GetClarity

On today’s episode of GetClarity, host Shad Besikof is joined by Robert Sofia, CEO of Snappy Kraken. Robert shares the story behind Snappy Kraken, as well as his advice on how independent financial advisors can work effectively with a marketing platform to grow their financial advisory business. He touches on the importance of being committed to a marketing practice and the benefits of using a marketing automation platform. Tune in to listen to how Robert successfully created his own marketing platform to assist hundreds of advisors in their work.About Robert: Robert Sofia is the CEO of Snappy Kraken, a marketing technology platform exclusively serving the financial industry. During the past decade, Robert has supported thousands of companies across the spectrum of financial services including solo advisers, ensembles, family offices, broker dealers, custodians, TAMPs insurance companies, and more.Robert has received countless accolades for his work including winning fintech competitions, Wealth Management Industry Awards, and being honored on the INC 500, INC 5,000, Agency 100, and Best Places to Work In Financial Technology lists. He has authored two best-selling books and been published hundreds of times in publications including Forbes, INC Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, FOX Business, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Investment News, Financial Planning, Wealth Management, Journal of Financial Planning, ThinkAdvisor, and others.

On this episode of GetClarity, host Shad Besikof is joined by Todd Resnick, a former advisor at Morgan Stanley and the co-founder and president of One Seven. Todd shares how breakaway advisors can build a positive work environment and culture while reflecting on his own breakaway experiences. He touches on the integral step of creating a productive work environment through company culture as well as the entrepreneurial spirit that has inspired him and many advisors to make the break from their wirehouse. Tune in to listen to how Todd has successfully created his own positive work culture separate from the wirehouse he left. Learn more about the One Seven team and the work environment they've built by visiting 7ToolAdvisor.com.About Todd: Todd is a co-founder and president of One Seven, LLC a registered investment advisory. Prior to his breakaway, Todd worked with Morgan Stanley as an advisor for 10 years. Todd’s aspirations were always to find a career where he could impact people’s lives for the better and create relationships that went beyond “deal making.” What drew Todd to the world of financial planning was that even though the markets would go up and down, the relationships forged through that journey would last a lifetime.

Today Shad Besikof is joined by his longtime friend, former Schwab Advisor Services colleague, and President and Founder of Nexus Strategy, Tim Welsh, CFP®. In this episode of GetClarity, Shad and Tim discuss trends and opportunities advisors making the switch to independence should consider. Tim shares why many advisors are now leaning on third parties to launch, the importance of strong communication, marketing strategies and how to tackle capacity concerns.About Tim: Tim Welsh, CFP® is the president and founder of Nexus Strategy, LLC, a leading consulting firm to the wealth management industry. Prior to founding Nexus Strategy, Tim was Director of Business Consulting Services for Schwab Advisor Services where he led the development and marketing of practice management resources for independent advisors. While at Schwab, Tim also held senior roles in Strategy, Marketing, Advertising, PR and Industry Content development. Tim is frequently quoted in the wealth management media on a wide range of business management and industry topics. He is the author of a number of industry white papers, a guest columnist for RIABiz, InvestmentNews and Wealthmanagement.com, and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events.

On this episode of GetClarity, Shad Besikof is joined by Adam Moseley, Managing Director at Schwab Advisor Services and Brian Francetich, Shareholder and Director at Golsan Scruggs. Tune in as they demystify myths about cybersecurity in the independent advisor space. Adam shares his insight on the cybersecurity measures Schwab Advisor Services takes to protect client assets and accounts and shares the best practices advisors should implement in preparation for the top cybersecurity threats. Brian touches on cyber liability insurance and how this can protect independent advisors in the unlikely scenario a cyber breach occurs. Adam and Brian’s tips will help advisors listening in navigate cybersecurity even in the risky climate of remote work. Listen to our episode to find your secure pathway to independence.

Join Shad Besikof and Julie Johnson, president and CEO of XY Communication, as they discuss solidifying client and prospect communication to benefit growth-oriented advisors. Julie shares her advice on solving organic growth challenges by fine tuning your firm’s client and prospect communication strategy. She explains how advisors are more capable than ever to successfully become independent in this new landscape, and how now is the time to solidify client relationships and increase opportunities for networking. Julie’s expertise in bridging the communication gap between generations provides her a unique perspective and valuable insight on how older and younger generations can connect with one another to engage and listen. Tune in to hear Julie’s communication advice and client connection knowledge based on her seasoned experience and proven approach.About Julie: As the only female partner co-managing a team with approximately $1 billion in AUM, Julie's team left UBS to go independent in 2011. She is now a Certified Coach, Keynote Speaker and upcoming author focusing on bridging the gap in communication and connection between older and younger generations, fostering exceptional results. Julie partners with companies, advisors and teams to ensure a better connection, increasing sales and ensuring a solid client retention rate as well as platinum level prospecting and networking connections. To contact Julie, email her at julie@xycommunication.com or call her at 303-726-8976.

On this episode of GetClarity, Shad Besikof is joined by Rafay Farooqui, founder and CEO of SAF Platform. After starting his career at Goldman Sachs in 1998, Rafay and his team of partners founded CAIS, a fund placement firm focused on wealth management. In 2015, Rafay founded SAF Platform to deliver operational efficiency to the independent advisor space. His experience prompts him to offer progressive insights in today’s episode touching on alternative investments in the independent space.Surprised by the inefficient processes financial firms are burdened with, Rafay created a robust platform for advisors to ease financial methods and assist in business initiatives. Shad and Rafay share the greatest concerns of advisors among the financial platform space, and why innovation can be challenging for wirehouses. Also discussed is the future of managing alternatives, as well as the bright future of SAF Platform, which intends to continue powering alternative investments by delivering the best technology and user experience. Tune in to learn how SAF Platform continues to be an innovation leader across the industry.We hope you develop your own innovative ideas on this GetClarity podcast episode!Want to learn more about advisor independence? Contact TruClarity Management Solutions COO & President, Shad Besikof, shad.besikof@mytruclarity.com.

On this episode of GetClarity, Shad Besikof, President & COO of TruClarity Management Solutions, is joined by his former colleague, Ben Harrison, Managing Director for Advisor Solutions at BNY Mellon | Pershing. Tune in as Shad and Ben virtually connect on new leadership changes, future visions for Pershing and details on how their updated value-based custody approach will lead them to become the largest RIA custodian. Ben shares his insights on what RIAs can gain by partnering with Pershing to transition from their current framework into an entrepreneurial business. Ben also addresses the current pandemic and how it reflects the resiliency of this business model through the use of cloud-based, flexible infrastructures. About our guest: Launching his career with TD Waterhouse Institutional, Ben spent the last 20 years serving registered investment advisors (RIAs). In 2006, he joined Pershing Advisor Solutions and now heads up the business and is a member of their Executive Committee. BNY Mellon | Pershing is committed to the RIA custody business and is built to serve growth-minded, professionally managed firms.We hope you gain valuable insights from this GetClarity podcast episode!Want to learn more about advisor independence? Contact TruClarity Management Solutions COO & President, Shad Besikof, shad.besikof@mytruclarity.com.

On our inaugural episode of GetClarity, we are joined by Louis Diamond, Executive Vice President and Senior Consultant of Diamond Consultants. Tune in as we discuss the Top 10 Reasons Advisors Go Independent, as seen in InsuranceNewsNetMagazine and Advisor News, and hear in detail what’s fueling this movement.Want to learn more about advisor independence? Contact TruClarity Management Solutions COO & President, Shad Besikof, shad.besikof@mytruclarity.com.