Digital communication has largely replaced traditional communication, but putting pen to paper still holds deep and timeless meaning. The simplicity and sincerity encapsulated within a handwritten letter are unparalleled, transcending the boundaries of modernity. Despite instant messaging and emails, handwritten notes are a remarkable way to convey…

The transition of ownership within a firm can be a challenging process for both clients and advisors alike. It's at this point where the delicate balance of trust, transparency, and open communication becomes so important. While a change in ownership or leadership can stir feelings of uncertainty and concern, advisors who have established trust and…

Advisors, much like educators, understand the importance of clear communication. They attempt to simplify complex concepts without diluting their essence. Pursuing this solution drives advisors to explore innovative ways to engage, educate, and empower their clients. In this episode, Steve talks with Ross Riskin, Chief Learning Officer at Investmen…

Numbers can often obscure the essence of wealth. However, the heart of wealth management lies in the stories, dreams, and aspirations of the individuals underlying the figures. In this episode, Steve talks with Michael Mahoney, Owner of Cypress Asset Management. Before becoming a wealth manager, Michael had a successful business in commercial insur…

As a new breed of investors emerges, they bring with them unique perspectives, aspirations, and ambitions. This tech-savvy and forward-thinking generation demands a level of engagement and planning that is far more in-depth and tailored to their specific circumstances and goals. In this episode, Steve talks with Andy Krafft, Financial Planner at Lu…

Trusts have long been essential for wealth management and estate planning, enabling individuals to protect and distribute their assets according to their wishes. However, navigating the trustee industry can sometimes feel like stepping into a maze of legal jargon, complicated procedures, and an array of options that can overwhelm even the most expe…

The quest for effective growth strategies in business is a constant endeavor. Entrepreneurs and business owners tirelessly explore various avenues to fuel their enterprises, seeking the holy grail of sustainable growth. While modern marketing channels have expanded exponentially with the rise of social media, search engines, and digital advertising…

Faith-based and family-centric advisory services offer a refreshing alternative in a world that often compartmentalizes faith and business. This concept goes beyond conventional financial consulting. It delves into the intersection of faith, family, and finance, recognizing that one's religious beliefs play a crucial role in shaping their perspecti…

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) have long been recognized for their meticulous number-crunching abilities. However, beyond the spreadsheets and balance sheets, the essence of CPA work lies in fostering relationships, providing sound advice, and guiding clients toward financial prosperity. For some, this realization becomes the catalyst for emba…

Traditionally, younger individuals seeking financial advice find themselves entangled in a broken system. They are often required to purchase financial products or services to access professional advice. Unfortunately, this model is inherently flawed, as the advice they receive tends to be biased and skewed toward the products or services offered. …

Transitions can be challenging for any organization, especially when managing relationships during the succession or sale of an advisory firm. However, as advisors shift to an independent wealth advisory business model due to its unconflicted nature and ability to provide valuable services to clients, mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships are bec…

Sales is the lifeblood of any business. Whether it's a small startup or a multi-national corporation, the ability to generate revenue is critical to long-term success. But selling is about much more than just transactions and making a sale. It involves a slow developing process of building relationships, creating value for clients, and helping them…

Life planning and financial planning are two distinct approaches to helping clients achieve their goals and secure their financial futures. While financial planning typically focuses on achieving specific financial milestones, life planning considers broader life goals. By understanding a client's life goals and values, financial advisors can provi…

Relationships are a fundamental aspect of human life. Whether personal or professional, they significantly determine an individual's happiness, success, and fulfillment. While grand gestures may seem impressive in building relationships, it is often the little things that make a lasting impact. In this episode, Steve talks with V.J. Smith, Presiden…

In financial services, meaningful relationships matter. Clients want to work with advisors who share their values and understand their goals, are open and authentic about their purpose, and are committed to making a positive impact. In this episode, Steve talks with Ben Walker, Vice President and Head of Global Client Service at Dimensional Fund Ad…

Investing in traditional assets like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds has long been a popular way for people to build wealth. However, as the financial landscape has evolved, investors increasingly seek new and alternative investment opportunities to diversify their portfolios and achieve higher returns. In this episode, Steve talks with Peter Nakad…

In the fast-paced and highly competitive business world, success is often determined by one's ability to grow and adapt to new market trends and demands. For many entrepreneurs and business owners, this growth can be challenging to achieve on their own. What are key strategies and tactics that can help businesses grow and succeed? In this episode, …

As a financial advisor, it is essential to ensure that clients make informed investment decisions that secure their financial futures. However, client behavior, emotions, and biases can often get in the way. These factors can cloud judgment and impact the ability to make smart investment choices. In this episode, Steve talks with Dr. Daniel Crosby,…

Fear can be a powerful emotion that can cripple an investor's ability to make sound investment decisions. Whether it's fear of losing money, fear of missing out on potential gains, or fear of messing up, this emotion can lead to indecision and inaction in the market. How can investors overcome their fear of making investment decisions? In this epis…

As the old saying goes, it’s not what you know but who you know. That is especially true in business, where connections and relationships are key to success. Creating professional partnerships is essential to both individual and organizational success. These relationships provide networking, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and more opportunities.…

The process of succession planning is difficult enough, but the transition from gen one to gen two of managing an advisory business can be even more challenging. Having different values, goals, and priorities, how can the two generations of advisors make the transition successful? In this episode, Steve talks with Aaron Terwedo, Vice President of F…

When most people think about their financial future, their first thoughts are about numbers and investments. However, financial planning is about so much more than just money. It's about living with your core values and purpose and making choices and decisions that align with your goals, ethics, and beliefs. In this episode, Steve talks with Nathan…

Most people think of financial planning as crunching numbers and making investment decisions. But in reality, financial planning is about so much more than that. It's about helping people live their best lives. And to do that, having a conversation that goes beyond the numbers is important. In this episode, Steve talks with Jeff Vistica, Wealth Adv…

People tend to get caught up in numbers when planning their finances and lose sight of what's important. However, the goal of true wealth management is not just to have a plan but to have one based on values, priorities, and goals. It's about aligning your money with your values so that your finances reflect what's important to you. In this episode…

It is common for people to focus on planning their financial future. They plan for retirement and save for major purchases. Unfortunately, taxes play a significant role in their savings and investment. Despite this, there is a disconnect between tax professionals and financial advisors. What can financial services firms do to bridge the gap between…

Few things are as important to a client's success as having a great team of advisors. Great advisors are always on the hunt for new ways to help their clients grow and live better lives. They understand that it's not just about the business but also the person's life and family. But how can wealth management firms develop great advisors? In this ep…

Much thought and discussion go into the right way to do things in financial services. But what is the right way? While every financial advisor has their methodologies, processes, and systems, successful financial advisors share things in common. They are passionate about their work, have a deep conviction that they are making a difference in their …

Financial independence and security are life goals. They are something that most people aspire to achieve. And while there's no magic bullet for financial success, one important step you can take to give yourself the best chance of achieving your financial goals is life planning. In this episode, Steve talks with Joe Delaney, Founder and Managing D…

At its core, financial life planning is about taking a holistic approach to your finances. It's about understanding how your money fits into your overall life and ensuring that your financial life aligns with your values and goals. But financial planning is not just about numbers. It's also about building relationships. In this episode, Steve talks…

When Eric graduated from law school, his goal was to become a sports lawyer, helping athletes untangle their complicated web of money, taxes, and asset protection. In fact, as a relief pitcher in his younger years, Eric started his career giving advice from the bullpen. Despite his enthusiasm, when he started his first job at a law firm, Eric reali…

Long-standing traditions can evolve over time. Especially when calls for evolution come from paying clients. For example, Bland Garvey, a 54-year-old CPA firm, added a wealth advisory arm in 2005. While the move was major, John Garvey Jr. calls it the best business decision in the firm’s five decades. And not just because business boomed. Aside fro…

Regardless of where he is, who he’s speaking to, or what they’re talking about, Bridger Parsons prides himself on being consistent. In his words, consistency of character is the hallmark of a great advisor. One of Bridger’s core values is connecting with clients before diving into the nuances of their portfolios. At Old Town Wealth Advisors, Bridge…

David and Nancy Bailin lead their team of advisors with clear values: servant leadership, personalized care, and integrity. Those core values have led Personal Wealth Strategies through a global pandemic, an acquisition during remote work, and a slew of clients who lean on the team at Personal Wealth during times of hardship. David and Nancy know t…

What if a room could make the difference between a distracted client and an authentic conversation? With help from Buckingham’s Design Build Protect process and life map cards, Paul Ragone of Integrity Wealth Services has designed such a room. Surprising with a location change, Paul introduces clients to what he calls the “experience room.” A room …

Lessons from a strong leader apply to every managerial role. Whether you oversee employees, advisors, clients, or whomever, the principles of management are universal. Wendy Hartman, President of Buckingham Strategic Wealth, is no stranger to practicing what she preaches, applying the same leadership and communication skills to her advisors as she …

Rarely is one’s career path a straight line. In most cases, an unlikely side step corrects our path forward. Alfredo Mesa’s journey is no exception. When Alfredo graduated with a degree in finance, his only options were brokerage firms, insurance companies, and banks. Missing that element of intimate financial planning, Alfredo turned to entreprene…

Years ago, as two companies faced a tough merger, April Aandal sat in a room full of advisors, agenda in hand, trying her best to foster a productive meeting. But the room was distracted and uninterested in the bullet points she’d prioritized. Instead, they were interested in their own agendas. When the advisors slowly began turning to one another,…

When Chris Williams began his career in a small accounting department, he missed interacting with the people on the other end of his spreadsheets. As he transitioned into financial services and advanced through large advisory firms, that desire to build close relationships with clients persisted. While he got close, nothing compares to the bond you…

In the late 90s, Eric Clarke was running an RIA firm and needed a reliable tech solution to increase efficiencies and improve the client experience. Unfortunately, nothing available to Eric worked at the level his firm required. Fiduciary RIAs were still an emerging trend and the tech world was slow to catch on. So Eric decided to develop solutions…

Do you ever wish you could have a financial do-over? Jim Crider spent the first few years of his career speaking to clients and wishing he could turn back their financial clocks. After all, just a few poor decisions early in life can derail a meaningful retirement and leave you racing to the finish line. While many advisors gravitate toward clients…

Sometimes our past informs our future. Often, that connection is unexpected and unpredictable, as was certainly the case for Mike Dixon. Mike was working at Chevron when he began thinking about the idea of transitioning into financial services. When the time finally came to begin his business full-time, Chevron graciously left Mike to handle outpla…

Shaw Pritchett spent 20 years as a tax accountant at Jackson Thornton, before transitioning to the asset management side of the business in 2015. Now in his eighth year as a holistic wealth advisor, Shaw has added “navigating a global crisis” to his resume. In 2020, even as a pandemic sent the world spinning, Shaw kept his team calm and focused, ac…

As advisors eager to please and develop relationships with clients, it’s tempting to become a true chameleon. Blending in with every client, transforming into their reflection, and establishing such harsh boundaries that clients never meet the real you. Although there’s a time for mirroring clients, Megan Gorman believes in the power of authenticit…

Why are some advisors able to consistently grow their businesses, while others stagnate? Michael Kitces, Head of Planning Strategy at Buckingham, is here to define those small but powerful differences. Like many advisors, Michael got his start in the insurance business, struggling to prospect anyone who’d listen. While his entry into the industry i…

According to Ernest Clark, three things have contributed to his professional success: hard work, critical thinking, and three major career risks. While Ernest may have landed in wealth advising by accident, his work ethic, intentionality, and bold decisions have hardly wavered. Ernest began his career as an accountant in Alabama’s oldest CPA firm. …

Most of Mary’s professional life has revolved around succession. In the midst of taking over her father’s advisory firm, Mary linked up with the successor of her uncle’s firm and merged the two businesses to form Cambium Wealth & Legacy Strategies. Now, although years from her own retirement, Mary has trained a successor ready to take the reins. Lo…

Most investors play the long game. Rather than worrying about an ROI tomorrow, they hold with confidence, knowing their gains will be greater the longer they hold steady. Eric’s approach to his firm is much the same. Rather than focusing on immediate client ROI, Eric spends weeks getting to know each client before diving into their financial specif…

At the very end of our lives, we shouldn’t be concerned about the financial well-being of those we’re leaving behind. Unfortunately for many, that peace of mind is a luxury. Neel Shah of Beacon Wealth Solutions is on a mission to bring that financial peace to as many clients as possible through a complete planning approach. After graduating with a …

It’s no secret that athletes need someone in their corner. Mike George of Athletes Financial strives to be that someone, helping athletes with their financial lives through education and earned trust. Mike began his career at IMG working with the likes of Peyton Manning and Derek Jeter. When he opened his own firm, Mike made a conscious choice to f…

In this episode, Steve talks with Barry LaValley of the Retirement Lifestyle Center. While Barry always thought that graduate school was in his future, the financial services industry called his name before he could start down the academic path. After spending eight years as an investment advisor, Barry landed a role with Fidelity where he began tr…