Podcasts about financial advisors

Kate has good money habits. She's saving, she's investing, she's automated her high-yield savings account. So why does she still feel like she's behind? Today, Nicole sits down with a Money Rehab listener for a real-life financial intervention, digging into the exact questions so many 20-somethings are quietly Googling at 1am. Kate walks Nicole through her real numbers: what she earns, what she spends, and how she's splitting money between a Roth IRA, a brokerage account, and student loan payments. Nicole breaks down the actual mechanics she never learned, like why you need cash in the account before you can buy anything, how to think about a Roth versus a brokerage account, and whether it's smart to max out one before touching the other. They also get into the emotional side of money: the guilt Kate feels every time she spends, why her financial goals always seem to move further away the more she achieves, and how giving herself a real number for guilt-free spending changes everything. Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Here's what Nicole covers with Kate: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 02:28 Meet Kate: Her Money Goals 03:53 From Ice Cream Shop Paychecks to a 9-5 04:39 Breaking Down Kate's Budget 05:54 The High-Yield Savings Account Strategy 07:11 Using a HYSA as a "Don't Touch This" Account 08:01 Roth vs. Brokerage: Kate's Investing Confusion 09:25 Why No One Teaches You How to Actually Buy 11:06 Roth vs. Brokerage, Explained 13:28 Should You Max Out Your Roth First? 15:09 Why Kate Sticks to Index Funds 17:15 The Tax Truth About Brokerage Accounts 20:07 What Financial Freedom Actually Means to Kate 21:19 The Guilt Spiral of Spending 22:28 Why Sticking to the Plan Is the Hard Part 22:52 How Kate's Childhood Shaped Her Money Mindset 23:52 The Moving Goalpost Problem 25:25 Building (and Sticking to) a Budget 28:30 Solving Spending Guilt With a "Fun Money" Number 29:51 Where Kate Keeps Her Savings 31:05 Kate's 5 and 10 Year Money Goals 32:36 Is Money a Never-Ending Game? 34:41 How Kate Started Investing With Just $20 36:45 Nicole's Game Plan for Kate 45:05 Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank Get started with a SoFi high yield savings account: SoFi.com/MNNBank All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

What happens when a client has enough money to retire, but no idea what they actually want retirement to look like?Ben Nemtin knows that problem better than most. After struggling with anxiety and depression at 19, he and three friends created a list of things they wanted to do before they died. That experiment eventually became The Buried Life and led to nearly two decades of studying purpose, regret, and what actually makes people feel alive.This week's conversation covers why some clients lose their sense of identity after retirement, why the habits that helped them build wealth can keep them from enjoying it, and how financial advisors can help clients get clearer on what all that money is actually for.3 Insights From This Week's Episode…1.) The Retirement Problem a Financial Plan Can't SolveClients can reach financial independence and still feel completely unprepared for the loss of structure, identity, relationships, and purpose that can come with leaving work. We explore why this transition can be harder than the numbers suggest.2.) Why Some Clients Never Feel “Rich Enough”Saving can become a lifelong default. Even when the plan says they're financially secure, some clients still struggle to spend on the experiences they spent decades working toward. That tension creates an important opportunity for advisors.3.) Trust Is Built Beyond The SpreadsheetClients don't only want to know whether their plan works. They want to know that their advisor understands what the money is actually for. Ben and I explore what advisors may be missing when those deeper conversations never happen.SPONSORED BY BELAYIf you're an advisor and you're still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you're the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdlSHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/183FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALXInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TO09265770638See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Money Meets Medicine, hosts Dr. Jimmy Turner and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Justin Harvey tackle three listener questions from the Money Meets Medicine community. 1. Should residents pay extra on their student loans if they are in the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)? 2. What are the financial considerations to make working part-time make sense?  3. If you are a parent (or plan to be), should you pay for your kid's college education? If you do, how can you make that work given the new federal student loan borrowing limits?Resources: Every doctor needs disability insurance.  Get it from a source you can trust: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/disability    Are you a 1099, locums doc, K-1 partner, or business owner? You need a tax strategy team. Get 10% off working with Gelt, the team that Jimmy Turner personally uses here (Gelt): https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/CPA Looking to get a lower interest rate on your student loans? Check out Juno's unique student loan Group Negotiation process at https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/Juno  Not sure what to do with your student loans? Get $100 off a student loan consult: https://moneymeetsmedicine.com/loans Have questions of your own? Send them to Jimmy at Jimmy@moneymeetsmedicine.com  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if your accredited clients could tap into institutional-quality private deals without locking up their money for a decade? In this episode of the Registered Investment Advisor Podcast, Seth Greene interviews Joseph DaGrosa Jr., Founder and Chairman of DaGrosa Capital Partners LLC, who explains how his career evolved from auditing at a wirehouse to partnering with an early leveraged buyout pioneer and ultimately building Access Capital to open private equity and private credit to the mass affluent accredited investor market. He also shares why interval funds, rigorous sub-advisor due diligence, and his new educational resource, The Financial Advisor's Guide to Private Investments, are helping RIAs bring institutional-style private allocations to a broader client base. Key Takeaways:→ Why the accredited investor segment represents a massive, historically underserved opportunity for private investments.→ How the rules of the Investment Company Act of 1940 limit traditional private equity vehicles.→ How Access Capital structures registered vehicles to bring private equity and private credit access to mass affluent accredited investors.→ What interval funds are, how their semi-liquid structure works, and why they may be a fit for long-term investors who want private exposure with periodic liquidity.→ Why RIAs and RIA aggregators are turning to outsourced CIO relationships to help them evaluate and implement private investments at scale. Joseph DaGrosa Jr. is the Founder and Chairman of DaGrosa Capital Partners (DCP) and a veteran investor with over 30 years of experience across sports, entertainment, real estate, hospitality, aviation, retail, and more. He has led more than $2 billion in capitalized transactions and oversees several DCP portfolio companies, including Axxes Capital, Kapital Football Group, and Soccerex, the world's largest organizer of soccer business conferences.DaGrosa previously co-founded Quinn Residences, a $900 million single-family rental platform, and played key leadership roles in major turnarounds and acquisitions, including Heartland Food Corp., Jet Support Services Inc., and F.C. Girondins de Bordeaux. Earlier in his career, he was a partner at Maplewood Partners and began in capital markets at Paine Webber. Connect With Joe:Website: https://dagrosacp.com/X: https://x.com/joe_dagrosaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-dagrosa-jr-59415934/

This Gen Z listener wants to become a financial advisor for her generation. How can she build her authority and platform?Side Hustle School features a new episode EVERY DAY, featuring detailed case studies of people who earn extra money without quitting their job. This year, the show includes free guided lessons and listener Q&A several days each week.Show notes: SideHustleSchool.comEmail: team@sidehustleschool.comBe on the show: SideHustleSchool.com/questionsConnect on Instagram: @193countriesVisit Chris's main site: ChrisGuillebeau.comRead A Year of Mental Health: yearofmentalhealth.comIf you're enjoying the show, please pass it along! It's free and has been published every single day since January 1, 2017. We're also very grateful for your five-star ratings—it shows that people are listening and looking forward to new episodes.

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Hosts: Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code MONEYGUY at monarch.com Financial advice on YouTube can sound convincing—but should you actually follow it? Brian and Bo react to viral money advice about 401(k) loans, investing, credit cards, covered calls, tax deductions, 529 plans, home buying, saving money, and building wealth. They break down which personal finance tips hold up, which leave out important risks, and why boring long-term investing can beat complicated strategies. If you're trying to improve your finances, invest for retirement, build credit, reduce taxes responsibly, or reach financial independence, these real-world reactions can help you separate useful money advice from financial advice that sounds better than it really is. Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may have spent years building a career, growing your resources, and becoming more effective, while still wondering how those successes might serve a larger Kingdom purpose. What changes when you begin to see not only your money, but also your career, experience, time, and influence as resources God has entrusted to you? MEET YOUR GUIDE: Kurt Cornfield spent more than three decades as a financial advisor before God redirected his calling from serving clients to equipping the next generation. As a professor of financial planning at Liberty University and Director of Student and Emerging Advisors for Kingdom Advisors, Kurt has helped build one of the leading programs preparing Christian financial advisors to combine technical excellence with biblical wisdom. His own journey, from discovering Kingdom Advisors later in his career to leaving a successful practice for the classroom, reveals how understanding God's ownership and defining “enough” can reshape both a career and a life. In this conversation, Kurt shares how Christian financial advisors can help families pursue faithful stewardship, why generosity grows from contentment, and how investing in future advisors creates lasting Kingdom impact. He also offers practical insights on faith-based investing, mentoring young professionals, and using both time and resources with open hands. Through stories of God's provision and decades of experience, Kurt provides a compelling vision for financial advice as a ministry rooted in service, wisdom, and joyful generosity. Listen to discover how equipping faithful advisors today can multiply God's Kingdom impact for generations to come. WHAT YOU'LL GAIN: Viewing financial advising as Kingdom ministry Living from God's ownership of everything Defining enough to unlock generosity Equipping the next generation of Christian advisors Integrating biblical wisdom with financial planning Practicing joyful generosity through everyday stewardship Using faith-based investing to reflect biblical values Multiplying Kingdom impact through mentoring Preparing advisors to serve with excellence and humility HIGHLIGHTS: “I don't want to just crank out kids that want to go into this industry because they want to make a lot of money. I want them to go into the business for the Kingdom purpose.” “God owns it all.” “Once we've provided for our families, it's the abundance from that point on. We can be generous with it.” “It all belongs to God in the first place. It just allows us to be so much more generous and free, free to be generous.” “Our major budget item is giving.” “We need more Christians giving financial advice to Christians, but also to non-Christians because biblical wisdom works in all circumstances.” “The more that we can talk to young people about it, they get excited about it.” “We can get them started the right way. The Kingdom impact of that, the multiplication effect, is crazy.” “I don't want the legacy to be about Kurt Cornfield. I want the legacy to be about the Kingdom.” “The ripple effect on the Kingdom is something we'll never know this side of Heaven for sure.” PEOPLE, BOOKS, AND ORGS: Kingdom Advisors (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Ronald Blue Trust, now Blue Trust (see our interview with founder, Ron Blue) Harvest App KEEP EXPLORING Discover more conversations, ideas, and resources to help you think intentionally about generosity, stewardship, and living with an eternal perspective. Visit Finish Line Pledge →

I am excited to introduce Efficient Friday! Each week, in 10 minutes or less,  I want to share a super tactical tip, idea, process, hack, etc with you that you can implement in your business right away!In this episode, we dive into a common misstep advisors make—solving for the wrong problem. Are you actually demand-constrained or supply-constrained?

Friday's question pile ranges from the safest bond fund around to the harder question of what retirement is actually for. Don sorts through the choices with his usual preference for simple, sturdy answers.He weighs the TSP G Fund against BND, checks the bona fides of Raisin and The College Investor, and argues that leaving work makes sense only when something better is waiting on the other side.Then comes a candid disagreement over 21-fund portfolios, followed by a pension decision for a well-funded couple who can afford to self-insure. The court may have advisors, but Don is still happy being its jester.Topics03:26 Is the TSP G Fund enough fixed income?05:47 Raisin and The College Investor: useful and legitimate?09:44 Retirement needs a purpose, not just an age12:37 Twenty-one funds, advisor complexity, and honest disagreement16:11 Single-life versus joint-survivor pension choices18:57 Social Security timing, RMDs, and a very strong retirement planQuestions? Comments? Click!

Eric Ciano  is the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now entering his 17th NFL season, he previously spent 15 years with the Buffalo Bills, where he was named the NFL Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 2020. He was also while strength and conditioning leadership roles at Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Louisiana Tech.  0:58 The Hinge Moment That Led to an NFL Strength & Conditioning Career 2:43 Winning a National Championship and Building Championship Culture 3:27 Leadership Lessons from Legendary Strength Coach Johnny Long 4:19 Building Mental Toughness Through Accountability and Standards 5:37 Daily Habits That Create High-Performance Athletes 6:38 How Mental Toughness Is Built Every Single Day 8:03 Building Confidence During an 0–8 NFL Season 9:10 Creating a Winning Team Culture with the Buffalo Bills 10:49 The "13 Seconds" Game and Recovering from Heartbreak 13:47 Leadership, Recognition, and Bringing Out the Best in People 15:33 Using Competition to Build Mental Toughness and Accountability 19:24 Why Talent Without Discipline Never Creates Champions 21:37 Getting Fired After 15 Years in the NFL and Moving Forward 24:21 Mental Toughness When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan 25:54 Leadership Lessons from Nearly Two Decades in the NFL 27:41 Why Passion Still Separates Great Athletes from Good Ones 28:43 What's Wrong with Youth Sports and Athlete Development Today 30:14 Calvin Johnson and the Habits of Elite Performers 33:02 Daily Training, Longevity, and Performing at a High Level 35:08 Purpose, and Life Beyond Football Don't forget you can also follow Dr. Rob Bell on Twitter or Instagram! Follow At: X @drrobbell Instagram @drrobbell 5 Mental Toughness Advantages for Financial Advisors: https://pages.drrobbell.com/ If you enjoyed this episode on Mental Toughness, please subscribe and leave a review! Dr. Rob Bell Exclusive Podcast Sponsor: Morton Brown Family Wealth https://mortonbrownfw.com/  Morton Brown Family Wealth is the Presenting Partner of The Mental Toughness Podcast with Dr. Rob Bell. Sponsorship of this podcast does not imply endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services expressed by individual guests.

Selling Sunset isn't just a show about real estate, drama, and outfits... it's a show about money. Over the past few years, Nicole has had four cast members from the Selling Sunset universe on Money Rehab: Jason Oppenheim, Emma Hernan, Mary Bonnet, and Polly Brindle. Today, she's pulling out four moments from those conversations that she hasn't been able to stop thinking about. Jason, one of the most successful real estate brokers in LA, makes a confession you'd never expect from someone who sells homes for a living: renting often beats buying, financially speaking. Mary opens up about the ex-husband who secretly ran up six figures of debt in her name, and the exact tactic she used to rebuild her credit score from scratch. Emma explains why she's turned down millions in outside investment for her company and what she thinks is broken about "Shark Tank culture." And Polly gets brutally honest about maxing out three credit cards, borrowing from friends, and the mindset shift that turned her financial life around. Start investing investing at SoFi.com/MNN  Check out Nicole's financial literacy course ⁠The Money School⁠  Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company ⁠Private Wealth Collective⁠  Watch video clips from the pod on ⁠Money Rehab's Instagram⁠ and ⁠Nicole Lapin's Instagram⁠  Here's what Nicole covers today: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 00:15 Four Money Moments From the Selling Sunset Universe 00:42 Jason Oppenheim's Take: Renting Beats Buying 04:48 Mary Bonnet's Secret Debt and Financial Abuse Story 09:07 Red Flags to Watch For Before You Share Finances 12:29 Emma Hernan on Turning Down Millions in Funding 16:47 Polly Brindle: From Maxed Credit Cards to $48M in Sales 21:46 Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

Could a nation of steadier 401(k) investors make markets calmer—or will algorithms, options, and meme-stock behavior keep the ride bumpy? Tom and Roxy weigh the forces pulling volatility in both directions.Next, an almost-80-year-old with a $4 million portfolio asks who should coordinate the inheritance plan. The answer is a team effort, with the financial advisor calling the plays and the CPA and estate attorney handling their specialties.They also decode RIA versus IAR, flag the conflicts that can come with dual registration, and tackle asset location, TSP diversification, inherited money, and whether to sell Vanguard ETFs before adding DFA or Avantis.Timestamps:0:44 A French café opening2:40 Will more investors mean less volatility?7:12 Who quarterbacks an estate plan?10:15 RIA, IAR, broker-dealer, and fiduciary conflicts15:25 Inherited money, TSP, Roth, and brokerage choices21:21 Adding DFA or Avantis to Vanguard ETFsQuestions? Comments? Click!

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Hosts: Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

A growing advisory firm and a valuable advisory firm aren't always the same thing.Plenty of founders know their AUM, revenue, and production. Far fewer know how an outside buyer would judge the business if they had to put a price on it tomorrow.SHP Financial went from less than $30 million in AUM around 2014 to roughly $2 billion AUM by the time they entered the acquisition process. But going through that process forced Derek, Keith, Matthew, and Michelle, to look at the business through a completely different lens.We talk about the things buyers cared about that they hadn't always measured, the founder dependencies that can quietly hurt enterprise value, why impressive growth numbers don't always tell the full story, and what SHP had built behind the scenes that made the firm attractive to an acquirer.If you're building an advisory firm you eventually want to sell, or simply want a business that can grow without depending on you, this conversation gives you a look at what the market actually values.3 Insights From This Week's Episode#1.) Growth Doesn't Automatically Create Enterprise ValueYou can have significant AUM, strong production, and years of growth while still owning a business that's difficult for someone else to buy. We explore the questions an acquirer asks that many advisors don't start thinking about until much later.#2.) What Happens When The Founder Is The System?If sales, service, planning, and key client relationships still depend on you, your firm may be more fragile than it looks. SHP's acquisition experience revealed why the business behind the founder matters just as much as the founder's ability to produce.#3.) Are You Tracking The Wrong Growth Number?A big production year can look great on paper while hiding what's actually happening inside the business. Derek, Michelle, and Keith share how the acquisition process changed the way they look at growth—and why the scorecard buyers use may be different from yours.WANT TO LEARN WHAT ACTUALLY DRIVES VALUE FOR YOUR FIRM?Apply for a seat at The Table for a one-time, behind-the-scenes training with SHP Financial on the metrics, systems, and lessons that matter most when building a business that's bigger than you. Apply now to reserve your spot: https://bradleyjohnson.com/182-the-table-with-shp/SHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/182FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALXInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies.TP08265847628 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the most important part of your financial plan has nothing to do with the numbers on your statement? In this episode of the Registered Investment Advisor Podcast, Seth Greene interviews Mitch Hamer, Founder and Lead Advisor at Intersecting Wealth, who shares how his psychologically informed approach helps high-net-worth families navigate money across multiple generations. Drawing on his background in psychology, Mitch explains why the most impactful conversations rarely revolve around spreadsheets and how “life-informed” planning better reflects clients' real goals, stories, and risk capacity. He also discusses evolving the business from a trusted practice into an enduring enterprise while adapting to AI, shifting client expectations, and a rapidly changing wealth landscape. Key Takeaways:→ How life, psychology, behavior, and money shape every client's decision.→ More client breakthroughs come from conversations about biases, fears, and dreams than from portfolio models.→ How estate planning, account titling, and goal-setting are often underserved, and each entity in a complex family structure deserves its own balance sheet with clear objectives.→ What life-informed planning looks like in practice and why a one-size-fits-all model can cause advisors to miss what truly matters to clients.→ Why LinkedIn and content creation are key to Intersecting Wealth's next chapter. Mitch Hamer is the Founder and Lead Advisor at Intersecting Wealth. He values guiding families through the comprehensive financial planning process. Given his approach, which is more psychological and behavioral than financial, Mitch enjoys helping families zoom out on what gets too much attention, zoom in on what is largely ignored by advisors, and then pull it all together. He finds being on the journey with families as they find clarity around their goals and dreams, and supporting them in implementation, uniquely rewarding. Prior to founding Intersecting Wealth in 2024, Mitch spent the previous eleven years as a Financial Advisor to high-net-worth individuals and families.Connect With Mitch:Website: https://intersectingwealth.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchellphamer/

How do you choose the right financial advisor? Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench explain what to look for when hiring a financial planner, including AUM vs. flat-fee vs. hourly compensation, CFP credentials, fiduciary status, advisor qualifications, questions to ask, and how to prepare for your first meeting. If you're considering working with a financial advisor, this episode will help you understand how advisors are compensated, identify potential conflicts of interest, prepare your financial information, and get more value from professional financial planning. To go beyond the podcast: Interested in a Flat Fee Financial Planner? Go to biggerpocketsmoney.com/fipro Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets': https://www.monarch.com/pockets Follow BiggerPockets Money on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpocketsmoney We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you're starting. Let's get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we're talking about something that might feel a little uncomfortable for advisors who love spreadsheets, checklists, and action plans—but it may be one of the most important conversations you'll have all year. Libby sits down with author, speaker, and former financial advisor Ellen Rogin to explore what abundance really looks like inside an advisory practice. From the way you think about money to the energy you bring into client meetings, Ellen shares how shifting from scarcity to service transformed her career and helped her build a thriving practice rooted in generosity, gratitude, and genuine connection.In this episode you'll learn: Why abundance isn't just a mindset buzzword—and how it directly impacts referrals, growth, client trust, and business successHow to identify scarcity thinking in your practice (even when you don't realize it's there) and replace it with more empowering beliefsThe role your own money story plays in how you advise clients, lead your team, and make decisions as a business ownerSimple daily habits that can help you create more space, clarity, generosity, and abundance in both your business and personal lifeIf you've ever found yourself chasing the next strategy, comparing yourself to other advisors, or feeling like success is always just out of reach, this episode is your invitation to pause and look inward. Because sometimes the biggest breakthrough isn't another tactic—it's learning how to operate from a place of abundance instead of scarcity. And as Ellen shares, when you focus on helping others win, amazing things tend to happen in return.Connect with Ellen HERE! Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE!Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!   Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE!Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE!Successful businesses don't get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

Drew Powers is the Founder of Powers Financial Group, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. He specializes in advanced insurance and investment strategies for doctors. Drew is 100% independent, he doesn't work with any investment or insurance company, which means he's able to give unbiased advice that is most beneficial for his clients. Drew started his career in 2001 as a Market Maker on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, where he managed trading portfolios comprising hundreds of equity- and equity-index option listings. In 2008, he transitioned to the role of Financial Advisor and Investment Advisor Representative, where he helped clients develop individual financial strategies. At Powers Financial Group, Drew leverages his stock and options trading expertise with his financial advising experience to help clients increase and protect their wealth. Drew lives in Naperville with his wife and their two children. He is an avid downhill skier, active in youth sports, a proud "Rooster" within the Naperville Jaycees, and is passionate about CrossFit and the Paleo/Primal Lifestyle.

Divorce attorney James Sexton is back for part two of his conversation with Nicole; in part one, he talked about advice for couples getting married. Today, he's giving advice for people getting divorced. Nicole and James dig into the financial habits that sabotage marriages, the creative ways people hide money before filing, and the red flags that signal a spouse might be planning an exit. Plus, James gives simple advice on what might be the most complicated part of this process: how to tell your spouse you want a divorce. James also breaks down how alimony actually works, the best argument for keeping the house, and the negotiating tactics he uses to fight for a bigger settlement. Then things get spicy: the digital footprint mistakes blowing up divorces in real time, the unofficial "a-hole tax" judges impose on bad behavior in court, and the wild story of a $20 million divorce that almost collapsed over a toaster oven. Check out Part 1 of Nicole's conversation with James Sexton Start investing investing at SoFi.com/MNN  Check out Nicole's financial literacy course ⁠The Money School⁠  Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company ⁠Private Wealth Collective⁠  Watch video clips from the pod on ⁠Money Rehab's Instagram⁠ and ⁠Nicole Lapin's Instagram⁠  Follow James' work and check out his latest book Here's what Nicole covers with James: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 02:31 The Financial Habit That Complicates Every Divorce 05:01 How People Hide Money Before a Divorce 09:21 Red Flags Your Partner Might Be Planning a Divorce 11:35 What To Do If You're Thinking About Divorce 12:11 How Much Does a Divorce Actually Cost? 17:13 Mediation vs. Litigation: Which Should You Choose? 19:37 The Best Way To Ask For a Divorce 21:18 How Alimony Really Works 25:00 When the Woman Is the Breadwinner 28:29 Is Alimony About Money or Power? 29:58 The Best Argument for Keeping the House 32:11 Bunnie XO, Jelly Roll, and Who's Entitled to What 34:56 Lightning Round 38:03 The $20 Million Toaster Oven Story 39:14 The Most Expensive Emotion in Divorce 39:20 What To Never (and Always) Put in Writing 40:00 How Social Media Can Blow Up Your Divorce 42:54 The "A-hole Tax" Explained 45:31 James Sexton's Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank

Every “I need to shop around” is a policy walking out the door. Michael's free webinar breaks down the exact scripts to turn auto insurance objections into closed sales.

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Choosing a financial advisor is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make—but do you actually need one? Brian and Bo break down the uncomfortable truth about financial advisors, including advisor fees, fiduciary standards, commission vs fee-only advisors, behavioral coaching, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, investing, and why portfolio management is only a small part of real financial planning. You'll also learn when DIY investing makes sense, how advisor value is measured, and the biggest mistakes people make when hiring an advisor. Whether you're building wealth, approaching retirement, or deciding if professional financial advice is worth the cost, this episode helps you make a more informed decision. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remember, they are not, and never claim to be, experts on ANYTHING. Do you want some cool merch? Check out the store here- https://www.niceguysonbusiness.com/merch Need podcast production? We've got your back. https://turnkeypodcast.com/contact Your Voice, your message, fully produced. Leave a voice mail for the Nice Guys: 424-2DJ-DOUG – (424) 235-3684Join our Nice Guys Community. http://www.NiceShortCut.com No time to get to this, but you can read the blog here: 12 Worries Every Entrepreneur Has (or they are lying) Show notes written lovingly by the most anonymous man (or woman) in the world. Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. Discover how you can look 'poor' to the IRS and rich to a lender. Check out my sponsor, GTG Tax Planning, at gtgtax.com to book a short discovery call.

This episode is a little different. Instead of another tactical strategy or productivity hack, Libby shares three hard truths that may be the very things holding talented financial advisors back from building the business they truly want. Drawing from more than 25 years in the industry, her own experience investing in high-level coaching, and years of working with hundreds of advisors, she challenges listeners to stop searching for more information and start becoming the kind of leaders who consistently execute. If you're ready for an honest conversation about what's really standing in your way, this episode is for you.In this episode, you'll learn:Why your biggest challenge probably isn't a lack of information, but a lack of consistent implementation—and how to finally bridge that gap.The difference between buying information and investing in accountability, proximity, and environments that create lasting transformation.Why many advisors unknowingly try to solve million-dollar business problems with transactional solutions, and what it takes to break that cycle.How shifting your identity from someone who starts to someone who finishes can completely change your business, your leadership, and your results.If you've been feeling stuck despite reading the books, attending the conferences, and buying the courses, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what actually creates lasting change. Sometimes the next breakthrough isn't found in learning something new—it's found in finally implementing what you already know.Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE!Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!   Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE!Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE!Successful businesses don't get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

Frank LaRosa says most financial advisors never notice exception debt building until it's already too late. Frank opens with a real client story, an advisor on a team who set clear non-negotiables for the business he wanted, then slowly compromised on them one at a time until he wasn't building anything close to his original vision. That same advisor is now telling Frank he isn't sure he wants his team to come with him when he moves firms. Frank explains why that kind of self-awareness is actually a good sign and why the right answer isn't always joining a bigger team, sometimes it's building a vertical structure with one clear vision at the top. Stacey challenges the idea that every advisor needs partners, breaking down why key person risk still has to be solved for even as a solo practitioner and introducing the idea that what got you here won't necessarily get you where you are trying to go next. The conversation gets personal when Frank and Stacey each share stories about helping advisors finally separate from partnerships that weren't working. Frank recalls playing referee between two wirehouse advisors who wanted completely different things, and Stacey shares how she guided a younger advisor through finally having a hard conversation with a senior partner after six months of hesitation. Frank wraps up with a mentoring story about a young advisor named Dylan, someone he originally told to join a team, then later told to build his own practice instead once he saw his work ethic and winning attitude. The episode closes with a warning worth remembering, firms often push advisors toward teams because it helps their own retention numbers, not necessarily because it is what is best for the advisor.   Questions answered in this episode include: What is exception debt and how does it quietly derail a financial advisor's vision? Should a financial advisor build a team or stay a solo practitioner? What is the difference between a vertical team and a horizontal team? Why do firms push advisors to join teams? What does it mean when people say what got you here won't get you there? How do you know when it's time to part ways with your team? Should a young financial advisor join a team or build their own book of business?   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Exception Debt 01:47 Should You Stay Solo or Join a Team 03:23 What Is Exception Debt 07:54 What Got You Here Won't Get You There 08:56 Sometimes the Team Needs to Break Up 14:48 Bet on Yourself Before You Join a Team 15:50 Why Not Every Practice Needs to Be a Team 19:12 How to Reach Frank and Stacey   Learn more about Elite and our resources: - Elite Consulting Partners: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com - Elite Marketing Concepts: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com - Elite Advisor Successions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com - JEDI Database Solutions: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com - Elite Wealth Management Insights Report: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/insight-report - Listen to more: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elite-consulting-partners/

Today we talk with John Gatewood about why elite financial advisors win through listening, not knowledge, and how real connection is what motivates clients to act. We break down practical language, coaching habits, and preparation routines that help advisors and firm leaders build trust, clarity, and conviction.Key topics discussed in this episode:• Advisor training crisis driven by high attrition and looming retirements• Communication skills as the true differentiator in wealth management• Data-backed perception gap between how advisors think they listen and how they actually show up• Being interested versus being interesting to deepen trust fast• Empathy and clarification to reach the root issue behind client goalsFollow Elite Achievement for more conversations on leadership and high-level execution.About JohnJohn Gatewood, CFP®, CLU®, is the founder and Director of Advisor Development at Gatewood Wealth Solutions and author of The Listening Advisor: Winning Loyal Clients Through Authentic Human Connection. During his 45-year career as a financial advisor, John was recognized on Barron's list of the top 1,200 advisors and earned Top Ten standing at LPL Financial and Forum honors at Northwestern Mutual. After selling his practice in 2021, he shifted his focus to helping advisors master the communication skills that build lasting client relationships. Connect with JohnWebsiteLinkedInThe Listening Advisor – Building Client Loyalty through Authentic Human Connection About Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn

We sat down with Richard Lavina, Co-Founder and CEO at Taxfyle, to learn how his firm provides RIAs with the infrastructure to incorporate tax preparation services into their business. Richard discusses how offering tax services can help advisors scale, retain clients, and differentiate their practices.

Patrick Larkin, Partner & Practice Leader, Cerity Partners Three years after launching his independent RIA, Patrick Larkin merged with Cerity Partners—but not because that was the original plan. He explains how ownership changed the way he viewed enterprise value, optionality, and the future of his business. In Summary Going independent is often viewed as the destination. Patrick Larkin discovered it was just the beginning. Louis sits down with Patrick, Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners and former founder of Oak Hill Wealth Advisors, to discuss an unconventional journey: leaving Wells Fargo to build an independent RIA, then choosing to merge that business just three years later. Rather than following a predetermined exit strategy, Patrick shares how ownership fundamentally changed the way he thought about enterprise value. A conversation with a prospective acquirer revealed that buyers weren't interested in purchasing a book of business—they were looking for a business. That realization reshaped how he invested, hired, delegated, and ultimately positioned his firm for the future. The conversation from our Build Grow & Transact series also offers a candid look at life after a merger, from evaluating cultural fit and partnership to balancing autonomy with the resources of a larger organization. More broadly, it illustrates how ownership creates optionality—and why the most valuable decision an advisor makes may not be the one they originally envisioned. The Storyline After spending nearly 15 years building a successful practice at AG Edwards, Wachovia, and Wells Fargo, Patrick Larkin launched Oak Hill Wealth Advisors in 2022 with a simple objective: build a business on his own terms. Like many advisors, he expected independence to be the final destination for a long time. But then there was the realization that ownership changes more than economics; it changes perspective. And it became the beginning of an entirely different way of thinking. As acquisition inquiries arrived sooner than expected, Patrick realized something that fundamentally changed his strategy. Sophisticated buyers weren't evaluating his client relationships as a book of business; they were evaluating Oak Hill as an enterprise. That insight shifted his priorities from maximizing short-term profitability to building a business that could thrive beyond its founder. Just three years after launching, Patrick chose to merge with Cerity Partners—not because he was looking for an exit, but because he believed it strengthened the future for his clients, his team, and his family. Louis and Patrick explore what led to that decision, how ownership increased the value of his business almost immediately, why he compares independence to an IPO, and what advisors should consider if they hope to create options for the future—even if they don't yet know what that future looks like. Topics Covered Building enterprise value versus maximizing annual income Creating optionality through ownership Leaving Wells Fargo to launch an independent RIA Why buyers value businesses more than books of business Evaluating strategic partners and acquisition opportunities The economics of independence and business valuation Life after merging with Cerity Partners Balancing autonomy with enterprise-scale resources Leadership, succession, and building beyond the founder Long-term ownership and partnership models > Download a transcript of this episode… Listen and Learn Highlights for Advisors Why did Patrick decide to leave Wells Fargo? (11:07) Patrick explains why growing frustrations around control, firm priorities, and the ability to build his business eventually outweighed the comfort of staying put. How did going independent immediately change the value of his business? (21:42) Patrick introduces one of the episode's biggest ideas: why launching Oak Hill felt like taking a company public and how ownership increased the firm's value almost overnight. Why did Patrick sell only three years after becoming independent? (20:03) An unexpected conversation with a prospective acquirer completely changed how he viewed enterprise value and accelerated his long-term thinking. What separates a business from a book of business? (21:42) Patrick discusses why recruiting advisors, delegating client relationships, and investing beyond himself made Oak Hill more attractive to strategic buyers. Why Cerity Partners? (26:48) Rather than focusing on valuation, Cerity emphasized culture, partnership, and long-term alignment—qualities Patrick says ultimately mattered most. What is life actually like after a merger? (37:57) Patrick offers an unusually candid perspective on autonomy, leadership, and why he says he hasn't second-guessed the decision once. Key Takeaways Ownership creates opportunities that often aren't visible until after independence. Enterprise value is built by creating a business that can thrive beyond its founder. The first acquisition conversation can be valuable even if no transaction occurs. Cultural alignment may ultimately matter more than valuation when selecting a long-term partner. Independence doesn't eliminate future options—it expands them. Strategic transactions can strengthen outcomes for clients, employees, and owners simultaneously. The goal isn't simply to own a business; it's to create choices for what comes next. https://youtu.be/f7FGLGjBbyo Quotable Moments “The day Oak Hill launched felt like the business had gone public.” “Potential acquirers weren't interested in buying a book. They were interested in buying a business.” “Ownership isn't simply about control. It's about creating optionality.” “The fear of leaving is almost always worse than the actual experience of leaving.” FAQs Why did Patrick Larkin merge with Cerity Partners only three years after launching his RIA? Patrick explains that independence changed how he viewed enterprise value. After learning what sophisticated buyers were actually looking for, he intentionally built Oak Hill as a business rather than simply managing for annual profitability. Why does Patrick compare independence to an IPO? Because ownership immediately transformed the economic value of his practice. Rather than participating in an internal succession model, he owned an independent enterprise that carried substantially greater market value. What changed after Patrick became independent? Beyond gaining control, he began making decisions through the lens of enterprise value—investing in advisors, systems, and infrastructure that would make the business less dependent on him personally. What made Cerity Partners stand out? Patrick cites the firm's culture, partnership model, meritocracy, long-term vision, and ability to combine local autonomy with enterprise-level capabilities. Is this episode only relevant for advisors considering selling? No. The broader lesson is that ownership creates flexibility. Whether an advisor ultimately remains independent or joins another organization, understanding how enterprise value is created can influence decisions from day one. What is the biggest lesson Patrick hopes advisors take away? That independence isn't simply about leaving a firm. It's about creating the ability to choose what comes next on your own terms. Patrick explains that independence changed how he viewed enterprise value. After learning what sophisticated buyers were actually looking for, he intentionally built Oak Hill as a business rather than simply managing for annual profitability. Because ownership immediately transformed the economic value of his practice. Rather than participating in an internal succession model, he owned an independent enterprise that carried substantially greater market value. Beyond gaining control, he began making decisions through the lens of enterprise value—investing in advisors, systems, and infrastructure that would make the business less dependent on him personally. Patrick cites the firm's culture, partnership model, meritocracy, long-term vision, and ability to combine local autonomy with enterprise-level capabilities. No. The broader lesson is that ownership creates flexibility. Whether an advisor ultimately remains independent or joins another organization, understanding how enterprise value is created can influence decisions from day one. That independence isn't simply about leaving a firm. It's about creating the ability to choose what comes next on your own terms. Related Resources From Start-Up to $31B Behemoth RIA: The Catalysts Behind the Growth of Mega-Firm Cerity Partners Ownership Matters: What Advisors Need to Know When Evaluating Firms Top Tips for Setting Your Business Up for Success Years Before a Move Patrick LarkinPartner and Practice Leader Patrick is a Partner and Practice Leader in the Lansdowne, VA office. He is a member of the Lansdowne Practice, where he works closely with families, foundations, and non-profits to help them define and achieve their financial goals with clarity and confidence. With a deep specialization in retirement income distribution planning and complex risk and wealth management strategies, Patrick is known for helping clients simplify complicated financial decisions, reduce uncertainty, and build sustainable, long-term plans. His approach emphasizes fiduciary responsibility, transparency, and personalized guidance — ensuring clients always feel informed and empowered. Prior to joining Cerity Partners, Patrick was the founding member of Oak Hill Wealth Advisors, where he built a highly respected independent advisory practice that earned the trust of families, professionals, and mission-driven organizations across the region. His leadership was instrumental in shaping a client-first culture that continues today. Patrick's work is rooted in a passion for long-term relationships — guiding clients not just through markets, but through life's milestones such as retirement, business transitions, philanthropic planning, and wealth transfer across generations. He takes pride in being both a strategic advisor and a steady partner to the people he serves. Patrick lives in Bluemont, VA, with his wife Angela, their two children, Paige and Sean, and their Golden Retrievers, Huckleberry and Genoa. Outside of the office, Patrick and his family enjoy an active lifestyle — whether it's hiking and backpacking on the Appalachian Trail, biking the Great Allegheny Passage, or sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. These experiences reflect his belief in balance, resilience, and enjoying the journey — values he also brings to his work with clients. NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation. View the transcript of this episode… Build, Grow & Transact: From Breakaway to Transaction in 3 Years A conversation with Louis Diamond and Patrick Larkin, Partner & Practice Leader at Cerity Partners.      Louis Diamond: Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series for financial advisors. Today’s episode is Build, Grow & Transact: From Breakaway to Transaction in 3 Years. It’s a conversation with Patrick Larkin, Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners. I’m Louis Diamond, and this is The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors. Mindy Diamond: At Diamond Consultants, we help elite advisors identify the right environment for their businesses to thrive, whether that’s at a wirehouse, boutique, or independent firm. With nearly three decades of experience, we’ve guided thousands of advisors and represented more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets transitioned. And each year, one in four advisors managing a billion dollars or more who change firms are our clients. Our process is education-driven and based on building relationships, starting as your strategic partner well before you’re even thinking of a move. To schedule a confidential conversation, call us at 908-879-1002. Wondering why advisors change firms and where they’re headed? Are transition deals going up or down? Those very questions and more inspired us to create our annual Advisor Transition Report. It’s the award-winning, data-driven resource designed for advisors that connects the dots between the motivations around movement and the firm’s appetite for top talent. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make smart decisions. Download your copy at diamond-consultants.com/transitionreport. Louis Diamond: Ownership as a way of creating opportunities you can’t always predict. That’s exactly why we created our Build, Grow, and Transact series. Independence isn’t the end of the story. It’s often the beginning of thinking differently about enterprise value, optionality, and what comes next. Today’s guest is Patrick Larkin, Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners, and formerly the founder of Oak Hill Wealth Advisors. Patrick spent nearly 15 years building a successful practice at A.G. Edwards, Wachovia, and eventually Wells Fargo before launching his own independent firm in 2022. Just three years later, he merged that firm into Cerity. At first glance, that timeline might seem surprisingly short, but as you’ll hear, the merger wasn’t a change in direction. It was the result of seeing his business differently once he owned it. Yet, it’s this perspective that really brings that thought home. Patrick said the day Oak Hill launched felt like the business had gone public because overnight, what had been viewed as a book of business became an enterprise with substantially greater value, some four to five times the value of what it was worth at Wells. And that realization changed the way he invested, the way he hired, and ultimately the way he thought about the future. Pat and I also talk about something advisors don’t often discuss candidly, what life actually looks like after a merger. How much control do you give up? What changes day to day? How do you know whether you’re joining a partner or simply selling a business? Whether your long-term plan is to remain independent forever or eventually join a larger organization, Patrick’s experience is a reminder that ownership isn’t simply about control. It’s about creating optionality and putting yourself in a position where the next decision is yours to make. So let’s get to it. Patrick, thanks for coming on our show today. Patrick Larkin: Oh, my pleasure. Nice to meet you, Louis. Louis Diamond: You too. So let’s start off basically how we start every interview. Tell us about yourself, your background, and how you found your way into our industry in the first place. Patrick Larkin: Yeah, thank you for asking. I knew I always wanted to be a financial advisor. That part really wasn’t in question, but upon graduating college and being a 22-year-old, I knew that it was probably not practical to walk in and start advising people my parents’ age with their life savings. Probably wasn’t going to be a recipe for success. So I took a quick tour through the pharmaceutical industry first, which ended up being unexpectedly valuable. My employers there pushed me to think like an entrepreneur and within our territories. And honestly, that mindset never left me. It shaped how I built everything that came after. Eventually, an opportunity presented itself in Loudoun County, Virginia in Northern Virginia, and I became an FA trainee with A.G. Edwards, absolutely fantastic firm to start my career. Now, what drew me to this career was pretty simple. I felt like it was one of the professions that we had an opportunity to do so much good for others while simultaneously also doing well for yourself, and those two things aren’t in conflict. I also really loved the idea that in this profession there was no hiding. You don’t get paid to show up. You get paid for what you actually do. And perhaps for me, what was most important, I loved the weight of responsibility. I loved earning people’s trust. I loved the idea of deserving, being deserving of their trust, and being a steward of what they’ve worked a lifetime to build. I never took that lightly, and I still don’t. Louis Diamond: That’s amazing. Yeah, I mean, the number of people I’ve heard, you talked so fondly about A.G. Edwards and there’s a bunch of other firms that have since been absorbed or emerged that are like the regional firms of old. So not surprised to hear you loved it. A.G. Edwards, obviously, became Wells Fargo Advisors or was acquired or merged with Wells Fargo. So I know you’re at Wells and A.G. Edwards until 2022. So give us a quick version. How’d you build your practice from the pharma world into being in FA? Patrick Larkin: Yeah, so as I started with A.G. Edwards, I came in at really just the perfect time. It was towards the end of the financial crisis. And I built the business the old-fashioned way with a lot of cold calling and eventually did some dinner seminars, which I can tell you is a very expensive way to learn how to speak in front of a room. But I made some progress, and I was also in a great office, small enough that some of the advisors there would hand off some of the smaller accounts that they weren’t interested in working with, and got an opportunity to get a lot of reps in working with real life clients and individuals. I knew early on I didn’t have enough talent to win on talent alone, so I made up for it and compensated for that with really hard work. The real turning point came for me when A.G. Edwards was first acquired by Wachovia Securities, and that was about five years into my career. And at that point, my branch manager, who was eyeing retirement, asked me to step in as her partner, and that changed everything. We eventually moved over to a Wachovia Securities office, another really great local office in Loudoun County, Virginia. And from that office, I worked on and became a CIMA, a CFP, worked with the clients, built a business through referrals. And I found at that point in my career when I would go to a meeting with Wachovia, eventually Wells Fargo, as a young 30-year-old, I would look around the room often and realize that I was the youngest person in the room. The funny thing was 10 years later, I would go into that same room and I’d look around and I still was the youngest guy in that room. And those demographics in our industry, and when I came into our industry, ultimately led that office that I worked in with Wells Fargo Advisors, I eventually was the recipient and party to five different succession plans- Louis Diamond: Wow. Patrick Larkin: … at Wells Fargo Advisors. I hoped that I had built a reputation as somebody that these other advisors would entrust with their clients. And over that time period, really, I would say professionally, one of my accomplishments I’m most proud of is all five of those retired advisors that I used to work with, who had an opportunity to see me work with clients, all became clients of mine, I still continue to work with. And it’s professionally just one of the greatest honors that I’ve ever had. Louis Diamond: I mean, that’s a large number of advisors you helped sunset, but I would agree it’s the ultimate proof of concept that they not only trusted you with their clients and their life’s work, but now also with their family’s wealth. So I like that, kind of the full life cycle there. So I’m curious, though, you stayed at Wells through a really turbulent time through the fake bank scandal. There’s a lot of attrition. I mean, obviously, they’re still a powerhouse to this day, but what kept you at Wells for as long as it did before you left in 2022? Patrick Larkin: You described it as a turbulent time. Pretty turbulent might be an understatement. Even before Wells, the transition to Wells, Wachovia Bank had been the first company that we transitioned to from A.G. Edwards. And we, of course, went through the financial crisis during that time period and handholding our clients and helping them get through that time period and dealing with concerns that we shouldn’t really have to be prepared with. “Is my money safe? It’s not what’s happening to the market, but is my money safe in your institution?” But once things stabilized, I found real purpose in partnering with some of the retiring advisors and opportunities that came up. It was a really wonderful climate and atmosphere in our local office. It was really a family-like atmosphere, and I still had a lot to learn. And all those advisors that I partnered with, I’ve joked I’ve never had an original idea in my entire life. I stole all my good ideas from them. And some of them were really ahead of their time, and I learned, adopted, and built my own philosophies by working closely with them. Ultimately, by the time I left Wells Fargo, I was finishing up the fifth sunset program and had only made my way halfway through the sunset before the opportunity presented itself to create my own practice. Louis Diamond: So I’m curious, when did you first seriously start thinking about leaving and what really tipped the scales for you? What was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back? Patrick Larkin: Yeah, it really was a number of small items and ultimately one big one. But for a long time, I’d been content, but as I tried to grow the business beyond what I could do individually, I felt like I kept running into walls. There were it felt like limitations on how I could build out my team and structure the practice the way I envisioned it. Additionally, there were some new policies that also started to bother me. One of them was the platform advisory fee, which in my eyes was less about client transparency and more about replacing a declining revenue source on the firm’s balance sheet. And after dealing with clients and helping them through the bank scandal at the firm, I was concerned that this would come back and hurt me and the relationships that I had with my clients. Incidentally, I just recently onboarded a new client that transferred to us. And for them, looking at their statement, identifying this platform advisory fee- Louis Diamond: Oh boy. Patrick Larkin: … was the last straw for them before they moved about 15 million of assets to us. Also, I thought I would be I would be a better allocator of resources than Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo retained about half of the revenue that I earned for the business. They seemed to think that the best allocation of that money was additional middle management. Whereas, I thought investment in technology, investment in additional personnel, and an investment in marketing were best places to continue to build out my vision. The final straw, and really a thing that crystallized everything for me was when I read a book in 2021 called The Infinite Game, a book written by Simon Sinek. Chapter eight, the title is Ethical Fading. And it uses the Wells Fargo bank scandal as a case study in what happens when a firm loses its moral compass. I read the chapter and thought, “There it is, I have to do something.” That was really the final push I needed. I mentioned earlier I was very fortunate to start my career with a company called A.G. Edwards, a regional brokerage firm. And while I was at A.G. Edwards, there was a research report that came out on A.G. Edwards as a company. And I’m going to paraphrase a little bit on what was said in that report, but ultimately there was a line in there, and it was a criticism, but I took it as a huge positive as being an employee there. The line said, “While management does not necessarily say it, we believe the client is put ahead of the shareholder.” And that was something I was very proud of. And I just, upon reflecting on it, felt confident those were words that I never was going to see go to print about Wells Fargo. Louis Diamond: So you left Wells in 2022 and founded Oak Hill Wealth Partners in Lansdowne, Virginia. Walk us through that decision. Why go independent rather than going to another firm? Patrick Larkin: I really thought moving to another firm, the things that I had grown frustrated with at Wells Fargo Advisors, I would also find at another wirehouse firm. I was ready, and honestly, the simple answer is I thought I could do better. And I wanted control after having what I felt like was very little control. I had grown frustrated with others making important decisions, and I wanted an opportunity to grab the reins and make decisions on my own. I believe at that time, the future of wealth management was going to be built around fiduciary advice, and I didn’t want to watch that from the sidelines anymore. I was watching what was happening in the industry. And as we were trying to hire new advisors, reaching out to college graduates who were studying CFP programs, identified that they were more inclined to want to start employment with an RIA than a wirehouse. What made the timing work really well was Wells Fargo had actually introduced a program to help advisors in the private client group spin off and establish their own RIAs. Now, whenever I tell this to another advisor, particularly ones that are wirehouses, they can’t understand it. And quite frankly, I don’t understand why they helped us do it, but we were about the 30th practice that they helped us through this process and they provided real support. They hired consultants, made vendor recommendations, even referrals to financing so I could pay off my last succession plan before I left. The only really upside for Wells Fargo was that the ask was that we continue to use First Clearing as the custodian. And one of the downsides for me was I was going to leave all of my deferred comp behind with Wells Fargo. Now, all clients had to do to join me was sign a positive consent. And on May 9th, 2020, we turned on our computers in our new office and our clients were already there. That same day, we launched and started a relationship with Charles Schwab. And it was so exciting to be able to start shopping for what I thought was the best FinTech, really feeling like I was stuck with proprietary tools that Wells Fargo advisors had offered. I felt like I was a kid in a candy store. And if there was a cool tool that I identified that would help us serve our clients better, I was all in and I was buying it. I really feel that some of the technology that Oak Hill eventually bought into and some of the tools we’re using now are going to take years and years before they eventually trickle down to where the wirehouses are, if ever. Louis Diamond: Interesting. So it was really it was for the most part an internal move from one- Patrick Larkin: It was- Louis Diamond: … channel to the other. Patrick Larkin: … it was an internal move, but there was no requirement to stay at First Clearing. As a fiduciary, they couldn’t make those demands. And again, they helped us with the financing, which is really unusual that they helped us secure a loan so I could pay off the last retiring advisor. It’s really unusual that a bank will loan money where there is no business at the time, but because of previous experience that financial institution had working with Wells, they helped us facilitate the transaction. And the program is still in place at Wells Fargo, which is absolutely amazing to me after the experience that I’ve just had myself. Louis Diamond: Yeah, it’s interesting. I mean, does it cannibalize a more profitable revenue source? Sure. But if the alternative was all the assets go to Schwab or Fidelity, to me, honestly, it’s smart. I think they played the long game by not being adversarial on it. Patrick Larkin: I think they played a long game and they took the philosophy, and I think they use it as a recruiting tool that if you love them, set them free. And that’s exactly what they did. Louis Diamond: So for the rest of the episode, I want to talk about your eventual, and not that long period of time, transaction or decision to merge Oak Hill with Cerity Partners. This is our Build, Grow, Transact subseries. And I was really struck by your story because you were three years or so into running Oak Hill, and then your merger with Cerity Partners, an amazing RIA closed. That’s a fairly short runway. Usually when I see folks go independent for the first time, it’s 10, 15, 20 years, maybe never, that they decide to merge or sell. I’m curious to understand your thinking about the transaction. Were you looking to do something? Or was it just like right place, right time and the opportunity presented itself? Patrick Larkin: I had started Oak Hill with the intent of eventually down the road, much closer to retirement, looking for a partner. The opportunity and what I learned early on helped change that idea and philosophy, and I adapted and made modifications to take advantage of it. Louis Diamond: Interesting. So you weren’t necessarily planning on selling or merging the business, it just kind of circumstances happened the way they did? Patrick Larkin: Yeah. When we started Oak Hill Wealth Advisors, it was a really pretty short period of time before we started getting calls from larger national RIAs about potential acquisition, much sooner than I expected. Early on, I just brushed them off, but about a year in, I took one of those calls and it really just opened my eyes up. I realized for the first time this small firm, this little practice actually had some real value, way more than I’d given it credit for. That first call, that first exploration didn’t go anywhere. It wasn’t a good fit. But what it gave me was a much clearer picture of what the serious acquirers were actually looking for. And that changed decisions I made at Oak Hill going forward. I really at that point stopped trying to optimize for near-term profit and really thought of my business as a business and started building towards enterprise value, sometimes at the cost of short-term income. And that turned out to be exactly the right call. Louis Diamond: That’s such an interesting perspective. Let’s double-click into that concept. So it sounds almost counterintuitive that if you kind of had this light bulb moment that like, “Okay, maybe I want to transact my business sooner than I initially thought.” I think most people would say, “Let’s become lean and mean. Let’s become as profitable as possible so my EBITDA’s higher.” But you took the different approach. What were the decisions you did to invest more in enterprise value rather than current cash flow? Patrick Larkin: A true business is one that doesn’t need me to be here every day to operate. And when we left Wells Fargo Advisors, it was myself and one other advisor that created Oak Hill Wealth Advisors. I was responsible for about 95% of the assets and revenue. And one of the more significant investments we made is in additional advisors. I recruited three new advisors, all CFPs, to join Oak Hill Wealth Advisors. Whereas, before I had been largely managing all the relationships myself. For someone that kind of grew up in the regional wirehouse space, it’s pretty counterintuitive to start moving relationships away from you onto other advisors. You’re trained and built to create a moat around your relationships, and realized that the potential acquirers are not interested, at least the ones I was interested in, weren’t interested in buying a book. They were interested in buying a business. And that just meant every decision we made going forward was not profit-driven, but how can I increase the value of the business? So after that first call, I knew I probably would be looking to move forward with a transaction sooner as opposed to the end of retirement. That information that I got on that first call helped me realize that when Oak Hill Wealth Advisors opened its doors on May 9th, 2022, we effectively had an IPO. I had great familiarity with how the succession plans at Wells Fargo Advisors worked. And on that day that we opened our practice, the value of my business jumped to be four to five times the value of it in a succession plan at Wells Fargo Advisors. Now, I knew going forward that I was going to be able to increase revenue. I was going to be able to increase EBITDA. I was going to potentially have some benefits from a market tailwind. I knew the multiples of EBITDA that the firms use may fluctuate, but the biggest change by far occurred leaving the wirehouse and having the value of my business grow four to fivefold in that same day. So what I really focused on was making sure that I was going to, when I was ready to start looking again after I had worked on improving the practice, really was going to look for a firm that was going to be a good cultural fit for both my clients, my team, and myself. Louis Diamond: That’s such a cool perspective. I’ve never heard anyone say that the day we launched your independent business was like an IPO. But honestly, it’s so true. You’re planting a flag in the ground that like, “Here is real value. This is value that we’ve created that we own rather than it being a book of business and a W-2 paycheck.” And it’s a fascinating perspective. Patrick Larkin: Yep. It really is amazing that the value changed that much on one day and the future value changes. Looking at the equity that I owned in Oak Hill Wealth Advisors, it made sense to consider is there a better way to take some risk off the table for myself and my family and diversify some of the equity that I had in Oak Hill Wealth Advisors with a larger enterprise? Louis Diamond: It makes complete sense. Obviously, everyone would sign up for 4 to 5X increase in value. Patrick Larkin: Sure. Louis Diamond: That’s not the reason most people go independent, but it’s important to know. And also, what I really liked about what you shared is I think a really valuable learning for anyone is those calls come in, whether it’s from annoying people like me or from an acquirer, from a firm, they’re not all noise. You took it as an opportunity to learn. Even though that first person who called wasn’t the right fit, it crystallized something in your mind and it let you make proactive decisions that ultimately paid off in spades when it came time to sign the dotted line for your transaction with Cerity. So I think it’s brilliant. And it’s very big picture, big-business-owner-type stuff that I think a lot of people will just filter out because it’s annoying and I’m young, I’m not looking to sell, but that was the journey. Patrick Larkin: Yeah, that first call changed my opinion about timing of when to move forward with a partnership. Originally, I thought this would be something at the end of retirement. The timing of doing so sooner seemed a lot more appealing after having that conversation and realizing what we had actually built. Louis Diamond: Amazing. So ultimately you decided to merge with Cerity Partners. We’ve had Kurt Miscinski from Cerity Partners on the show. They’re a real heavyweight within the RIA world. Most recently, they were valued at $8 billion in a recap, and it’s a very impressive firm. What specifically drew you to Cerity versus other potential buyers? Like you said, you got a lot of calls. Patrick Larkin: After that first call, I just got to work and focused on continuing to take care of our clients, building a team, adding new advisors, being a mentor to those advisors. But at the same time, we were being approached fairly regularly by that point. And I had a pretty good system for quickly deciding whether something was worth a second look, and most weren’t. But about a year ago, one of the national RIAs caught my attention and I started having conversations with them. And once I had progressed with them, I though, “You know what? If I’m giving this consideration, I really need to cast a wider net.” So I reached out to other RIAs that I had looked at and admired and been keeping an eye on. And ultimately, my longtime business coach, Barbara Kay, suggested I talk with Cerity Partners, a company that one of her other clients had just recently joined. And from the very first call, I could tell something was different. And I talked to many different companies. Cerity Partners, and an individual I spoke with, Geoff Newman, they weren’t leading with valuation formulas or deal structure. They were asking questions about my clients, my team, and how I actually ran the practice. They had a very defined process for identifying partners who were genuinely compatible, not just advisors with books that were transferable. And that distinction mattered greatly to me. They also offered really, in my opinion, the right balance of support and still having some autonomy. And their aspiration to deliver consistent standard of care to clients, whether they be in California or Virginia, so that those individuals get the same quality of experience, resonated with how I was already running things within my practice. That combination of support and autonomy, I really liked the idea of continuing to have oversight over my local practice, over our practice, which included the budget, salaries, and bonuses. It more than anybody else felt like a partnership and not a buyout. And I really appreciate it during that first call, Cerity was the only company that talked about a hundred-year plan. It was amazing to me to hear what their thoughts were. Most of the other firms I spoke with talked about valuations. And very quickly in the process, I found myself on a Zoom call with a Patagonia fleece vest-wearing private equity rep walking me through a valuation. And it was efficient, but it was not a cultural fit for me. And the infrastructure behind us and the combination of autonomy is really harder to find than most people think. As I progressed with Cerity, I remember early on in the process thinking to myself, “My God, I hope they want me, I hope they want me,” because I could tell I’m a very process-driven person They had a process with the way they brought me on board. And ultimately, we had a due diligence trip set up to go to one of their larger offices where I met with one of their leaders, Claire O’Keefe, part of their practice development, and had an opportunity to meet with different leaders within the firm and really get my arms wrapped around the potential that they had. Just the quality of the people I encountered through the whole process just kept reinforcing the decision. And by the time we got to the finish line, it didn’t feel like a transaction. It felt like I was joining something that I was excited to be part of. So just a little bit more about what attracted me to Cerity, their culture is just phenomenal. Cerity Partners uses the word “meritocracy” and they actually mean it. Ownership and influence here track your contribution, not your tenure or how well you play the politics. I just attended my first partner meeting in April, and without exaggeration, it was the most extraordinary professional meeting I’ve attended in my 25-year career. During the meeting, there was open debate about the direction of the firm, and every voice in the room carried weight. You could feel the culture. And that type of culture is built over years. You can’t fake it. Everyone in the room it felt like was rowing in the same direction. And by the time the meeting was over, I was so excited to get back to my team and tell them about what I had just witnessed, I wasn’t looking for the exit. I was looking for the brick wall to run through. I was so excited. And every once in a while I wonder having spent so much time in the wirehouse spaces, the bar just set really low for me when I talked to some of my other colleagues that have been independent for a long time. But it was just an absolutely amazing experience. And I do want to just add, one of the last really important things to me about Cerity Partners is I’ve been very fortunate with my career and in this profession. And part of my goal over the rest of my career is to have a legacy. And my legacy currently exists with the families I’ve advised and the team that I’ve built and have served and led. But Cerity Partners is helping me achieve even a greater legacy in our industry with our shared long-term goals. During my first meeting, they talked about their hundred-year vision of being a worldwide employee-owned professional services firm. And currently, and this is very exciting, the employees are the largest shareholder of the firm. No one else I talked to talked about their long-term goals like this, and it’s a vision I believe in. I want to contribute to help to see it accomplished. And one day when I do retire, I want to look back and see how I contribute it to a company that I believe is going to change the direction of professional wealth management. Louis Diamond: Wow. Patrick Larkin: My partnership with Cerity Partners is going to make that a reality. It’s just an amazing place. Yeah, very happy. Louis Diamond: Honestly, you can’t fake that type of enthusiasm. It sounds like- Patrick Larkin: It’s not- Louis Diamond: … you entered into a transaction, which is it’s like jumping into the deep end. How do you sort through what’s the sales process versus what’s real? How much of this is actually going to translate to my life? But hearing you not that long after the transaction, you still feel that and it’s very cool. In the press release I read, you cited estate planning, private markets access, and cross-border planning as key reasons for the merger. Can you talk about what it was about those? Maybe- Patrick Larkin: Yeah. Louis Diamond: … anything else that was missed? Patrick Larkin: Yeah. Louis Diamond: And were those not things that you felt like you could have delivered yourself as a standalone? Patrick Larkin: I thought that they were going to help me be able to be more effective in delivering those, but they weren’t the complete picture. The capabilities that we cited in the release were genuine gaps I wanted to fill and have available for clients and be able to prospect and go after new additional clients. But being fully honest, there were also deeper drivers. One was my team. Sometimes we get emotional about this. Being someone who’s trusted is really important to me, and that’s something I hold in high priority. There are people that followed me out of Wells Fargo to join me. One of my client associates had delayed her retirement so that she could join me and help us launch for the first three months. One of my other client associates has been with me close to 15 years. These are people that trusted me to do the right thing and to make sure that I wasn’t walking them off the plank. Being able to join Cerity Partners and give them a future that didn’t hinge entirely on my personal longevity was a huge relief. And Cerity Partners is an ownership culture. I’m so happy to say today that every single individual on my team in our practice in Lansdowne is now either an equity owner in Cerity Partners or very shortly will be an equity- Louis Diamond: So cool. Patrick Larkin: … equity owner. So they have a stake as well in what they’re building. It matters. My youngest client associate noticed how much it costs to send to FedEx. And he goes, “Now that I’m an owner, maybe we should rethink about sending regular mail.” Another driver was my family. And I’ve always had the philosophy of trying to prioritize and clients first, team and colleagues, and then my family. And I’ve always made decisions that if I put those others before myself, eventually I’ll be taken care of. And going through this transaction, it was so generous to my family and provided such security. There was a little bit of guilt that, “Am I doing this for all the right reasons?” But being able to secure my family’s future, converting equity in a three-year-old RIA into a stake of a $8 billion-plus valuation with institutional backing, that was a meaningful moment and I’d be less than honest if I glossed over that. I also really wanted to be part of something larger than myself. And the opportunity to help build a legacy in this business with Cerity Partners really gives me the platform to do that. Louis Diamond: Very cool. I can tell that you’re genuine, not just because of the way you sound, the way you’re speaking, but in the very beginning of the episode, you talked about the reason you got into this business was because you thought it gave you the dual purpose of being able to help people, but also being able to enrich yourself or your family. So this answer, it comes full circle. You’re able to accomplish all these goals, which made it the right decision. And I think, look, I say to advisors all the time, “You’re allowed to be greedy, you’re allowed to be selfish as long as the clients are still in the front of your mind as the most important thing.” There’s nothing wrong with doing better for clients, building a legacy in your case, but also reaping the rewards of all your hard work and labor and also all the risks that you’ve taken over your career. I got to ask you, though, from being an employee of Wells, where you were running your team, for the most part, you can run the business within their guardrails the way you want, to then running an RIA, which is really like you’re fully in control of everything, to now being a partner, but you’re not the one who has the name on the door anymore. Patrick Larkin: Right, right. Louis Diamond: Well, how do you think about the giving up control and full ownership of your practice versus owning a very small amount of a much larger entity? Patrick Larkin: There was such continuity. Oak Hill Wealth Advisors and Cerity Partners were so philosophically aligned that I genuinely never felt like I was giving up anything that I wasn’t glad to let go. My wife joined the business shortly before I left Wells Fargo Advisors. And still to this day, on my drive home from work, I call her up and say, “You’re not going to believe this.” And it’s all a positive, good thing. So Cerity has struck the perfect balance of that autonomy and support combination that I was looking for. So I still have control and a say over the way our practice is managed. Very shortly after the merger, my supervisor came down and met me for the first time, and we went out together after the day had ended. And early in the conversation I said to him, “What can I do to make your life easier?” And he said, “Pat, what can I do to make your life easier?” And that set the tone that still exists to this day. I almost cried when he said that because that was so different than what I had experienced up to that point. So the collaboration, the way we work together, it’s just absolutely amazing. And not once for a single moment have I second-guessed my decision. And it’s really weird because I’ve now been part of this organization for nearly nine months, and there just has not been one thing that’s occurred where I said, “That’s a disappointment.” It’s just been absolutely amazing every single day. Louis Diamond: Very cool. To me, there’s different arcs of when you want to ask people the question of, “Hey, any regrets?” And usually you don’t want to ask them too soon because they’re still going through the transition and integration and growing pains. And you don’t want to ask them too far in the future because you forget about what was life before. To be this short of a duration into this new partnership and to have these feelings, that’s absolutely pretty special. I got two more questions for you, Pat, if you don’t mind. Patrick Larkin: Sure. Louis Diamond: First one, economically, to me, one of the hardest things for really any advisor to really grapple with or to fully comprehend or make their own is, “I own 100% of the equity in my business. I get to decide when I want to sell in the future. My business is growing 10% per year. I wait to sell until 10 years from now, my business is going to be much bigger and I get to keep all the cash flow. I get to make all the decisions.” That compared to the path that you took, which was take cash off the table, which everyone understands, to, “Now, I own a much smaller piece of a much larger pie.” How would you talk to someone about the financial trade-off between a hundred percent ownership in their business, full control, full discretion over everything, versus becoming a minority equity partner in a larger entity? Patrick Larkin: You have to look at the valuation of my business, again, the day that we opened our doors as Oak Hill Wealth Advisors. There was such a massive jump in the value of the business. There was not going to be an opportunity for an appreciation at that level. So then, you have to compare what the growth rate is of Oak Hill Wealth Advisors versus a Cerity Partners. And I’m not embarrassed to say that Cerity Partners is and has been growing at a much faster rate of return. The value of the equity that I have retained in Cerity Partners, my ownership stake, I fully expect by the time I transact that business as I get closer to retirement, that’s going to be worth many times more than whatever opportunity I would have had at Wells Fargo with the valuation they would have provided me. Nevermind, very important, the tax consequences of a structure like this is all the retiring advisors that I worked with were taxed at their highest marginal rate. I owned a business and we were taxed at long-term capital gains rates. A significant difference in savings in what as the owner we actually realize. So yeah, I feel very comfortable with the ownership that I have and the control and continued opportunity with the meritocracy culture to increase my share of ownership in the company. Louis Diamond: Okay, and let’s do one more question here. I’ll pick it back up. So Pat, I think it’s a really cool perspective. It’s almost do your homework, and if you find the right horse and the right jockey that can run faster than you can on your own, that the equity value will compound and grow and appreciate in a faster, more efficient way than what you’re doing on your own, which makes complete sense. It’s the ultimate trade-off. And again, it’s like jumping into the deep end. On the one hand, Oak Hill was all you, right? You control the growth, for better or worse, for the good days, the bad days, the good years, the bad years, versus now your growth is diversified amongst hundreds of partners across M&A, across different lead flow channels, et cetera. It makes complete sense. But honestly, if I were an advisor, I don’t know how I would think about it. I think it’s all just fact-and-circumstance-based on where I am in my life and who the firm is and what I’m trying to accomplish. But it’s such a cool perspective because usually the playbook that we see, which is why we did this series, is go independent and there’s a long pause until there is a realization of all the value that’s been created. So seeing you do this in a much quicker timeframe, it seems like it was the absolutely right decision. To me, it just is another path, another way that an advisor or a firm is able to think about their future. Any final advice or parting words for someone who is sitting right where you were in 2021 or 2022 thinking about making the leap? And we’ll say a transition in general, or really anything you want to share to wrap our episode here. Patrick Larkin: Thank you for having me, and this is a great question. Happy to give a thoughtful answer to it. Before I’d left Wells Fargo Advisors through the program and started Oak Hill Wealth Advisors, I had an opportunity to go through a due diligence process and make sure that this was going to be a right move for me. There was no carrot out there that was obvious. I learned after that first conversation that I had built a practice that had some value to it. I was leaving behind the security of something I knew, leaving behind a significant amount in deferred compensation, and I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision. And through that due diligence process, talked to about five other firms that had recently left Wells Fargo to join this RIA program. I asked them a lot of different questions about what their experience was. And at every point during those conversations, they all said the same thing at different points. And it sounded like this. They said, “I’m working harder than I ever have before, but I wish I had done this sooner.” So my advice to those people, do it. I know that sounds simple, but I mean it. The fear of leaving is almost always worse than the actual experience of leaving. And I understand the inertia of not leaving and the real apprehension of what was on the other side. But what I found was a version of this profession I genuinely didn’t know was possible. One where I could do things the right way on my terms for the people I care most about serving. And not every path is going to look like mine. Some advisors should go fully independent and stay there, and that can be an incredible life. But when it comes time to look for a partner, quite frankly, if Cerity Partners is not on your shortlist, you’re making a significant mistake. And I say that not to sell anything, but because I’ve lived the comparison firsthand and there’s simply nothing else like it. Louis Diamond: So Pat, it’s been really fun, but I don’t think we’ve had anyone on the eight years or so we’ve been doing this show that’s gone through this type of arc or journey that you have. One of my big takeaways or sticking points that this episode brought for me is by going independent and taking control over your future, you created complete optionality for yourself to do exactly what you wanted to do with your business, even if that was different than what you initially planned. So in your case, it was selling within three years of going independent, but by taking action, being proactive, playing some offense, you made the opportunity happen on your terms and your timeline. So this has been fun in so many different ways. I loved your comment about how when you went independent, it’s basically like the day of your IPO, the four-to-five-times increase in value versus an internal succession deal, and even just the way to think about getting equity in a larger entity versus running your own plays only. So thank you so much for doing this. This has been fun. Mindy Diamond: As a financial advisor, you hold yourself to the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and credibility. You are successful because you take your professional responsibility seriously and are dedicated to your clients. But are you living your best business life? Are your goals aligned with your firm’s or could a better option exist? Should I Stay or Should I Go? Is a book written with you in mind? It’s a self-guided journey that walks you through the key steps that we take with our advisor clients. This strategic thought process and roadmap to professional self-discovery is designed to help you ask the right questions and think critically and objectively, whether you’re considering change or not. Learn how to get your copy at diamond-consultants.com/thebook.   Build, Grow & Transact: From Breakaway to Transaction in 3 Years A conversation with Louis Diamond and Patrick Larkin, Partner & Practice Leader at Cerity Partners.      Louis Diamond: Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series for financial advisors. Today’s episode is Build, Grow & Transact: From Breakaway to Transaction in 3 Years. It’s a conversation with Patrick Larkin, Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners. I’m Louis Diamond, and this is The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors. Mindy Diamond: At Diamond Consultants, we help elite advisors identify the right environment for their businesses to thrive, whether that’s at a wirehouse, boutique, or independent firm. With nearly three decades of experience, we’ve guided thousands of advisors and represented more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets transitioned. And each year, one in four advisors managing a billion dollars or more who change firms are our clients. Our process is education-driven and based on building relationships, starting as your strategic partner well before you’re even thinking of a move. To schedule a confidential conversation, call us at 908-879-1002. Wondering why advisors change firms and where they’re headed? Are transition deals going up or down? Those very questions and more inspired us to create our annual Advisor Transition Report. It’s the award-winning, data-driven resource designed for advisors that connects the dots between the motivations around movement and the firm’s appetite for top talent. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make smart decisions. Download your copy at diamond-consultants.com/transitionreport. Louis Diamond: Ownership as a way of creating opportunities you can’t always predict. That’s exactly why we created our Build, Grow, and Transact series. Independence isn’t the end of the story. It’s often the beginning of thinking differently about enterprise value, optionality, and what comes next. Today’s guest is Patrick Larkin, Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners, and formerly the founder of Oak Hill Wealth Advisors. Patrick spent nearly 15 years building a successful practice at A.G. Edwards, Wachovia, and eventually Wells Fargo before launching his own independent firm in 2022. Just three years later, he merged that firm into Cerity. At first glance, that timeline might seem surprisingly short, but as you’ll hear, the merger wasn’t a change in direction. It was the result of seeing his business differently once he owned it. Yet, it’s this perspective that really brings that thought home. Patrick said the day Oak Hill launched felt like the business had gone public because overnight, what had been viewed as a book of business became an enterprise with substantially greater value, some four to five times the value of what it was worth at Wells. And that realization changed the way he invested, the way he hired, and ultimately the way he thought about the future. Pat and I also talk about something advisors don’t often discuss candidly, what life actually looks like after a merger. How much control do you give up? What changes day to day? How do you know whether you’re joining a partner or simply selling a business? Whether your long-term plan is to remain independent forever or eventually join a larger organization, Patrick’s experience is a reminder that ownership isn’t simply about control. It’s about creating optionality and putting yourself in a position where the next decision is yours to make. So let’s get to it. Patrick, thanks for coming on our show today. Patrick Larkin: Oh, my pleasure. Nice to meet you, Louis. Louis Diamond: You too. So let’s start off basically how we start every interview. Tell us about yourself, your background, and how you found your way into our industry in the first place. Patrick Larkin: Yeah, thank you for asking. I knew I always wanted to be a financial advisor. That part really wasn’t in question, but upon graduating college and being a 22-year-old, I knew that it was probably not practical to walk in and start advising people my parents’ age with their life savings. Probably wasn’t going to be a recipe for success. So I took a quick tour through the pharmaceutical industry first, which ended up being unexpectedly valuable. My employers there pushed me to think like an entrepreneur and within our territories. And honestly, that mindset never left me. It shaped how I built everything that came after. Eventually, an opportunity presented itself in Loudoun County, Virginia in Northern Virginia, and I became an FA trainee with A.G. Edwards, absolutely fantastic firm to start my career. Now, what drew me to this career was pretty simple. I felt like it was one of the professions that we had an opportunity to do so much good for others while simultaneously also doing well for yourself, and those two things aren’t in conflict. I also really loved the idea that in this profession there was no hiding. You don’t get paid to show up. You get paid for what you actually do. And perhaps for me, what was most important, I loved the weight of responsibility. I loved earning people’s trust. I loved the idea of deserving, being deserving of their trust, and being a steward of what they’ve worked a lifetime to build. I never took that lightly, and I still don’t. Louis Diamond: That’s amazing. Yeah, I mean, the number of people I’ve heard, you talked so fondly about A.G. Edwards and there’s a bunch of other firms that have since been absorbed or emerged that are like the regional firms of old. So not surprised to hear you loved it. A.G. Edwards, obviously, became Wells Fargo Advisors or was acquired or merged with Wells Fargo. So I know you’re at Wells and A.G. Edwards until 2022. So give us a quick version. How’d you build your practice from the pharma world into being in FA? Patrick Larkin: Yeah, so as I started with A.G. Edwards, I came in at really just the perfect time. It was towards the end of the financial crisis. And I built the business the old-fashioned way with a lot of cold calling and eventually did some dinner seminars, which I can tell you is a very expensive way to learn how to speak in front of a room. But I made some progress, and I was also in a great office, small enough that some of the advisors there would hand off some of the smaller accounts that they weren’t interested in working with, and got an opportunity to get a lot of reps in working with real life clients and individuals. I knew early on I didn’t have enough talent to win on talent alone, so I made up for it and compensated for that with really hard work. The real turning point came for me when A.G. Edwards was first acquired by Wachovia Securities, and that was about five years into my career. And at that point, my branch manager, who was eyeing retirement, asked me to step in as her partner, and that changed everything. We eventually moved over to a Wachovia Securities office, another really great local office in Loudoun County, Virginia. And from that office, I worked on and became a CIMA, a CFP, worked with the clients, built a business through referrals. And I found at that point in my career when I would go to a meeting with Wachovia, eventually Wells Fargo, as a young 30-year-old, I would look around the room often and realize that I was the youngest person in the room. The funny thing was 10 years later, I would go into that same room and I’d look around and I still was the youngest guy in that room. And those demographics in our industry, and when I came into our industry, ultimately led that office that I worked in with Wells Fargo Advisors, I eventually was the recipient and party to five different succession plans- Louis Diamond: Wow. Patrick Larkin: … at Wells Fargo Advisors. I hoped that I had built a reputation as somebody that these other advisors would entrust with their clients. And over that time period, really, I would say professionally, one of my accomplishments I’m most proud of is all five of those retired advisors that I used to work with, who had an opportunity to see me work with clients, all became clients of mine, I still continue to work with. And it’s professionally just one of the greatest honors that I’ve ever had. Louis Diamond: I mean, that’s a large number of advisors you helped sunset, but I would agree it’s the ultimate p

If you've been parked in SAVE plan limbo for the last two years, the waiting is over, and the letter that starts your 90-day clock is either already in your inbox or on its way. Today, Nicole breaks down what happened to SAVE, why doing nothing could send your payment from $0 to $900 overnight, and exactly what to do before that clock runs out. Nicole walks through RAP, the new Repayment Assistance Plan replacing SAVE, how it calculates your payment off your income, and the upside most people miss: your balance can't grow even if your payment doesn't cover the interest. She also covers why studentaid.gov is about to get slammed, whether you should let the government pull your income data from the IRS, and how to avoid accidentally landing in a plan that doesn't count toward forgiveness. Then, Nicole flags two things you don't want to miss: a quadrupled autopay discount worth locking in before September 30th, and a little-known Secure 2.0 rule that lets your employer match your student loan payments straight into your 401(k). If you're already in default, she also breaks down what's coming this fall as wage garnishment turns back on, and the two ways out. Finally, today's tip you can take straight to the bank: a tax-filing move married borrowers should run the numbers on before their next RAP payment is calculated. Start investing investing at SoFi.com/MNN  Check out Nicole's financial literacy course ⁠The Money School⁠  Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company ⁠Private Wealth Collective⁠  Watch video clips from the pod on ⁠Money Rehab's Instagram⁠ and ⁠Nicole Lapin's Instagram⁠  Here's what Nicole covers today:  00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab?  00:16 SAVE Is Officially Dead  01:29 What Happens If You Do Nothing  02:12 Check Your Real Balance (Interest Never Stopped)  02:37 Meet RAP: The New Repayment Assistance Plan  03:24 Get Ahead of the Studentaid.gov Stampede  04:40 The 401(k) Match You Didn't Know You Had  05:21 If You're in Default: What's Coming This Fall  06:35 Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor or tax professional before making any financial decisions.

Almost every advisor hits a point where the grind starts to wear on you, the finish line feels hundreds of miles away, and the urge to give up starts creeping in.This week, Ariana Luterman joins me to talk about what it took to go from being completely bedridden for a year to breaking two Guinness world-records by completing six Ironmans on six continents.We get into what happens when motivation disappears, why you need to have belief before there's any evidence you should, and how to know when to keep pushing instead of changing the goal.We also talk about one of the biggest mistakes I see advisors make as they grow: treating business like a solo sport.Ariana's story is a powerful example of what happens when the goal is yours, but the weight of getting there isn't all on your shoulders. And there's a lesson in that for any advisor trying to build something bigger than themselves.3 Insights From This Week's Episode…#1.) Confidence Is Built Long Before Results Show UpExtraordinary goals rarely come with immediate proof that you're on the right path. Ariana shares why learning to believe in yourself before anyone else does became one of the most important skills on her journey—and why advisors often face a similar challenge as they build their businesses.#2.) The Right Mindset Can Become Your Greatest Competitive AdvantageWhen obstacles appear, most people focus on circumstances. We discuss how intentional mental habits, daily rituals, and disciplined self-talk can shape performance long before external results ever catch up.#3.) Growth Often Begins Where Comfort EndsEvery meaningful pursuit eventually becomes uncomfortable. Ariana reflects on what happens when excuses become easy, why resilience is developed through adversity, and how embracing difficult seasons can transform both business and life.SPONSORED BY BELAYIf you're an advisor and you're still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you're the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdlSHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/181FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALXInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

62 With $500K: Should You Claim Social Security Early or Wait? If you're 62 years old with $500,000 saved for retirement, one of the biggest questions you'll face is:Can I retire now... and should I claim Social Security at 62 or wait?

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. Sentiment toward technology remained buoyant, with CoreWeave Inc. surging 16% in extended trading after booming artificial intelligence spending drove stronger-than-expected sales growth. Super Micro Computer Inc. rallied 7.6% in the post market after its revenue forecast topped estimates. The robust tech earnings helped MSCI’s Asia Pacific equities gauge advance 0.4%, with South Korea’s tech-heavy Kospi Index adding 2.8%. US equity-index futures were little changed. We hear from Xi Qiao, Managing Director and Financial Advisor at UBS. Plus - the yen was little changed around 159.33 a dollar. Investors are watching the currency as it approaches the key level of 160, raising concern that Japanese authorities will intervene again. The dollar weakened against most of its Group-of-10 peers. We discuss the yen story with Michael Ball, Bloomberg News Macro Strategist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Hosts: Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

One of the hardest conversations many financial advisors avoid isn't about investments or markets—it's about their own fees. If you've ever looked at your client list and realized your fee schedule has evolved over the years into something inconsistent, you're not alone. In this very candid conversation, Libby sits down with advisor Todd Lester to discuss how he tackled a firm-wide fee increase after more than 30 years in the business. Todd shares the mindset shifts, compliance considerations, communication strategies, and surprising results that came from finally aligning his fees with the value his firm provides.In this episode, you'll learn:Why inconsistent fee schedules create both compliance concerns and fairness issues across your client base, and how to recognize when it's time to make a change.How Todd delegated fee increase conversations to a trusted team member, why that approach worked so well, and what advisors can learn from using a third-party communicator.The biggest fears advisors have around raising fees, why those fears are often exaggerated, and how clients actually responded when presented with the changes.The remarkable outcome of Todd's fee increase project, including the recurring revenue added to his practice, the clients he retained, and the lessons he'll carry into future pricing decisions.If you've been putting off reviewing your fee schedule because the conversation feels uncomfortable, this episode will give you both the confidence and the practical ideas to move forward. You'll walk away with a fresh perspective on pricing, value, and why charging appropriately isn't just good for your business—it's also part of serving clients fairly and sustainably.Join the Systems to Scale Group Coaching Program HERE! Register for the Asset+Map Do It Together Webinar HERE! Check out The First 100 Days Course: The Advisor's Blueprint for a Remarkable Client Experience HERE!Learn more about T2MWorks HERE! Learn more about Asset-Map financial planning software HERE! Learn more about our sponsor Beemo Automation HERE!   Check out the Efficient Advisor YouTube Channel HERE!Connect with Libby on LinkedIn HERE!Successful businesses don't get built alone. You need community! You need collaboration! Join us in The Efficient Advisor Community on Facebook.

Send us Fan Mail“I can't promise that we'll ever be rich, and I can't promise that we'll ever be famous. I can promise that if you marry me, you'll live an interesting life”. It's been 50 years, and I think I've delivered on my promise. If you'd like to be a part of a free online retirement community, join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/399117455706255/?ref=share

Most people believe with no job their tax bill will go down in retirement. That is not always true. The question is, what can you do about it? Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode! Check out Fire Your Financial Advisor on YouTube! Learn more at GoldenReserve.com or follow on social: Facebook & LinkedIn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will your wealth go to your family—or be slowly chipped away by taxes, healthcare costs, and poor planning? In this episode, Jim Fox breaks down the realities behind the so-called Great Wealth Transfer and explains why preserving assets requires more than simply growing a portfolio. He discusses tax-efficient income strategies, Roth conversions, Medicare-related tax considerations, long-term care planning, and ways to help beneficiaries receive assets more efficiently. The conversation highlights how thoughtful planning can uncover opportunities, reduce surprises, and help retirees make informed decisions about the wealth they’ve spent a lifetime building. Ready to connect with Jim today? Get some Financial Straight Talk! Follow us on social media: YouTube | FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mauricio Umansky is one of the most successful luxury real estate agents in the world, selling homes for A-listers and closing massive deals. Today, he joins Nicole to break down exactly where the real estate market stands right now: why we're finally shifting out of a three-and-a-half-year transaction low, why “rentvesting” might be a move to consider in some markets, and the 10-year rule that means almost no one who buys a home ever ends up losing money on it. Then Nicole and Mauricio dig into the parts of his world reality TV can't capture: the $124 trillion wealth transfer reshaping who owns real estate next, his "playvestment" strategy for buying property purely because it makes him happy, his take on the mansion tax killing development in LA, and whether he'll ever trade real estate for a run at Mayor of Los Angeles. Start investing investing at SoFi.com/MNN  Check out Nicole's financial literacy course ⁠The Money School⁠  Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company ⁠Private Wealth Collective⁠  Watch video clips from the pod on ⁠Money Rehab's Instagram⁠ and ⁠Nicole Lapin's Instagram⁠  Learn more about Mauricio's work and The Agency Here's what Nicole covers with Mauricio: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 03:04 Is This a Buyer's or Seller's Market? 04:10 Comparing Today's Market to Past Cycles 08:17 The 10-Year Rule According to Mauricio 09:21 Rentvesting Explained 10:35 Real Estate Returns vs. the Stock Market 11:45 Where Mauricio Would Buy Right Now 14:35 His Investment Thesis: Hospitality, Flipping, and Branded Residences 15:43 The Real Odds of Getting a Deal Done 16:56 Inside His Portfolio: Real Estate vs. Equities 17:53 Will AI Replace Real Estate Agents? 19:01 The $124 Trillion Wealth Transfer and Family Compounds 22:15 Short-Term Rentals and the 2028 LA Olympics 23:12 Would He Run for Mayor of LA? 29:56 The Mansion Tax, Explained 32:16 Reality TV: Help, Hurt, and Are the Numbers Even Real? 39:01 The Passion Project That Makes Him Zero Dollars 40:16 The Truth Behind His "$6 Billion" in Sales 46:24 Mauricio's Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.

Financial Advisors React is back, and this time Brian and Bo break down some of the internet's funniest viral money clips—from confusing credit score advice and investing memes to entrepreneurship, student loans, stock market hype, budgeting, and even a monkey explaining retirement accounts. Along the way they separate great financial advice from misleading money myths using the Financial Order of Operations (FOO), long-term investing principles, index funds, credit score fundamentals, and practical wealth-building strategies. Whether you're trying to build wealth, improve your financial literacy, invest for retirement, understand personal finance, or simply enjoy hilarious internet finance content, this episode delivers entertainment with actionable money lessons. ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thinking about growing your financial advisory practice beyond one office? In this episode we sit down with a financial advisor who scaled her holistic planning firm to five offices across North Dakota (plus a remote base in Florida) with clients in over 40 states.She breaks down what it actually takes to scale a financial advisory business: building a collaborative team with CPAs and attorneys, hiring advisors who fit your culture, holding teammates and outside partners accountable, running a multi-office practice on consistent systems, and leading with vulnerability instead of ego.In this episode:Building a collaborative "surgical team" of CPAs, attorneys, and advisors around every clientVetting and onboarding outside professionals without creating adversariesWhat actually motivates a CPA vs. an attorney to work with youA five-word framework for accountability: roles, goals, timelines, deadlines, expectationsBuilding systems and processes so every office delivers the same client experienceHaving hard conversations with underperforming team members and partnersOne advisor's journey from a one-woman shop in her basement to a multi-state holistic planning firmWhether you're a solo advisor considering your first hire or already running multiple locations, this conversation is packed with practical frameworks for scaling leadership, team culture, and client experience without losing what makes your firm yours.

Welcome back to another episode of Quantum Growth for Financial Advisors! This week, Jon Kuttin sits down with Paul McManus and Gabe McManus, co-authors of The Authority Operating System, to discuss one of the most underutilized growth strategies available to financial advisors: becoming the recognized authority in your niche. While many advisors spend enormous amounts The post The Authority Advantage: Why Every Financial Advisor Should Write a Book with Paul and Gabe McManus appeared first on Kuttin Consulting Group.

The advisor talent crisis is here, and most firms aren't ready. In this episode, Coach Joe Lukacs kicks off a new series on the Future of Financial Advice by breaking down the numbers behind a growing industry emergency: 50% of CFPs are over 50, the industry will be short 90,000 to 110,000 advisors by 2034, and 72% of new advisors still fail within their first five years. Joe unpacks why the old development playbook no longer works, what it actually costs firms when advisors wash out ($600K to $1M per departure), and why 90% of heirs leave their parents' wealth manager. Most importantly, he makes the case for what has to change, moving beyond licensing and product training toward real mentorship, coaching, and a structured career path for the next generation. Whether you're a firm leader trying to build something that lasts or a young advisor wondering if this career is still worth it, this episode is for you. Key topics covered: ✅ The aging advisor workforce and looming talent shortage ✅ The $124 trillion wealth transfer and who will capture it ✅ Why 72% of new advisors fail and why it's not a talent problem ✅ The true cost of advisor attrition ✅ What next-gen advisors actually need to succeed ✅ A message to G2s who are struggling: don't quit the game

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Frank LaRosa says most financial advisors never take the time to find their industry defining goal. Frank opens by explaining what he calls a workation, time away from the office where real strategic thinking can actually happen. Stacey shares how she caught him working by the pool at five thirty in the morning on their most recent trip and Frank explains how that kind of deliberate space led him to write an entire internal operating playbook after reading eight books in eleven days. That same thinking space is where Frank landed on his industry defining goal, or IDG, a concept similar to the big hairy audacious goal from books like Scaling Up and Traction. Frank explains why a goal like this needs to feel nearly impossible and shares that his own goal is to help one out of every ten financial advisors who move firms. Frank gets personal about applying that framework to his own life, questioning whether the time and money he spends racing is helping or slowing down his progress. Stacey shifts the conversation into practice management, walking through how advisors should audit their client list by tier and why investing more time in fewer high value clients almost always outperforms spreading yourself across everyone. The episode closes with a direct challenge. Stacey lays out why so much of an advisor's success comes down to what they can actually control and Frank adds that once you know better, you cannot place the blame elsewhere. Together they push financial advisors to stop chasing the next move and start figuring out the right move for their business and their life.   Questions answered in this episode include: What is an industry defining goal and how do financial advisors find theirs? Why do financial advisors need a place to think outside their normal routine? How do you know if a personal passion is distracting you from your business goals? Should financial advisors segment their clients by tier? How do you know which clients are actually helping you reach your goals? Why is it important to filter out negative people in your life? What does it mean to make the right move instead of just the next move?   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Your Industry Defining Goal 02:13 Finding a Place to Think Strategically 03:34 Building an Internal Operating Playbook 09:02 What Is an Industry Defining Goal 12:48 Is Your Passion a Distraction From Your Goal 25:01 Auditing Your Clients and the People Around You 31:01 Taking Ownership and Making the Right Move 39:13 How to Reach Frank and Stacey   Learn more about Elite and our resources: - Elite Consulting Partners: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com - Elite Marketing Concepts: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com - Elite Advisor Successions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com - JEDI Database Solutions: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com - Elite Wealth Management Insights Report: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/insight-report - Listen to more: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elite-consulting-partners/

VT, DFAW, and AVGE all promise global diversification—but they take different roads to get there. Don and Tom compare cost, holdings, factor tilts, and the extra risk behind higher expected returns, then explain why the “best” one-fund solution depends on how much risk you actually need.Then a listener asks why advisors build portfolios with many funds when one might do. The answer runs through tax-loss harvesting, rebalancing, personalization, and the fine line between thoughtful design and a 20-fund hodgepodge.Also: the hidden tradeoffs in fractional rental-property platforms such as Arrived, why IRMAA anxiety can outweigh the actual Medicare surcharge, and a sensible way to unwind concentrated tech gains without detonating the tax bill.00:30 Swing-era cold open01:53 Three global funds, one decision03:29 VT, DFAW, and AVGE compared05:45 Recent returns and expense ratios06:47 Factor tilts: value, size, and profitability08:59 Holdings, frontier markets, and micro-caps10:40 Matching the fund to the risk you need14:52 Listener question: one fund or many?17:50 Why advisors use multiple funds22:08 Fractional real estate and Arrived25:47 IRMAA anxiety versus the actual surcharge28:56 Unwinding concentrated tech gains32:15 Buc-ee's, crypto, and trademark comedyQuestions? Comments? Click!

This one flips the usual format. Instead of hosting, I was the guest on the Beyond The Trees podcast with Alex Murphy, from the team at Cedarwood Financial Partners.We talked about something a lot of advisors feel but rarely say out loud. You can hit the numbers, look successful from the outside, and still feel disconnected from the work and the life you thought you were building.I share the moment that forced me to rethink what success actually meant and why there is an important difference between building success and building significance.We also look at what your calendar reveals about your real priorities, why many advisors underestimate the value of their own time, and how holding onto the wrong work can quietly limit both the business and the life you are trying to create.This conversation is about the hidden cost of success and the choices that determine whether your firm ultimately supports your life or slowly takes it over.3 Insights From This Week's Episode…#1.) Successful on Paper, Trapped in PracticeA lot of founders leave one situation to build something better, then look up a few years later feeling boxed in by the thing they created. We get into why this happens and how easy it is to miss until it is well underway.#2.) The Conversation Finance Doesn't Want to HaveBurnout, loneliness at the top, needing outside help. These show up constantly behind closed doors and almost never on stage. We talk about why the industry stays quiet about it and what that silence costs.#3.) What an Hour of Your Time Is Actually WorthMost advisors have never put a real number on their own time, so they spend hours on work they would never pay someone else to do. We explore why that math changes how you think about hiring, delegation, and growth.SHOW NOTEShttps://bradleyjohnson.com/180FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIALXInstagramLinkedInFOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL:YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookDISCLOSURE DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations. The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP08265629238See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

en Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Hosts: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

Divorce attorney James Sexton has a theory: the smartest thing you can do before you get married is think like someone whose job is ending marriages. Today, James joins Nicole for part one of a two-part conversation, sharing what you need to know before you say "I do." Make sure you're subscribed to Money Rehab so you don't miss part two in a few weeks, where they get into what you need to know before you get divorced. James unpacks why every couple needs a prenup, and shares the wildest prenup clause he's ever seen. He also gets into what actually makes fidelity and sex clauses hold up in court, and why most DIY prenups fall apart long before they're ever tested.  Then Nicole and James zoom out to the stuff that can predict divorce long before anyone hires a lawyer: the small, unsexy daily habits that keep a relationship alive, and the financial fights that are never really about the money. Plus, James explains why he thinks couples should see a divorce attorney before they get married, and as weird as it sounds… we agree. Start investing investing at SoFi.com/MNN  Check out Nicole's financial literacy course ⁠The Money School⁠  Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company ⁠Private Wealth Collective⁠  Watch video clips from the pod on ⁠Money Rehab's Instagram⁠ and ⁠Nicole Lapin's Instagram⁠ Learn more about James Sexton and his work Here's what Nicole covers with James: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 03:13 Why James Chose Divorce Law (Not the Money) 06:06 Has Divorce Law Soured James on Romance? 08:33 James's Own Marriage, Divorce, and Dating Life Now 14:23 Why You Should Talk to a Divorce Attorney Before You Marry 15:49 The Small Habits That Keep a Relationship Alive 21:16 What Actually Ends Marriages 27:28 Should Marriage Have a Higher Bar to Entry? 29:37 Is Your Prenup Actually Enforceable? 31:38 The $10,000-a-Pound Prenup Clause: A True Story 38:03 DIY Prenups and What Not to Skip 44:54 Fidelity Clauses and Sex Clauses 49:01 Do Prenups Actually Prevent Divorce? 50:41 Why the Prenup Conversation Is Secretly Romantic 53:03 The Story of the Lemons: Why Positional Bargaining Fails 57:51 The Most Toxic Financial Fights in Relationships 58:41 What Money Can (and Can't) Buy 1:00:54 Coming Up: James's Divorce Advice in Part Two All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.

Kevin O'Leary is back on Money Rehab, and this time he's changed his tune on crypto. Nicole presses "Mr. Wonderful" on his wild reversal: from owning 27 coins to just two, why he thinks the real money is now in power infrastructure, and why the Clarity Act could break Bitcoin's price ceiling. Kevin also gets into the messy, litigious world of data centers, including the lawsuits, the death threats against his own family, and where he thinks the money trail leads. Then things get personal: his $5 million "you're not wealthy until" rule, the eye-popping story behind the $35 million outfit he wore to the Oscars, and which Shark he'd call to bail him out of jail. Of course, no Kevin O'Leary episode is complete without a fight, so Nicole and Kevin reignite their $28 sandwich debate and reach a truce… Almost. Start investing investing at SoFi.com/MNN  Check out Nicole's financial literacy course ⁠The Money School⁠  Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company ⁠Private Wealth Collective⁠  Watch video clips from the pod on ⁠Money Rehab's Instagram⁠ and ⁠Nicole Lapin's Instagram⁠  Here's what Nicole covers with Kevin: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 01:25 Kevin O'Leary Returns (RIP Labubu) 02:05 Confessions of a "Social Media Whore" 04:33 Buying Longevity: The Ozempic Debate 07:30 Wealth, Health, and Sleep Optimization 08:45 Inside Kevin's Lawsuit Playbook 14:00 Foreign Adversaries and the Data Center Wars 15:19 Debunking the Data Center Water Myth 19:19 From 27 Coins to Just Two: Kevin's Crypto Reset 23:55 The Quantum Computing Threat to Bitcoin 26:36 Kevin's New Bitcoin Price Target 29:01 Why Power, Not Crypto, Is the Real Trade 33:07 Should You Still Buy Crypto Right Now? 34:41 The Kidnapping Risk Nobody Talks About 36:28 The Money Bag: Financial Envy 38:01 The $5 Million Rule for Feeling Wealthy 40:15 Why Kevin Refuses to Google His Net Worth 42:23 The $35 Million Oscars Outfit 49:19 Passing Down Collectibles (and the Tax Trap) 51:40 Who Bails Kevin Out of Jail? 58:56 Kill, Marry, Fire: Pelosi, Holmes, and Cathy Wood 1:03:55 Data Center Death Threats 1:04:16 Round Two: The $28 Sandwich Fight 1:10:42 Kevin O'Leary's Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.