorate. This proved invaluable as she eventually diverged from the firm's vision, and the legal precautions she took upfront ensured a smooth transition to her next venture. Listen in as Melissa shares why she hired outside counsel to review her firm's operating agreement during her partnership consideration, why she chose to acquire her CFP marks, even though she initially planned to have a career solely in operations, and why she eventually chose to leave her position as partner to start her own business. We also discuss how she strategically set up her firm as a DBA under the firm of a trusted advisor friend, how she incorporates a blend of the Entrepreneurial Operating System and Small Giants approaches in her firm, and how she cultivated hundreds of marketing contacts across numerous channels, including social media, local events, and webinars. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/340

Jun 27, 2023

Eric Roberge is the Founder and CEO of Beyond Your Hammock, an independent RIA based out of Boston that oversees $47 million in assets under management for more than 80 households. Despite his firm's impressive progress and consistent expansion over a decade, Eric faced a capacity wall as a solo advisor, experiencing setbacks when a $4-million client relocated and market volatility led to the departure of other clients, requiring him to spend a year rebuilding various components of his business to recover. In this episode, Eric shares how he implemented several strategies to address capacity constraints and meet the firm's needs, first by ramping up part-time outsourced assistance, and additionally by making the strategic decision to change the firm's meeting cadence from three times a year to a surge meeting structure, allowing him to allocate more time to focus on the overall growth of the business. We also discuss how securing a valuation for the firm provided Eric with a fresh perspective, why he has enlisted the expertise of a PR firm to secure guest podcast appearances and drive traffic to his website, and why he is grateful for the opportunities brought by the challenges he faced. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/339

Jun 20, 2023

Tony Hixon is the Co-Founder and COO for Hixon Zuercher Capital Management, an independent RIA based out of Ohio that oversees more than $300 million in assets under management for 330 client households. The tragic loss of Tony's mother just six months post-retirement led him to realize retirees' mental unpreparedness for this new phase and inspired a change in his financial planning approach, prompting him to write a book, drawing on his mother's experience to guide and honor his clients and other retirees. Listen in as Tony shares his personal experience of his mother's depression and suicide post-retirement, underscoring the importance of mental preparation for retirement and how he subsequently incorporated retirement transition coaching into his practice. We also discuss the firm's active portfolio management approach, the renaming of the firm to Hixon Zuercher Capital Management for legacy and recognition, and Tony's belief that life fulfillment starts with finding one's 'why.' For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/338

Jun 13, 2023

Danika Waddell is the President and Founder for Xena Financial Planning, a virtual advisory firm that advises 40 client households of women in tech, and supports more than $275k of ongoing revenue. Danika's unique path involved launching her own independent RIA not as an entrepreneurial endeavor, but as a result of an IAR registration filing error by her previous firm that left her unable to be compensated for her work with clients, and which consequently led her to start her own firm and register herself in order to resume working promptly. Listen in as we delve into Danika's experience with a state regulator audit that led to an investigation at her former firm, preventing her from working with clients and cutting her revenue by 50%, and which ultimately led to her choosing to launch her own firm to regain control. We also discuss Danika's inspiration to work with women in tech, strategies she used for the rapid growth of her firm, and methods for building relationships as a solo advisor to overcome loneliness that often comes with the territory. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/337

Jun 6, 2023

Adam Holt is a principal with RubinGoldman and Associates, and the Founder and CEO of Asset-Map, a financial planning tool that helps financial advisors create a visual representation of their clients' financial situations and reaches over 1.25 million users. Adam's uniqueness lies in his ability to blend his background in geographic information systems, which he acquired during his early career, with his role as a financial advisor catering to ultra-high-net-worth clients, and devising a novel approach by using "mind maps" to visually capture the intricate details of complex financial situations. Listen in as Adam shares his story and the evolution of Asset-Map, why he turned to mind maps as a powerful tool when working with ultra-high-net-worth clients (enabling him to effectively capture and convey complex financial information), and how he strategically structures Asset Maps by focusing on five key components. We also discuss the strategic hiring practices that propelled Adam to his current position, advice for advisors aspiring to launch their own fintech companies, and what he believes is the key to success for newer advisors. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/336

May 30, 2023

Tim Wyman is a Managing Partner for the Center for Financial Planning, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Michigan that oversees $1.5 billion in assets under management for 1,000 client households. Tim's uniqueness lies in his contribution as a second-generation partner in redesigning the organizational structure of the firm, helping to transform the firm's individual advisor-focused structure to an ensemble practice—and overhauling the compensation system in the process. By doing so, Tim established a systematic approach for future partnership opportunities for the next generation of financial advisors, as well as key non-advisory team members, that ensures the firm remains internally owned for the long term. Listen in as Tim shares his insights on transforming a siloed advisor structure to an ensemble practice, the impact it had on the firm's success, and how Tim and his partner developed the "Center for Financial Planning Path to Partnership" document that outlines buy-in options and criteria to become a partner at the firm. We also discuss the importance of implementing a monthly scorecard and a bi-annual report to monitor the financial health and productivity of the firm, Tim's approach to assigning client service associates, and why he believes it is crucial for newer associate planners to be involved in all client-facing activities. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/335

May 23, 2023

Meg Bartelt is the Founder and Lead Financial Planner for Flow Financial Planning, a virtual RIA serving mid-career women in tech that oversees almost $60 million in assets under management for 60 client households. Meg has transformed her business over a period of 7 years since its inception by continually adjusting her niche focus, exploring various fee models, testing different meeting schedules with clients, and altering her support team size and structure. Listen in as she reveals how she raised her minimum fees from $150 per month to $10,000 per year, why she chose to focus on women in tech as her niche market, and why she eventually evolved her niche focus from working mothers to early-to-mid-career women with a specialization in pre-IPO and IPO planning. We also discuss how she realized that she could create better efficiencies in her practice by simplifying her client offerings, how she became okay with having to let go of a team member due to financial constraints, and how she is transitioning into a new stage of life that prioritizes relationships and creating more space and freedom. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/334

May 16, 2023

Jim Dew is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dew Wealth Management, an independent RIA based out of Arizona that provides virtual "family office" style financial planning on a monthly retainer for 150 small business owners. Jim stands out for his ability to expand his boutique firm, which operates on a retainer basis, to generate over $7 million in revenue and attain a valuation of $31 million. His firm is also experiencing a remarkable organic growth rate of 40% and has achieved this success by offering a comprehensive and personalized advice service to his niche clientele of business owners. Listen in as Jim discusses the success of his retainer-based pricing model that has led to his firm being independently valued at $31 million in enterprise value, how he arrived at his retainer fees that cover a wide range of financial services, making it easier to communicate services to clients, and why they charge an upfront fee of $25,000 to prospects for a deep-dive financial planning assessment. He also shares how he has structured his firm by building a list of external tax, legal, and other professionals that have been thoroughly vetted rather than providing these services in-house, and why he has no plans to sell his firm in the near future despite its valuation. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/333

May 9, 2023

Liz Hand is the co-owner of Pleasant Wealth, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Ohio that oversees over $140 million in assets under management for 522 households. Liz stands out for her exceptional ability to manage the transition of her father's large commission-based practice with over 1,500 clients into a fee-based financial planning practice, along with her brother. What sets them apart is their dedication to ensuring that long-term clients—even those with smaller or more transactional needs—receive fair treatment throughout this transition process. Listen in as Liz shares how she and her brother refocused their niche and client loads after taking over their father's business to realize the future vision of their financial planning firm, as well as why they made the strategic decisions to sell a portion of the business and change their broker-dealer relationship. You'll learn why Liz chose to become the successor for another advisor before becoming the successor for her father, the three tiers of service they have implemented for clients, and how a mindset coach not only helped Liz gain confidence, but also inspired her to become a mindset coach herself. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/332

May 2, 2023

Jake Northrup is the Founder of Experience Your Wealth, an independent RIA based out of Rhode Island that advises 78 client households with a small team supporting nearly $700,000 of ongoing revenue. Jake stands out for his impressive achievement of generating that top revenue within just four years of starting his business and for recognizing the need to hire employees early on to avoid time constraints and capacity limitations as he scaled. Listen in as Jake shares his reason for hiring an associate and a lead advisor early on in his business, the four-meeting financial planning process his firm follows, and why he outsources investment management despite being a CFA charter holder. Jake also discusses how he grew his firm quickly, as well as how he intentionally built and staffed his practice to give himself more flexibility, allow his employees to thrive, and help his clients pursue their passions while enjoying their money. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/331

Apr 25, 2023

Ari Weisbard is Managing Partner of Values Added Financial, an independent RIA based out of Washington that oversees $143 million in assets under management for 75 client households. Ari and his partner Zach distinguish themselves by not only implementing fee minimums to ensure profitable service for clients, but also by deliberately adjusting their fees and minimums to control and accelerate their business growth according to their firm's advisor capacity—and to allow for a sustainable work-life balance. Listen in as Ari shares how he and his partner have implemented and adjusted minimum fees for new clients, as well as why they have positioned their firm as one that serves clients with progressive values. We also discuss how Ari has overcome fear and imposter syndrome, why he feels more fulfilled as an advisor than he did as a lawyer, and how he is focusing on the human aspect of financial planning and connecting with clients beyond economics. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/330

Apr 18, 2023

Charesse Spiller is the Founder and Principal Consultant for Level Best, an operations and process strategy consulting firm based out of Houston that helps advisory firms evaluate and improve their operations and processes by focusing on three pillars: streamlining, automation, and delegation. Charesse has established a distinctive consulting firm that sets itself apart by not only educating financial advisors on how to systematize and automate their processes, but also serves as an outsourced provider that builds and implements systems on behalf of clients. Listen in as Charesse discusses her approach to evaluating an advisory firm's technology, processes, and systems, why a lack of clear accountability for team members as the firm grows is often the real blocking point for larger RIAs seeking to scale, and why she created her educational resource and community to educate operations professionals on how they can optimize their systems and processes on an ongoing basis. We also discuss why she hired a financial coach to avoid burnout and improve her leadership skills, what it was like scaling a service firm and transitioning from employee to founder, and how she leveraged local mentoring programs, read business books, and formed two Mastermind groups to develop her own skills as she and her business grew. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/329

Apr 11, 2023

Thomas West is a Senior Partner for Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, an independent RIA based out of Los Angeles that oversees nearly $16 billion in assets under management, with $570 million of those assets from 250 households being managed by Thomas' practice. Thomas stands out for his innovative approach to supporting seniors who are searching for suitable housing and healthcare options while facing medical and cognitive challenges in their later years and has developed a unique offering called the Lifecare Affordability Plan, which has been tremendously successful in providing added value to his clients and their elderly parents. Listen in as Thomas shares how he realized that "one-legger" senior couples, where one spouse is healthy and the other is not, face unique challenges in making healthcare decisions with significant financial ramifications and how this led him to create the Lifecare Affordability Plan to provide guidance to senior couples dealing with medical and cognitive issues. We also discuss why over 90% of the assets managed by his firm are held on a non-discretionary basis (which has increased client communication and portfolio customization), why his firm doesn't charge more for trading assets on a discretionary basis and charges less for clients who allow them to manage with discretion, and how his definition of success has shifted from focusing on production to the impact of his elder planning work, which in turn motivates him to work harder. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/328

Apr 4, 2023

Marc Horner is the Founder of Fairhaven Wealth Management, an independent RIA based out of Illinois that oversees more than $1 billion in assets under management for 450 client households. Marc has been able to differentiate his firm by drawing upon his years of wirehouse experience to create a distinctly un -wirehouse brand that leverages parody commercials as a way to distinguish his firm's culture from prospective clients. Listen in as we discuss how Marc developed his unique marketing strategy of writing parody commercials, how he balances the serious nature of financial advising with the not-so-serious way he markets his firm, and how he became comfortable taking such a non-traditional approach to marketing. We also talk about why he decided to go independent after 14 years in the wirehouse world, how he grew his firm from $80 million in AUM to over $1 billion in under 8 years, and how he splits the growth of his team into one-third through organic hiring, one-third through recruiting, and one-third through acquisitions. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/327

Mar 28, 2023

Erica Pauly is the Founder and Owner of Track That Advisor, a consulting and coaching firm based out of Arizona that helps advisory firms track, and then improve upon, their marketing results. Erica developed a series of spreadsheet tools that measure every detail of her advisory firm's marketing funnel, and then transformed them into a system that can be used by any advisory firm to assess their marketing performance, identify areas of improvement, and benchmark against industry averages. Listen in as Erica shares how she helps firms track every step of their marketing funnel, why she prefers Google Sheets over other standalone data tracking platforms, and the 5 key marketing metrics she focuses on to obtain an overall view of a firm. We also discuss how Erica realized the demand for her particular type of work, how she has become more comfortable having difficult conversations with advisors about their marketing strategies, and why she chose not to give herself the role of CEO of Track That Advisor. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/326

Mar 21, 2023

Brenda Hiscock is a financial planner with Objective Financial Partners, an advice-only advisory firm based out of Ontario, Canada that works with clients on project-based financial plans while also offering outsourced preplanning to other Canadian advisory firms. Brenda's exceptional trait lies in the fact that she ventured into the financial services industry despite lacking any prior financial knowledge. After facing homelessness, bankruptcy, and alcoholism during her twenties, she uses her real-life experience to engage with clients on a deeper, more meaningful level. Listen in as Brenda shares how her personal experiences have significantly influenced her career as a financial planner, how the hardships she faced shaped her perspective on financial planning and insurance, and why she prioritizes working from home with a flexible work schedule for her mental health. We also discuss how she found her way to financial planning after a stint in insurance, how being a financial planner has allowed her to have a more significant impact on her clients' lives, and why she believes that new advisors should find mentors and proactively seek support to achieve their career goals. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/325

Mar 14, 2023

Nancy Knous is the CEO and Founder of Benchmark Wealth Management, an independent RIA affiliated with LPL Financial based in Memphis that oversees nearly $340 million in assets under management for nearly 1,000 client households. Despite facing a cash flow squeeze during the 2008-2009 financial crisis, Nancy's experience led to significant changes in how she managed her firm's profit margins, enabling her to scale up her business to over 20 team members and avoid cash flow problems during the pandemic. Listen in as Nancy shares her journey as a CFP professional, where she learned that a good income would not protect her from market drops, and how she transformed her money habits using Dave Ramsey's method and leveraged his SmartVestor program to grow her firm through referrals. We also discuss why she started an independent firm with LPL, how the decision ultimately shaped the way she treats her employees and led her to develop a 4-8 week in-depth hiring process to ensure each hire is a good fit, and why she believes in the importance of having employees who are not like her. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/324

Mar 7, 2023

Yonhee Choi Gordon is a Principal and the Chief Operating Officer of JMG Financial Group, an independent RIA based out of Chicago that oversees nearly $5 billion in assets under management for close to 1,500 households. What sets Yonhee apart is how, with her nearly four decades at JMG Financial Group, she has been instrumental in the company's succession plan and has personally recruited, trained, and retained the majority of the company's employees through a stringent hiring process to ensure alignment with the company's expectations and values. Listen in as we delve into Yonhee's career, including how she has been such an integral part of the hiring, training, and development systems, and how she evaluates potential candidates based on the actual tasks of the job, and how JMG structures its leadership roles and share of ownership. We also discuss why Yonhee believes that inconsistent definitions of advisor roles are contributing to the financial industry's rising level of M&A deals, why she teaches younger advisors to find their ideal role by first understanding their personal values and culture, and how her definition of success has evolved over time to focus on the impact and value she provides in the lives of the employees she leads. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/323

Feb 28, 2023

Kent Skornia is the Founder of Krilogy, an independent RIA based out of St. Louis that oversees nearly $2 billion in assets under management for 1,800 client households. Having created an internal training system at Krilogy that focuses on mentorship and education, Kent joins the show today to share his insights into recruiting and developing advisors in the financial planning industry. Listen in as he discusses his creation of the Krilogy Advisor Development System (KADS) as a proprietary training system for newer advisors to gain deeper knowledge in financial planning and grow their own book of business. You'll learn why the firm offers liquidity options for senior advisors to sell their book of business to Krilogy while still serving as an advisor, why Kent focused on building a values-based approach in the firm, and why he believes that new advisors should interview other newer advisors at their prospective firms to ensure a good fit. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/322

Feb 21, 2023

Danqin Fang is a Lead Advisor for Austin Asset, an independent RIA based out of Austin, Texas, that oversees more than $1.3 billion in assets under management for nearly 400 client households. Danqin stands out for her intentional career path in the financial services industry that involved her leaving China, learning a new language and culture in the U.S., getting a Master's in Financial Planning, and creating opportunities for herself through industry associations and networking. In this episode, she shares her journey to Lead Advisor, from connecting with the description of a CFP professional after a Google search to leaving China and immigrating to the U.S. to pursue her CFP marks and having the opportunity to follow a clear career path in finance. You'll hear about how she navigated the complexities of relocating to another country and leveraged cultural differences to better connect with clients, how she used networking opportunities to get connected with the right people in the industry (and ultimately find better jobs), and why it's important for newer and younger advisors to get clear on their vision of the future so they can work backward to figure out the next best step forward. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/321

Feb 14, 2023

Jim Dickson is the CEO and Founder of Sanctuary Wealth, an RIA platform with 80 partner firms in 29 states that collectively oversee nearly $25 billion in assets under management. Jim has successfully built an RIA platform in just 5 years through efficient management of hiring, staffing, and raising outside investor capital, while providing middle and back-office support for independent advisors and playing a unique role in helping them grow their businesses. Listen in as Jim shares why he built the "Partnered Independence" platform to provide support systems for advisors who want to run their own practices, why he created a unique partnership structure where advisor practices are their own LLCs but are also IARs under the corporate RIA of Sanctuary Wealth, and why the firm has built a centralized data warehouse providing each advisor with their own level of business intelligence. We also discuss why Jim left the wirehouse world after 25 years and took a year-long trip around the world, how he's working through the challenges associated with rapid growth, and how the demand for independence among advisors surprised him despite his two decades in the wirehouse. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/320

Feb 7, 2023

Jim Niedzinski is the Co-Founder of Motive Wealth Advisors, an independent RIA based out of Detroit that oversees $250 million in assets under management for nearly 50 households. Jim and his partner have established a successful boutique firm that competes with larger firms to attract and retain ultra-high-net-worth families by implementing a unique client task management system beyond traditional CRM, ensuring their advice is followed by clients. In this episode, Jim shares why he and his partner built their firm around Asana, a project management tool, instead of the traditional CRM system, as well as how he leveraged relationships with accountants, lawyers, and other professionals to gain a steady flow of referrals. He also talks about how they used those referrals to grow the firm from $0 in AUM to $250 million in less than 3 years and why he and his partner are intentional about serving only 25 clients each at a time. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/319

Jan 31, 2023

Ali Swart is a Partner and Managing Director for Waldron Private Wealth, a multi-family office based out of Pennsylvania that oversees nearly $3-billion in assets under management for 280 ultra-high-net-worth clients. Ali made a unique transition from a retail brokerage firm, where she served nearly 400 clients and was also responsible for acquiring more business, to a multi-family office where she works with specialized client relationship teams that limit the number of clients per advisor to no more than 10 at any given time. Listen in as Ali discusses the "white glove" service offered by her firm, which serves ultra-high-net-worth families through specialized client relationship teams focusing on wealth planning, investing, and client service, and details the in-depth financial plan offering for prospects, which can take several weeks to months to develop and aims to foster strong relationships with clients. We also discuss Ali's personal journey, including her decision to leave her previous firm and negotiate for a formal maternity leave policy, her goal to become a partner by age 40, and the importance of maintaining alignment with her core values of family, finance, and fitness. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/318

Jan 24, 2023

Jennifer Climo is the CEO and a Senior Advisor for Milestone Financial Planning, an independent RIA based out of New Hampshire that oversees $360-million in assets under management for 225 households. Despite already having a successful solo practice, Jennifer decided to merge with another solo practitioner when an opportunity presented itself during an unusual crisis, and she took on the challenge of managing the complex business dynamics that came with this decision in order to achieve her goal of expanding and growing her practice into a larger enterprise that would continue to thrive beyond her involvement. Listen in as Jennifer shares why she merged her solo practice with another firm due to an opportunity that presented itself during an unusual crisis, how she created a unique succession plan that included a 15%-of-profits retirement payout, and how this succession plan ultimately led to a second merger that allowed Jennifer to continue growing and scaling her business. We also discuss why Jennifer created an operating agreement when she added a partner to her firm, how she used the challenges that arose during the mergers to improve efficiencies and increase profitability, and what has surprised her the most about running a multi-million revenue practice. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/317

Jan 17, 2023

Matt Sonnen is the founder and CEO of PFI Advisors, a consulting firm based out of Redondo Beach, California, that helps wirehouse advisors transition to independence and provides training and consulting services to the COOs of independent RIAs to help them develop and scale their advisory businesses. Matt and his wife have taken the knowledge and experience they gained from providing hands-on support to independent advisory firms to improve their operations, technology, and scalability, and turned it into a unique offering for Chief Operating Officers in the industry, dubbed the "COO Society." Listen in as Matt shares what it takes to establish an independent advisory firm when it breaks away from a wirehouse, how he developed his "stand-up-from-scratch" breakaway experience to help RIA owners understand their operational strengths and weaknesses, and how his unique "COO Society" helps COOs become more well-rounded in their roles. We also discuss how Matt got started in his advisory career as a 22-year-old college grad, what led him to ultimately launch PFI Advisors, and how the unexpected illness and untimely death of his daughter impacted him and his wife during the early stages of his firm's launch. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/316

Jan 10, 2023

Lisa Brown is a Partner and Wealth Advisor for CI Brightworth, an RIA under the CI Financial umbrella with offices in Georgia and North Carolina that oversees nearly $5 billion in assets under management for over 1,500 households. By digging deeper into an existing firm niche focus of Coca-Cola employees within the organization, Lisa was able to write white papers for these employees that eventually built her expertise and client base within the company and led to referrals and growth from being so visible at the Coca-Cola offices. Listen in as Lisa shares how she became known as a familiar and trusted financial expert in the Coca-Cola community, how she is now beginning to guide and train the next generation of advisors in the firm on how to become effective business developers, and how she was able to build her confidence and expertise as an advisor. We also discuss how she has been able to prioritize her work so she can regain more family time, as well as why she believes the key to her success now is measured by how much she can help younger advisors build their skills and confidence and find their own path to success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/315

Jan 3, 2023

Sue Chesney is the owner of Delegated Planning, which offers virtual outsourced financial planning support to 55 advisory firms, and co-founder of Planning Zoo, an outsourced financial planning data entry business that helps current and recently graduated students from college CFP programs connect with advisory firms for paraplanner support. Through both of these firms Sue has pioneered one of the largest outsourced financial planning support firms in the country, and she shares her experience in witnessing how many advisory firms are scaling the delivery of their financial plans by separating the delivery of the plans from the creation of the plans. Listen in as Sue shares why she launched Delegated Planning and Planning Zoo to help advisors find planning and data entry support, why she feels it is important to help new planners get real-world experience under their belts, and how advisors have been able to better align their fees with the financial planning offering by charging by the hour. We also discuss how she navigates cybersecurity and E&O risks of being an outsourced financial planning service provider, why she believes that newer advisors should consider the opportunity to start their own firm one day, and what she considers the key to her success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/314

Dec 27, 2022

John Stokes is the Founder and CEO of John Stokes Financial, a hybrid advisory firm based out of California that oversees more than $400 million in AUM for 1,800 client households. John has built a really unique expertise in layoff transitions, and has leveraged corporate layoff workshops that he delivers to soon-to-be-laid-off employees. He has also built a niche focusing on helping employees go through their layoff transition, allowing him to capture the inevitable rollover and other financial planning opportunities that arise along the way. Listen in as we discuss how John has established and built relationships with large companies, and then leveraged those relationships to be their expert in layoff transitions. You'll learn what led him to pursue this niche, how he has been able to achieve a steady stream of over a hundred in-person workshops a year and a steady flow of new clients in both bull and bear markets, and why he chooses not to charge for his workshops, but instead feels that it's his duty to provide goodwill and help people through trying times. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/313

Dec 20, 2022

Emily Rassam is the Senior Financial Planner for Archer Investment Management, a virtual independent RIA based out of Texas that oversees $170 million in assets under management for 170 households. After struggling in a position with ever-mounting responsibilities and pressure that kept her away from her family, Emily made it a priority to find a position that not only appreciated the expertise she brought to the table, but also allowed for a better work/life balance. Listen in as Emily shares her experience working towards burnout at her previous firm, how this experience allowed her to get serious about finding a role that was ideal for her, and how she found her current firm and used key questions to determine whether they offered a positive work/life balance. We also discuss how she overcame imposter syndrome, how she became comfortable with shedding the typical stereotype of a financial planner focused on selling services, and why she believes that newer advisors should focus on the value they bring to clients rather than the amount of work they are doing. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/312

Dec 13, 2022

Terry Parham Jr. is the CFO and Co-Founder of Innovative Wealth Building, an independent RIA based out of Maryland that oversees nearly $330 million in assets under management for nearly 900 households. After almost failing out of the business because of a struggle to secure new clients in the first two years of his career, he changed his approach and within 18 months was one of the fastest-growing advisors in his entire company. Listen in as Terry shares how the small pivot to asking prospects upfront to commit to making a referral—only after he had shown them real financial planning value—turned his career around. We also discuss why he took time to confer with colleagues and conduct research before deciding to go independent, how he used dinner seminars as a way to consistently get $ 3 million to $ 5 million of new assets under management with every event (that cost less than $2,000 to host), and how a simple tool early in his career helped him to gain confidence and better relay information and connect with clients. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/311

Dec 6, 2022

Natalie Taylor is the owner of Natalie Taylor Consulting Services, an independent virtual RIA, and the Head of Financial Advice for Monarch Money, a personal financial management tool that helps consumers track their spending and net worth. While working for a FinTech company, Natalie realized that the way to provide the greatest amount of impact and value to the end consumer is to collect the data, deliver the advice, and filter out the rest. Listen in as Natalie shares how working for LearnVest inspired her to develop a framework for their financial advisors that focused on providing only the most impactful financial advice to help clients move forward, how she developed a brand voice to help advisors communicate advice to clients more consistently, and the catalyst that led to Natalie ultimately leaving LearnVest and dismantling the advice offering that she had originally built. We also discuss why she switched firms to get more hands-on mentoring and the opportunity to work with higher caliber clients, why it is important for newer and younger advisors to concentrate on getting clear on their values and then filtering their career choices accordingly, and why the key to her success has stemmed from developing her own personal list of six core values that she uses to filter major family and career decisions. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/310

Nov 29, 2022

Anh Tran is the Founder and Managing Partner for SageMint Wealth, a corporate LPL-affiliated RIA based out of California that oversees nearly $325 million for 195 clients. As a solo advisor, Anh differentiated her firm by leveraging the combination of a high-touch point concierge approach to client service with a unique investment management approach using very carefully chosen structured notes to differentiate her portfolio design from other advisors. Listen in as Anh shares why her firm integrates structured notes into their client portfolios despite the extra time and work that is required to conduct extensive due diligence and analysis beforehand, and how they ladder the structured notes on a rolling quarterly basis so clients can continuously reinvest at then-current rates and features. We also discuss why Anh pivoted to become a CFP from a career as an attorney, why she remains a licensed attorney still, and how she was able to find a community that uplifts her by leveraging study groups while also helping to uplift other minorities in the financial services industry. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/309

Nov 22, 2022

Matthew Blocki is the CEO of Equilibrium Wealth Advisors, an independent RIA based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that oversees more than $275 million in assets under management for 330 client households. Today Matthew joins the show to share why he and his firm decided to develop and then implement their pre-, during-, and post-meeting checklists as a way to create a more efficient process and better position themselves as their clients' personal CFOs offering a more concierge experience. Listen in as Matthew shares how he leverages one-to-many recorded videos and online FAQs to increase his communication with existing clients on key issues, what he attributes the 4x growth of his firm to, and why he made the decision to break away from a large insurance company. You will learn why he decided to go the independent RIA route, how he narrowed down the number of clients he had without losing a significant amount of revenue, and how he formulated the client capacity targets for his advisory teams that he set to determine when to hire the next new advisor. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/308

Nov 15, 2022

Stacey Hyde is the President of Envision Financial Planning, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $200 million in assets under management for 206 client households. Stacey and her partner decided to drop their FINRA licenses and launch their own RIA to gain more flexibility and independence for the firm, and in this episode, we talk about why they decided to drop their broker-dealer licenses and drop out of the corporate RIA structure. Listen in as Stacey explains what she did to simplify language for clients and help them better understand the firm's offerings, as well as why her firm implemented a fee schedule where the tiers have hard breakpoints after a certain threshold. You'll learn the processes she has put in place to more easily communicate the fee schedule to clients, how she and her firm built their client base by leveraging both client referrals and an advisor network that has many connections, and what helped Stacey to realize that she had a greater impact in her clients' lives than simply being their "advisor." For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/307

Nov 8, 2022

Cean Kenefick-Rogers is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ironwood Wealth Management, an independent RIA based out of Arizona that oversees just under $550 million of assets under management for nearly 500 households. Cean and his partners inadvertently created a three-way struggle in the early days of their firm that forced them to seek third-party intervention, restructure their partnership roles and compensation, and ultimately unlock the next stage of business growth. Listen in as Cean shares the journey that he and his partners look from brokerage firm to their own independent RIA, as well as how infighting within their firm nearly led to its dissolution—and how they ultimately managed to turn the firm around and scale the business to the next level of success. We also discuss Cean's role as CEO, including how he navigated having sole accountability and decision-making for the firm, how he adjusted his mindset from advisor to leader, and why he measures his success beyond his own contributions to the firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/306

Nov 1, 2022

Mindy Crary is the owner of Creative Money, an independent RIA based out of Seattle that offers a unique 12-month financial planning engagement that has allowed her firm to work with almost 400 households this year alone. Using organic marketing and harnessing the power of Google and Yelp, Mindy has been able to attract clients who are interested in a firm that will advise them without trying to sell them on anything else—and made it possible for her to profitably scale to nearly $1 million of revenue. Listen in as Mindy shares the journey that led her to launching her current firm and offering advice-only services with a limited-time engagement, as well as how this structure has allowed her to serve a large number of clients comfortably while scaling her business and charging lower fees than other advisors. We also discuss how Mindy has been able to attract hundreds of leads without much marketing spend, how she was able to stick to her convictions and offer financial planning in a way that made sense for her (despite the doubts of others), and why she believes that the key to enjoying a career in financial planning has more to do with staying true to your core competencies than it does with building your own practice. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/305

Oct 25, 2022

Chad Chubb is the founder of WealthKeel, an independent virtual RIA based out of Tampa, Florida, that advises on over $100 million in assets for 110 households. Chad has not only implemented a "surge meeting" approach to meet with his ongoing clients, but he has also gone further to implement a "surge onboarding" approach, where he only takes on new clients twice per year. Listen in as Chad shares the realization that led to the creation of his surge meeting and onboarding approach to the client experience that eliminates the risk of burnout and allows for him to more easily scale and control the growth of his practice. We also discuss how his pricing has evolved, why he is focused on expanding his team further so he can step into the CEO role, and why he still deals with imposter syndrome—despite the fast growth and success that he has achieved so far. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/304

Oct 18, 2022

Louis van der Merwe is the Director of Wealthup, an independent advice practice based out of Cape Town, South Africa that oversees the U.S. equivalent of almost $600 million in assets under management for 115 households. Louis and his partner initially developed a robo-advice technology prototype that automated client services, but after it failed to gain traction, they pivoted to a "fully human" financial planning practice instead. Listen in as Louis shares his journey of developing—and then pivoting away from—the robo-advice prototype that he built with his partner, as well as why he ultimately decided to leave the firm he was at after they refused to purchase the prototype despite being interested in it. We also discuss why Louis feels that his young age gave him an advantage when starting his own firm, why he feels that running his firm is just as challenging today as it was when he first started, and how his definition of success has changed from the early days of his career. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/303

Oct 11, 2022

Libby Greiwe is the owner of The Efficient Advisor, a financial advisor coaching and consulting firm based out of Ohio that focuses on helping advisors run their businesses in less time and with less stress. She does this by coaching advisors on the efficiency system that she developed by living through it herself, having grown to a $1 million revenue practice that she was able to support with a lean team and working only 25 hours per week as a busy mom. Listen in as Libby shares how she developed the system that she now coaches other advisors on, as well as how she was able to systematize the client experience. You'll learn why she decided to sell her firm and retire at the age of 37, how she was able to right-size her client load based on how much time and energy she spent with each client, and why it's important for advisors to find support in like-minded communities and work toward their own personal vision of success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/302

Oct 4, 2022

Ramit Sethi is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, I Will Teach You To Be Rich , and the owner of the online platform of the same name that offers financial educational content so consumers can get refocused on their personal finances. In this episode, Ramit explains how he encourages people to spend extravagantly on the things they love so that they can enjoy their money throughout their life and not just after retirement. Ramit also shares why he is unapologetic about his brand and how he got comfortable charging thousands of dollars for his financial education programs. Listen in as he describes how psychology plays a major role in the way people prioritize their finances, why he supports the use of financial advisors (but is critical about the traditional AUM), and what forced him to reevaluate his company's internal processes. You will learn what inspired Ramit to create a podcast that focused on couples and their money struggles, as well as why he feels it is important for younger advisors to find what makes them unique early on and market that uniqueness as a valuable differentiator when trying to find clients and build a successful practice. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/301

Sep 27, 2022

Joe Duran is a Partner and Head of Goldman Sachs Personal Financial Management, a national wealth management firm within Goldman Sachs that oversees more than $100 billion in assets under advisement for tens of thousands of client households. In this episode, Joe shares how he witnessed firsthand how the financial services industry is evolving as more banks and brokerage firms are implementing advisory services, how the shift of national firms into the advisory business is leading them to reach the next generation of clients, and why he feels that independent advisors are underestimating the power of a brand. Listen in as Joe shares why he made the big decision for United Capital to be acquired by Goldman Sachs, as well as why he feels that financial advisors are doing a disservice to themselves if they are not utilizing Fintech to develop more efficient processes. You will learn what he believes is the real threat to advisory firms, the importance of finding a way to differentiate yourself through more specialized service offerings, and why he thinks we do not need to fear robo-advisors. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/300

Sep 20, 2022

Tim Regan is the founder of PrairieView Wealth Partners, a hybrid advisory firm based out of Illinois that oversees $100 million in assets under management for 190 households. Transitioning from an insurance agency model, Tim decided to focus his hybrid firm on faith-based planning—and he offers middle and back-office support to other financial advisory firms through a separate company that he restructured from his own back office. Listen in as Tim shares how he first got comfortable with concentrating on faith-based planning despite today's often polarized environment, why he made the decision to offer back-office support under his Focus Forward business to other financial advisory firms (but keep his own marketing support in a full-time internal role), and why he decided to incorporate continuity agreements with his advisory firm under the PrairieView umbrella. We also discuss why he chose to join Thrivent Advisor Network after being a captive agent for Thrivent Financial for two decades and why he believes that it's important to hire the right people early—even if there is a fear of spending money. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/299

Sep 13, 2022

Carolyn Armitage is the President of Thrivent Advisor Network, an RIA platform that offers partnership and affiliate models for financial advisors and that oversees $6.5 billion in assets managed by over 20 affiliated independent advisories. She joins the show today to share how her experience developing strategies for broker-dealers to transition to advisory models has given her a unique perspective on the industry's ongoing evolution from brokerage to RIA platforms. Listen in as Carolyn shares how she rose through the corporate ranks in the financial services industry and made her mark by becoming an established executor for major broker-dealers that wanted to add advisory models. You'll learn how she built a new training and development platform in just three short years, why that platform was eventually disbanded for being too successful, and how Carolyn faced head-on the challenges that arose as she was building new kinds of advisory platforms within firms that were often resistant to change. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/298

Sep 6, 2022

Andy Panko is the owner of Tenon Financial, a virtual independent RIA that oversees $70 million in assets under management for 43 retired client households. Andy was able to reach his client capacity goal in only two short years by leveraging a Facebook group that he created to share his expertise directly with the types of clients that he wanted to serve. Listen in as Andy shares how he was able to leverage his Taxes in Retirement Facebook Group to grow his firm, how he inadvertently created a virtual firm through the process, and why he first structured his firm with a flat-fee model to clearly project his revenue potential. We also discuss how he was able to build his initial list of members to his Facebook group, why he created a list of advisors that have similar focuses to refer prospects to, and why he chose not to take on any more clients—even though his Facebook group is still gaining momentum. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/297

Aug 30, 2022

Ed Coambs is the founder of Healthy Love & Money, a financial therapy practice based out of North Carolina that helps families uncover and understand the roots of their underlying financial conflicts. Ed himself is a former financial advisor turned financial psychologist, and he utilizes couples therapy techniques to help his clients get to the root of the issues that may be blocking them from achieving their financial goals. Listen in as Ed shares how he connects with clients on a deeper level so they can overcome their stalling points, as well as how he knows when he needs to refer a client out to a mental health professional. We also discuss his career trajectory, from firefighter to financial advisor to financial therapist, and how he overcame the challenges he faced launching his financial therapy business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/296

Aug 23, 2022

Shari Greco Reiches is the Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer at Rappaport Reiches Capital Management, an independent RIA based out of Illinois that oversees more than $800 million in assets under management for 350 client households. After experiencing a life-changing incident, Shari created her 5-step framework and "CFO Family Checklist" that she now uses with her clients to help them stay focused on their financial plans and ensure that their plan is consistent with their personal values. Listen in as Shari shares how she developed her "Maximize the Return on Life" framework and how her team built their "CFO Family Checklist" over time to identify planning issues to discuss with clients. You'll learn how they use these tools as a form of living financial plan to help their clients stay focused on their goals and values, how their Diamond Teams approach establishes clear roles for each team member, and how they use a combination of financial planning and a passive investment approach to gain more referrals. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/295

Aug 16, 2022

Neel Shah is the Founder of Shah Total Planning, which is a combination of an independent RIA and a law firm based out of New Jersey that oversees $57 million in assets under management for 50 households. Neel himself is an estate planning attorney turned financial advisor who offers a one-stop shop for advice while outsourcing his investments, leveraging his background as an attorney to generate referrals from centers of influence to help scale his growth. Listen in as Neel shares how he transitioned from attorney to financial advisor, as well as why he went down the path of financial advice to develop deeper relationships with his clients. You'll hear why he views himself not as a career-changer, but as a career-adder, and how he has learned to get comfortable with the realities of building and scaling a business by aiming to make each year better than the last. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/294

Aug 9, 2022

Anna N'Jie-Konte is the founder of Dare to Dream Financial Planning, an independent RIA based out of the New York City that has grown to more than $400,000 in annual revenue in only 3 years by having a base of 32 ongoing clients and more than a dozen project-based planning clients who go through her one-day financial planning intensive. Anna has been able to accelerate her firm's growth by leveraging her reach through appearing on podcasts with sizeable audiences and by developing her own virtual conference that allows her to get in front of the audiences of financial influencers. Listen in as Anna shares how she used a network of 19 financial influencers to get in front of more than 1,000 highly engaged prospects during her free 5-day virtual conference, and how she vets podcasts to appear on and targets those that have not directly featured financial experts previously. We also discuss why she decided to leave her position at a broker-dealer to launch her own firm and find better work/life balance, what she believes the keys are to creating a successful career path as a financial advisor, and why it's important to know when to ask for help to avoid serious burnout. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/293

Aug 2, 2022

Matthew Topley is the Founder and CIO of Lansing Street Advisors, an independent RIA based out of Pennsylvania that oversees $160 million in assets under management for 60 client households. Matthew has been able to differentiate his firm by offering high-net-worth clients the opportunity to diversify their investment portfolio by syndicating private real estate partnerships that directly purchase individual multi-unit rental properties. In this episode, Matthew shares the realization he had that led him to diversify his own investments, as well as how he was introduced to truly passive income. Listen in to learn why he built his firm around financial planning advice (even though his background is in portfolio management), why he outsources much of his back-office services to focus specifically on conversations around financial planning advice and real estate investing opportunities, and how he uses tools and systems to execute on syndication deals on an ongoing basis throughout the year. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/292

Jul 26, 2022

Amy Irvine is the owner of Rooted Planning Group, an independent RIA based out of New York that oversees $67 million in assets under management for 175 households. Impressively, Amy has successfully managed the complexities of starting her own RIA focused on Gen X women despite seeing a very rapid expansion from 30 clients to over 100 clients in under 18 months. Listen in as she shares what made her realize that there was an untapped opportunity to provide financial planning services to career-driven Gen X women, as well as how she gained a generous amount of referrals. We also discuss how Amy managed the rapid growth of her firm, including why she chose to stop taking on any new clients for 3 months and instead hired a coach to prioritize the mental health of her staff over the economic growth of her firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/291

Jul 19, 2022

Andrew Komarow is the Founder of Tenpath Financial Group and Planning Across the Spectrum, a hybrid firm based out of Connecticut that oversees $100-million in assets under management for 100 households. Andrew identifies as a financial advisor with autism and has built a firm with a specialized niche of neurodivergent clients, helping them navigate their unique and sometimes complex financial planning challenges. Listen in as Andrew shares how being diagnosed with autism as an adult gave him the realization that he was uniquely positioned to serve other neurodivergent clients through his firm, why he credits his autism with helping him earn more than 16 financial planning designations despite never graduating high school, and how he created an impact investing index with 79 companies that embrace neurodiversity and inclusion. We also discuss how educational tools on his website and Facebook groups for the special needs community have helped Andrew grow his client base, and why he believes that hiring his first team member before he had the revenue to afford it was the best business decision he ever made. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/290

Jul 12, 2022

Kamila Elliott is the CEO and Founder of Collective Wealth Partners, an independent RIA based out of Atlanta that oversees nearly $25-million in assets under management for 175 client households. Kamila and her partners built a firm comprised entirely of Black CFP professionals that are dedicated to supporting the creation of wealth for BIPOC and underserved communities through a model that charges them for advice only, even if they don't yet have assets. Listen in as Kamila shares why she intentionally shifted her career focus to build an independent practice, how working with ultra-high-net-worth clients in her previous role gave her the skills and insight to help her firm's clients grow and retain wealth, and how she explains the value of a financial advisor to clients who have never had an advisor before. We also discuss how Collective Wealth Partners is structured, including why they chose to serve clients collectively with a team approach, and why they chose to create a firm with equal partnership in every aspect. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/289

Jul 5, 2022

Patrick Kilbane is a Partner and Director of the Divorce Advisory Group for Ullmann Wealth Partners, an independent RIA based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida that oversees $800 million in assets under management for 350 client households. After stepping away from a successful career as a family law attorney, Patrick transitioned into becoming a financial advisor who specializes in divorce with a unique value-add of being able to work collaboratively with his former legal colleagues. In this episode, we talk in-depth about this transition, including how he leverages the professionalism, trust, and connections he built as a lawyer. Listen in as Patrick shares how he utilizes his knowledge of the law to offer specialized assistance to divorcing clients so they can better prepare for meetings with their lawyers during divorce proceedings. You will learn when he realized his interest in personal finance, the ways passive income can impact one's life, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/288

Jun 28, 2022

Jennifer Murray is the owner and founder of Stonebridge Financial Advisors, an independent RIA based out of New Jersey that oversees $100 million of assets under management for 50 families. After experiencing the personal tragedy of losing her husband to cancer, Jennifer built a practice that specializes in recent widows, intentionally working with a limited number of clients to provide a more intimate service. Listen in as she shares how losing her husband prompted her to focus on providing financial advice for newly-single women, as well as how she used referrals, seminars, bereavement groups, and local hospital foundations to gain clients in the early years. You'll learn what gave Jennifer the confidence to launch her own RIA, how she handles prospects that she doesn't have the capacity to serve, and why she sees fulfillment as a financial advisor as being a combination of serving clients well and being valued by them (and paid accordingly). For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/287

Jun 21, 2022

Matt Cosgriff is the Director of Wealth Management for BerganKDV, an independent RIA based out of Minnesota that oversees more than $2 billion in assets for 1,000 households. Matt has a unique career path, having leveraged the launch of a specialized division within BerganKDV and creating a path toward leadership of the entire RIA. Listen in as we talk about how he got the opportunity to operate as an intrapreneur within the firm and developed a separate brand that catered to next-generation clients, as well as how his role as an intrapreneur also led to him having to 'side hustle' in a new retirement plan practice to justify his salary. You'll learn how he shifted from a career focus to a leadership path, the challenges he faced when he became the Director of Wealth Management at the age of 29, and the keys to a successful career in the financial planning industry. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/286

Jun 14, 2022

Ryan Townsley is the founder of Town Capital, an independent RIA based in Bel Air, Maryland, that oversees nearly $50 million in AUM for 65 client households. After spending the first 15 years of his career as a nuclear power plant supervisor, Ryan then transitioned to become a financial advisor that quickly grew to nearly $50M of AUM in under 4 years by developing a high-touch service back to those in the nuclear power industry. In this episode, he shares what inspired him to build the only financial planning firm in the country dedicated to nuclear power professionals and how he ultimately grew his client base to the successful size it is now. Listen in as Ryan explains his tireless work to develop his financial planning process that reflects nuclear power plant procedures and engineering workflows, as well as why he chooses to meet with potential clients over a several-month period before onboarding. You will learn how joining a large financial services firm helped him quickly understand that he enjoyed financial planning more than the sales and investments sides of the industry, why he was surprised at how few referrals he received when first launching his firm, and what motivated him to keep pushing forward until the new client momentum began to build. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/285

Jun 7, 2022

Andy Schwartz is a partner at Bleakley Financial Group, a hybrid advisory firm based out of New Jersey that nearly tripled in size to over $9-billion in assets after breaking away from a major insurance company. Andy and his partners have built their firm into a platform that allows advisors the opportunity to leverage centralized large firm support services while maintaining the freedom and flexibility to run their own investment book of business. Listen in as Andy shares how he and his partners have structured their firm as a cooperative with advisors sharing resources and services, and provide advisors with the space, capacity, and flexibility to grow and scale their own practices. We also discuss why they choose to reinvest money generated by the firm back into the business to provide more services that advisors can then leverage, why Andy walked away from a 30-year career with a large insurance broker dealer and a $3-billion practice to start his own firm, and why he believes that the combination of building credibility and having financial resources are the keys to truly make an impact as a financial advisor. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/284

May 31, 2022

Seth Streeter is the Founder and CIO of Mission Wealth, an independent RIA based out of Santa Barbara that oversees nearly $5-billion in AUM for over 2,000 client households. Seth has uniquely grown Mission Wealth through mergers and acquisitions, essentially hiring by acquisition as a means of acquiring the talent needed to scale the firm. Listen in as Seth shares how he uses a "Mergers and Integrations" approach to acquire top talent and how he leverages Diamond Teams, dedicated departments, internal succession plans, and partnership equity opportunities to attract entrepreneurial talent into employee roles. We also discuss how the firm uses an 11-dimension happiness framework to guide more holistic wealth discussions with clients, why they segmented their clients into four tiers and vary the services offered to each, and why Seth believes that forming referral partnerships is the key for advisors to scale their firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/283

May 24, 2022

Allison Felix is a managing partner and COO for Cassaday & Company, a hybrid advisory firm based in McLean, Virginia that oversees more than $4 billion in assets for nearly 2,500 client households. Allison has a unique story in that she has made the journey from executive assistant all the way to COO, helping the firm scale to 3X its size over the past decade alone. Today she joins the show to discuss the restructuring of the firm that ultimately pushed Allison to be chosen as the COO and the events leading up to this switch in the firm's succession plan. Listen in as Allison shares how Cassaday & Company developed its unique compensation structure, as well as how her firm has propelled its growth with weekly seminars that were honed by hiring coaches to give constructive criticism. You will learn why her firm has been expanding its service offerings, why she believes it's important for future generations (especially young women) to understand the wealth of opportunities in financial planning, and why she feels that stepping into the role of COO was pivotal to create representation for women at her firm and in the financial industry. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/282

May 17, 2022

Duncan Kelm is a managing partner for Arrow Point Wealth Management, a hybrid advisory firm based in Santa Rosa, California that oversees $163 million in assets under management for 142 client households. Today Duncan joins the show to discuss how he leverages owning and operating his own tax firm, in addition to his advisory firm, to offer more integrated tax planning and wealth management services to his small business owner clientele. Listen in as he shares how he leveraged his tax expertise and years as a business consultant to build his own tax firm to offer full suite tax and financial planning to his clients, as well as how he created what he calls "character insurance" with his clients to help them define who they are and document their ethos for future generations. You will learn how Duncan struggled to accept becoming his father's successor, what mental toughness means to him, and why he chooses to no longer be outcome-focused. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/281

May 10, 2022

Brian Carney is the co-founder of RiversEdge Advisors, an independent RIA based out of Delaware that oversees over $400 million in assets under management for 300 client households. Brian's firm doubled in only 18 months, causing burnout, staff turnover, and the need to completely re-build their infrastructure to be able to sustainably scale to the next level, and he joins the podcast today to talk about how he was able to get the firm back on track to success. Listen in as Brian shares how his firm's massive growth actually turned out to be a nightmare in disguise, as well as how he was able to turn things around. You'll learn how they have made operations a key focus of the firm and the lessons that Brian learned that will allow him to scale his firm to the next level in a sustainable and healthy way. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/280

May 3, 2022

Erika Karp is the Chief Impact Officer at Pathstone, an independent RIA based out of New Jersey that oversees $35 billion in assets under management for a few hundred ultra-high-net-worth client households. Erika has uniquely incorporated sustainable investing into her firm by utilizing an internal ESG analysis that aligns her clients' sizeable capital with their own values. Listen in as she shares what inspired her to start her own firm, as well as how she put up her own capital to launch and reached $25 million in AUM within 90 days to receive SEC approval. You'll learn how she overcame the struggle of wanting to be known as a trusted advisor while also having to get comfortable selling herself and her services, why she believes that it is most important for advisors to focus on work that brings them joy, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/279

Apr 26, 2022

Derek Gregoire is a co-owner of SHP Financial, an independent RIA based in Plymouth, Massachusetts that oversees nearly $1.2 billion of total assets for over 1,200 clients. Derek and his firm have centralized the execution of multiple marketing strategies to increase the amount of prospective client leads the firm provides to its advisors, so they in turn can concentrate more on developing client relationships, rather than chasing prospects. Today Derek joins the show to discuss how his firm has built a combination of radio programming, short interview-style television ads, seminars, and digital marketing to bring in prospects. Listen in as we talk in-depth about the simplified three-meeting sales process his firm developed that aims to avoid overwhelming prospects with choices and how his decision to centralize marketing has ultimately freed up the budget to maintain a larger service staff to ensure a more personal experience for his clients. You will learn the hard lesson Derek and his partners learned after almost reaching burnout and how he got his firm back on track for long-term growth. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/278

Apr 19, 2022

Lauren Oschman is the CEO of Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors, an independent RIA based out of Nashville that oversees $600 million in assets for nearly 500 households. Lauren has epitomized what it means to niche down by not only serving a unique niche of physicians, but also serving niches within their client base and providing hyper-specialized services that allow them to truly differentiate. Listen in as Lauren shares how her firm has developed niches within their client base to better serve them, including advising on salary contract negotiations, mortgages, and disability insurance for variable incomes. You'll learn how the adversity Lauren faced in her career has shaped how she has built her firm to make a bigger impact, as well as why she believes that learning to communicate and cultivate human connections with clients is just as important as learning how to build a financial plan. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/277

Apr 12, 2022

John Hagensen is the founder of Keystone Wealth Partners, an independent RIA based out of Arizona and North Dakota that oversees $650 million of assets under management for 1000 households. John is one of the first non-lawyer financial advisors in the nation who built, owns, and operates a law firm which he then leverages with his own tax firm to create an entirely one-stop shop for affluent clients. Listen in as John shares how he grew his firm to nearly 1,000 clients in a decade by leveraging his one-stop shop approach to gain more referrals from his affluent clients, as well as how he uses what some would consider "old school" marketing techniques to grow his reach and authority. We also talk about the mindset shift that happened as John's firm scaled, why he firmly believes that the key to happiness and success is helping to uplift those around us, and how a trip to Ethiopia changed his perspective on his purpose in life and the impact his money can have. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/276

Apr 5, 2022

Michael Chasnoff is the founder and CEO of Truepoint Wealth Counsel, an independent fee-only RIA based out of Cincinnati that oversees $4.5 billion in assets under management for 750 households. Michael has grown his firm completely organically by focusing on working with business owners and executives—and scaling his team by offering a distributed ownership structure with a broad equity participation plan. Listen in as we explore the unique structure that he has built his firm around, becoming a one-stop shop for clients offering both financial planning and in-house tax and estate planning advice. You'll learn how he sells off his own founder shares to select team members to buy into company equity, as well as how he grew his firm entirely organically by focusing on working with business owners and executives with an average of $6 million in AUM, leveraging his expertise, establishing relationships with centers of influence, and becoming an active participant in industry organizations. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/275

Mar 29, 2022

Maria King is the President and Co-Founder of Transcend Practice Management, a practice management coaching and consulting firm based in Concord, Massachusetts. Maria helps advisors with hiring and compensation plans for next-generation advisors, and goes one step further by creating legacy plans to outline an arrangement for succession. In this episode, she joins the show to discuss how she helps advisors focus on their firm's values—including business, culture, and client experience—to ensure that they choose a well-aligned successor. Listen in as we talk in-depth about how Maria utilizes the four pillars of consulting, coaching, human resources, and internal firm growth to create bespoke legacy plans for her clients. You'll learn how she helps advisors understand why it's important to recognize that their business succession decisions have a ripple effect that impacts family, staff, colleagues, and (of course) clients. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/274

Mar 22, 2022

Penny Phillips is the President and Co-Founder of Journey Strategic Wealth, an independent RIA platform for advisors to outsource their back-office compliance and operations management. Through the firms they work with, Journey Strategic Wealth oversees $3 billion in assets and offers their advisors the ability to lean into already-built processes so they can scale their own time and productivity in order to focus on the client work they enjoy. Listen in as Penny shares her journey through the advisor industry, from coaching advisors who were transitioning from insurance to financial advice, to launching her advisor platform in the middle of a pandemic. We also discuss the challenges that firms face building structures and centralizing operations (even with all the technology advancements in the industry), how Journey Strategic Wealth gives advisors the flexibility to choose how much plug-and-play support they need, and why making unpopular decisions often comes with the territory when leading a growing business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/273

Mar 15, 2022

Kate Guillen is the founder of Simplicity Operations Management, a consulting firm based out of San Diego that specializes in helping advisory firms get the most out of their Customer Relationship Management systems and streamline their internal operations. Kate uses the advisors' CRM system as the central hub for the entire business and builds out workflows from the CRM to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. Listen in as she explains how realizing that most firms are underutilizing their CRM systems inspired her to launch Simplicity Operations, what it was like launching at the beginning of the pandemic, and how she soon realized that her consulting services were needed now more than ever as firms went remote. Kate also shares why she sees the CRM system as the hub around which advisory firms should be built, the key to building solid workflows from that hub, and how firms can streamline their operations significantly by systematizing key repeatable steps of their business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/272

Mar 8, 2022

Cady North is the founder of North Financial Advisors, a boutique fee-only financial planning firm that focuses on serving female business owners. Based out of San Diego and Washington, North Financial oversees more than $24-million in assets for 30 households, and purposefully maintains a limited number of clients to create high income without the risk of burnout. Listen in as Cady shares why she built a firm around helping a younger clientele of female entrepreneurs, how she helps them balance their money goals and use their capital in the best way possible, and why she intentionally downsized to focus on quality over quantity when it comes to her clients. We also discuss how she has been able to maintain a solo advisor practice by systematizing and automating processes, why she took a 6-month sabbatical to examine what was truly important for her, and why she let go of the to-do lists to focus on feeling fulfilled both mentally and financially. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/271

Mar 1, 2022

Kyra Morris is the founder of Morris Financial Concepts, one of the oldest independent fee-only RIAs in the country. Based out of Charleston, South Carolina, Morris Financial oversees $350 million of assets under management for 250 clients—a size that Kyra has taken care to scale to by focusing on finding and retaining top talent, as well as letting go of hires who don't meet the firm's high standards. Listen in as Kyra shares how she balances her firm's growth trajectory carefully by growing fast enough to allow for her team to have new opportunities, but not so quickly that she can't find and hire the necessary talent. We also discuss how she retains top talent once she finds them, how she manages stress and finds work-life balance as a busy entrepreneur, and why she gives back to her community by creating mixed-use development that enables minority-run local businesses to flourish. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/270

Feb 22, 2022

Michael Hartman is the founder of Hyperion Financial, an independent RIA based out of Pennsylvania that oversees nearly $60 million in assets under management for 75 households. What's unique about Michael is the way he fast-tracked his fee-only RIA through the acquisition of a commission-based book of clients that he then converted to fee-only. Listen in as he shares how he got started in the financial planning industry after being in the insurance world, as well as the realization he had that led him to become an independent firm owner to serve clients the way he wanted to and achieve his own personal business aspirations. You'll hear about the challenges Michael went through while transitioning his insurance firm to financial planning, why sometimes you have to take a leap of faith to truly make your business what you know it can be, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/269

Feb 15, 2022

Patti Brennan is the CEO of Key Financial, an independent RIA based out of the Greater Philadelphia area that oversees more than $2-billion in assets under management for 800 client households. Patti has managed to scale her firm by centralizing departments into a unique team structure and systematizing processes to create a high-touch experience for clients. Listen in as we dive into how Key Financial uses customizable templates to create individual plans for each client and why Patti created a unique concierge-style client services department to help her clients feel truly valued. Patti also shares why letting go of fear and learning to trust her team was key to being able to scale her business, why she believes it's important for leaders to be able to show vulnerability, and how she optimizes her team's individual talents to create a well-oiled organization. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/268

Feb 8, 2022

Jared Siegel is a Partner at Delap Wealth Advisory, a fee-only RIA based out of Portland that oversees nearly $260 million of assets under management for over 70 client households. Jared has created a high-quality and high-touch experience for his clients by outsourcing operations, which has also allowed him to focus on the parts of his business that he loves rather than the everyday back-office minutiae. Listen in as we dive into how Jared has re-focused his firm to allow him to do the client-facing work that he really enjoys and the lessons that motivated him to spend more time in his zone of genius. Jared also shares how he develops deeper and more meaningful relationships with clients by focusing on non-financial conversations, as well as how he eventually became comfortable with adversity and can now appreciate how his early life failures have shaped him for the better. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/267

Feb 1, 2022

Jim Gold is the CEO and co-founder of Steward Partners Global Advisory, an independent advisory firm with multiple locations across the country that serves nearly 10,000 client households. Managing $16 billion of AUM under 180 financial advisors, the firm is unique in that it is attempting to recreate the wirehouse model of old by merging the "large firm" infrastructure with an employee-owner partnership model. Listen in as we dive into the "why" behind the formation of Steward Partners Global Advisory, including how Jim's firsthand experience at a wirehouse led him to build his dream business model with all the benefits of a large firm—and none of the corporate scandal or compliance issues that usually follow old-school wirehouses. Jim also shares the details of his firm's partnership model that allows for advisors to have greater career flexibility while also having a stake in the company, as well as the personal challenges he faced along the path to building the firm he had always dreamt of. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/266

Jan 25, 2022

Amy Castoro is the President and CEO of the Williams Group, a coaching and consulting firm based out of California that helps financial advisors engage with more than 800 high-net-worth families to help them develop solid foundations in heir preparedness. Amy's coaching style is unique in that she approaches families from the perspective of encouraging effective communication as wealth is inherited, rather than focusing on the tax distribution of family assets to preserve wealth. Listen in as Amy shares how she helps ultra-high-net-worth families keep their wealth past the typical three-generation cycle by encouraging communication and trust-building among family members, which is especially important given that 85% of multi-generational wealth loss is due to trust breakdown or lack of preparedness. We also talk about the 10 questions that Amy and her firm use to help not only raise awareness about the strength of a family's relationships, but also to gauge family readiness for passing on wealth from one generation to the next. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/265

Jan 18, 2022

Dan Callahan is the Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Capasso Planning Partners, an independent RIA based out of South Carolina that oversees $250 million of assets under management for 300 households. Dan and his firm began with zero clients but were able to grow substantially in only 3 years through client acquisitions by outsourcing lead generation to online third-party platforms. Listen in as Dan shares how he grew his firm virtually, the challenges and triumphs he experienced starting from zero, and how he has been able to keep pace with larger firms in terms of client outreach efforts. We also dive into how Dan uses third-party platforms to maximize his reach beyond South Carolina and how he justifies the revenue-sharing and substantial marketing costs it takes to buy leads. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/264

Jan 11, 2022

Joyce Franklin is the founder of JL Franklin Wealth Planning, an independent RIA based out of San Francisco that oversees $200 million of assets for 40 families. Joyce built a true boutique financial advisory firm by serving as a personal CFO for high-profile tech executives and positioning herself as a steward of their wealth. Listen in as we dive into how Joyce started out preparing tax returns during the tech bubble of the 1990s, as well as how she turned her tax prep side business into a boutique independent advisory firm. Joyce also shares how she has intentionally maintained a smaller client base that averages around 71 hours of work per client every year, how she became the go-to expert for entrepreneurs and executives building wealth in startups, and why she is now turning her sights to building her staff to create a future succession plan. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/263

Jan 7, 2022

Melanie Milam is an advisor with Gateway Financial Partners, a super-OSJ affiliated with LPL Financial located in Texas, where she oversees $150M of assets under management for her 110 client households. Melanie has a truly unique approach to connecting with clients by using a tried-and-true list of 34 questions that creates a deeper, longer-lasting relationship with clients. Listen in as Melanie shares how she leveraged her knowledge as a CPA, as well as her husband's managerial experience and personal connections, to launch her firm - all while homeschooling her six children. We also dive into how Melanie weaves her faith into her financial work, how she builds deep and long-lasting relationships with clients, and why she believes that women can have it all (just not all at the same time). For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/262

Dec 28, 2021

Andrew Miller is the founder of OLIO, a financial planning firm based out of Virginia that manages $275 million for over 275 households. Andrew has been able to build a scalable business model that is based on the unique complexity fees of his clients, capturing the time and effort it takes to handle their planning needs. In this episode, we talk about how Andrew developed his time-based system to price his services, how he created a financial planning proposal process to translate the value of his time into dollar amounts, and how this system has actually led the firm to do less investment work for clients. Listen in to learn why his time as a civil engineer gave him a unique understanding of how time and productivity are intertwined, as well as why his willingness to create his own definition of success has allowed his business model to thrive—despite being told it never would. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/261

Dec 21, 2021

David Ortiz is the founder of Financial Chef, a unique independent RIA that operates as a lifestyle practice in Southern California. David has combined his experience as a classically trained chef to create an experience unlike any other for his clients: literally breaking bread with them as he provides financial advice. Listen in as we dive into David's journey through the advice business, from being a chef to working for a software company, and then from life insurance to ultimately opening his own independent RIA. We also discuss how he got started with his business model, why he decided to take it mobile, and how this unique services package has helped David deepen his relationship with his clients. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/260

Dec 14, 2021

Patricia Houlihan is the Founder of Houlihan Financial Resource Group, an independent RIA based out of Washington, DC, that oversees $345 million in AUM for 150 households. She joins the show today to share how she has successfully implemented an internal succession plan with her son and a second advisor that ensures continuity of services for clients over maximizing the value of the sale, as well as why having her name as part of the firm's name is not a hindrance in her plan. Listen in as she opens up about how she has built her succession plan to put clients first, including how she has ensured relationships between all of the firm's advisors and their clients so there is trust with more than just Patricia herself. You'll learn what it was like being a female financial advisor in the 1980s—when the industry was very much a "boy's club"—and what Patricia sees as the key to success for any financial advisor. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/259

Dec 7, 2021

Joe Pitzl is the founder of Pitzl Financial, an independent RIA based out of Minneapolis that oversees nearly $270 million in assets for 270 households. Joe had a unique next-generation career path into the financial advice business, and with only 10 years of experience under his belt, launched his own firm. Listen in as he shares how he navigated into the financial planning field despite his struggles in the traditional classroom setting, how he built a network of support to the point where he never struggled to land his next career opportunity, and how he scaled his firm to $250 million of AUM in just seven years with a team of five people. We also discuss how forming a study group with other advisors at a similar age and stage was foundational to Joe's career success, as well as how he navigated the challenge of finding himself out of a job at the same time that he was starting a family and buying a house. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/258

Nov 30, 2021

Beth Jones is the co-founder of Third Eye Associates, an independent RIA based out of the Hudson Valley of New York that oversees $125 million of assets under advisement for 200 households. Beth's firm is unique in that they go deep with clients into creating a personal vision statement that truly aligns their money with their values. Listen in as we dive into Beth's financial planning process, fee structure, and client deliverables that have been a cornerstone for building her expertise as an in-depth financial planner and have led to a waitlist of new clients. We also discuss some of the challenges that she faced as she was scaling up, why she made the decision to let go of 85 of her earliest clients that were actually costing her money, and how she navigated the transition of having her co-founder retire while she continued to run the firm and serve clients. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/257

Nov 23, 2021

Vincent Barbera is the founder of Newbridge Wealth Management, an independent RIA based out of Philadelphia that oversees nearly $120-million of assets under management for 75 households. Vince stays on the cutting edge of advisor technology by continuously experimenting with new tech tools and by setting a new strategic focus every year to identify and try out a new category of solutions. Listen in as Vince gives a rundown of the technology tools that he has tried this year to improve his client experience, where he finds the latest and greatest in tech to try out, and how he compares the cost of new tools against those he already uses. We also discuss how Vince uses technology in his independent firm to stay competitive without an asset manager's size and scale, and why he has decided not to scale up to the billion-dollar mark but rather slow down and enjoy the ride. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/256

Nov 16, 2021

Cody Garrett is the founder of Measure Twice Financial, an independent RIA based out of Houston which has managed to grow to nearly $150,000 per year in annualized financial planning fees in just over six months. Cody uses an "advice-only" financial planning model that has quickly attracted a waiting list of clients who want to do it themselves, but not necessarily learn it themselves. In this episode, Cody shares why he launched with the advice-only model, where clients don't have the option to have their investments managed by the firm, but do get personalized education that they can use to manage their own finances. Listen in to learn how this model has allowed Cody to build a practice that supports his own personal lifestyle and work no more than ten hours per week, as well as how he has generated a steady stream of clients and kept the business lean so he can take home more than 90% of his gross revenue after business expenses. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/255

Nov 9, 2021

Eliza De Pardo is the founder of her eponymous advisor consulting firm, which works with mid-to-large-sized independent advisory firms. Eliza takes a unique focus on the human capital issues that arise as advisory firms scale and believes that attracting, retaining, and developing the firm's people is the biggest key to long-term success. Listen in as we discuss why the ability to attract and serve clients is crucial for firms to scale to the first $1 million of revenue, but is less important as the firm reaches and exceeds the $3 million mark. Eliza also shares why the advisors who are most effective at moving away from client-facing work have the most success scaling up, some of the key business metrics that firm owners should be monitoring as they grow, and why most advisory firms need to learn to hire sooner—but not necessarily faster. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/254

Nov 2, 2021

Robyn Crane is the founder of her own eponymous consulting firm, which offers sales and marketing coaching services with a focus on female financial advisors. Robyn has a well-defined approach for how financial advisors can not only identify their ideal client, but also implement a sustainable leads system to reach out and book appointments with qualified leads. Listen in as we discuss the issue of gender disparity in the financial planning industry, including what Robyn sees as the true reason for the disparity and what the solution is to better gender representation. She also shares the specifics behind her system for generating cold leads, how to encourage engagement from those leads, and how she teaches advisors to identify and market to their ideal client. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/253

Oct 26, 2021

Kyle Moore is the founder of Quarry Hill Advisors, an RIA based out of St. Paul, Minnesota, that oversees $165 million of assets under management for 137 households. Kyle has been able to generate extremely strong growth for his firm in only 5 years while also navigating a plethora of challenges that are common among advisory firms in the early years. Listen in as he shares why he decided to forge his own path and start an advisory firm, the techniques he used to make his firm findable online, and how one of his very first clients was a super-referrer that boosted his business in the early days of the firm. We also dive into why Kyle decided to bring on a partner—despite having a business that was growing well—and the benefits that he has gained (as well as the pitfalls he has avoided) thanks to practice management coaching programs. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/252

Oct 19, 2021

Bill Cates is the founder of Referral Coach International, an organization that helps financial advisors attract more ideal clients through referrals. He teaches advisors how to use their communication and messaging to make themselves more "referable" and to ask for an introduction instead of a less meaningful referral. Listen in as Bill shares why he makes a clear distinction between referrals and introductions, why clients are sometimes reluctant to give introductions, and how advisors can overcome those concerns. We also discuss why it's important for advisors to help clients work towards their bucket list goals in addition to their financial goals, how they can hone their messaging so that they can achieve "radical relevance" in the eyes of their clients, and why clear messaging is more important than ever in a post-pandemic world. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/251

Oct 12, 2021

Deirdre Van Nest is the founder of Crazy Good Talks, a communication coaching firm that helps financial advisors become better communicators in order to help their clients and prospects take the next desired step. She has developed a very unique process that teaches advisors how to use foundational stories to make deeper connections with those they are trying to connect with. Listen in as we dive into why Deirdre believes that every financial advisor has the potential to be an emotionally compelling and highly effective communicator, even if communication is not one of their strong suits, and how she helps advisors to become the best communicators possible. We also discuss why Deirdre believes that advisors who know that the services they are offering are changing the lives of the people they work with have an obligation to learn how to be as persuasive, inspiring, and compelling as possible. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/250

Oct 5, 2021

Drew Waldron is the co-founder of Canvas Wealth Advisors, an RIA based out of Kansas that manages $455-million for 150 families. Drew and his partner have taken the client experience to a whole new level by not only reinvesting into client services and better technology, but also by executing once-in-a-lifetime excursions exclusively for clients of the firm. Listen in as Drew shares how he and his partner have differentiated their firm by leveraging client excursions and experiences, the different kinds of adventures his firm executes for clients, and the strategy they employ to assemble clients together to foster introductions and networking opportunities. We also dive into how this unique experiences-based marketing strategy has catapulted the firm to north of $450-million in assets in just over two years and why they place so much emphasis on constantly providing added value to clients and prospects. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/249

Sep 28, 2021

J.D. Bruce is the Chief of Innovation for Abacus Wealth Partners, an RIA based out of Santa Monica that manages over $4-billion in assets for 1,900 clients. J.D. has been successful in scaling Abacus to its current size by implementing Angie Herbers' Diamond Team Model to offer a variety of different service models to different types of clients. Listen in as J.D. shares how Abacus has leveraged the power of Diamond Teams to keep clients connected to the firm while also allowing for flexibility in the advisors that they work with over time, and how this business model has allowed for the firm to segment its client base and offer a variety of different services based on the needs of those segments. We also discuss why J.D. believes that it's more important to hire team members who will challenge the cultural status quo as opposed to finding the best cultural fit, and why he believes that conflict is actually necessary for growth and change. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/248

Sep 21, 2021

Matthew Jarvis is the owner of Jarvis Financial, an RIA based out of Seattle that manages $240-million for 170 households. Matthew is incredibly focused on increasing the efficiency and profitability of his firm by systematizing his business processes, thereby delivering even more value to clients. Listen in as Matthew shares the secret behind more than doubling his AUM over the last four years, including why he made the decision to refer clients who are not a good fit for his firm to other advisors and how he ensures the transition is as smooth as possible. We also discuss how systems have played a big part in the firm's growth, allowing him to deliver more value to clients while raising his fees accordingly. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/247

Sep 14, 2021

Jessica Hovis Smith is the President of Longview Financial Advisors, an RIA based out of Alabama that oversees $194 million for 199 clients. Jessica oversaw a succession plan that brought two lifestyle practices into one employee-owned, multi-generational firm, navigating multiple transitions along the way to eventually arrive at a valuation that was fair for everyone. Listen in as Jessica shares her own personal journey to President of Longview, what it was like overseeing a succession plan that merged two lifestyle practices, and how they structured their purchase to ensure that new owners stood the best chance of staying with the firm throughout their careers. We also discuss the multiple transitions that happened along the way to arriving at a valuation that the founders and internal buyers were happy with, as well as why the actual process of arriving at that valuation was the biggest contributing factor to getting everyone's buy-in. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/246

Sep 7, 2021

John Kennedy is a founding partner of CandorPath Financial, a hybrid RIA based out of Orlando that manages $110 million for 162 families. John and his partner implemented Gino Wickman's Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) as a framework to rapidly scale their practice in a very deliberate and intentional way. Listen in as we delve into how John uses EOS to run his practice as a business, as well as how it helps him make clearer business decisions and define his core values. You'll learn how CandorPath uses social media videos to engage with prospective clients, why they developed their own Alexa Skill to foster daily touchpoints with clients between regularly scheduled meetings, and how they ensure that the practice is intentionally moving toward their long-term goals. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/245

Aug 31, 2021

Shannon McLay is the founder of The Financial Gym, an organization that offers financial coaching services on a monthly subscription basis to 3,500 Millennial and Gen-Z clients. Shannon has positioned her offerings in a similar way to personal trainers, helping people get "financially fit" through traditional financial planning services like budgeting, savings, debt management, and financial literacy. Listen in as we dive into the "aha" moment that led Shannon to launch The Financial Gym, how she convinced initial investors to buy into her business, and why she feels that an important benefit of the monthly subscription model is the accountability it places on her coaches to show value to clients. She also shares why she ditched an off-the-shelf software package and developed her own proprietary budgeting tool for clients, the lessons she learned through that development process, and why she has been able to build a diverse and inclusive team of coaches who can relate to clients in a really unique way. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/244

Aug 24, 2021

James Bogart is the CEO and President of Bogart Wealth, an RIA located in Virginia that manages $1.8 billion of assets for 900 families. James has nearly doubled his firm's AUM organically since the start of the pandemic by leveraging online educational webinars that address very specific issues regarding employee benefits for those working at certain companies in the energy sector. Listen in as James explains how his firm's success is not just a result of understanding employee benefits, but rather of applying their knowledge to specific companies' benefits to really differentiate themselves among prospects. You'll learn how he was able to leverage his CFP certification to source and interpret the requisite documentation for those companies, how he has created a marketing funnel using his webinars, and how he has been able to manage the challenges that arise with such rapid growth. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/243

Aug 17, 2021

Charlotte Geletka is the owner and managing partner of Silver Penny Financial, a hybrid RIA based out of Atlanta where Charlotte personally oversees $140 million for 150 families. After purchasing the firm from her father, Charlotte took the existing business model and built the firm around her own vision to take the firm to the next level. Listen in as she shares what her experience was like buying a legacy firm from her father, how she determined a fair price for the firm, and why she deliberately structured her seller-financed deal with an accelerated 3.5-year payback. We also dive into why leadership skills are important to a firm's ongoing success, as well as why it is important to surround yourself with other like-minded financial advisors who are pulling for you to succeed. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/242

Aug 10, 2021

Bill Bachrach is the Chairman and CEO of AdvisorRoadMap, a platform that provides training and mentorship to financial advisors to help them better attract and communicate with their ideal clients. Bill is also the creator of the values-based financial planning framework that puts a client's values and goals at the center of the financial planning conversation, and the creator of the new famous question: "what's important about money to you?" Listen in as we dive into how Bill's famous question gives advisors a powerful way to start meaningful conversations with clients and gives prospects the opportunity to communicate the value that they're looking for from a financial planning relationship. We also discuss in depth how Bill's framework helps advisors build more trust and relevance with their clients by teaching them how to listen more, say less, ask better questions, and answer questions more effectively and confidently. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/241

Aug 3, 2021

Tom Gau is a financial advisor at Materetsky Financial Group, a hybrid RIA based out of Florida that manages $525 million in AUM for just over 500 clients. Tom is a pro at translating abstract financial planning strategies into very concrete and practical terms that he can then communicate to his niche retiree clientele, addressing their very specific tax and estate planning needs. Listen in as Tom shares how he ended up being profiled in Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point , what he believes are the three keys to building a successful and thriving advisory firm, and why he decided to use his business development success to launch a coaching program for financial advisors. We also discuss how offering advanced planning services that go above and beyond investment advice—such as tax and estate planning—can be a powerful differentiator for an advisor in a saturated market. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/240

Jul 27, 2021

Ryan Frailich is the founder of Deliberate Finances, an RIA based out of New Orleans that services young professionals through a monthly subscription fee model. Ryan has intentionally built his advisory business to help people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s navigate the inevitable financial complexities of life, regardless of whether they have assets that need managing. In this episode, we discuss the reasons why Ryan has decided to niche down to serve clients who may not have liquid assets to manage, and why he believes that this part of the journey is actually more financially complex than later stages. Ryan also shares how he has created a work-life balance through the use of surge meetings, how his background as a teacher has allowed him to create business goals that maximize his financial and family well-being, and the reasons why he has decided to remain a solo advisor. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/239

Jul 20, 2021

Margaret Dechant is the CEO of 6 Meridian, a hybrid-RIA based out of Kansas that has $3-billion in assets under advisement and serves 700 clients. In 2016, Margaret and her partners broke away from a lucrative practice at Morgan Stanley to go independent, and did so by building a new firm entirely from scratch. Listen in as Margaret shares what led to her decision to break away from Morgan Stanley and why she and her partners decided to build a new firm from the ground up instead of leveraging a plug-and-play service platform provider. We also discuss how 6 Meridian is generating leads for larger and more complex clients by nurturing deeper relationships with existing referral sources, and how they are building a multi-generational firm by recruiting and developing younger advisors. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/238

Jul 13, 2021

Brittany Anderson is the President and a Partner at Sweet Financial, a hybrid RIA based out of rural Minnesota that manages $860 million in AUM for 1,100 families. Brittany joined Sweet Financial right out of college, ultimately working her way up the firm's ladder from sales associate to COO to President and one of its owners. Listen in as we discuss how Sweet Financial has steadily built close to $1 billion in AUM—despite being in a rural area with a population of only 10,000 people. You'll learn how Brittany has been able to recruit talent by focusing on cultural fit above and beyond skillset, as well as why there has never been a better time for women to join the financial services industry. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/237

Jul 6, 2021

Shauna Mace is the Founder of Inspire Growth, a sales consulting firm that helps financial advisors establish and refine their business development and sales process. Her focus is on helping advisors achieve real growth results through systematically converting leads into clients, all without coming off as too "salesy." Listen in as we discuss how Shauna teaches advisors to create relevance for prospects by actively listening to their responses to open-ended questions and simultaneously uncovering their needs while also demonstrating what working with them would look like. We also talk about the systematization of the sales process that Shauna uses with advisors and the key performance indicators that can tell you whether your marketing efforts are actually paying off. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/236

Jun 29, 2021

Georgia Lee Hussey is the Founder and CEO of Modernist Financial, a boutique RIA based out of Portland that offers deep financial planning for affluent households with a $17,500 minimum fee to get started. Georgia is passionate about aligning her own personal values with the values of her advisory firm and her clients, and creating a positive impact for her community and the financial services industry at large. Listen in as Georgia shares how she pivoted from artist to financial planner, and how her experience as an artist and running events in the artistic community served her well as a new planner generating new business. We also discuss why conscious capitalism and profit are not mutually exclusive, how Georgia helps clients get clear on their goals and then align their financial decisions around those goals, and how she uses political discussions in client meetings to help clients understand how their financial decisions affect the world around them. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/235

Jun 22, 2021

Yohance Harrison is the founder of Money Script Wealth Management, an RIA based out of Texas that offers ongoing financial planning services to 225 young healthcare professionals. Yohance uses a unique model of monthly subscription fees and charging for subsequent implementation, and his zone of genius is helping his clients identify and change their personal money scripts to better align their financial decisions with their goals. Listen in as Yohance shares how he has tapped into the power of referrals to build his client base and dives into why he uses a mix of client tiers to profitably serve clients while also meeting their unique needs. He also talks about how he helps clients identify and change their personal money scripts so they can better reach their financial goals, and what he sees as lacking in the financial planning industry when it comes to attracting diverse talent. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/234

Jun 15, 2021

Patty Kreamer is the co-owner of Productivity Uncorked, a productivity coaching firm that specializes in helping financial advisors become more organized and efficient so that they have more time to focus on what is really important in their personal and professional lives. At the heart of their methodology is a focus on prioritizing the things that get us out of bed in the morning, rather than implementing technology tools meant to increase productivity on the front end. Listen in as we discuss the practical things that you can use today to increase your productivity and focus, the importance of having clear boundaries with clients, and how delegating can be a game-changer for busy advisors. Patty also shares the number one key to scaling your business, which surprisingly has more to do with mindset and self-confidence than it does with being productive and efficient in the business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/233

Jun 8, 2021

Jamie Bosse is a financial planner with Aspyre Wealth Partners, an RIA based in Kansas that oversees nearly $500-million in assets for 275 families. Jamie is also the Money Boss Mom, having been able to balance her responsibilities within the firm while also writing a series of children's books on personal finance, and a soon-to-be-published adult book for new parents. Listen in as Jamie shares the learning process in her journey to publishing books with Amazon, including how much it costs to self-publish, what the revenue split is with Amazon, and what the major differences are between self-publishing and traditional publishing. We also talk about planner fees, how Aspyre Wealth Partners has implemented a subscription business model, and some of the technology they use to make planning and client meetings more efficient. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/232

Jun 1, 2021

Michael Goodman is the Founder and President of Wealthstream Advisors, a family RIA based out of Manhattan that manages over $1-billion in assets for 350 client families. Michael first started his career as a CPA before transitioning to financial planning and building a firm that will outlast his retirement. Listen in as Michael shares his unique journey from CPA to financial planner, eventually building his own firm that allows him to do what he loves best: serving clients. We also discuss how his personality and optimism were instrumental in helping him stay the course during the hard times, why working with a consultant was the catalyst that led him to where he is today, and the biggest change he had to make when taking a risk to change focus and scale. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/231

May 25, 2021

Dan Moisand is the Principal of Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo, a fee-only RIA based out of Melbourne, Florida, that manages over $800-million in assets for 650 clients. Dan is a pro at communicating the value of financial planning to clients in a clear and compelling way, and is a perfect example of how focusing on planning issues with clients emphasizes the role as financial planner, regardless of how advisory fees are structured. Listen in as Dan shares his thoughts on the AUM model, advisor fees, and why many of the concerns among advisors for both are overblown or erroneous. We also discuss how the financial planning industry has changed over the 30 years of Dan's career, and why the one thing that has not changed is still the most important part of the client relationship. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/230

May 18, 2021

Alexandra Armstrong is the founder and chairwoman emeritus of Armstrong Fleming & Moore, a hybrid RIA based out of Washington, DC. Alex has a long and experienced 40-year career in the financial services industry, having first launched her firm in 1983 and subsequently selling it to four different successors. Alexandra is a true pioneer of the industry and brings a wealth of wisdom that she shares with us, including what set her apart in the early days of her career, what it was like being female in a primarily male-dominated industry, and what the real secret of her success was. She also discusses what the industry was like when she first earned her CFP marks in 1977, and explains why she believes that financial planning is an ideal career for women. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/229

May 11, 2021

Jeremy Keil is the founder of Keil Financial Partners, a hybrid RIA from Milwaukee that manages $85-million for 170 clients. Jeremy has leveraged two lead generation services to grow his firm by twice its size in only two years, and also outsources his lead follow-up so he only spends time meeting with the most qualified prospects. Listen in as Jeremy shares why he chose to use an external lead generation and follow-up service, how this strategy has helped him scale faster, and how he has compounded the benefits of purchasing leads by nurturing those leads with high-value digital marketing content. We also discuss how he has increased his firm's growth trajectory by focusing on meeting the unique planning challenges of Harley-Davidson employees, and he gives us insight into what he feels is his most valuable client deliverable. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/228

May 4, 2021

Leighann Miko is the founder of Equalis Financial, a fully virtual advisory firm that offers ongoing planning services for 45 creatives within the LGBTQ community. Leighann has been able to realize financial freedom in her own life by serving a unique community that she is also a part of and that often face financial insecurity. In this episode, Leighann shares her story about how her family's money insecurities growing up led her to a career path in financial planning and how a failed succession plan was the catalyst for her starting her own firm to serve the LGBTQ community. She also discusses the benefits of being part of the community that you serve, why she hired a copywriter to convey her value to prospective clients, and how she adapted Kinder's three famous questions for the LGBTQ community. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/227

Apr 27, 2021

Paul Saganey is the President and Founder of Integrated Partners, a hybrid RIA based out of Waltham, MA, that manages over $10 billion for 18,000 affluent clients. Paul has managed to generate hyper growth for his firm through strategic alliances with accountants who act as a resource for CPA firms to build out their financial services divisions. In this episode, Paul details how he built his advisory firm through a robust referral program with CPAs, including the terms of engagement and how they structured client interactions. He also shares why he made the decision to partner with CPAs in particular, and how that partnership has helped him scale and grow to manage fewer clients who are more affluent. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/226

Apr 20, 2021

Matt Gulbransen is the President of Pine Grove Financial Group, an RIA based in Minnesota that manages over $550 million for 325 families. Despite the widely held belief that direct mail and educational seminars no longer work, Matt has continued to see positive marketing results from both over the past decade. In this episode, Matt shares how he uses in-person seminar events geared toward educating people about financial planning and then convincing them to work with him to navigate the many life transitions on the way to retirement. We also talk about how Pine Grove has pivoted from in-person seminars to webinars due to the pandemic, as well as how that has affected their overall conversions. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/225

Apr 13, 2021

Amy Mullen is the President of Money Quotient, a company that has developed tools and training to help advisors have more meaningful conversations with their clients. Money Quotient's offering is unique in that they not only give advisors the tools to help clients achieve their goals, but they also help clients get clarity around what is most important to them so they can create goals they're motivated to hit—and so the advisor becomes a partner in achieving those goals. In this episode, we talk about how Money Quotient helps advisors guide their clients to gain self-awareness around their values and how that realization then helps make financial decisions easier for the client. Amy also shares the system that makes Money Quotient so unique and how this system helps advisors leverage the resulting relationship with their clients to create a fully developed client experience. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/224

Apr 6, 2021

Marianela Collado is the CEO and majority shareholder of Tobias Financial Advisors, an independent RIA based in Florida that manages over $500 million in AUM for 257 clients. Marianela navigated an accelerated succession plan laid out by the founder of Tobias Financial, and has successfully grown the firm from a one-person operation to a staff of sixteen with an eye towards a subsequent succession plan. Listen in as Marianela explains why she decided to keep the name Tobias Financial Advisors and how she has created such a great client experience that many clients are eager to refer others to the firm. She also shares how they have built a diverse team of advisors and a support staff that has earned them industry recognition, as well as why a succession plan was essential to making sure the client transition was a smooth and positive experience. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/223

Mar 30, 2021

Jonathan Kuttin is the founder of Kuttin Wealth Management, a hybrid RIA based out of Long Island, New York that manages over $3 billion dollars for 5,500 clients. Kuttin Wealth has grown to the point where Jonathan made the decision to separate client-facing service from leadership and operations, which allows for employees to focus solely on what they're truly good at—and has allowed the firm to grow even further. In this episode, Jonathan explains why he created three distinct roles within his firm and how this silo of roles has led to both superior results and better clarity around responsibilities within the firm. He also shares the hard lesson he learned about the importance of legal agreements, the five leadership areas he cultivates in every area of the firm, and why supporting employees to get what they want out of life is a cornerstone principle of his firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/222

Mar 23, 2021

Miye Wire is the founder of an eponymous hybrid RIA that manages $200 million dollars for 250 young professional families and has become the go-to benefits and equity compensation expert for Microsoft employees. Miye has built her firm around a robust referral engine from her niche, thanks in part to the memorable client events she hosts throughout the year that create a unique sense of community for her clients. In this episode, she shares how her events and community strategy have led to her firm being built upon referrals, as well as why she has taken a team approach in her firm to make sure that not only are client inquiries handled promptly, but advisors are able to create more work-life balance. Listen in to learn how Miye shifted away from worrying about whether she was fitting into a certain financial advisor type and embraced what makes her—and her firm—different. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/221

Mar 16, 2021

Shane Mason is the co-founder of Brooklyn FI, a fee-only RIA that was founded in 2018 in Brooklyn but that has since shifted to being fully virtual. Brooklyn FI was built in the style of a tech startup where their financial advice service offering is a product unto itself, and they currently serve 159 next-generation clients charging a fee of around $500 per month. Listen in as Shane explains why Brooklyn FI decided to launch into a niche of high-income sole proprietors before deciding to pivot to working with people who work in the tech industry, and how their new niche has resulted in nearly all of the firm's new clients coming from referrals. Shane also shares how the pandemic pushed Brooklyn FI to be virtual, why they post their fees directly on their website, and how Shane's 50/50 partnership with his co-founder has been the secret sauce to their rapid growth. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/220

Mar 9, 2021

Coventry Edwards-Pitt is the Chief Wealth Advisory Officer at Ballentine Partners, a wealth management firm that oversees nearly $8 billion in AUM for 230 ultra-wealthy families. Breaking down the math, that means each family that Ballentine serves has an average of $35 million of investable assets, making their wealth management practice highly unique—with a focus on the issues that reach far beyond this generation and the next. In this episode, Coventry shares how serving ultra-rich clients comes with challenges that many advisors will never manage, as well as what it really means to provide wealth management services to clients with millions in net worth. She also dives into parenting children in ultra-high net worth families and shares the common factors of well-grounded and well-rounded wealthy children. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/219

Mar 2, 2021

Maura Griffin is the founder of Blue Spark Financial, an independent RIA that oversees more than $150 million of assets for nearly 90 clients who are primarily single women making financial decisions on their own for the first time. Maura built her practice from scratch by charging high school parents a flat fee to help them with financial aid planning for their children, which she was then able to turn into established relationships that led to more comprehensive planning relationships. In this episode, Maura shares how having a financial reserve when she launched her firm was so crucial to give her not only peace of mind and confidence, but also the flexibility to build her business with intention—and without feeling pressured to take on work that she didn't want. She will also dive into how she used a specific niche to help grow her firm, why she decided to pivot to focus on working with her current base of clients, and why she has made the intentional decision to structure her business as a lifestyle practice despite the naysayers. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/218

Feb 23, 2021

Sophia Bera is a past guest of the podcast, and originally wrote a guest post for Nerd's Eye View as far back as 2013. If you missed her before, she is the founder of Gen Y Planning, an independent RIA that serves just under 100 young professionals—and that was also one of the first location-independent firms in the financial planning industry. Listen in as we catch up on how Gen Y Planning has shifted over the years, why net worth reporting is not at the heart of Gen Y's planning process, and why their focus with clients is more on short-term goals versus long-term metrics. Sophia will also share how she created a work-life balance that allows her to spend more time doing what she loves, and how she was able to take four months away from the business on maternity leave without the business skipping a beat. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/217

Feb 16, 2021

Jason Zweig is a financial journalist who not only wrote one of the first books on behavioral finance neuroeconomics, but also writes "The Intelligent Investor" column for the Wall Street Journal . A senior writer for Money magazine and a guest columnist for Time magazine and CNN.com, Jason has a truly unique perspective on the financial services industry, having covered it for nearly 25 years. Listen in as he shares his perspective on the financial services industry, including why the AUM model is outdated, how he views the evolution of the financial advice business, and why he sees the future of the industry as more curatorial. You'll learn his take on where he believes new advisors should be focusing their energy for success and why it's actually a good thing to admit when you don't know the answer to a question. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/216

Feb 9, 2021

Shawn Tydlaska is the founder of Ballast Point Financial Planning, an independent RIA based in the San Francisco Bay Area that serves 117 high-income young professionals across the country, helping them turn income into wealth. Ballast Point is unique in that it uses a blended model of a minimum $5,000 retainer paid monthly, plus an additional fee of ten basis points above $2 million to adjust pricing upward for the most complex clients. In this episode, we talk about how Shawn structures his services and the foundation that forms the basis of his planning process with clients. Listen in to hear about the tracking system he put in place to not only show his worth to clients, but also to increase his own confidence in what he offers. You'll learn how he was able to build his firm so quickly in the five years since he started, what he says was key to his firm's growth in the early days, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/215

Feb 2, 2021

Olivia Summerhill is the founder of Summerhill Wealth, an independent RIA based near Seattle that exclusively works with ultra-high net worth women who are adjusting to life during—and after—divorce. Olivia is a great example of how many of us navigate through the industry, having gone from a large national firm to launching her own firm focusing on this very specialized niche. Not only does Olivia's niche make her unique, but her fees and client base are also specialized: she charges $20,000 for an engagement and commits to working with no more than five active clients at a time. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, she provides financial advice and planning, and she holds the hands of clients as they navigate through many "firsts" after divorce, including buying a house and managing a budget. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/214

Jan 26, 2021

Dave Yeske is the co-founder of Yeske Buie, an independent RIA based out of San Francisco that oversees $740 million of assets under management for more than 300 affluent clients. Dave has successfully blended together academic financial planning research with the practice of financial planning to culminate in an evidence- and policy-based financial planning approach that sets clients up with the confidence to handle any number of future scenarios with ease. Listen in as Dave shares in detail how his firm applies evidence-based planning and how this approach helps to reduce client stress during market volatility. He will also discuss why it's important to be ready to adapt to change instead of trying to predict the future, where his passion for academic research came from (and how he applies it to financial planning), and why he was motivated to create what may have been the very first financial planning client portal ever. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/213

Jan 19, 2021

Alex Hopkin is the founder of Simply Paraplanner, a job board and training portal for U.S.-based virtual paraplanners. Simply Paraplanner is not just a way for paraplanners and firms to connect, but the platform also supports the ongoing evolution of paraplanning from an entry-level support role into a dedicated career path. In this episode, Alex shares why she created Simply Paraplanner, what paraplanners really do in an advisory firm to make it more efficient, and the best way to divvy up tasks between a paraplanner and an advisor. She'll also discuss how the internal process of creating a financial plan needs to change when a paraplanner is crafting the plan but a lead advisor is actually executing it, and how the technical demands of the paraplanner role have changed to the point where traditional certifications are no longer sufficient to be successful as a professional paraplanner. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/212

Jan 12, 2021

Kristin Harad is the founder of a marketing consulting firm that focuses on coaching solo advisors to reach the next level and outsource CMO services for RIAs and mid-size firms. In addition to working as a marketing consultant, Kristin also has her own advisory firm that she launched from scratch and grew to six figures in fee-only revenue in just three years. She now uses her experience and expertise to coach other advisors to scale in the same way. Listen in as Kristin shares how her journey through the consumer goods and financial industries set the stage for her advisory and consulting passions, how her interest in life coaching played a role in the launch of her own advisory, and how she was able to market in an extremely cost-efficient but effective way to her niche client. You'll learn how she has been able to have one of her best years in business despite the global circumstances, what challenges she faced when uprooting her family and moving to Australia, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/211

Jan 5, 2021

Sten Morgan is the founder of Legacy Investment Planning, a hybrid advisory firm near Nashville that generates more than $2 million in revenue per year from 220 affluent clients. Sten is one of the most accomplished young advisors in the country and has built his success by focusing on putting himself—and his advice—at the forefront of his product offering. Listen in as Sten shares how he built his advisory firm by using a philosophy that embraces "the advisor is the product," and why he charges a full-rate financial planning fee with a monthly retainer in the hundreds or thousands of dollars—and then discounts his AUM fees for those who subsequently implement with him. He'll also dive into how he quantifies the economic benefits his advice will bring to get clients comfortable with his fees, the mindset changes that were critical for him to turn a struggling advisory into a successful one, and why it's best to start not with your why but with your who . For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/210

Dec 29, 2020

Forrest Baumhover is a financial advisor and partner with Lawrence Financial Planning, an independent RIA based in Tampa that oversees more than $100 million of assets under management for 70 affluent clients. Forrest's path to partnership as a financial advisor was a unique journey from the military to his own firm to merging with a larger firm—and quickly becoming a partner of that firm. Forrest joins me today to share how he built his advisory from the ground up—starting before he even left the military—and the challenges he faced along the way. He'll also discuss the groundwork he put in place before retiring from the military so he could hit the ground running, why he made the decision to merge his firm with another larger firm, and what the process was like becoming a full partner at the table with Lawrence Financial Planning. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/209

Dec 22, 2020

Debbie Freeman is a partner with Peak Financial Advisors, an independent RIA out of Denver, Colorado that oversees $175 million of assets under management for 105 families. Peak Financial is unique in that they not only do tax planning, but also in-house tax preparation as a value-add service for their clients. Listen in as Debbie explains why her firm views tax preparation as an essential component to service and retain their client base, as well as how they actually manage operating a tax preparation business within their firm. You'll learn how maternity leave gave her and her firm a newfound appreciation for each other—eventually leading her to become an owner—and how a personal tragedy changed how she views not only life, but her career as well. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/208

Dec 15, 2020

Lindsay Elwood-Goetz is the founder of Elwood & Goetz, an independent RIA based out of Athens, Georgia that oversees $365 million in AUM for 375 affluent clients. Lindsay launched her business within a year of graduating from the Texas Tech Financial Planning Program and has been able to steadily grow and create a firm that works for her, her team, and the clients she serves. Listen is as Lindsay explains how it was serendipity that led her into the financial planning world, how she first approached job-hunting once she graduated to only focus on the firms she really wanted to work with, and why she eventually forged her own path to start her own advisory. She'll also share her insight into why it's important to persevere and try different things until you find what works, how her firm is managing client interactions during the pandemic, and why the details can say so much more about your firm than you might think. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/207

Dec 8, 2020

Drew Stotler is the founder of Stotler Wealth Management, a hybrid advisory firm based in St. Louis that serves 100 middle-income clients. Drew had a unique journey to building his own advisory firm, having started first in the employee advisor model at Edward Jones and moved to an independent broker-dealer—where he was hit with a temporary restraining order after leaving—before finally building his own advisory firm the way he always wanted to. In this episode, Drew shares how he built his career as a financial advisor, including what it was like focusing on anti-money laundering at Edward Jones before becoming an advisor. Listen in to learn how he built his early client base, what books gave him the inspiration to keep moving forward despite the challenging years, and how he has built his practice while also navigating the stringent non-solicit provisions put forth by Edward Jones. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/206

Dec 1, 2020

Marina Hernández is the founder of Swiss American Wealth Advisors, an independent RIA that specializes in working with cross-border Swiss-American expatriates. Marina's model is unique because her niche allows her to work with next-generation clients and face little to no competition, all while commanding sizable financial planning fees from clients. In this episode, Marina shares how she has made her chosen niche work for her, how cross-border planning can be exceptionally complex (especially when it comes to taxation), and how the U.S. has placed extra layers of tax reporting on expatriates to prevent money laundering and foreign tax cheats. She also shares her very unique journey to launching her own firm, how she manages to keep her workflow efficient despite the challenges her specialization creates, and how some of her biggest obstacles were those that were least expected. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/205

Nov 24, 2020

Blair DuQuesnay is a financial advisor with Ritholtz Wealth Management, an independent RIA based in New York City that oversees nearly $1.3 billion of assets under management for more than 1,000 affluent clients. Blair had a unique journey to her current role, where she has built a strong client base managing $90 million of assets in under 2.5 years by focusing on client relationships and the investment committee work instead of prospecting. Listen in as we talk about Blair's journey through the industry, from a major wirehouse where she broke away after the financial crisis, to various operational and investment support roles, to launching her own independent RIA as a reluctant entrepreneur, and eventually landing in her current role with Ritholtz. She'll also be sharing why she believes that it's important to start at the bottom and take early entry-level roles that build a strong foundation for a long-term career as a financial advisor, and shares the moment she knew she had to make a major change while at a financial advisor conference. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/204

Nov 17, 2020

Maribeth Kuzmeski is the founder of Red Zone Marketing, a marketing consulting firm that helps independent financial advisors implement actionable marketing strategies to grow their advisory. Maribeth believes that marketing success does not have to involve reinventing the wheel, and that looking at what is already working in the world of financial advisors and adapting it to your unique business can bring greater marketing success. Listen in as she shares how she successfully niched down to focus on marketing consultancy for financial advisors, as well as how her very first client grew his business from $10 million to $200 million in assets under management in just five years. You will learn why finding your niche doesn't have to be intentional, how the pandemic has changed the way in which financial advisors are approaching client and prospect interactions, and why now is the time to embrace video calls if you've previously been on the fence. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/203

Nov 10, 2020

Pam Capalad is the founder of Brunch & Budget, a financial planning and coaching firm based in New York City that focuses on first-generation immigrants and communities of color. Brunch & Budget uses a unique approach to clientele-building through brunch sessions with prospective clients, where they discuss budgeting and cash flow planning issues. These sessions often turn into ongoing financial coaching, and have allowed Pam to build a client base of nearly 200 clients paying as much as $300 to $900 per month for her services. In this episode, Pam shares how she has grown her monthly fee significantly from the early days, as well as how she now justifies fees that can sometimes be 3-4% of a client's household income. We also dive into Pam's business model and workflow with clients, discuss why she niched down to focus on people who typically don't talk about money, and learn how working with first-generation immigrants is different than the typical financial planning client. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/202

Nov 3, 2020

John Wernz is the former Chief Marketing Officer for Wealth Enhancement Group, an independent RIA based in Minneapolis that has nearly $20 billion in assets under management for nearly 20,000 affluent clients. Under John's leadership, Wealth Enhancement Group went from nearly $1 billion AUM to $20 billion—and attracted more than $1.5 billion of net new client assets in the past year alone. John joins me today to discuss in depth how he built the organic marketing engine at his firm, why direct mail became a foundation in their growth strategy, and how they leverage third-party data sources to better target marketing initiatives. He'll also share why the firm uses a centralized sales team for inquiries, how he has structured a thirty-person marketing team to manage all of the different marketing channels, and why bird watchers make for their best client base. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/201

Oct 27, 2020

This is a milestone 200th episode, and we're doing things a little differently today! We put out a survey to the listenership asking who we should invite as our guest today, and overwhelmingly, you told us that you want to hear more of my own story on this journey of navigating the challenges of building a successful advisory business. So, you've got your wish! In this episode, Alan Moore joins me to talk about my career journey from college to financial services, why I split my time in the advisory firm between writing and speaking, and why I spend so much time advocating for smaller advisory firms despite switching to a much larger RIA myself. We also talk about all of the different ways that a career journey can unfold, and I'm taking you behind the scenes of kitces.com—including how I manage my own time and schedule to stay focused on having the biggest possible positive impact on the advisory community. I'll also be answering your number one burning question: Do I actually sleep? For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/200

Oct 20, 2020

Morgen Rochard is the founder of Origin Wealth Advisers, an independent RIA based out of Austin, Texas, that oversees nearly $35 million in assets under management for 25 affluent clients. Using a barbell approach to doing good in the world, Morgen has focused her practice to work with no more than 30 clients at a time at a rate of $12,000, which allows her the financial and time freedom to raise her family and create a book and podcast to disperse knowledge to those who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford her services. Listen in as Morgen shares how she structures her advisory firm to work with only a select number of affluent clients, why she structures her fees based on net worth but still views investment management as an essential service in her practice, and how she created a financial coaching business entirely separate from Origin Wealth Advisers. She will also detail her actual financial planning process with clients, why she focuses on what her clients can accomplish in a 12-18 month window instead of 20-30 years down the road, and what her secret is to being hyper-efficient. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/199

Oct 13, 2020

Bill Bengen is the former owner of Bengen Financial Services, an independent RIA based out of Southern California that oversaw nearly $50 million of assets under management for 80 affluent retirees. That's not all Bill is known for though—in fact, he is the father of the "4% rule" and the safe withdrawal rate research, which was published in a series of studies in the Journal of Financial Planning and put into practice with his own clients. Listen in as Bill describes how he first developed his 4% safe withdrawal rate research, how he started this research to get away from the rules of thumb that were popular at the time, and how, ironically, his research became a rule of thumb itself. He'll also share why he actually used a withdrawal rate of 4.5% with his own clients, why a safe withdrawal rate today could be as high as 5%, and why he ultimately made the decision to retire and sell his firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/198

Oct 6, 2020

Ashby Daniels is a financial advisor who personally oversees $38 million in assets under management for 43 retired clients with Shorebridge Wealth Management. Ashby launched his current practice, a hybrid advisory firm, by breaking away from a major broker-dealer after 10 years in the business in the face of a non-compete, and he was able to build his firm in such a way that his family's financial situation was never at risk. In this episode, we talk in-depth about how Ashby negotiated his compensation agreement with Shorebridge, how he navigated the non-compete agreement to eventually win back some of his prior clients, and how leaving most of his clients behind allowed him to focus on bringing in the right clients. Listen in to learn how his business has evolved deeper into niche territory, how he has built his current marketing funnel through blogging, and how his blog helped his former clients find their way back to him. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/197

Sep 29, 2020

Daniel Hannoush is the co-founder of One & Done Financial, a virtual independent RIA that oversees nearly $70-million of assets under management for 350 client households. He has been able to consistently add five to ten new clients every single month since launching only four years ago. How has he done this? Hyper-focused niching. In this episode, we're discussing how Daniel was able to scale exponentially by niching down, how a fateful introduction led him to meeting his business partner, and why they chose to go with a 50/50 partnership deal despite advice to the contrary. Daniel will also share where he expects the firm to be in 10 years due to the exponential growth, as well as why he lives by the motto "if your visibility exceeds your ability, it destroys your credibility." For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/196

Sep 22, 2020

Echo Huang is the founder of Echo Wealth Management, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $120 million of AUM for 76 client households. Echo has built a niche serving corporate executives and has managed to build her firm almost entirely by word-of-mouth, through building her reputation within her niche. Today she joins the show to discuss how she grew such a successful career after starting out in the industry completely from scratch, as well as the challenges she faced along the way. Listen in as Echo shares why she decided to go out on her own—at the cost of losing to 2/3 of her AUM—to build the advisory firm she dreamed of. You will learn why she decided to get her CFA certification despite her success as an advisor, who she uses as her custodian, and the unique challenges she faces as what she calls a "triple minority." For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/195

Sep 15, 2020

Lisa Cooper is the founder of Figure 8 Investment Strategies, an independent RIA based in Idaho that oversees $90 million of assets under management for 85 clients. Figure 8 has differentiated itself with its sustainability-focused equity management, or, in other words, responsible investing through a thematic portfolio of 50 to 60 individual stocks. This differentiation has allowed Lisa to grow the firm exponentially in only four years since launching. Listen in as she shares how she crafted her unique investment approach, including how her firm identifies segments of the market to invest in and which stocks to avoid. You'll learn how shareholder engagement through proxy voting is a key part of the investment process, how the decision was made to become a B Corporation (and what that means for the firm's processes and standards), and how balancing purpose and profit has been key to Figure 8's success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/194

Sep 8, 2020

Michelle Wong is the founder of Nifty Advisor Support, a virtual assistant outsourcing solution for independent advisory firms. Using her background in operations, Michelle was able to capitalize on the dual trends of outsourcing and working virtually into an entrepreneurial venture that is making life easier for registered investment advisors across the United States. Listen in to find out some of the typical tasks that virtual assistants take on, as well as how outsourcing can benefit firms—especially solo advisory firms. You'll learn the typical cost-benefit of a virtual assistant compared to a full-time staff member, where Michelle sees outsourcing playing out in the advisor world (particularly with the after-effects of the pandemic), and the catalyst for why the virtual assistant world and gig economy have grown exponentially over the last few years. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/193

Sep 1, 2020

Paul Pagnato is the Co-Chairman and Chief Visionary Officer of Cresset Capital, a multi-family office with nearly $9.5 billion of assets under management for more than 600 ultra-high net worth clients. After a nearly 20-year career at Merrill Lynch—and working with Hightower Advisors as a partner—Paul decided to go out on his own and eventually merged his multi-billion-dollar boutique advisory firm into Cresset Capital to further expand the reach of his vision. Listen in as we talk in-depth about Paul's entrepreneurial journey through the industry, why he chose to follow his true north and walk away from a 20-year wirehouse career, and why it's so important to have a strong support structure in place with experienced vendors when breaking away. You'll learn about the $90,000/year flat fee structure his firm uses to serve its ultra-affluent clientele, how Paul services those clients with unique concierge offerings, and how he has been able to scale successfully with a philosophy of outsourcing as much as he can. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/192

Aug 25, 2020

Tiffany Charles is the Chief Growth Officer for Destiny Capital, a hybrid advisory firm based near Denver that oversees $260 million in assets under management for nearly 200 households. Tiffany has crafted a unique role for herself within an independent advisory firm with a focus on building scalable marketing systems to power the growth of the entire firm, instead of focusing on personally prospecting for new business. Listen in to find out how she moved from focusing on business outcomes to measuring her activity, as well as how this made a positive impact on the firm's growth. You'll also learn how she took on the Chief Growth Officer role with her firm as a tie-in to a next-generation succession plan and how she co-created a new vision with the firm to pursue a new niche of working entrepreneurs. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/191

Aug 18, 2020

Stacey McKinnon is the Chief Operating Officer for Morton Capital Management, an independent RIA based in Los Angeles that oversees nearly $2 billion worth of assets under management for nearly 1,000 households. Stacey was formerly a wedding coordinator and operated a Pilates studio before entering into the financial services industry, which is indicative of Morton's non-traditional hiring approach that has been such a major part of their success. Listen in as Stacey discusses the shortage of talent in financial services and why many firms may be casting the net too narrowly when looking for the right people to hire. You'll learn why Morton hires for personality and culture fit before hiring for skills, why trust is so important within a team, and the importance of building something unique at the firm level in order to create a more rewarding environment for advisors and more financial security for the firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/190

Aug 11, 2020

Taylor Schulte is the founder of Define Financial, an independent fee-only RIA that oversees $76 million of assets under management for 60 families that are in, or approaching, retirement. Taylor has grown his practice through proactive marketing initiatives and niching down to a very specific target clientele—even though it meant firing his mother and grandfather as clients. Listen in as he shares some of the hits and misses he experienced along the way to growing his practice to what it is today. You will learn what he did to break through a revenue ceiling, how he turned podcast listeners into clients, and how investments in his website have paid off to the tune of 75% of new clients arriving through organic web traffic. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/189

Aug 4, 2020

Rich Arzaga is the founder of Cornerstone Wealth Management, a hybrid advisory firm that oversees nearly $70 million in AUM for 65 affluent clients. Rich is just one of a handful of advisors across the country who, in addition to holding a CFP certificate, holds the CCIM designation to advise clients on commercial real estate. Today he joins the show to discuss how he incorporates advice on directly held real estate into his practice and the APOD (Annual Property Operating Data) analysis he prepares as part of his financial planning. Listen in as Rich shares the tools he uses to track and analyze directly held real estate, as well as why he charges an upfront fee for his real estate analysis. You'll learn what he did to stand out from the crowd and how he turbo-charged his firm in the early years to overcome the challenges often faced by career-changing entrepreneurs. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/188

Jul 28, 2020

Emlen Miles-Mattingly is the founder of Gen Next Wealth, an independent RIA based in Madera, California that provides wealth management for 70 client households. Emlen's goal is to change the complexion of wealth, and he does this by focusing his advisory firm on working with underserved communities of color and moving toward a subscription model instead of traditional assets under management. Listen in to find out how Emlen structures his monthly subscription business model, as well as how he developed different tiers that all provide a baseline of advice but vary in implementation support. We also discuss how the change in business model is accelerating his growth path, the key question he asks at the beginning of every introductory meeting with clients, the real-world challenges he faces as an advisor of color serving communities of color, and so much more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/187

Jul 21, 2020

Samantha Bezar is the Director of Digital Marketing for Thrive Financial Services, a hybrid RIA and Insurance Agency based out of the Greater Philadelphia Area that serves nearly five hundred clients. Through a combination of digital marketing and in-person events, Samantha has built a scalable marketing solution for Thrive that has catapulted their revenue from a few hundred thousand dollars to more than $6 million in under three years. Samantha joins us today to share her in-depth expertise on all things digital marketing, including marketing automation tools that have increased retention and response rates, how Thrive segments and targets their audience, and how compelling ad copy comes into play when converting prospects to clients. Listen in to learn what personal touches Thrive uses to incorporate a more human element to their process, as well as the "secret sauce" for getting people to actually show up to webinars. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/186

Jul 14, 2020

Christine Teh is the founder of Teh Financial Coaching, which provides tax consulting and financial coaching services to high-income individuals and couples. Christine has built a successful coaching practice by not only systematizing her coaching packages for clients, but also systematizing her marketing process through LinkedIn. Today she joins the show to discuss why the focus of her work is on short-term cash flow instead of retirement plans. Listen in as we talk in depth about why Christine teaches her clients how to do the work so they can go out on their own and, ultimately, not end up as long-term clients. You will learn what she uses as her main marketing tool, steps she has taken to ensure she gets the number of clients needed to make her business sustainable, and how she is reaching so many clients. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/185

Jul 7, 2020

Reese Harper is the founder and CEO of Dentist Advisors, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $250 million of AUM for more than 350 clients. On top of running a firm with a unique niche, Reese also runs a successful podcast—something he credits with helping to grow his business. Today he joins the show to discuss the monthly financial planning process he has developed for serving clients, as well as the technology tools he uses to implement it. Listen in as Reese shares why he thinks the future of financial advising is all about working with clients through an ongoing series of micro-interactions around their financial planning needs. You will learn about the systematized series of twelve monthly deliverables that his firm provides, the financial planning process Reese has created, and the premium price he charges for the premium service his firm provides. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/184

Jun 30, 2020

Hannah Moore is a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Guiding Wealth Management. She graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Financial Services and Planning and Business Management, helped start the Financial Planning Association's NexGen program, and mentors younger financial planners. If that wasn't enough, she is also the creator of BudgetingBlocks, a system that helps consumers visualize and better understand their budgets so they can develop one that works for them. With a passion for helping people change the conversations they have about money, Hannah joins us today to discuss how she does just that in both her advisory firm and her consumer product. Listen in to hear how she manages work-life balance, one of the best things she ever did for her business, and how one of the most powerful tools she uses with her clients was bought from a kid's toy store. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/183

Jun 23, 2020

Richard Joyner is the President of Tolleson Wealth Management, a multi-family office that manages the wealth of large families with significant assets. He works with multi-generational families to address the complexities of successful wealth transfer and has expertise in many diverse areas, including estate tax planning, family dynamics and education, and investment management for the ultra-rich. Richard joins us today to discuss what financial planning looks like for multi-generational families with significant wealth, what development dynamics go along with multi-family portfolios, and some of the more diverse issues that can arise in this particular wealth management category. Listen in to hear his top advice for getting started in this field, the skills that are necessary for success, and what he wishes he could tell his younger self just starting his career. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/182

Jun 16, 2020

Benjamin Brandt is the founder of Capital City Wealth Management, an independent RIA that oversees $60 million in assets under management for nearly 80 households. Benjamin originally developed a focus niche after going out on his own, only to realize there were not enough people in that niche to fill his desired client base. Today he joins the show to discuss how he initially established his niche and how he has optimized his website to maximize local search engine optimization opportunities. Listen in to hear about why he decided to start a podcast to reach beyond his local market, as well as the marketing funnel he developed to turn his listeners into prospective clients. You will learn why he runs meeting surges twice a year to maximize his focus and his time off, how he has built his advisory firm to fit his lifestyle goals, and how you can bring similar flexibility to your practice. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/181

Jun 9, 2020

Ryan Inman is the founder of Physician Wealth Services, an independent RIA that serves over 140 physician clients. Completely narrowed in on his unique niche, Ryan changed the name of his firm, created a Financial Residency podcast, and restructured his entire financial planning process to in-patient and outpatient services. Today he joins the show to share the mindset shift he had to go through in order to be comfortable with narrowing the focus of his practice and offers advice for those who'd like to do the same. Listen in as we discuss why having a targeted niche can make it easier when marketing, as well as what Ryan is doing to serve his niche effectively. You'll learn how he chose to serve physicians in particular, the unique fee structure he uses, and what he is doing to bring in so many new clients every month. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/180

Jun 2, 2020

Elizabeth Nesvold is the Managing Director and Head of Asset & Wealth Management Investment Banking for Raymond James, providing investment banking services for some of the largest independent advisory firms engaging in capital transactions. Today she joins the show to discuss the evolution in wealth management firms over the decades and how an investment banker looks at the evaluation of an advisory firm. Listen in as we talk in depth about how obtaining evaluation of your advisory firm can be a helpful tool in understanding whether your business is getting a good return on investment, as well as what Liz has learned as a founder selling her own firm. You will hear what investment bankers do for wealth management firms, the dynamics of raising capital when starting an advisory firm, and how Liz counsels other advisory firm founders getting ready to sell their businesses. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/179

May 26, 2020

Daniel Zajac is a financial advisor and partner with Simone Zajac Wealth Management Group, a hybrid advisory firm on the Lincoln Investments platform that oversees nearly $250 million of AUM for 300 clients. Today Daniel joins the show to discuss how he built and developed a niche in working with those who receive significant equity compensation, including the years it took early on and how he accelerated his positive results. Listen in as we talk in depth about how Daniel's firm prices and delivers its planning services, as well as how they determine whether a prospect is the right fit for the firm. You will learn why his business offers tax preparation as part of its services, how forming a niche has opened up new opportunities, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/178

May 19, 2020

Sara Stanich is the founder of Cultivating Wealth, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $50 million in AUM for 95 ongoing client households. Sara transitioned into financial advisory in the midst of the last financial crisis, forcing her into the independent channel with less support but more flexibility to craft her advisory firm the way she wanted to. Today she joins the show to discuss her journey into the industry and her advice for people starting out during the current bear market. Listen in as we talk in depth about how Sara builds her business, as well as the software she uses to identify which potential clients would be a good fit for the firm. You'll learn how her business has evolved over recent years as she has started to add more CFP professionals to her team, key advice for career changers or other advisors early in their career, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/177

May 12, 2020

Mindy Diamond is the founder of Diamond Consultants, a recruiting firm that has been helping advisors evaluate and change their broker-dealer platforms for more than 20 years. Today Mindy joins the show to discuss the range in choices that advisors have in choosing a brokerage platform and how best to decide which is the right fit for your firm. Listen in as we talk about when advisors should—and should not— look at switching to another broker-dealer platform, as well as the most common reasons advisors choose to make the change. You will learn why it is crucial for an advisor to understand their own priorities before they have any chance of picking the right platform for them, the important questions you should ask yourself as an advisor, and why the decision of which platform to choose is not as simple as it once was. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/176

May 5, 2020

Dr. Travis Parry is the founder of Make Time Institute, a company that helps business owners gain control of their time to achieve a more sustainable work/life balance. Having spent nearly a decade working as a financial advisor himself, Travis knows that the demands of working at a firm can take away from important time you should be spending with your loved ones. Today he joins the show to explain his "Make Time" approach to creating better work/life balance and how to overcome what he calls the three myths of time management. Listen in as we talk in depth about the importance of identifying your goals and ensuring your time is prioritized to align with them. You will learn how the combination of a family tragedy and the financial crisis that derailed his advisory firm led Travis to find what is now his life's work and how to improve your time management system in order to stop overworking and start prioritizing the things that matter most. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/175

Apr 28, 2020

Shanna Tingom is the founder of Heritage Financial Strategies, a dually registered advisory firm that oversees nearly $50 million of assets under management for 250 clients. Today Shanna joins the show to discuss how she has heavily automated key processes throughout her firm to service her large number of clients efficiently—and has done so by not using industry standard systems. Listen in as we talk in depth about Shanna's journey through the advisory business itself, as well as why she is thankful she started out a large financial advisory firm. You will learn why she decided to branch out on her own, the difficult challenges she faced in doing so, and the unique advisor technology stack she has used to simplify things in her business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/174

Apr 21, 2020

Andrew Leonard is the founder of Geometric Wealth Advisors, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $250 million in AUM for 110 client households. Andrew has settled into a unique niche, which ultimately propelled his firm to organically add almost $200 million dollars of net new assets in just five years—almost entirely from a single white paper he wrote for that niche. Today he joins the show to discuss what customizing the financial process and experience to a particular type of client really entails and how he managed to do so in such an effective way. Listen in as Andrew shares the unique opportunities and challenges that accompany working with management consultants who are trained to analyze and scrutinize financial models and projections. You will learn about the live presentations he has evolved his practice to focus on, how he is able to connect with clientele that are based all around the country, and the benefits of focusing on a unique niche to accelerate your career. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/173

Apr 14, 2020

Minoti Rajput is the founder and president of Secure Planning Strategies, a hybrid advisory firm that oversees nearly $300 million of AUM for 350 client households. Minoti has built her advisory firm by creating a specialization in working with families with special needs children, and she joins the show today to discuss her niche and how she gathered the expertise needed to support special needs families. Listen in as we talk in depth about the unique marketing opportunity she has been able to create by working with school systems, where as many as 10% of students have some form of special needs. You will learn how she handles the compliance challenges that come with providing this kind of specialized advice, her unique fee structure, and what it's like working in such a rewarding and fulfillng niche. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/172

Apr 7, 2020

Tom Kennedy is a wealth advisor at Global Wealth Advisors, where he works with a base of nearly 400 clients. After 10 successful years of being a wholesaler to advisors, Tom decided to make the transition into becoming an advisor himself. Today he joins the show to discuss how he networked his way to a fast-growing number of clients and how he was able to use the people skills he learned in wholesaling to build deeper relationships with his clients. Listen in as Tom shares what it was like transitioning into an advisory firm, knowing he was going to make less money than what was available in the short-term with wholesaling. You will discover how he assessed the varying firms he came into contact with in order to decide which would be the best to work with as an advisor. If you have been wanting to improve your networking skills or you are considering becoming a financial advisor, this is the episode for you. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/171

Mar 31, 2020

Patrick Tucker is the founder of True Measure Wealth Management, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $150 million in AUM for 89 client families. Patrick has a background in business operations and financial management from having started his career with UPS and has managed to transfer those business skills to managing his own advisory firm. Today he joins the show to discuss how he built his intentionally-designed advisory firm by overcoming the growth imperative pressure that the industry tends to put on us all. Listen in as we discuss why Patrick splits his advisory fee structure to accommodate his different groups of clients, as well as the key business metrics he focuses on to ensure he is spending his time and business resources properly. You'll learn what it takes to triple your business in the first two years, why Patrick keeps his internal team lean by using contractors, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/170

Mar 24, 2020

Alexandra Levi is the founder and managing partner at Element Financial Group, a hybrid RIA that oversees nearly $430 million of assets under advisement for 170 clients. As a firm providing both investment management and financial planning services, it may surprise you that Alexandra has been able to grow her revenue to be split almost 50/50 between the two. Today she joins the show to share how she has combated the risk of fee compression and her unique approach to running a hybrid firm. Listen in as we discuss how Alexandra shows her clients how she will keep their money organized in a way they can understand, why she continues to do quarterly meetings but keeps the majority of them virtual, and more. If you have ever wondered whether you should hire a business partner or are ready to control the direction of your career, this is the episode for you. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/169

Mar 17, 2020

Erin Botsford is the founder of Botsford Financial Group, a hybrid RIA with the LPL platform that oversees $1 billion in assets under management. Erin has built and evolved her firm over the years, starting out with it being centered around herself as the lead advisor and ultimately selling the firm but keeping her name on the door. Today she joins the show to discuss how she built her business over the past 30 years, as well as the transformation she made in the first decade of her career. Listen in as we discuss the shift she made from lead advisor to CEO and how she nearly tripled the growth of the firm in the three years that followed. You will learn how she developed herself into a lead rainmaker role (despite admittedly not being a natural businesswoman), how she shifted control of client relationships, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/168

Mar 10, 2020

Scott Frank is the founder of Stones Steps Financial an RIA that has rapidly grown to 67 clients with over 400,000$ of annualized revenue in just five years. Scott has evolved his advisory firm from a highly technical base to a financial planning approach with clients based on the George Kinder life planning process. Today Scott joins the show to share how he incorporates life planing questions into the first three meetings of his financial planning process as a way to understand his clients better. Listen in as Scott shares how he convinces his clients to implement the strategies he recommends by creating a buy-in into the financial planning process. You will learn where traditional financial planning software intersects with the life planning approach and how he has built his business around this life planning approach. If you are intrigued by the George Kinder life planning approach or you want to simplify your pricing, this is the episode for you. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/167

Mar 3, 2020

Peter Mallouk is the founder and president of Creative Planning, an independent RIA that oversees nearly 50 billion in assets under management for over 30,000 households. Peter has built his firm to the impressive size that it is within the last 16 years without any mergers, acquisitions or outside capital along the way. Today Peter joins the show to discuss Creative Planning's growth path and how that has shifted over the years to referrals from existing clients. In this episode we talk in depth about Peter's thoughts on broader industry trends including why Creative Planning remains committed to the AUM model and not charging separately for planning. You will learn what he plans to do with the outside capital that his firm raised, the firms aggressive growth plan over the next three years and much more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/166

Feb 25, 2020

Steve Kampschmidt is the founder of Freedom Found Financial, an RIA that oversees just under $20 million in assets under management for 30 affluent clients. After breaking away from a training program at a major wirehouse, Steve recently formed his advisory firm because he realized it was more economical for him to operate his own business and control his own expenses. He joins the show today to discuss how he has rapidly grown his firm since going independent and what he went through to comply with broker protocol. Listen in as Steve explains how he built his client base at the Wirehouse using cold-calling techniques and the salary base they provided while he did so. You will learn about the alternative non-AUM business model he created, why having confidence in yourself is key, and what you should realistically expect when it comes to clients sticking with you after you leave a big firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/165

Feb 18, 2020

Julia Carlson is the founder and CEO of Financial Freedom Wealth Management Group, a hybrid RIA that oversees nearly $300 million in AUM for almost 1,000 client households. Today she joins the show to discuss how her daughter's tragic car accident led her to look for a more flexible work schedule, which ultimately led her to becoming the business owner of the firm. Listen in as we talk about Julia's journey through her advisory career and how she got her foot in the door through speaking with small local business owners. You will learn how to stay in charge without being in control, why Julia decided to let go of client relationships, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/164

Feb 11, 2020

Michael Gennaway is a financial advisor and program manager for SoCal Wealth Management, a hybrid advisory firm that oversees $260 million of assets under management for over 1,800 clients. Today Michael joins the show to discuss how he has built SoCal under the Credit Union of Southern California, getting constant new clients from them with the caveat that SoCal must take every new client referral. Listen in as we talk about the unique ways that the credit union is complementary to SoCal Wealth Management, as well as how they are managing to acquire three new clients every week. You'll learn how they screen their clients to ensure they are the best fit for their firm, how to find the right Credit Union for you, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/163

Feb 4, 2020

Tim Bickmore is the co-founder and director of financial planning for LBW Wealth Management, an independent RIA that oversees more than $50 million in assets under management for 230 client households. Today Tim joins the show to discuss how the firm grew so quickly and why they are concerned that what helped grow their firm initially may not work for future growth. Listen in as we discuss the evolution of Tim's advisory firm, including why they shifted to a blended model with a base monthly subscription fee and how they are ensuring profitability for new clients. You will learn LBW's financial planning process for younger clients, the increasingly cash-flow based approach they have taken, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/162

Jan 28, 2020

Tessa Felix is the HR and Operations Lead for PWL Capital, an advisory firm that oversees nearly $3.6 billion in assets under management. Tessa has focused on developing the culture of her advisory firm and has put systems in place to make everyone accountable for their work, while still making it a fun environment. Today she joins the show to discuss how she is making her firm an enjoyable place to work in, as well as the leadership system she has incorporated into her management approach. Listen in as we talk about the weekly team meetings, internal podcast, and monthly one-on-ones Tessa uses to maintain the culture of the firm. She shares how she transitioned from being a peer of her co-workers to their manager and how she came to be the culture lead for her firm. If you're ready to cultivate a growth mindset within your own business, this is the episode for you! For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/161

Jan 21, 2020

Gabriel Shahin is the founder of Falcon Wealth, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $200 million in assets under management for 370 clients. Today Gabriel joins the show to share how he has built such a successful firm from scratch in just five years by spending a significant amount on marketing. In this episode, we discuss how he allocates his proactive marketing dollars from outsourced SEO experts to Google ads, as well as a weekly radio show. You'll learn how Gabriel handles the sales process, why he decided to hire a stand-alone business development associate, and what it takes to rapidly grow your firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/160

Jan 14, 2020

Kelly Shikany is a financial advisor and Director of Wealth Management for Lakeside Wealth, a hybrid RIA where she manages a base of nearly $90 million in client assets. Deciding to not hang her hat as a solo advisor, Kelly instead navigates existing advisory firms so she can focus more on her clients. She joins the show to discuss her career path and how she has worked her way to the successful position she is in today. In this episode, we talk about how Kelly grew her client base in her younger years by conducting "women's circles" so she could establish relationships in her small-town community. Listen in to learn how she differentiated herself from other advisors in the area, how she structures her week to maximize personal productivity, and what helped her overcome feelings of failure so they wouldn't hold her back. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/159

Jan 7, 2020

Steph Bruno is the founder of Sea to Peak Financial Advisors, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $70 million in assets under management for 45 affluent clients. Today Steph joins the show to discuss the process of branching out and starting her own independent firm after spending 15 years as an employee for another firm. Listen in as she explains why she decided to take the leap from a stable paycheck to building her own business from scratch, as well as how she rebooted her marketing in the process. You'll learn what made her decide to hire a personal coach to help her work through the difficult first few years of running her own business, how she integrates life planning conversations into her planning process, and what she's choosing to focus on now that she is running her own firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/158

Dec 31, 2019

Peter Lazaroff is a shareholder and the Co-Chief Investment Officer of Plancorp, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $4.4 billion of assets under management for 1,300 affluent clients. Today he joins the show to discuss how he has been able to build his own personal brand, both as a mechanism to grow his client base and to help him navigate career opportunities. Listen in as Peter describes the way he has "niched down" by creating content for his target audience through a blog, emails, and a book. You'll learn why he encourages his team to create personal brands, the importance of staying focused on the clients you want to reach, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/157

Dec 24, 2019

DeLynn Zell is the founder and CEO of Bridgeworth Financial, a hybrid RIA that oversees nearly $1.6 billion of assets under management for almost 2,000 clients. Today DeLynn joins the show to discuss how Bridgeworth was built from the start to sustain past the founders and how they have taken steps to attract next-generation talent to ensure the firm remains a success in the long run. Listen in as we talk about the difficulties DeLynn faced in the early years of her career, as well as how the gender split of CFP professionals may shift in the future. You'll learn the four-tier career path her firm has created, how they structure their compensation for partners, and why they are reinvesting into business development and training for next-generation partners. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/156

Dec 17, 2019

Derek Notman is the founder of Intrepid Wealth Partners, operating as an agent for New York Life and overseeing nearly $50 million in assets under management for almost 200 clients. Today Derek joins the show to share how he evolved his advisory firm from a high-volume, bricks-and-mortar office into an entirely virtual practice. Listen in as he shares how he built up his virtual practice and team, as well as how he has been able to grow his business and income. You'll learn what made him decide to transfer 80% of his clients to other advisors, why he has chosen to create a narrower niche focus, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/155

Dec 10, 2019

Mary Beth Storjohann is the Chief Marketing Officer for Abacus Wealth Partners, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $2.6 billion in assets under management for almost 1,700 clients. After joining us for episode 61 nearly two years ago, today she is back for a second time to discuss the major changes she has made since then. Listen in as we discuss why Mary Beth decided to sell her own firm to take on a marketing leadership role in an even larger firm, as well as what this new role entails. You'll learn how Mary Beth determined avatars for the firm's marketing, how she allocates her marketing budget, and what she believes every firm can do to better their marketing. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/154

Dec 3, 2019

Dan Allison is the founder of Feedback Marketing Group, a marketing and sales consulting firm that helps financial advisors to increase their growth by teaching methods to generate referrals from existing clients. Today Dan joins the show to discuss how he uses his background in behavioral psychology to help his clients to find more referrals by reducing their mental barriers, allowing them to be more open to the possibility of new clients. Listen in as Dan shares the five key points that he focuses on when helping generate more referrals, including being educated on the services your firm provides. You'll learn the importance of showing that you actually care about your clients, what your introduction strategy should be, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/153

Nov 26, 2019

Beverly Flaxington is the founder of The Collaborative, which provides sales training and organizational development support for financial service firms. A firm believer that it's not just about knowing what to do, it's about knowing how to change your behavior to actually do it, Beverly joins the show to share the human behavioral coaching approach she takes to teach sales and how to get more comfortable selling your services. In this episode, we discuss how to determine if a prospect is a qualifying client, as well as the right questions to ask a client to get to know them better. Listen in to hear Beverly's advice on how to conduct a meeting with a client, the importance of getting specific about who you serve, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/152

Nov 19, 2019

Luna Jaffe is the founder of Lunaria Financial, an advisory firm that oversees nearly $55 million in assets under management for 100 client households. In an effort to make financial knowledge affordable, Luna launched the Sacred Money Studios and Prosperity Pie Shoppe, a literal pie shop across the street from her advisory firm office that offers low-cost financial education programs on budgeting. In this episode, we discuss the budgeting philosophy her business teaches, as well as the real-world challenges that come with opening up a retail store with employees. Listen in to hear what Luna has learned while trying to expand the reach of financial education through a retail store, how she helps clients implement necessary changes, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/151

Nov 12, 2019

Tanya Nichols is the founder of Align Financial, a hybrid advisory firm that oversees nearly $50 million of assets for 80 client households. After nearly 20 years of working in a larger firm environment, Tanya finally found the courage to start her own advisory firm and took the leap to create the business she wanted. In this episode, she shares her journey through the advisor industry, focusing on the moment of realization that led her to not only leave her firm, but leave her husband as well. Listen in as she explains how a sense of community has helped her along the way, how she plans to double her revenue, and what she says was the biggest surprise of her advisory career. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/150

Nov 5, 2019

Susan John is the managing director and financial advisor for F.L. Putnam, an independent RIA that manages nearly $2 billion of assets under management. After 25 years of building her own independent financial planning firm from scratch, Susan decided to join F.L. Putnam for part of her succession—but not her retirement. Today she joins the show to discuss why she made that transition and how she has developed her financial planning process over the past three decades. Listen in as Susan explains her process and why she charges a full upfront fee to do financial planning "snapshots" for every client before even taking them on as an ongoing client. You'll learn what she does for retired clients, how she expanded ownership of her firm, and how she grew her financial advisory firm to $350 million. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/149

Oct 29, 2019

Laura LaTourette is the founder of Family Wealth Management Group, a hybrid advisory firm that oversees $45 million of assets under management for 86 client households. Today Laura joins the show to share how she has built her firm to work primarily with the LGBTQ community and how she found the right time to come out to her broker-dealer. Listen in as we discuss her financial planning process, which includes four planning meetings with every new client. You'll learn how she refined her website and her data gathering form to speak to her niche, why she recently hired a CEO for her firm, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/148

Oct 22, 2019

Jeff Dobyns is the founder of Southwestern Investment Group, a hybrid advisory firm that oversees nearly $3.5 billion of assets under management. Today Jeff joins the show to discuss how he has developed next generation talent in his firm by only hiring new advisors in their 20s and giving them the opportunity to learn alongside experienced advisors. In this episode, you'll hear about the mentoring program Jeff's firm has built, as well as how the firm compensates these new advisors as they are learning. Listen in to discover why Jeff prefers not to hire experienced advisors, what tasks his firm ends up giving to the new advisors, and the marketing technique his team uses to grow their business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/147

Oct 15, 2019

Ross Levin is the co-founder and CEO of Accredited Investors Wealth Management, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $2 billion of assets under management for 475 affluent clients. Today Ross joins the show to discuss the way he systematized the financial planning process across his firm and developed a wealth management index system that tracks clients' progress. Listen in as he shares how he balances delving into the technical topics of financial planning versus trying to ask clients the right questions to explore the client's side of those issues. You'll learn why it's so important to have a systematized process, what Ross says is the most important thing when building a firm, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/146

Oct 8, 2019

Roger Pine is the co-founder of Holistiplan, a tax planning software built to systematize and automate the process of reviewing a client's tax return to find potential planning opportunities. Today he joins the show to discuss how he transitioned from working as a financial advisor to becoming a financial tech entrepreneur. Listen in as we talk about Roger's software and the ever blurring lines between where a CPA's tax services end and an advisor's begin. You'll hear what it is like to be a financial tech entrepreneur, as well as advice for financial advisors who see an opportunity to develop a tech solution. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/145

Oct 1, 2019

Tom Bradley is the former president of TD Ameritrade Institutional, one of the leading RIA custodial platforms serving nearly 7,000 independent RIAs with almost $600 billion of assets held in custody. For over 25 years, Tom was a part of the growth of financial advisors operating as independent RIAs on a custodial platform. Today he joins the show to discuss the evolution of the RIA custody model and how technology has affected the business. Listen in as we talk in depth about how TD Ameritrade uses the Veo open-access platform, as well as the surprising ways that RIA custodians generate their revenue from advisors and their clients. You'll hear Tom's views on why the RIA custodial options for how cash is invested has become such a hot topic and his predictions for the future of the RIA custodial business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/144

Sep 24, 2019

Cathy Curtis is the founder of Curtis Financial Planning, a solo independent RIA that oversees nearly $60 million in assets under management for 52 client households. By positioning her business into a niche of serving women—in particular, single, independent-minded women who want to work with a female advisor—Cathy has managed to stand out in an over-crowded marketplace to build her firm. Listen in as we discuss why Cathy chose her particular niche, as well as how she has been able to target her marketing so effectively that most of her new clients find her through a simple Google search. You'll learn all about her financial planning process, why she has had to implement a minimum requirement fee, and how she managed to overcome impostor syndrome on her road to success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/143

Sep 17, 2019

Matt Oechsli is the founder and CEO of Oechsli Institute, which does primary research into affluent investors and how they select advisors. A marketing and sales consultant for financial advisors, Matt joins the show to share how you can connect with more affluent clients simply by building better relationships with them. Listen in as we discuss the importance of paying attention to details—like the names of clients' children and pets—during the relationship-building process, as well as what good client communication is all about. Matt shares what it takes to build trust, an effective practice for getting more referrals, and his advice for new advisors starting out in the business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/142

Sep 10, 2019

Kristen Luke is the founder of Kaleido Creative Studio, a marketing consulting firm that specializes in multi-advisor fee-only RIAs with $100 million to $1 billion in assets under management. Today she joins the show to discuss the wheel of advisor marketing activity she has created, as well as its six core areas and what it takes to improve in each of them. Listen in as Kristen explains the importance of recognizing the triggering events that brought your clients in and why defining an ideal client profile really is essential to differentiate and build a successful marketing funnel. You'll learn the starting steps to online marketing, why podcasts are replacing webinars and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/141

Sep 3, 2019

Adam Cmejla is the founder of Integrated Planning and Wealth Management, an independent RIA that oversees approximately $45 million in assets under advisement for nearly 100 clients. Over the past two years, Adam's practice has undergone an incredible transformation, increasing their financial planning fees and growing revenue by nearly 80%. In this episode, Adam shares how his marketing process has evolved, as well as what made him decide to narrow down his focus and serve only optometrists. Listen in to discover how a shift in his mindset has helped his firm to grow phenomenally—while also allowing him to spend more time with his family—the steps he took to raise his fees for existing clients while bringing in new ideal clients, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/140

Aug 27, 2019

Michele Clark is the senior portfolio manager for Acropolis Investment Management with more than 25 years of experience in financial services. From cold knocking to becoming a regional investor educational specialist and now working in investment management, Michele really has done it all within the industry. She even ran her own independent hourly financial planning practice until she recently decided to "plug-in" to a larger firm. In this episode, Michele discusses her non-traditional journey through the financial advisory industry, as well as how she managed to re-balance both her business and the work she is doing in it. Listen in as she shares her best tips for attracting clients no matter where you are, the importance of developing an expertise, and how to confront the inevitable challenges you will face when starting out on your own. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/139

Aug 20, 2019

Douglas Boneparth is the founder of Bone Fide Wealth, an independent RIA that manages nearly $80 million of assets under management. After starting out in a fairly traditional broker-dealer model serving affluent retirees, Douglas decided to transition and focus on high-income millennials. Today he joins the show to discuss why he chose to invest in younger clients and how he has been able to successfully market to and attract such high-income millennials. Listen in as he shares why he decided to stop implementing term insurance policies, as well as what he sees as the key to being able to work with his younger clients. You'll get his take on why the industry tends to have a difficult time attracting millennials, the value of making things easier for clients, and what younger advisors should know as they are looking to get started in the industry. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/138

Aug 13, 2019

Lou Tranquilli is the founder of Tranquilli Financial Advisor, an independent full-service financial firm that oversees $100 million in assets under management for 110 clients. Now focused on a niche that has helped triple his firm in under four years, Lou joins the show to discuss how his advisory firm has evolved over more than two and a half decades in business. Listen in as he explains how he is transitioning into the independent RIA channel after having started out as a traditional life insurance sales agent, as well as how he has structured his firm. You'll get valuable tips for growing your business, hiring the right people, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/137

Aug 6, 2019

Nina O'Neal is a partner and investment advisor with Archer Investment Management, a hybrid advisory firm that oversees nearly $90 million in assets under management. She joins the show today to talk about her advisory firm's structure and why they have no plans to change it, as they don't view the hybrid model as a way to the independent RIA model. Listen in to hear Nina speak candidly about how she juggles being an advisor, a firm owner, and a parent. You'll learn how she empowers other female advisors to establish an advisory business and balance the rest of their lives in the process, how her firm handles its mixture of fee-based advisory and commission-based brokerage business, and their plans for the future. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/136

Jul 30, 2019

Kathryn Brown is the co-founder of Morton Brown Family Wealth, a firm that oversees nearly $110 million of assets under management for 85 affluent households. With her firm now positioned for the potential of 10x growth in the upcoming years, Kathryn has overcome many challenges to get to where she is today. In this episode, she opens up about her inspirational journey, including how she persevered despite learning she had breast cancer and undergoing surgeries while she was preparing to go independent. She also discusses the playbooks that she and her partner developed for Morton Brown, why her firm decided to bring on a data geek as one of their first hires, and so much more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/135

Jul 23, 2019

Andrew Altfest is the president of Altfest Personal Wealth Management, an independent RIA based in New York City that oversees $1.3 billion for nearly 600 affluent clients. Andrew has become the second-generation leader in his family's business, which was started by his parents, and he joins the show to discuss the dynamics of a family business and how he is positioning the firm for the future. In this episode, Andrew explains what ultimately changed his mind about pursuing a career at his parents' firm—something he was not initially planning to do. You'll learn what it's like working for a family-owned firm, the technology the firm uses to communicate with clients, and how you can better track and find planning opportunities for your clients, too. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/134

Jul 16, 2019

Danna Jacobs is the co-founder of Legacy Care Wealth, an advisory firm and accounting practice that she launched with her brother. While Danna handles the financial planning side of things, her brother focuses on the accounting and tax planning as they grow their business together. Today she joins the show to discuss how her firm works with next-generation clients and what it's like running a business with a sibling. Listen in as we talk in depth about their blended fee model, which charges a monthly fee for ongoing planning advice that shifts into an AUM fee as clients' savings and portfolios grow. Danna explains the structured agenda she uses for every client—covering accomplishments since the last meeting and key client takeaways that become the clients' homework for the next meeting—how she balanced motherhood during the early stages of her business, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/133

Jul 9, 2019

Linda Leitz is the president of Peace of Mind Financial Planning, an independent RIA based in Colorado Springs that provides comprehensive financial planning services on a retainer fee basis to nearly 100 clients. Today Linda joins the show to discuss what she has learned over her 20 years of experience, including key takeaways about pricing her services and why her team of four works with clients for an ongoing retainer fee. She also explains how she has overcome the self-doubt that so many of us experience when quoting our planning fees so that she is able to charge what she is really worth. Listen in as we talk in depth about Linda's decision to shift from being a solo advisor under a cost-sharing partnership to building her own multi-advisor team, as well as what surprised her most when switching to a team structure after being solo for so long. You'll learn why she decided to go back to school for a Ph.D. in financial planning as an experienced practitioner, how her mentality has shifted over the years, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/132

Jul 2, 2019

Dan Goldie, the former president of Dan Goldie Financial Services, started out in 1991 with no clients or assets under management. Through focus and drive, he built up his firm to $900 million of assets for 275 affluent clients—all without even a full-time administrative staff member. Today he joins the show to discuss how he structured his advisory business and his approach to customizing everything he does. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/131

Jun 25, 2019

Ashley Micciche is the CEO of True North Retirement Advisors, a firm she founded with her father. Today she joins the show to discuss how she achieved work-life satisfaction while growing a business and starting a family. Ashley will delve deep into the arrangement she made with her father to be the backup advisor for her clients and how she communicated the news to her clients that she was going to take time off for maternity leave. Listen in to learn how Ashley built her career in the early years, going from cold-calling to cold-knocking to build up a client base, as well as how she opened up the conversation with small business owners to quickly get their interest for a follow-up meeting. If you are looking to start a family while running a business or start a new firm (or both), this is the episode for you. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/130

Jun 18, 2019

Donna Skeels Cygan, the President of Sage Future Financial, joins the show to discuss how she runs a firm overseeing nearly $90 million in assets under management and still maintains a work-life balance. After building her first successful firm, Donna decided to sell it and come back three years later to start over again, this time building a much more deliberately-crafted schedule that's intended to only ever have 40 affluent clients. In this episode, Donna shares her journey in building her first and second advisory firms, as well as how she decided which clients she wanted to bring to her second firm when starting up again. You'll learn about her process and the tools she uses, how she employs a virtual assistant to maximize her time with her clients, and why she has no concerns about her ability to remain competitive as a stand-alone solo advisor. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/129

Jun 11, 2019

After starting his first of five businesses at the age of 15, there aren't many business activities Justin Goodbread hasn't experienced. In 2009, he founded Heritage Investors, an independent RIA based in Knoxville, Tennessee, in hopes of helping individuals, business owners, and retirees attain their financial goals. Today, Justin joins the show to discuss how his firm has crafted a niche in working with small business owners and how they track how each owner's net worth increases over time. In this episode, we talk about why Justin finds it more effective to break his advisory fee—which can sometimes be as much as $20,000 a year—into a more cash flow friendly monthly subscription fee. Listen in to learn how he has focused his marketing toward these small business owners and how doing so has ironically brought him more prospects outside his niche. You'll also hear which five business books he reads every year to run his own advisory business more efficiently. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/128

Jun 4, 2019

Jania Stout is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Fiduciary Plan Advisors at HighTower Advisors, an advisory firm that is focused on 401(k) planning. Her team is responsible for nearly $4 billion in assets across almost 120 businesses. In this episode, we discuss how Jania was able to rapidly grow her business entirely from scratch over the past 5 years, as well as how she built her own personal brand and reputation as a trusted fiduciary advisor. Listen in to hear Jania share what it takes to service and support mid to large size 401(k) plans and detail the fee structure for her business. You'll learn why she built and automated a report in her CRM that shows her clients all of the behind-the-scenes work that the firm does on their behalf, how she used LinkedIn to help her business grow, and the challenges she faced when going independent. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/127

May 28, 2019

Martine Lellis has had a unique career with Sullivan Bruyette Speros & Blayney (SBSB). She started out as an associate advisor, and after seeing the firm sold to a bank, she later moved into a mid-level management role and continued climbing all the way up to become the firm's Chief Operating Officer and Principal. She then joined four other principals to buy the firm back from the bank, making it private again. In this episode, Martine shares the process of selling and buying back the firm and how her role has changed throughout the years with SBSB. We also discuss the company's model for serving affluent clients and why they offer tax preparation services on top of financial planning and investment management. Listen in to find out the challenges that surprised Martine the most and her biggest breakthrough in her career. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/126

May 21, 2019

With sixteen years of experience in the wealth management industry, Sabrina Lowell is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach® (CPCC). With a focus on working with career engaged couples and clients in tech, Sabrina brings her expertise to her workplace at Private Ocean and helps clients form and achieve their goals. In this episode, she shares the collaborative process of selling Mosaic Financial Partners, Inc. to Private Ocean and how she broke the news to her clients that a transition was going to happen. We discuss how their management team worked with an investment banker and the key filters the firm used to vet their prospective buyers. Listen in to discover the importance of communication when selling or merging a firm and the advice Sabrina wishes she'd had when she started out. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/125

May 14, 2019

Shirl Penney is the co-founder and CEO of Dynasty Financial Partners, a back and middle office service provider for large independent RIAs. With more than $32 billion on their platform across the 47 advisory firms they support, Dynasty has focused itself purely on being a highly-scaled service provider, while allowing the firms it services to remain completely independent. In this episode, Shirl opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, as well as how he maintained focus and perseverance during the two and a half years it took for him to be able to take his first paycheck from the business. Listen in to hear how he built his company from zero to 70 employees over a decade, the sacrifices he had to make to get to where he is today, and the key lessons he learned along the way. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/124

May 7, 2019

My guest today has one of the largest independent RIAs we've had on the podcast. Brent Brodeski is the co-founder and CEO of Savant Capital, an independent RIA that oversees more than $6 billion of assets under management for nearly 5,000 clients. With a team of 173 employees, Savant has also shared opportunities for ownership across more than 50 employees at the firm. In this episode, Brent shares the trajectory of Savant's almost entirely organic growth to over $6 billion in AUM, as well as how the firm navigated the all-too-common challenge of buying out a co-founder. Listen in to learn how they re-capitalized the firm, the system they put in place to strategically plan for and execute the business's goals, and how they plan to 10x the firm in the next ten years. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/123

Apr 30, 2019

My guest today built his firm as a support platform for independent advisors. Jeff Concepcion is the founder and CEO of Stratos Wealth Partners, a corporate RIA and super OSJ under the LPL platform that oversees over $13 billion of assets under advisement across nearly 300 advisors in 100 different locations. In this episode, Jeff talks about the challenges he faced launching his firm, because while the business is undeniably successful now, he didn't take a paycheck out of it for the first three years. Listen in to learn how he got through the tough times he experienced in the beginning, the important lessons he learned about investing in your business, and how he divides up advisory firm tasks to improve efficiency. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/122

Apr 23, 2019

Rachel Robasciotti is the founder of Robasciotti & Phillipson, an independent RIA that oversees $140 million of assets for more than 100 individual clients. With 15 years of experience in the industry, Rachel has not only built a successful firm, but also a unique proprietary investment process (dubbed RISE, for Return on Investment and Social Equity) that goes beyond doing socially responsible investing and actually engages her local community to help with the screening process. In this episode, Rachel shares her path through the financial services industry, including the unique challenges she faced starting a firm not only as a young advisor, but as a young black female who came from a poor upbringing. Listen in to learn how she had handled the pressure to conform to the industry standard expectations of financial advisors, her experience going out on her own at the age of 25, and the important lessons she learned along the way. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/121

Apr 16, 2019

Manisha Thakor is the founder of MoneyZen, a financial literacy and education platform focused on empowering women, and the VP of Financial Wellbeing at Brighton Jones, an independent RIA with $5 billion in assets under management. After following quite a unique path into the industry, Manisha built her own platform to share her message of financial literacy for women through speaking gigs and media appearances—despite being an introvert. In this episode, Manisha shares what it really takes to build a personal finance brand, as well as how she learned to view her introversion as an asset rather than a hindrance. Listen in to learn how she built her confidence, what she wishes she had known earlier, and how she has remained successful by forming relationships, building connections, and relying on the power of being her authentic self. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/120

Apr 9, 2019

My guest today keeps up our recent trend of speaking with advisors who serve a unique niche. The founder of Practical Financial Planning, Kenneth Robinson focuses his planning services specifically on Ohio public sector employees. A former public sector employee himself—before he transitioned into financial planning 20 years ago—Kenneth has managed to maximize the efficiency of his practice by developing a specialized knowledge of public sector employee issues and pensions. In this episode, Kenneth shares how he built his business in such a narrow niche, as well as how his heavy specialization not only built his confidence as an advisor, but also made him comfortable increasing his fees. Listen in to learn how he structures his business, tips for dealing with toxic clients, and powerful advice he has received over the years. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/119

Apr 2, 2019

Jared Reynolds is a partner at Wilkerson & Reynolds, an advisory firm that oversees nearly $160 million in assets under management. With a heavy focus on working with small business owners and their 401k plans, Jared has grown his business by serving a niche of bass fisherman, for whom he regularly organizes fishing and hunting trip expeditions as prospecting activities. In this episode, Jared shares how he turned his passion into an effective business model, as well as his experience building his firm into the success it is today. Listen in to learn his strategy for networking and building relationships while having fun, what kind of marketing activities he's found to develop the best prospects, and how any advisor can create a similar opportunity with his or her own hobbies and passions. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/118

Mar 26, 2019

Josh Patrick is the founder of Stage 2 Planning, an independent RIA with a niche focus on working with small business owners. Leveraging his own personal experience as a small business owner—before he transitioned into his second career as a financial planner—Josh has been able to create a deeply specialized advice process for his clients that commands retainer fees in excess of $50,000 per year. In this episode, Josh shares what he has done to make his expertise known and build a steady flow of prospects who seek him out. Listen in to learn what he says most advisors don't understand about building a successful business, the important lessons he learned while building his own, and what advisors can do to lessen the demands of their businesses on themselves, while simultaneously making significantly more profit. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/117

Mar 19, 2019

My guest today is one of the pioneers of financial planning under the RIA model. Harold Evensky is the co-founder and chairman of Evensky & Katz / Foldes Financial, an independent RIA in South Florida that oversees nearly $1.5 billion in assets under management. With over thirty years of experience in the field, Harold literally wrote the book on taking a holistic, goals-based wealth management approach to portfolio design with his 1997 publication, Wealth Management: The Financial Advisor's Guide to Investing and Managing Client Assets . In this episode, Harold shares his experience starting an RIA in the early days of the independent advisor movement, before platforms like Schwab Advisor Services even existed. Listen in to learn what he did to help his firm compete against mega wirehouses, how the industry has evolved in the three decades since he started, and what it will take for financial planning to truly be recognized as a profession by the public. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/116

Mar 12, 2019

My guest today has crafted a niche of not just serving, but also trying to empower female clients. Hilary Hendershott is the founder of Hendershott Wealth Management, an independent RIA that oversees nearly $75 million of assets under management, as well as the creator of a coaching program for women trying to accumulate wealth and the host of a very successful podcast focused on helping women take control of their finances. In this episode, Hilary shares her professional journey and how she grew her business into the success it is today. Listen in to learn how she set up and leveraged her podcast to grow her client base, how she overcame impostor syndrome to build up her confidence as a financial planner, and her advice for women just starting out in the industry. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/115

Mar 5, 2019

Dennis Moseley-Williams is the founder of DMW Strategic Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that works with financial advisors to help them design and deliver a great client experience. Not simply focused on how to improve client service, Dennis studied under Joseph Pine, co-author of the seminal book The Experience Economy , and is trained in applying the book's concepts specifically to the domain of financial advisors. In this episode, Dennis breaks down the difference between simply giving better service and a creating truly distinct experience. Listen in to learn what practical steps you can take to start adapting your firm toward improving client experience, how to more effectively target who you want to serve, and so much more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/114

Feb 26, 2019

My guest today has made it her mission to empower women to take control of their finances. Stacy Francis is the president and CEO of Francis Financial, an independent RIA with a unique niche focus on recent widows and women going through the divorce process. She is also the founder of Savvy Ladies, a nonprofit focused on improving the financial wellbeing of all women. In this episode, Stacy opens up about the challenging family situation that led her to enter the financial services industry to help women in particular, as well as why she says today's market is the worst one for divorcees that we've seen in nearly a decade. Listen in to learn how she built her business up to managing nearly $280 million in assets, why she hired business coaches for both herself and her team, and how making the decision to go all-in on a niche has helped Francis Financial grow as much in the past three years as it did in the 15 years leading up to the change. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/113

Feb 19, 2019

Andrea Schlapia is the founder of Ironstone, a practice management coaching and consulting firm for financial advisors who are struggling with the business execution challenges of transitioning from a practice to a business. Building upon her own experience as a financial advisor and a practice management consultant, Andrea has developed what she calls the "fundamental four" pillars of practice management, as well as tools and strategies to support each one. In this episode, she shares her fundamental four framework and where most advisory firms struggle within those key elements of running a successful business. Listen in to learn how often Andrea advises firms to take development days to work solely on the business, why she says it's so important to be ultra-selective when hiring and developing your team, and her specific process for assessing prospective hires and training staff to ensure her team stays as strong as possible. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/112

Feb 12, 2019

Today I'm joined by our first international guest, who gives us a look at not only what financial advisor businesses look like in other parts of the world, but also how all advisors should start looking at their value propositions. Jim Stackpool is the founder of Certainty Advice Group, a practice management consulting firm for financial advisors based in Australia. With a unique focus on how to price and demonstrate the true value of financial advice, Jim is a firm believer that the expert value of advisors should be distinct from the products we implement. In this episode, Jim shares what advisors need to consider when it comes to setting fees, as well as his advice for demonstrating value instead of simply justifying prices. Listen in to learn how to know whether your advisory services are priced appropriately, what many advisors fail to understand when it comes to being business owners, and what firms everywhere should be doing to make advice more valuable. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/111

Feb 5, 2019

My guest today transitioned from working over 70 hours per week to refining his practice to the point that he's now only in the office for four months out of the year. Micah Shilanski is a partner with Shilanski & Associates, an independent RIA in Anchorage, Alaska that oversees nearly $130 million of assets under management for almost 160 client households. Focused on a niche of helping federal employees with their retirement benefits, the firm has streamlined its processes and increased efficiency to maintain Micah's unique schedule while still growing 20% per year. In this episode, Micah shares how he's managed to grow such a profitable practice despite his time out of the office, as well as the steps he's taken to make the most of the time he does spend working at the firm. Listen in to learn how he sets client expectations about his unusual schedule from the very beginning, how he differentiates his practice to justify their above-average fees, and advice for any advisor who wants to improve his or her own efficiency at work. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/110

Jan 29, 2019

Jon Guyton sits at an interesting intersection of the advisor world. The founder of Cornerstone Wealth Advisors—an independent RIA that oversees $240 million in AUM for mostly retiree clients—Jon runs an advisory business that implements the very retirement strategies he researched and published a number of important and influential articles about in the mid-2000s. In this episode, Jon shares his unique approach to retirement planning, including how and why he separates out client retirement expenses into two distinct categories. Listen in to learn how he is applying his own research to the way he works with clients, the sustainable retirement income framework he utilizes in his practice, and how he went from qualifying for the low-income EIC tax credit in his first year of business to running an incredibly successful firm. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/109

Jan 22, 2019

My guest today is Lisa Kirchenbauer, founder and president of Omega Wealth Management. Lisa's firm oversees more than $100 million of assets for nearly 100 affluent clients, with whom they've been able to form deep relationships by implementing George Kinder's EVOKE life planning process. And yet, even with the close relationships Lisa has with her clients, she has achieved what most advisors consider impossible: taking two six-week sabbaticals in the past six years. In this episode, Lisa shares how she works with her staff to prepare the firm, train the team, and transition tasks so that she can step away from the business completely. Listen in to learn the steps she took to train her clients to become less dependent on her and more comfortable working with the other members of her team, how she breaks the news to clients about her taking time off, and the lessons she's learned throughout the experience that will change how she does her next sabbatical. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/108

Jan 15, 2019

Roger Whitney is a partner with WWK Wealth Advisors, an independent RIA where he works with a personal client base of retirees with $75 million of assets under management. Perhaps even more impressively, he's been able to attract almost $50 million of those assets in just the past two years by launching a niche podcast on retirement. In this episode, Roger shares why and how he built his Retirement Answer Man podcast, as well as how he transitions listeners into prospects. Tune in to learn what makes his unique approach to retirement management so effective, what he's doing to serve the subset of podcast listeners who are unlikely to hire him as their financial advisor, and advice for up-and-coming advisors who hope to follow a similar path to success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/107

Jan 8, 2019

My guest today works with financial advisors to teach them how to handle a tricky area for a lot of firms: working with widows. Kathleen Rehl is a speaker, trainer, and researcher specializing in the particular challenges of widowhood and how advisors can be more effective in dealing with these issues. Also the author of Moving Forward on Your Own: A Financial Guidebook for Widows , Kathleen spent seventeen years working as a financial advisor before becoming a widow herself and shifting her focus to helping other women in similar circumstances. In this episode, she talks in depth about what advisors need to understand about helping widows through their financial transitions, as well as what to say and what not to say in the process. Listen in to hear how to avoid pushing the wrong financial issues after the death of a client's spouse, tips for handling the three stages of widowhood, and what Kathleen's research tells us about how financial planning affects widows' outlook and confidence in their financial future. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/106

Jan 1, 2019

Chip Munn is the co-founder and managing partner of Signature Wealth, a hybrid wealth management firm on the Raymond James platform that has quickly gone from $300 million to over $1 billion of assets in just the past few years. With a focus on buying books of business from retiring advisors and handing them off to younger advisors, the firm's tremendous growth comes not only from their unique acquisition strategy, but also from the particular set of freedoms an independent RIA has to try out different technology tools and marketing strategies. In this episode, Chip shares what it was like transitioning from a regional broker-dealer to the independent model, as well as the challenges and surprises he faced along the way. Listen in to hear how he has successfully built his firm by following his passion for helping out those new to the industry, his approach for positioning young lead advisors as part of a team to make transitioning clients comfortable, and why it's so important to support advisory firms that have chosen the independent model. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/105

Dec 25, 2018

My guest today is here to help with one of the most common challenges we face as advisors: getting clients to actually follow through and implement our financial advice. The founder of Sage Financial Solutions, an organization that provides Financial Fitness Coach (FFC) and Accredited Personal Financial Coach (APFC) training and certification programs, Saundra Davis teaches advisors skills and techniques that will help clients make lasting behavior change. In this episode, Saundra shares how her approach of financial coaching differs from the typical approach of financial planning , as well as how it leads advisors to navigate the client discovery process in a substantively different way. Listen in to hear how both approaches complement each other, why it's important to guide clients to making discoveries on their own rather than telling them the answers, and what we can do as advisors to not only give technically accurate advice, but also help clients to improve their financial behaviors. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/104

Dec 18, 2018

My guest today is here to talk about a kind of success that hasn't been covered much on the podcast: building a career within a larger firm instead of going independent. Kathleen Kenealy is the Managing Director and Senior Wealth Advisor for Boston Private Wealth—a private bank and trust company that oversees nearly $8 billion of assets under management—and while she manages more than $300 million for seventy-five client households, she isn't actually responsible for bringing in clients. Instead, she focuses her time on doing financial planning for the firm's clients and improving the financial planning processes within the company, which recently earned her recognition as an InvestmentNews 40 under 40 honoree. In this episode, Kathleen opens up about what it's like to work within a larger advisory firm that has separated out prospecting and business development from financial planning work, as well as how she's been able to find job opportunities with companies that reward her for being a great financial planner without requiring her to find clients herself. Listen in to hear how she found her way into the financial planning world and navigated her unique career path, why she chose to work within larger firms rather than going out on her own, and where she plans to end up in the long run as she follows this corporate career path. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/103

Dec 11, 2018

There has been a lot of buzz over the past couple of years about the breakaway trend that has seen sizeable advisory firms moving away from wirehouses, and my guest today very recently went through that process himself. After spending the first decade of his career at Merrill Lynch, Michael Henley moved on to become co-founder and CEO of Brandywine Oak Private Wealth, an independent advisory firm that manages more than $500 million of client assets, at just thirty-four years old. In this episode, Michael shares what made him decide to go independent after he'd been so loyal to Merrill Lynch that he had a bull-shaped wedding cake, as well as how he handled the breakaway transition not quite going the way he expected. Listen in to hear what it was like for him to build an advisory firm in the wirehouse environment, the unique way he created the necessary startup capital to fund his transition, and how the grass is—and isn't—greener in the independent channel. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/102

Dec 4, 2018

My guest today comes from a different background than my usual guests, and she's here to answer the fundamental question of why clients sometimes don't take the advice we give them. Dr. Moira Somers is a clinical neuropsychologist who studies the complexities of how hard it is for people to change their behaviors, especially when it comes to money. Moira has applied her financial psychology expertise not just to consumers themselves, but also to teaching advisors how to better deliver advice in a way that actually sticks. In this episode, we discuss how patient compliance research from the medical field is being applied to help clients better adhere to financial advice, as well as how to assess whether someone is truly ready to apply what an advisor suggests. Listen in to learn why it's unrealistic to expect even good-intentioned clients to always follow through on advice, why it's important to measure client adherence, and specific steps advisors can take to improve the way they deliver advice in order to significantly increase the likelihood that it will be followed. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/101

Nov 27, 2018

Joe Duran is the founder and CEO of United Capital, a national independent RIA that oversees nearly $25 billion of assets under management and consistently ranks as one of the nation's fastest-growing wealth counseling firms. However, Joe doesn't view his firm as being in the wealth management business; he sees it as being in the financial life management—or FinLife—business, because, as he puts it, the primary focus of the company is to help clients live richly, not die richly. In this episode, Joe opens up about the unique approach that has seen United Capital grow to more than $200 million of revenue in under 15 years, as well as what holds many advisors back from experiencing similar growth. Listen in to hear what he says is the secret to scaling an advisory business, the major shifts he predicts for the financial planning world, and his advice for new advisors coming into the industry today. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/100

Nov 20, 2018

As advisors, many of us have been taught that it's a bad idea to discuss religion or politics with clients, but my guest today disagrees with this conventional wisdom. In fact, he has found that focusing on religion has actually been good for business. Rob West is the president of Kingdom Advisors, a membership organization that supports financial advisors who want to serve Christians as their niche market segment and boasts 70% growth over the last five years. In this episode, Rob shares how he has successfully integrated faith and finance into his business, from incorporating nearly 23,000 passages from the Bible about money and possessions into financial planning conversations with clients to developing a training program and supporting Certified Kingdom Advisor® designation to be "the gold standard for delivering biblically wise financial advice." Listen in to hear how he has formed a niche in an underserved majority, and why combining your values with your work is important not only for differentiation, but also for finding purpose and significance in what you do. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/99

Nov 13, 2018

My guest today has not only gone against the conventional wisdom of never talking politics with clients, but he's based his entire business on that very subject. Zach Teutsch is the founder of Values Added Financial, an independent RIA that focuses on working with progressive Democrats. And while this undoubtedly drives some prospects away, it has also quickly accelerated the growth of his firm, which has reached more than $300,000 in recurring retainer fees in less than 18 months. In this episode, Zach shares how picking a niche—even one based on politics—can actually be quite effective, as well as what he's done to leverage this fact. Listen in to hear what kinds of clients he has been able to attract with his targeted messaging, how he's created a pricing model specifically to fit his clientele, and how the way he's structured his firm has gotten him to the point where he no longer has to choose between work that feels good and being financially successful. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/98

Nov 6, 2018

My guest today brings a very different perspective to the show, not just because of the clients she works with and how she runs her practice, but also because of her unusual path into the industry. After transitioning from working as a math teacher to offering financial coaching and counseling to doing financial planning work, Phuong Luong founded Just Wealth, a virtual, fee-only, hourly financial planning practice focused on working with younger clients who are still in the wealth-building phase of their careers. Having worked extensively with low-income individuals and people of color, Phuong has seen firsthand the racial and socioeconomic challenges that impact their ability to build wealth. In this episode, she shares how stereotypes about race and low-income individuals can become blocking points when it comes to giving them effective advice and helping them to reach their financial goals. Listen in to learn how many of the financial challenges people of color face can be traced back to past institutional and government policies, how this may be limiting the reach of financial planning to minority communities, and what we can do to help. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/97

Oct 30, 2018

Stephanie Bogan is a successful practice management consultant who teaches advisors how to run an advisory business as a business. After building and selling her first consulting firm, Stephanie has gone on to found a new one called the Limitless Adviser Coaching Program, not because she needed to do so, but as a way to have a greater positive impact on the advisor community. In this episode, Stephanie shares what she calls the seven pillars of building and running a successful advisory firm, as well as the important mindset shift that really creates business breakthroughs. Listen in to learn the common mental constructs that hold too many advisors back, the key to success and satisfaction with your advisory business, and how to execute your vision to turn it into reality. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/96

Oct 23, 2018

My guest today has seen what it's like to build an advisory business and what it's like to build a business for advisors. Previously a co-founder of IPS Advisor Pro—the first software for doing investment policy statements in a standardized way—Linda Lubitz Boone is now the founder of The Lubitz Financial Group, an independent RIA in that oversees nearly $250 million of AUM for 125 affluent clients. Yet, despite having reached a phenomenal level of success, Linda continues to proactively make changes to improve her advisory firm. In this episode, she shares how she continues to evolve her business, from the service providers she uses to support the business to the very business model itself. Listen in to learn why she decided to outsource her back office investment operations, how she is shifting her own role within the business, and what she's doing to build trust with her clients. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/95

Oct 16, 2018

Today's guest has built a high-margin solo practice with quite an unusual structure. The founder of Bason Asset Management, James Osborne grew his advisory firm to over $225 million of AUM and nearly $400,000 of revenue by charging his clients a simple flat fee of $4,800—regardless of their assets. And he managed to do so by the age of thirty-five. In this episode, James shares why he decided not to follow the traditional AUM model, as well as the benefits of his flat-fee approach. Listen in to learn why he chose to build a business model that fits his personal lifestyle and family goals, why he isn't working to gain more clients and hire staff, and what he plans to do in order to maintain his high-income lifestyle practice once he reaches his personal capacity. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/94

Oct 9, 2018

My guest today has one of the most fascinating practices and niches in the advisor space. Sunit Bhalla is the founder of Oak Tree Financial Planning, a solo advisory firm that oversees more than $40 million in assets under management in a hyper-targeted niche of engineers. A former engineer himself, Sunit has been able to build nearly $300,000 in revenue—with an 85% profit margin—by working with just 17 affluent clients. In this episode, he shares how he built his highly efficient solo practice with a relentless focus on staying focused. Listen in to hear about his unique financial planning process, why he offers all his prospective clients just one comprehensive financial planning and investment management service, and what he says all advisors should focus on in order to maintain a healthy work-life balance. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/93

Oct 2, 2018

Today's guest is an expert at operations and systems. Jennifer Goldman is the founder of an eponymous practice management consulting firm that works intimately with advisory firms on their operations, technology, workflows, and processes. After starting her career as a financial advisor and transitioning to operations leadership roles at two more advisory firms, Jennifer ultimately decided to go out on her own as a consultant. In this episode, Jennifer shares her personal journey to building her own consulting practice, as well as the important lessons she learned while scaling her business. Listen in to hear the key mentality shift she had to make in order to transform from an advisor to a business owner, what it really means to adopt and implement workflows and processes into an advisory firm, and why it's so important for business owners to do just that in order to grow and scale their firms without losing themselves in the process. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/92

Sep 25, 2018

My guest today trains and coaches financial advisors on how to ask the right questions in order to have better conversations with clients. Mitch Anthony is the co-founder of ROLAdvisor, a coaching community that helps practices transform into Life-Centered Planning firms. With his truly unique gift for finding the right words for effective client conversations, Mitch describes the value of financial planning itself based on six principles that all advisors should take into account. In this episode, we talk about the real value that financial advisors provide, as well as the best way to communicate this to clients and prospects. Listen in to hear Mitch's advice for effective client conversations, the problem with the traditional focus of benchmarking an advisor's return on investments, and why he is more focused on providing what he calls a "return on life." For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/91

Sep 18, 2018

My guest today has not only had a unique journey into the financial planning world, but she also brings a very different approach and perspective to the field. Julie Murphy is the founder and Chief Visionary Officer of JMC Wealth Management, a dual-registered advisory firm that serves more than 200 clients with $200 million of AUM—on top of generating nearly $300,000 a year in recurring planning fees. With financial conversations that are heavily focused around the intersections of money, our emotions, and our energy flow, Julie's firm offers a distinctive focus on financial healing . In this episode, Julie shares how was able to accelerate her success and growth by doing what she calls "letting her freak flag fly" and simply being her authentic self. Listen in to hear how she's allowing clients who are interested in what she has to offer to be drawn to her (rather than trying to advertise out to them), how she transitioned into doing only the things that make her happy in her business, and what she says is a critical component for people to be successful. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/90

Sep 11, 2018

My guest today has built one of the largest successful advisory businesses in the country. Ric Edelman is the founder and executive chairman of Edelman Financial Services, a mega-independent RIA with more than $22 billion in AUM, with 165 advisors serving 36,000 clients across 43 office locations from coast to coast. After starting out like any other financial advisor—selling mutual funds in the 1980s as an individual advisor—Ric has spent the last thirty years ultimately building a marketing machine that brought in a whopping 45,000 prospects to his firm last year alone. In this episode, Ric shares how he grew and scaled Edelman Financial over time, as well as how his marketing of the firm has evolved over the years. Listen in to hear why he considers it the firm's job to bring in new clients (and the role of advisors to simply service those clients), how he would do things differently if he were starting fresh today, and advice for advisors who are thinking about or actively building a practice from scratch. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/89

Sep 4, 2018

Today we're going to talk about a topic that makes many financial advisors cringe: sales. But despite the negative reaction many people within the industry have to this topic, my guest today is here to explain why "sales" actually isn't a dirty word. Nancy Bleeke is the founder of Sales Pro Insider, a training platform for financial advisors that teaches how to better turn prospects into actual clients, and she's here today to share how to take a comfortable and ethical approach to selling that really works. In this episode, Nancy shares her somewhat nontraditional sales training approach that simply focuses on having a structure to conversations with prospects to ultimately help them make a decision or take an action at the end. Listen in to hear her expert advice for how to talk to both prospects and clients using the WIIFT™ structure—which is both focusing on what's in it for them and a five-step conversation process—the big mistakes many financial advisors make that scare away potential clients, and what it takes to increase both your comfort level and the comfort level of your prospects when it comes to selling. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/88

Aug 28, 2018

My guest today has had quite an unusual path through the industry. After building a successful practice at a wirehouse for the first 20 years of her career, René Nourse went independent so she could use the system she wanted to use to build with the type of clientele she wanted to serve. Now the founder of Urban Wealth Management—an independent RIA in the Los Angeles area that manages nearly $120 million of AUM for more than 200 clients—René is focused on serving her niche working with professional women. In this episode, she shares what it was like building her advisory practice in a wirehouse environment as both a woman and a minority, as well as the process she went through to break away from the wirehouse world and form her own independent RIA. Listen in to learn how she retained the trust of her clients after the shift, how she structures her own firm, and how she has used a digitally savvy marketing approach to grow her business to where it is today. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/87

Aug 21, 2018

Eric Roberge is the founder of Beyond Your Hammock, an independent RIA that specializes in financial planning services for high-income young professionals in their 30s and 40s. In just five years, Eric propelled his advisory firm from $0 to $300,000 of revenue with a unique marketing approach that's earned him a fair share of criticism along the way. In this episode, he shares how his unusual marketing process works, as well as why it serves as the ultimate differentiator for his business. Listen in to learn how he survived the early years of getting his practice off the ground, what he did to move away from the way advisory businesses typically operate, and how he ultimately figured out and attracted the exact type of client he wanted to serve by simply being himself. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/86

Aug 14, 2018

My guest today has been in the financial planning industry for 35 years, and has been incredibly active in the profession. In addition to serving as CEO of Yeske Buie, an independent RIA that manages nearly $750 million in AUM for 240 clients, Elissa Buie sits on the Cornerstone Advisory Board of the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, serves as a Dean for FPA's Residency Program, and holds an appointment as Distinguished Adjunct Professor in Golden Gate University's Ageno School of Business. In this episode, Elissa shares what has kept her excited to remain in the field for all these years, as well as her firm's unique way of leveraging next-generation talent. Listen in to learn how Yeske Buie uses a resident program to boost productivity, how things have evolved with the way advisors are trained and educated as professionals, and advice for new advisors coming into the field. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/85

Aug 7, 2018

Diane Compardo is a partner and team leader at Moneta Group, an independent RIA with 40 partners and nearly $20 billion of assets under advisement. Now the leader of a 16-person team with four partners and $1.4 billion of AUA, Diane shifted gears after nearly two decades of building an incredibly successful advisory practice as a way to re-energize herself after a mid-career crisis. In this episode, she shares the details of her trailblazing career path to working her way up to partner, as well as what she did to pick herself up from the low point of her career. Listen in to hear the key lessons she learned over the years, how she maintains a healthy work-life balance, and advice for newer planners hoping to follow a similar path to success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/84

Jul 31, 2018

My guest on today's podcast shares my philosophy that the industry could use a little more transparency when it comes to broker-dealers, and he is working to make that happen. Jon Henschen is the president of Henschen & Associates, a recruiting firm that specializes in helping advisors find and match themselves to the right independent broker-dealer when making the switch to a new platform. In a segment of the industry that historically has thrived by keeping much of its compensation hidden with back-end commissions and markups, Jon's willingness to be transparent is refreshing, to say the least. In this episode, he talks in depth about what advisors should know about the broker-dealer landscape these days. Listen in to learn how the independent broker-dealer recruiting model works, the differences in dynamic between larger and smaller firms, and what advisors need to know in order to pick the right broker-dealer for them. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/83

Jul 24, 2018

History always has a way of shedding light on current issues and giving us insight into the future. Ben Coombs was one of the first recipients of the CFP certification and having been involved in the growth and evolution of the financial planning industry, his insight and acquired wisdom is incredibly helpful. He talks about the early struggles of the industry and shares advice on how to advance your career while providing more valuable services to your clients. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/82

Jul 17, 2018

My guest today has found an impressive balance between creating a successful advisory firm and giving back to his community. Louis Barajas is the founder of Wealth Management LAB, a multi-family, office-style advisory firm that specializes in providing financial advice and business manager services to entertainers and other celebrities in the Latino community. The first Latino minority to join the National Board of the Financial Planning Association over a decade ago, Louis built his advisory firm over time, from trying to serve Latino small business owners in the barrio where he grew up to writing books and teaching financial literacy to the Latino and broader communities. In this episode, Louis shares the stages of his unique path into financial planning that culminated in him starting his own solo practice, as well as how he stayed positive and overcame the setbacks he faced along the way. Listen in to learn how Louis built his success by focusing not on financial planning but on what he calls financial doing , the immutable laws that everyone in his firm follows, and what he says is the key to expanding financial advice to a broader range of underserved consumers. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/81

Jul 10, 2018

My guest on today's podcast has grown his niche practice of serving physicians and retirees to nearly $70 million in assets under management and $800,000 of revenue in just eight years. Matthew Blocki is a 30-year-old financial advisor who built his financial-planning-centric business by starting out at Northwestern Mutual and quickly evolving from nearly 100 transactional insurance clients per year to a hyper-focused practice that's aiming to grow with just 15 affluent clients per year instead. In this episode, Matthew shares how he got started and survived in the early years of building his practice from scratch, as well as how he differentiated himself as a 20-something advisor working with retirees. Listen in to hear what helped shape his career in the beginning, how his practice and focus have changed over the years, and what it takes to come out exponentially ahead in your business. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/80

Jul 3, 2018

My guest today has built her practice to more than $250,000/year of recurring financial planning fees in just her first three years—and she did it while also starting a family. The founder of FIT Advisors, Anjali Jariwala provides financial investment and tax planning advice for young physicians and small business owners in their thirties for an annual retainer fee that starts at $10,000/year. Working entirely virtually with clients, her firm has achieved impressive growth, due in major part to focusing in on a niche from the start, which allowed the firm to pursue unique marketing channels that most other financial advisors don't use. In this episode, Anjali shares how she positioned her advisory firm squarely in the niche of serving independent physicians and similar small business owners by leveraging her background as a CPA and a CFP certificate, as well as how she iterated her business model very rapidly in the first few years until she eventually eliminated all the upfront fees and just raised her ongoing retainer instead. Listen in to learn how she structures her upfront and ongoing planning meetings with clients, how she balanced her work life with her home life after having her first baby barely a year after the launch of the firm, and how she reinvested into and restructured her staff support to be able to continue serving her clients during her time off. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/79

Jun 26, 2018

My guest today brings a unique discussion to the podcast, as well as a fascinating history with an organization that a lot of advisors aren't necessarily familiar with, but can surely learn from when it comes to really listening to the clients you're serving. Charlotte Beyer is the founder and former CEO of the Institute for Private Investors, a private networking organization for ultra-high-net-worth investors and advisors who serve them. After building a new category of community group twenty-five years ago—in a space where people said it couldn't be done—Charlotte now has a highly successful business and an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges and concerns of her particular client base. In this episode, she shares her impressive professional journey as she built a series of conferences and networking events in an online community for ultra-high-net-worth individuals before the world of social media and online communities, as well as insights from her recently updated book, Wealth Management Unwrapped . Listen in to learn how the needs and concerns for people of high net worth differ from those of other clients advisors serve, what Charlotte sees as the future of working with ultra-high-net-worth investors, and lessons any advisor can draw from regarding the importance of adapting what you offer to fit what your specific clients really want and need. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/78

Jun 19, 2018

Tanya Rapacz is the co-founder of The Partnership Resource, a unique business in the industry that does facilitation and mediation for advisory firm partners. Given her own experience working as a financial advisor—as well as her experience with a partnership merger that didn't work out—Tanya understood the challenges that can arise from partnerships even before she was trained in dispute resolution mediation. In this episode, she talks in depth about what it takes for a partnership to work. Listen in to hear details about Tanya's process for working with financial advisor partners to facilitate healthy communication and conflict resolution, the surprising truth about what kinds of people make the best business partners, and key areas that should be worked out early on for a partnership to be successful. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/77

Jun 12, 2018

My guest today brings a truly unique perspective to the financial planning world. In addition to being an associate professor in the financial planning program at Kansas State University, Kristy Archuleta is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Her background as a trained psychologist means she understands how to help clients improve their financial behaviors in a way that isn't typically seen with advisors. In this episode, Kristy shares the details of the work she does at the intersection of financial planning and financial therapy, as well as why—according to the best practices research of therapists themselves—the typical advisor approach is actually not a good way to get people to change their financial behaviors for the better. Listen in to hear what she says makes clients more likely to implement financial planning advice, why she anticipates that financial therapy will eventually become a specialization path for financial planners, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/76

Jun 5, 2018

Kathy Longo is the president and founder of Flourish Wealth Management, an advisory firm in the Minneapolis area that oversees nearly $130 million of AUM for 61 affluent clients. Surprisingly, Kathy chose to start this firm after successfully climbing the partnership track ladder to become one of the next generation successor owners of an independent RIA worth over $1 billion. In this episode, Kathy shares what led to her choosing to leave a successful firm to pursue her own entrepreneurial goals, as well as the challenges she faced in doing so. Listen in to hear how she has grown her business, why it's so important to find study groups of peers and colleagues, and the crucial philosophy she says all small business owners should embrace. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/75

May 29, 2018

Today's guest brings a unique perspective to the show. Not many financial advisor coaches have experience actually being an advisor, but Diane MacPhee is one of the few who understands both sides of the divide. Now the founder of DMAC Consulting Services—a financial advisor coaching and practice management consulting firm—Diane spent over fifteen years as a fee-only financial advisor herself. In this episode, Diane shares the common challenges of being a successful solo financial advisor, as well as the self-limiting beliefs we sometimes inflict on ourselves that prevent us from growing and being as successful as we could be. Listen in to hear her tips for how to deal with the feeling of overwhelm that can come with growing your business, how to avoid becoming a bottleneck in your own practice, and what she says is the key to financial advisors achieving continued success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/74

May 22, 2018

My guest today is well known in the financial services industry as a true creative force. Sheri Fitts is the founder of ShoeFitts Marketing—a marketing consulting firm for financial advisors—and the Chief Marketing Officer for Sheridan Road Advisors—a Chicago-area advisory firm with nearly $13 billion in AUM. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Sheri specializes in crafting unforgettable marketing strategies that really stand out. In this episode, she shares her journey from working a traditional corporate job to going out on her own as an independent consultant, as well as the key marketing concepts that have helped her get to where she is today. Listen in to hear Sheri's take on how to leverage and maximize marketing ideas, the fundamental difference between sales and marketing, and what advisory firms need to cultivate in order to succeed. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/73

May 15, 2018

Today's guest lives in a very interesting space that is becoming a bit of a hot trend in the industry these days. Dave DeVoe is the founder of DeVoe & Co., a practice management consulting firm for RIAs with a focus on business valuation succession planning and facilitating mergers and acquisitions of advisory firms. After his time leading the Schwab Advisor Services Mergers & Acquisitions program—and now working as an independent consultant who runs one of the industry's leading deal book tracking studies on financial advisor M & A activity—Dave has a deep history in consulting on and tracking the trends of advisory firm mergers and acquisitions and the value of firms themselves. In this episode, Dave talks about the mechanics of advisory firm deals from the buyer's perspective, including the main considerations that go into valuation. Listen in to hear his expert perspective on the buyer and seller trends in the industry, the flaws in the traditional 2x revenue valuation estimate for a firm, and why he sees it as both a buyer's market and a seller's market right now. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/72

May 8, 2018

Peggy Ruhlin, CFP board member and CEO of Budros, Ruhlin and Roe, joins us on the show to share her experience and financial planning journey. She goes into depth about her firms unique process that ensures all clients get the same treatment and experience. Peggy gives us the details of what they offer regarding planning and investment services and talks about how their clients actually requested they get more involved in the investment area. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/71

May 1, 2018

My guest on today's podcast has had what I consider one of the most fascinating journeys into the financial services industry. After making several major shifts in her career—which she began as a freelance and professional cellist who played in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra— Sue Stevens founded Stevens Wealth Management, an advisory firm in the Chicago area that serves 150 clients with nearly $350 million in AUM. In this episode, Sue shares how her unique ability to take leaps of faith led to her leadership roles at Morningstar, Vanguard, Arthur Andersen, and now Buckingham Strategic Wealth. Listen in to hear how she navigated multiple career changes, what she did to craft her own dream job description as the owner of an advisory firm, and her advice for tuning in to your own intuition on your path to success. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/70

Apr 24, 2018

Barry Glassman is the founder and president of Glassman Wealth Services, a wealth management firm in the Washington D.C. area that has grown to nearly $1.2 billion in assets under management in barely ten years. Now serving about 250 affluent client families, the company's impressive growth makes sense when you consider the time and energy Barry spends focusing on building the firm as a business, as well as his distinct methods for standing out to clients. In this episode, he shares his unique approach to differentiating Glassman Wealth by doing what he calls "interrupting the pattern" from what clients and prospects are typically used to. Listen in to learn the uncommon industry practices that have worked to win over clients, advice for sticking out in prospects' minds, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/69

Apr 17, 2018

Today's guest has had quite an unusual career path in the industry. After starting out as a Client Care Associate for SignatureFD—an independent RIA that currently serves more than $3 billion of AUM for nearly 1,000 clients—Heather Fortner is now a partner, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer for the firm. It's an impressive feat by any standard, but especially in a world where it's still relatively rare for non-revenue-producing members of a firm to have an opportunity to become a partner (not to mention how rare this is for women). In this episode, Heather shares how SignatureFD's unique business model works with their series of various niches under the firm's umbrella, as well as how their holistic financial design process aims to help clients with all types of wealth, including money, time, and relationships. Listen in to hear what skills she believes are most important for everyone—especially women—to develop in order to climb the career track in an independent advisory firm, how advisors can identify the right firm to stick with in the long run, and what she says are the most understated issues limiting the career growth of women in the industry today. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/68

Apr 10, 2018

Elliot Weissbluth is the founder and CEO of HighTower Advisors, a unique back and middle office support platform for independent advisory firms that now oversees more than $50 billion of assets under management, with nearly 600 employees. As if those numbers weren't impressive enough, HighTower built their own data platform to house all their advisor and client data. With this unique setup, they can not only build deeper integrations between popular software programs, but they also have the option to easily swap out their software solutions if a newer best in class comes along. In this episode, Elliot shares the details of his company's one-of-a-kind structure with a subsidiary broker-dealer, including how the HighTower model ultimately produces significant cost savings—even at a cost of as much as 15 - 20% of a firm's revenue. Listen in to hear Elliot's unique perspective on the industry, having built and grown his company with a very different model, as well as the inspiring story of how he coped with severe dyslexia, and ultimately turned the challenge into skills that allowed him to excel in the business world. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/67

Apr 3, 2018

My guest on today's podcast took over as CEO of Buckingham Strategic Wealth and BAM Advisor Services a little over 10 years ago (at just 32 years old!) and has nearly quintupled its size since then. One of the youngest CEOs of any major advisory firm, Adam Birenbaum leads his organization in serving over 22,000 clients and overseeing more than $30 billion in assets under management. In this episode, Adam shares the growth strategies that have worked for Buckingham Strategic Wealth and BAM Advisor Services, as well as why the company has chosen to grow offices in multiple locations. Listen in to hear his advice for leaders of large wealth management firms, how he looks at the mergers and acquisitions marketplace today, and what he says will determine the most successful advisory firms in the future. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/66

Mar 27, 2018

Today's guest has been able to grow his firm from under $100 million to nearly $35 billion in AUM in just 15 years— without relying on mergers and acquisitions. Peter Mallouk is the president of Creative Planning, one of the largest independent RIAs in the country, and he's built an organic growth machine through a combination of strategic partnerships and creating a one-stop shop with enough size and scale to deliver the kind of comprehensive value that really makes clients refer. In this episode, Peter shares what led to his firm's tremendous growth, as well as why Creative Planning includes not only financial planning and investment services, but also divisions for tax preparation, estate planning, and trust services. He also talks about the broader trends in the advisory industry, how the marketplace is shifting, and the competitive threats that advisory firm owners are going to have to navigate in the coming years. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/65

Mar 20, 2018

Today's guest has completely destroyed the myth that hourly financial planning can't be scaled effectively. Mark Berg is the founder of Timothy Financial Counsel, an advisory firm that does purely hourly financial planning and made $1.4 million in fees last year. Perhaps even more impressively, 75% of the firm's clients are recurring hourly clients. In this episode, Mark shares how he was able to successfully scale the reach of Timothy Financial, as well as why his clients are willing to pay between $280 and $400 an hour for financial planning services. Listen in to hear what led to the firm's whopping 83% close rate on qualified prospects last year, why most advisors fail at hourly financial planning despite the tremendous opportunity in using this model, and so much more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/64

Mar 13, 2018

Kevin Kroskey's journey to success is an amazing story of perseverance and a testament to the power of determination. The founder of True Wealth Design, an independent RIA that serves 160 clients, Kevin has managed to grow his practice to nearly $125 million in AUM after what, for many advisors, would have been a catastrophic setback in his early career: going to prison for 17 months. In this episode, we talk in depth about Kevin's unique path to starting his own firm after working as a high school physics teacher, switching to the financial services industry, and then finding his career and life brought to a halt by an "unrelated" criminal conviction. He shares how he managed to take back his life and build his advisory business, as well as his advice about what any advisor can do to persevere through the challenges that life sometimes throws at us. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/63

Mar 6, 2018

Today's guest has had a particularly interesting journey in the advisory world. Now the founder of Portfolio Wealth Advisors—an independent RIA that manages nearly $280 million in AUM—Lee Munson managed to build his practice while overcoming a scathing article published about him in the New York Observer . In this episode, we talk in depth about Lee's unique career path and how he built his firm to the phenomenally profitable practice it is today. He shares why he deliberately does not meet with clients on a quarterly basis, what he says are the secrets of his success, and so much more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/62 .

Feb 27, 2018

Today's guest is the founder of Workable Wealth, a virtual financial planning firm that has built more than $200,000 in recurring financial planning fees in just its first four years. As if that weren't impressive enough, Mary Beth Storjohann built the firm while also raising two small children—now two and a half years and three months old. In this episode, Mary Beth shares details about her personal journey to success, including valuable insight on a subject that hasn't been touched on much in this podcast: the very real challenge of balancing life at home with young children while also starting and/or running an advisory firm. Listen in to hear how she managed client relationships and her marketing and growth momentum through her maternity leave, as well as her advice for female advisors on handling the balancing act of starting your own firm when you also want to start a family. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/61

Feb 20, 2018

What works early on when a firm is just starting out does not tend to work as well once the business starts to grow. Many financial advisors are not prepared for managing a large practice so when it starts to scale and grow, it's important to re-evaluate how things are structured. Kelli Cruz joins us on the show to share her expertise in human resources management for mid-size to large financial advisory firms. She has a truly unique and effective method to assessing and adjusting the way businesses compensate and incentivize their employees. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/60

Feb 13, 2018

Carol Anderson is the founder of Money Quotient, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial life planning training to advisors. She has spent many years working in financial life planning, and in contrast to the typical criticism of the field, her company has managed to systematize their process. In this episode, Carol discusses Money Quotient's unique approach, as well as the psychology and sociology research behind it. Listen in to hear how their tactics set a more holistic tone to financial planning engagement and why Carol says financial life planning isn't an alternative to traditional financial planning, but rather a better way to help clients develop the self-awareness they need to truly identify what their goals are in the first place. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/59

Feb 6, 2018

My guest on today's podcast has followed an uncommon career path leading to financial services, and has quite a unique story when it comes to business evolution, as well. The co-founder of Monument Wealth Management—a hybrid RIA that serves about 120 families and oversees nearly $300 million of assets under management with a team of 11 people—David Armstrong built his early career under a broker-dealer before shifting to a hybrid arrangement with an outside SEC-registered RIA. From there, he is steadily dialing down his amount of broker-dealer business over time as he shifts increasingly toward an AUM-based wealth management model. In this episode, David shares the story of building and developing his firm, as well as how Monument has systematized everything from financial planning deliverables to their path to partnership to using an engagement letter before taking on a client. Listen in to hear how the team makes the firm's hybrid model such a success and why their approach to data gathering just might have other firms reconsidering their methods. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/58

Jan 30, 2018

Today's guest has a unique business in the advisory world that has managed the kind of growth many dream of achieving. Co-founder of oXYGen Financial, one of the first firms to focus on Gen X and Gen Y clients as their target clientele, Ted Jenkin saw his company go from zero to over 1500 clients in just ten years. Today, his company manages nearly $1 billion of client assets. In this episode, Ted shares the surprising strategies he used to generate leads and grow his company, as well as what he considers the best ways to use marketing dollars. Listen in to hear what he's learned along his journey to success, as well as his advice for making the leap to go out on your own. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/57

Jan 23, 2018

My guest on today's podcast has followed a unusual path to success in the financial planning industry. Sheryl Garrett is the founder of the Garrett Planning Network—a financial advisor support network for fee-only RIA's with a focus on bringing financial planning to the middle market by making it available on an hourly as-needed basis. After starting her firm with what started out as a very unique business model in the late 1990s, Sheryl's approach to financial planning became so popular that it attracted other financial advisors who wanted to emulate the model. Eventually, what Sheryl wanted to do for her own clients turned into a network of several hundred advisors, all delivering the same hourly model in their own local markets. In this episode, Sheryl shares her journey through the financial planning industry, going from struggling early on in a broker-dealer that required her to cold call and sell products to the successful business owner she is today. She talks about the valuable lessons she learned along the way and what ultimately led her to finally start her own firm—a full 10 plus years into her career. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/56

Jan 16, 2018

Today's guest is Tim Kochis, the co-founder of Aspiriant, one of the first independent RIA's to have reached $1 billion of assets under management in the early 2000s. Today the company is one of the industry's few independent RIA's focused on comprehensive wealth management to have reached a whopping $10 billion AUM threshold. In this episode, Tim shares how he was able to grow the company so quickly to become one of the leading RIA's with a niche focus on working with corporate executives, as well as how he attracted and retained top-notch talent to manage that growth. Listen in to learn how he differentiated his firm and gained credibility even without having a big corporate name on his business card, the insights he has gleaned over the years, and more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/55

Jan 9, 2018

Today's guest has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years. The co-founder of Private Ocean—an independent RIA in Northern California that manages nearly $1.2 billion of assets under management—Greg Friedman has not only been an advisor, but he also founded the country's leading practice improvement firm for financial advisors, Junxure. In this episode, Greg shares the unique niche that helped Private Ocean gain its initial traction, as well as how he got started in technology despite not intending to do so. He also shares valuable lessons he learned when he decided to merge his successful advisory firm with a larger one, what he would do differently if he had it to do all over again, and advice for advisors who are just starting out. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/54

Jan 2, 2018

It is so hard to know what to say to or what to do for a grieving person. The awkwardness fills us up and makes it hard to give grieving people what they need to feel comfort and cared-for. Amy Florian is a thanatologist and expert in grief, death and loss. She joins us on the show to give some incredibly valuable and actionable advice on how to deal with clients, coworkers, friends and family who are grieving. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/53

Dec 26, 2017

Today's guest is one of the industry's leading advisor technology gurus. The publisher of the Technology Tools for Today newsletter, Joel Bruckenstein has a nearly 20-year history of writing about advisor technology trends, from publishing regular columns in Horsesmouth , Morningstar Advisor , Financial Advisor , and Financial Planning magazines, to his own newsletter, and now his latest platform, the t3 Technology Hub. In this episode, Joel discusses recent trends in advisor technology, the results of the latest advisor software survey that he administers along with Bob Veres, and why he says that today is the "golden age" of advisor technology. He also shares the real-world challenges of implementing advisor technology in a typical firm, as well as the biggest areas where advisors can get better ROI from their technology, particularly when it comes to better utilizing CRM software for business intelligence purposes. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/52

Dec 19, 2017

Today we have a different kind of guest on the show, and he offers a unique perspective for more reasons than one. Not only is Dan Egan a representative of the so-called "robo-advisor" Betterment, but, ironically, he also serves as their Director of Behavioral Finance and Investments. Given that the primary criticism robo-advisors get is for their supposed inability to help clients with their behavioral issues when it comes to investing, Dan provides an interesting viewpoint that is also very informative. In this episode, Dan shares the real picture of how things work for onboarding clients at businesses like Betterment, how his company tests behavioral finance interventions using a robust scientific process, and what we can all learn from their findings. Listen in to hear the insights they've gained, as well as advice that all advisors can apply to improve their own services. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/51

Dec 12, 2017

Our guest today is one of the very first coaches to specialize in working with financial advisors. For nearly 20 years, Tracy Beckes has helped her clients navigate the common challenges of trying to run what she calls an "effortless, outrageous advisory practice." What's even more impressive about Tracy is the way she has been able to systematize her coaching strategies into concrete tools and templates. In this episode, Tracy shares these coaching tools and how she sets up engagement standards with clients in order to set the terms of the client/advisor relationship. She also talks about the importance of regular meetings within an advisory firm, as well as how to set up these meetings to target the most important issues. Listen in to hear her valuable insight and what she says is the real secret to advisory firm growth. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/50

Dec 5, 2017

Anna Sergunina is the owner of Mainstreet Financial Planning, an hourly-based financial planning firm under the Garrett Planning Network. Not only has her company grown to more than $600,000 of revenue, but it has done so from simply getting paid to provide hourly financial planning advice with no income at all from insurance products or managing investment portfolios. What's also fascinating about Anna's business is the way that she's figured out how to communicate the value of hourly financial planning by creating very specific financial advice packages for various types of prospective client profiles. In this episode, we talk in depth about Anna's five-meeting process for financial planning, how she uses her website to both explain the value of those financial planning packages to prospects and to screen out those who aren't really likely to take the process seriously, and why she charges $100 as an upfront deposit for an initial inquiry approach meeting with prospects. We also discuss how Anna sets the level for her financial planning fees and the sources of new business that has her firm on track to add more than 100 new hourly financial planning clients this year. For show notes and more visit https://www.kitces.com/49

Nov 28, 2017

Today's guest is the CEO of Graham Strategy, a marketing consulting firm that helps financial advisors craft relevant marketing messages to reach their target clientele. Gail Graham has had a fascinating career spanning a wide range of advisory businesses, and she has held a similar marketing role as she moved from the private wealth division of PNC Bank to Fidelity's Private Client Group, and later to her position as Chief Marketing Officer for United Capital. The experience she has gained over the years means she truly understands what it takes to successfully market an intangible like financial planning services. In this episode, we talk in depth about how to more effectively communicate financial planning and its value, as well as why financial advisors need to get clear about who their ideal client is. We also discuss why it's absolutely essential to focus in order to find the right marketing messages that really resonate and Gail's process for finding and refining your own value proposition. For show notes and more visit https://www.kitces.com/48

Nov 21, 2017

Today's guest is the Director of Operations for Sequoia Financial Group, a hybrid RIA that manages more than $3.7 billion and spans four office locations. Shaun Kapusinski started out in the industry over fifteen years ago as a financial advisor selling life insurance, but made a shift early in his career to the operations side of the business. Since then, he has been able to grow his career by following an operations career track instead of the more traditional paths. In this episode, we talk about the organizational structure of his mega advisory firm, how they split apart a division of shared services, and why the firm is looking to make a shift to Salesforce Financial Services Cloud for their next stage of growth. We also talk about Shaun's own unique career path, as well as why he believes that getting an MBA may be more valuable for those in the operations side. Tune in to hear Shaun's valuable insight as he shares what he has learned throughout his impressive career. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/47

Nov 14, 2017

Today's guest, Susan Bradley, is the founder of Sudden Money Institute, which trains financial advisors to work with clients who experience an abrupt increase in their finances. These so-called "sudden money transitions" can come from a personal injury settlement, an inheritance, a divorce settlement, or any other swift influx of money, and they require a unique skill set from advisors. That's why Sudden Money Institute trains advisors through a designation program called The CeFT (Certified Financial Transitionist). In this episode, we talk in depth about why advisors need to understand how to help clients through sudden money transitions, the requirements and benefits of earning a CeFT, how Sudden Money Institute facilitates productive conversations with clients, and more. For show notes and more visit https://www.kitces.com/46

Nov 7, 2017

Today's guest is Rebecca Pomering, the Chief Practice Officer of Moss Adams, a mega accounting firm with more than $600 million in revenue and 2,800 employees, as well as a wealth management division with more than $2.1 billion in assets under management. After starting in the financial advisor consulting division at the age of 23, Rebecca took over the firm's wealth advisors by the time she turned 30—right before the 2008 financial crisis—and has since nearly tripled the size of the firm. Rebecca's fascinating personal career spans consulting, leadership, and executive roles, and today you'll hear the lessons she learned along the way. Listen in to hear how she managed to grow a wealth management firm within an established accounting firm, changes she had to make to keep Moss Adams on track during the market crash, her advice for young advisors, and so much more. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/45

Oct 31, 2017

At the age of 30 he has already executed a successful succession plan and more than doubled the size of the practice. He explains the unique structure of the company and goes into detail about the succession plan he was a part of. Jake talks about the up-front payment system they have and how it works for the variety of clients they serve. services they provide and how they help both the client and them as a business. He also talks about how important tracking, systematizing and creating processes is crucial to the success of the practice. For show notes and more visit https://www.kitces.com/44

Oct 24, 2017

Selling your business is like handing off your child in a way and it is well known that succession plans can often be messy, confusing and hard to navigate. Marty Kurtz is on the show today to share his impressive journey. We get to hear the details from the beginning stages of building a successful company with strong partnerships, to handing off the baton and creating a succession plan that is best for everyone involved. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/43

Oct 17, 2017

Carol Craigie is to co-founder of the Fiscal Fitness Clubs of America, a financial wellness company that aims to expand the reach of financial advice using a combination of online education and group classes.

Oct 10, 2017

Elaine shares how her advisory firm fee structure evolved, from initially doing standalone financial planning project fees to her current blended AUM plus upfront planning fee model, the unique engagement process that she uses, and the way that she breaks up her upfront planning fee into an initial series of ongoing payments in the first three months, to helping clients get into completing the process. For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/41

Oct 3, 2017

Phillip is the founder and CEO of Ensemble Practice, talks about different ways that advisors can share equity in becoming the multi-professional advisory firm and what it takes to actually introduce a new second generation to the firm. For show notes and more visit https://www.kitces.com/40

Sep 26, 2017

Learn how behavioral assessment tools could eventually become a way that we show our value as financial advisors where we provide the assessment and show them how we're helping them change their financial attitudes and behaviors for the better. Access full episode show notes at kitces.com/39 .

Sep 19, 2017

How you can use social media as a successful path to marketing and specifically to facilitate work life balance. In this episode, the chat with Winnie Sun, co-founder of Sun Financial Group. Winnie explores what's functioning when it comes to online social media marketing and why she still balances spending two thirds of her time in wealth management and business. She also talks about how she structured her team with her partner to support her practice. Get full episode show notes at kitces.com/38

Sep 12, 2017

Today's guest has seen her company go from gaining nearly 150 clients over a decade to yielding four prospect inquiries per week . How did they do it? Let's just say Johanna Fox Turner has discovered the power of finding a niche. Her fee-only financial advisory firm, Fox & Company, recently switched to focusing on physicians as its specialty. It has since seen such rapid growth – there is now a six to eight week waiting list for new clients. On this episode, Johanna shares with us how she managed her company's change in focus – restructuring their advisory fees from an AUM model to a three-tiered retainer structure. We also learn how she has been able to generate a high volume of referrals through unique centers of influence. Johanna explains how she broke the news of shifting into a niche to her existing clients, and why her existing non-doctor clients have stayed with her as she focuses into her new doctor niche. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/37

Sep 5, 2017

We routinely bang the drum for choosing a niche and throwing all your effort at it - and Scott Hanson's firm, Hanson McClain, is proof that this technique works. The combination of dedicated, long-term marketing strategies and a niche of retiring utility workers has helped Scott and his partner Pat turn their business into a national advisory firm that serves about 4500 clients. And his firm handles all marketing for advisors, so advisors can focus on providing financial planning services rather than worrying about business development. In this interview, Scott talks about the major investment his $2.5 billion AUM firm has made in marketing, including hiring ten-plus marketing staff. And be sure to listen to the end, where Scott talks about the decision to sell 70% stake in his business in order to help the business keep growing strong well into the future. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/36

Aug 29, 2017

Cheryl Holland's firm, Abacus Planning Group, is based in Columbia, South Carolina. Working in a mid-sized city such as Columbia might prove tricky for other advisors, but her niche working with families who hold business and other close assets has set her apart. Coupled with her natural drive and a willingness to keep learning, Cheryl has build a firm that rests on the core tenets of learning, growth, empathy, and challenging work. In this interview, Cheryl talks about how she built Abacus, why she invests so heavily in every one of her employees, and what she's done to systematize just about every process in the office. She shares how technology has helped drive the growth of her firm, and why she's put such a strong emphasis on teaching her team (and herself!) how to be keen listeners as well as talented financial advisors. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/35

Aug 22, 2017

Sheryl's firm Rowling & Associates was already a robust planning practice before she decided to design and launch a rebalancing software that would be affordable and simple to use. In this interview, she shares the challenges of running concurrent businesses, what she wished she knew before diving into the software world, and what she learned about life and work while managing two related but demanding ventures. She's also a fierce advocate for work-life balance and has built a practice that allows employees to serve clients to a high standard while also carving out time for the rest of their lives. Sheryl shares the structure of her firm today, along with her hiring philosophy and how she manages such great, holistic relationships with clients. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/34

Aug 15, 2017

Building a business is already hard. Building a successful wealth management business in a rural area, where there aren't as many potential clients, is even harder. Meet Jeff Rose, the founder of Alliance Wealth Management, who will be sharing how his business is now managing over $40 million while making over $100k on the side from referrals and partnerships. Digital marketing is the main key to Jeff's success. Ever since he got his first online client thanks to his blogging and online presence, his focus has shifted to taking advantage of the internet's potential for connection. Jeff shares how he's built up his online presence to make his business known locally and to a wider audience. He also gives us details on how he forged partnerships with insurance agencies and other services to provide more value to his customers while making money on the side. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/33

Aug 8, 2017

In this episode, Brittney Castro shares why and how she's diversified her business and how she's found great success in all three pillars. Brittney radiates passion for finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship as she talks about her business and the strategies she used to get where she is today. Her financial planning practice, Financially Wise Women, has successfully resonated with her niche due to her attention to what really matters. Brittney keeps things simple, from the fees she charges to the processes she uses to plan. By being in tune with her customers' needs and maintaining personal limits on time and focus, Brittney has been able to build a reputable and successful brand. She shares the numbers with us and gives a closer look at what she has paid for projects and employees and how she has set up her massively successful marketing outreach. She also digs into the details of how she gets paid to represent brands and the process she went through, and is currently going through, to develop her own online content and courses. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/32

Aug 1, 2017

When it's time to hire a new financial planner to help grow the business and build your team, the task can seem overwhelming. Trusting your clients with just anyone isn't an option, so how do you go about finding and recruiting the best of the best of today's talented financial planners? Today we have Caleb Brown joining us on the show and sharing his tips for finding the top candidates to join your firm. Caleb is the co-founder of New Planner Recruiting Firm and has many years of both financial planning and strategic recruiting under his belt. He emphasizes the importance of looking beyond skill and diving into the deeper corners of applicants' resumes and personalities to find any unteachable traits. From different testing methods to case studies and various interview techniques, Caleb teaches managers different tactics for finding trustworthy go-getters who can get clients to take action. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/31

Jul 25, 2017

Josh Itzoe is a CFP, AIF, and Partner at Greenspring Wealth, where he consults with corporate clients about how they can improve their 401(k) offerings. Josh is also a self-published author and believes that publishing a book about his industry was the best business decision he's ever made. In this episode, Josh shares how he initially got into the institutional side of financial planning and what fascinates him about helping companies hash out their 401(k) programs. Josh also walks through the process of writing and publishing his book, and the results he saw afterward. He shares some of the best resources for those interested in the 401(k) planning space and talks about why he decided to read the entire ERISA law - which is no small feat - to gain an edge over other advisors. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/30

Jul 18, 2017

Dana Anspach and her firm Sensible Money have 110 full-service baby-boomer clients, $130 million AUM, and $1.3 million in annual revenue. And they do it all virtually. In this episode, Dana talks about the structure of her firm and how she's built it into a brand that she hopes will continue long after she's gone. She also shares how many of her clients were formerly her readers, and talks about how her foundational client questionnaire, followed by a 3-meeting strategy and comprehensive financial plan, leads about 70% of prospects wanting to become full-on clients. Be sure to listen to the end, where Dana discusses how her writing has formed the backbone of her brand and business, and the schedule she maintains to make sure it all gets done. Dana also shares many of the technological tools that allow Sensible Money to educate, service, and build trust with clients from around the globe. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/29

Jul 11, 2017

Our guest today is Michael Nathanson, chief executive officer of the Colony Group. Michael's private wealth management firm has over $6 billion in assets under management and a 39% profit margin. Michael has driven this phenomenal growth through strategic acquisitions, high-level systems thinking, and targeted organic growth. Michael walks us through how he operates as an effective CEO to nurture his seven offices, recruit top-level talent, and delegate effectively. He gets into the details of compensation, leadership and buying other firms. He also shares the company's trajectory and how it compares to other RIA practices out in the market. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/28

Jul 4, 2017

Amy works hard to help financial advisors grow through targeted referrals to high net worth individuals. She accompanies marketing skills with sales development to make sure those leads convert to clients. She calls upon her experience at Goldman Sachs accruing $50M in AUM in just 18 months through highly-targeted cold calling and emailing. Additionally, she shares her unique methods for finding wealthy individuals. She would go so far as to take pictures of the donor lists at art museums and research the events that these wealthy donors would make great clients. Then, she would reverse engineer a pathway to connecting with them. In this episode, Amy also covers the places, both digital and physical, she recommends visiting to meet the new rich. If you are going to crack into this population, it is better to start with people who have just come into money. They won't have as many entrenched service providers already in place. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/27

Jun 27, 2017

Steve Wershing is a practice management and marketing consultant who teaches clients to stop asking for referrals. He believes, if you operate in a clear niche, that you will stimulate referrals from clients without solicitation. Steve consults with advisors to clarify how their marketing materials can more clearly communicate their strengths and structure. In this episode, Steve discusses being guilty of conflating target market with niche market. Towards the end, Steve shares how to manage a niche practice and why clients will eventually outgrow your services. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/26

Jun 20, 2017

Tim Delaney had a bit of a different journey into financial planning, but his 23-year career as a CPA was excellent training. After a few years doing both taxes and planning, clients started telling him they slept better at night because of his help managing life's financial ups and downs. In this episode, Tim shares the negative investing experience that made him want to focus on a no-selling value proposition, and how he learned not to over-explain the planning process to clients. Be sure to listen to the end, where Tim describes the essential partnerships along the way that have allowed his business to flourish and weather several recessions, all while providing clients with excellent service. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/25

Jun 13, 2017

Stephanie Bogan has achieved the level of success that most financial advisors aspire to reach. She sold her practice, Quantuvis Consulting, to Genworth Financial and now lives in Costa Rica, coaching other advisors. In this episode, she shares her perspective on growing a serious consulting business. Stephanie attributes the rapid growth of her firm to a focus on helping other firms transform their own growth rates. She's worked with clients on business strategy, human capital, operations management, and marketing techniques, and she's developed a top reputation for coming up with valuable, tangible solutions. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/24

Jun 6, 2017

Today's guest has a very uncommon structure for her financial consulting business. Liz Davidson is trailblazing a business model where her firm is paid by employers to educate and guide employees' financial lives. They are now the largest provider of workplace financial wellness programs in the business. It has been a long process of tinkering and refining to figure out precisely how to deliver value to the wide range of employees that Financial Finesse serves. Liz explains her multichannel approach to serving clients and scaling her team's expertise. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/23

May 30, 2017

Jude's firm Upperline Financial has a unique fee structure that allows them to help clients and families of varying net worth while providing a holistic, vision-driven financial plan. In this episode, Jude talks about how he carefully considered the decision to open his own RIA, and how he timed the transition to be able to spend more time with his family and also grow the business at a slower but more sustainable rate. Be sure to listen to the end, where Jude talks about his upcoming merger with The Planning Center and why he's excited about the future of the business. By merging with another firm, Jude will maintain ownership of Upperline, yet be able to focus his energy on the parts of the business he loves - working with clients - and delegate those that he isn't as good at and doesn't enjoy. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/22

May 23, 2017

In today's episode, I speak with Inspired Financial founder, Evelyn Zohlen, an independent RIA in southern California. Her business is focused on working with women in transition, namely divorcees and widows. Her small, cohesive team dominates the niche and innovates constantly. Evelyn shares the details of how she selected this niche and built her team. They have set up their fees and team to deliver over-the-top coverage to select clients and share responsibilities fairly. Some clients pay for AUM, while others pay her a retainer, which is a growing trend within the industry. For Evelyn, driving referrals from centers of influence has been the foundation of how she has built her business. This has led her to bring $140M in assets under management in 15 years. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: www.kitces.com/21

May 16, 2017

I've received a lot of requests for me a to be a guest on my own show - so here you have it! In this interview, I talk with my XYPN co-founder Alan Moore about how I manage to keep up with the blog, five growing businesses, speaking gigs, and actual financial planning - on top of spending time with family. I retrace the steps I've taken to arrive at the varied career I have today, and share some of the formative experiences of that journey. Alan and I also talk about the time management strategies I've implemented in order to balance everything and avoid overcommitting myself. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/20

May 9, 2017

Bob Veres has long been a towering figure in the world of financial planning. He's been writing about financial planning since the early eighties and has played a key role in shaping the industry as we know it today. In this interview, Bob shares how and why he's worked to close the disconnect between planners' and clients' interests, and why he thinks financial planning could one day be a profession on par with medicine and law. We trace the changes of the profession through time, followed up with Bob's predictions for the future. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/19

May 2, 2017

Angie Herbers consults with financial advisors to help them break through growth barriers and bring their firms into alignment with their core values. Although she gets about 4-5 prospects a week, Angie only works with about 10% of the advisors that want to work with her. In this interview, Angie talks about the critical importance of setting boundaries with your business and your clients. Angie explains why your business by nature is a selfish entity, and how to protect your time and energy to ensure you don't lose yourself to the business. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/18

Apr 25, 2017

There's constantly buzz in our industry about the importance of integrating social media with your practice. Not only is Josh Brown an advisor at Ritholtz Wealth Management; he runs the widely-read blog The Reformed Broker and appears on CNBC's The Halftime Report . In this conversation, Josh tells the story of how he became one of the best known voices in the business, beginning in the financial world as a broker dealer for some questionable companies. Josh also shares advice about building your social presence and the necessity of being authentic with your audience. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/17

Apr 18, 2017

Our guest this week, Deena Katz, was already writing entire books about practice management when I was still cutting my teeth as a financial advisor. Deena is a financial advisor, author, and educator who has long espoused the importance of holistic financial planning. Deena was an early adopter of niches, settling into work with widows and divorcees that needed help managing their money. Deena has empowered not only women during her 41-year career, but clients and planners from all walks of life. In this interview, Deena talks about the early years of financial planning and how she and her partners established one of the first fee-only practices. Deena also talks about the second half of her career, which she's dedicated to teaching the next generation of financial planners. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/16

Apr 11, 2017

You've undoubtedly heard of "life planning" within the financial planning world, but we've got the originator himself with us today on Financial Advisor Success. In this episode, George Kinder talks about his early career and the inception of life planning. He shares the three questions he asks of new clients to get to know them, and the short- and long-term goals he often has clients identify. For George, life planning is the first step of any good financial plan - get to know your client well, and then figure out how you can help them become who they're meant to be. George also shares how life planning became so popular in the first place and how he transitioned away from and sold his financial planning firm to teach life planning full time. He also talks about the other passions in his life, and why finding and holding onto freedom is the main motivating factor for all of his work. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/15

Apr 4, 2017

Carl Richards has a career that many people would be envious of. He's worked for top-notch financial planning firms, built his own RIA, written two books and a column for The New York Times , and travels internationally to speak to crowds about financial planning. But like most of us, Carl still deals with impostor syndrome that threatens his confidence in his own success. In this interview, Carl and I talk about why many great financial advisors constantly question whether or not they're providing the value their clients are paying for. We also dive into the many opportunities Carl has had throughout his career, and why he still feels today like he's lucked into many of them. He shares some real wisdom about why advisors shouldn't let impostor syndrome keep them from doing valued, important work for clients or seizing the chances that come their way. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/14

Mar 28, 2017

As a serial entrepreneur, Steve Lockshin has founded several businesses in the advisory industry. Listen to this week's episode to learn how he got started as a financial advisor without any experience in the field and how he created and sold a software company without a background in programming. Steve shares his journey from insurance into financial advising and how he got started. You'll hear the lessons he's learned from selling companies, his entrepreneurial successes (and failures), and growing his revenue 100% every year. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/13

Mar 21, 2017

Today I'm chatting with Sophia Bera, the founder of Gen Y Planning. Sophia was the subject of a post on Nerd's Eye View back in 2013 when she was starting her firm. Four years on, she's bringing home more than $100,000 in revenue and serving about 50 clients on a monthly retainer model. Sophia's firm is another example of just how powerful a niche can be. Although peers told her that millennials would be a challenging and non-lucrative group to serve, she quickly found that advisors were lacking, not millennial clients. In this episode, Sophia breaks down her fee structure and service model. Sophia's experience with traditional firms, financial startups, and running her own business make her uniquely suited to consulting clients and other financial planners alike on their various options for financial management. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/12

Mar 14, 2017

Alan and I co-founded XY Planning Network in 2013, but he had to go through a lot of growth and challenges before he got there. Three years later, Alan firmly believes that being your own boss is safer than letting one person (your boss) be in control of your income. In this episode, Alan and I talk about his internship with Rick Kahler and subsequent job, during which he learned that being an associate advisor in someone else's firm wasn't a good fit. We then dig into Alan's transition to entrepreneurship, the practice he started from scratch, and the financial ups and downs of making it happen. He shares his motivation for creating a specific niche for other young financial planners and why he'll never go back to working for anyone else. We wrap up with some of the growing pains of building a business, and how to make sure being an entrepreneur stays fun amid all the hard work. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/11

Mar 7, 2017

In this interview, Eric gives us some background about Austin Asset today and its incredible growth since he joined the firm in 1997. He shares candidly about how he and his mentor John Henry McDonald complemented each other as they navigated the challenges of a growing firm. While we discuss the nuts-and-bolts of succession planning, we also touch on the oft-ignored emotional aspects of such a transition. Eric also talks about the book he co-wrote on the subject, Success and Succession , which he hopes will make this natural part of the industry less lonely and more navigable for all financial planners. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/10

Feb 28, 2017

Today on Financial Advisor Success, I'm excited to host Dr. Carolyn McClanahan of Life Planning Partners. Carolyn is a physician and financial planner based out of Jacksonville, Florida, where her truly holistic ensemble practice works with 80 clients and maintains more than $1 million a year of stable recurring income. In this episode, Carolyn lays out the infrastructure & beliefs of her firm and shares the client standards document that ensures she only works with considerate, responsive, all-around awesome clients. Carolyn also talks about how she adjusts her complexity-based fee for each client, why she doesn't want to grow beyond 100 client families, the hard lessons she learned about hiring, and the parallels she sees between medicine and financial planning. We wrap up with a discussion of her new company that plans to make it easier for financial planners to navigate working with aging clients to ensure their long term financial stability. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/9

Feb 21, 2017

David Grau Sr. talks about how he helped start a business at the wholly unique intersection of financial services, technology, and consulting that is FP Transitions' bread and butter. We also discuss the four sectors that David and his team break the industry into - books, practices, businesses, and firms - and the critical differences between them. David also shares his potentially controversial (or at least counterintuitive) perspective on compensation, which by now is an industry standard. (We'd love to hear your thoughts on this!) Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/8

Feb 14, 2017

In this episode, Matt talks about how he transformed a stagnant firm into a profitable lifestyle practice with the help of his father Nathaniel (the founder of Jarvis) and his two excellent office staff. He outlines the business' metrics, service model, and the infrastructure he's built to ensure his clients get excellent service even if he's not in the office. We also talk about industry criticism of lifestyle practices and the heavy investment Matt and his team have made in the technology that keeps the business running. He discusses the future of the practice and the factors he weighs when considering new clients, including potentially spending less time with his family. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/7

Feb 7, 2017

Eleanor Blayney talks about the challenges of growing an independent RIA in a male dominated industry. She was one of the founding partners of Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney. The firm grew to a billion dollars in AUM before it was sold to Harris Bank in 2003. She focuses on serving the needs of women - both as clients and as advisors in the profession. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/6

Jan 31, 2017

Mark Tibergien is the current CEO of Pershing Advisor Solutions, an advisement firm custodian to some of the wealthiest practices and clients in the world. Pershing is part of BNY Mellon, which oversees $33 trillion in assets globally. Mark was formerly a part of Moss Adams, where he pioneered the benchmarking studies that helped define and continue to shape the industry today. In this episode, you'll hear about how Mark got recruited into the early financial planning world back when he was still an aspiring journalist. He then talks about how his benchmark studies at Moss Adams helped him become one of the foremost authorities on professional practice management. Mark also shares the four stages of an advisory firm's lifecycle, and the key roles that great leadership and people skills play in the establishment of a successful firm. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/5

Jan 24, 2017

Deb Wetherby, owner of Wetherby Asset Management. The challenges and accomplishments Deb and her team have weathered provide an excellent case study in leadership, growth, and resource development. They have been intentional about creating systems that will facilitate growth while maintaining their focus on client management and high-quality customer service. We cover a number of topics on this episode that entrepreneurs with any aspiration for expansion should seriously consider. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/4

Jan 17, 2017

Julie Littlechild is a speaker, writer, and researcher focused on understanding and improving financial advisors' engagement with their teams and their clients. She is now the founder of Absolute Engagement, a firm that provides ongoing research into personal, client, and team engagement to support a dynamic business. One of her primary subjects of research, which is especially relevant helping financial advisors get more and better quality referrals from clients that will help grow your practice. Julie talks about how she got drawn into the world of financial advisors in the first place and how she knew coaching wasn't the right fit for her. We then discuss why satisfied clients often don't translate into quality referrals, and the steps you can take to increase the number of referrals you do get. Julie also shares the experience of selling her coaching business Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/3

Jan 10, 2017

It's taken Ron Carson considerable energy and determination to get where he is today, and this interview sheds light on all the hard work he's done to build such an impressive career. While it may seem like successful people simply spring into existence, I hope these interviews show you that all financial planners encounter triumphs and obstacles alike. Ron talks candidly his humble beginnings and the moment of physical, emotional, and professional burnout that actually turned into his career-making opportunity. He also shares the mistakes he's made along the way, including his slow adaptation of technology and hesitance to invite other über-talented people into his practice's inner circle. We then discuss Ron's thoughts on making your employees into shareholders, and how he juggles the advising, mentoring, and charitable businesses he's founded over the years. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/2

Dec 28, 2016

I'm thrilled to bring you weekly episodes featuring interviews of successful financial planners, their stories and the insights you can learn from their valuable experience. In this first episode, I have a conversation with Rick Kahler, a financial planner in Rapid City, South Dakota who built his own practice to a stable of 100 clients and $200M in assets under management. Rick's story is truly humbling as he openly shares the events and decisions that brought him to where he is today. You'll hear about his decisions that worked well in growing his practice, and quite frankly the sheer persistence in Rick's professional career that allowed him to consistently and repeatedly overcome roadblocks and challenges. Between losing 5 out of 6 employees in under 60 days, facing insolvency and near bankruptcy 6 times, and failing on multiple businesses before running his practice, Rick's ability to persist when times are uncomfortable will simply inspire you. Get the full show notes and transcript for this episode at: https://www.kitces.com/1