Podcasts about xypn

In this special episode of Behind The Advisor, Alan Moore interviews Maddy Roche, XYPN's first employee and longtime podcast host, as she prepares to depart after nearly 11 years. From her start as the "Director of Getting Sh!t Done" to becoming an executive business coach, Maddy reflects on her journey with XYPN, discussing the challenges of growing with a company, the importance of sabbaticals, and her next chapter developing services for people without children at Child-Free Legacy. This bittersweet conversation offers valuable insights for advisors on team building, organizational growth, and embracing professional transitions with grace.

Going independent doesn't mean doing it alone. In this episode, Brian Muller, founder of Momentous Wealth Advisors, shares his journey through the RIA transition and how XYPN Sapphire helped him navigate compliance, operations, and client transfers—without sacrificing his brand or autonomy. He opens up about building a lifestyle practice, overcoming challenges, and finding the right support to create the business (and life) he wanted.

XY Planning Network (XYPN) founders Michael Kitces and Alan Moore saw a need to do financial planning differently. They developed XYPN to make financial planning more accessible by creating a turnkey advice and planning platform that currently supports and empowers more than 2,000 independent financial advisors to serve whomever they want, however they want. Arlene Moss, lead executive business coach at XYPN, coaches financial planners through the challenges that come with establishing and growing their practices. On this episode, we get into how XYPN coaches bring the key component of human connection to helping advisors power their practices.

In this episode of the Childfree Wealth Podcast, hosts Dr. Jay and Bri dive into a detailed conference recap, comparing their experiences at two recent major events: XYPN Conference and FinCon. Dr. Jay shares insights from XYPN, a conference focused on financial planning and inclusivity, where he presented on childfree financial planning. In contrast, FinCon brought a social media-oriented atmosphere, emphasizing influencer engagement and content creation. Together, they explore essential topics like building awareness of childfree financial needs in the industry, developing connections in the digital age, and the value of offering more flexible services. Their reflections led to exciting ideas, such as building specialized financial products, enhancing accessibility through flexible planning options, and reaching wider audiences to continue advocating for the childfree community.Tune in to this exciting conversation and find out how insights from two major conferences are shaping new financial planning strategies designed specifically for the childfree community, helping you create a more secure and intentional financial future!Mentioned in this episode:-YXPN Conference: https://live.xyplanningnetwork.com/ -FinCon: https://finconexpo.com/ -Childfree Wealth Website: www.childfreewealth.comPre-order your copy of Dr. Jay's new book "The Childfree Guide to Life and Money" today to win a Childfree Wealth® Checkup with Dr. Jay! To Enter simply send proof of purchase to media@childfreewealth.com- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Childfree-Guide-Life-Money-Management/dp/1728297346- Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-childfree-guide-to-life-and-money-jay-zigmont-phd-mba-cfp/1144892985?ean=9781728297347- Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-childfree-guide-to-life-and-money-make-your-finances-simple-so-your-life-without-kids-can-be-amazing-jay-zigmont/21091392?ean=9781728297347- Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/search2?id=7138358055479&query=childfree+guide+to+life+and+money The Childfree Wealth Podcast, hosted by Bri Conn and Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®, is a financial and lifestyle podcast that explores the unique perspectives and concerns of childfree individuals and couples. Like the show? Leave us a rating & review! If you want to join the conversation, email us at media@childfreewealth.com, follow Childfree Wealth® on social media, or visit our website www.childfreewealth.com! Join our newsletter HERE. Schedule a meeting with a Childfree Wealth Specialist® HERE. Instagram: @childfreewealth Facebook: @childfreewealth LinkedIn: @childfree-wealth YouTube: @ChildfreeWealthPodcast Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

What's the real trajectory of an RIA? How early should you start hiring, and is a niche worth it?  Co-Founders Alan Moore and Michael Kitces hit the stage at XYPN LIVE 2024 to discuss insights from the seventh-annual Benchmarking Study on episode 400 of XYPN Radio. Each year, the study gathers information from XYPN member participants to get an accurate picture of how advisors are doing in their firms. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/400

Michael Kitces needs no introduction. One of the foremost voices in the industry, he's a financial planner in his role at Buckingham Wealth, and also a commentator, speaker, blogger, podcaster and educator. From Kitces.com, to his Nerds' Eye View blog and Advisor Success podcast, Michael leads the conversations that change the industry. XYPN, the integrated support system for independent financial advisors, is Michael's response to the problem of bringing younger advisors into the industry, and it's now celebrating ten years of helping advisors build the practice they want. We get into the bifurcation Michael sees in the industry, the role of AI, and more in this episode recorded at Future Proof. 

In Episode #22 of NAPFA Nation, host Marie Swift speaks with Luis Rosa, CFP®, EA, founder of Build a Better Financial Future. The discussion revolves around empowering first-generation wealth creators, particularly immigrants or children of immigrants, who often face challenges related to financial literacy and family obligations. Rosa highlights the significance of understanding client struggles such as “success guilt” and “lifestyle creep,” advocating for a hands-on, holistic financial planning approach that prioritizes clarity and simplicity. He outlines essential milestones in financial management, such as home purchasing and debt repayment, while emphasizing the benefits of a fee-only fiduciary service to eliminate conflicts of interest. The conversation also touches on the BLX internship program – a vital initiative he co-founded to enhance diversity within the financial planning field – and encourages advisors to actively engage in professional communities like NAPFA, XYPN, and FPA to foster growth and support. In a nutshell: First-Generation Wealth Creators have unique challenges While they may be first in their family to graduate college and get jobs with benefits in the US, they lack financial literacy despite good income They face challenges of the “sandwich generation” earlier and often struggle with balancing family responsibilities and personal financial goals Rosa works to help clients overcome success guilt and lifestyle creep through modular, hands-on planning with professional guidance and a holistic approach beyond investment management to implement plans in manageable steps Key milestones include buying a home, paying off debt, building emergency savings Learn more about Rosa and his company at  www.BuildaBetterFinancialFuture.com. Special Note: In 2023, we rebranded the NAPFA podcast with a new album cover and series title: NAPFA Nation. We are shifting our monthly episodes to bring you inspiring conversations and key insights from leaders in the Fee-Only financial planning profession. Marie Swift, Founder and CEO of Impact Communications, will continue on as host, interviewing a variety of NAPFA members and professionals. You will still be able to find on this channel the 32 Mindset Mastery episodes with respected fiduciary financial planners and allied advocates who are committed to accomplishing great things as they master their own mindset and continue to serve their clients in the best ways possible. Brought to you by NAPFA - the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors - the country's leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors. Learn more about NAPFA at www.NAPFA.org.

When a music performer turns to finance, unexpected things happen. David Bowman's journey from the arts to financial planning is one such story. In this episode, David shares how he discovered financial planning at Ohio State University and succeeded at a Central Ohio RIA.Now the Director of Partnerships at XY Planning Network (XYPN), David's career path has been diverse: from odd jobs and recruitment to organizing conferences and founding a college planning education company. He discusses the growth of XYPN from a startup to a support hub for financial advisors.David highlights the role of technology at XYPN and the collaborative spirit within the network, where advisors actively refer clients to one another. Additionally, David emphasizes the importance of partnerships and sponsorships, detailing the enriching experience of witnessing the mutual growth and success of both companies and members within the network.Dave's Social and Website:https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bowman-cfp/https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

I'm grateful to have Roland McIntyre on the podcast for this episode. He is an XYPN member and founder of Mountaintop Wealth, his own fee-only RIA where he focuses on serving underrepresented and underserved communities including those in military or public service. We got connected awhile back and after meeting each other at XYPN Live last year, I knew I had to have him on the podcast to talk about his career journey.  Roland shares about his origin story of money and his desire to be a financial advisor going back to 7th grade. After leaving active duty, he was first told he needed sales experience before he could get into the financial services industry … so he did just that, selling cable door to door. That theme of persistence comes up throughout our conversation and I love his passion and dedication to this profession.   Roland ultimately went to work for AIG where he rapidly advanced through a variety of roles and positions, learning the ins and outs of the company products, how to communicate in plain language with clients and other professionals alike, and expanding his knowledge across many areas of financial planning. Although he admits he never considered himself an entrepreneur, Roland is building a great firm that meets clients where they are at with a desire to help close the racial wealth gap. We talk about his variety of service and fee options that help educate clients who have never worked with a fee-only advisor before and how his educational content and community networking are compounding the marketing impact. I know you will learn something from Roland's career journey! https://mountaintopwealth.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/roland-mcintyre-cfp%C2%AE-chfc%C2%AE-1b8b1b23/

On today's episode, we are thrilled to welcome XYPN member, Reese Harper, CFP ®, and Carl Richards, CFP ®, to XYPN Radio. These innovative minds are behind the cutting-edge technology called Elements, XYPN's newest technology partner.  We'll dive deep into the origins of Elements, the technology itself, and the ideas that inspired its creation. Reese shares how his frustrations with the lack of realistic, standardized measurements for a client's financial health led him to define what he calls the client's 11 vital signs—an essential aspect that eventually led to the development of Elements. These vital signs don't just transform the delivery of financial planning services by advisors, but they also redefine the client's experience and the overall value of financial planning. What struck me most during this conversation was the emphasis on the client's' present situation, referred to by Carl as the "presenting problem." Elements, through its standardized set of measurements, defines a new language of advice and guides the client towards making the next right decision with their advisor. It's the ultimate engagement tool to help financial planners connect with their clients in an easy, fast, digestible way and provide visible ongoing value to their clients.  If you're interested in learning more about a beautifully designed conversion tool that will attract, engage and demonstrate ongoing vaule to prospects and clients, this is a can't miss episode!

Today's episode is a special edition of XYPN Radio as we celebrate 10 years at XYPN with co-founders Alan Moore and Michael Kitces who join me on today's episode. We reminisce about the early days of XYPN, how Alan and Michael first met, and the initial emails exchanged about the untapped opportunities that existed for both financial planners and the underserved NextGen market.  We delve into the early growth and strategic decisions they made— including their first hire, which brought me into the mix. Michael and Alan discuss their complementary strengths and how XYPN and their partnership have both grown and evolved over the years. Unchanged at the core of XYPN's success lies an unwavering commitment to identifying challenges and delivering innovative solutions so that financial planners can live their great lives.  Share our vision for the future as we explore the reasons for our pilot program, XYPN Sapphire, a corporate RIA set to empower a wider spectrum of advisors navigating ever-changing goals and dreams.  And join us in celebrating XYPN's remarkable journey from industry disruptor to proven leader and all that lies ahead.  Tune in for this special episode as we celebrate the last—and next—10 years of making it possible for fee-for-service advisors to build the financial planning firm of their dreams.  

I am honored to have Cathy Curtis, CFP ®, founder of Curtis Financial Planning, return to XYPN Radio. It's been almost three years since Cathy last joined me on Episode 313, (linked below) where she delved into her passion for running a solo practice tailored primarily to women who are single, heads of household, and breadwinners. We dive into the technological enhancements Cathy has implemented since her last visit, from embracing Holistiplan to integrating Kwanti into her tech arsenal and other software tools that she uses daily. We touch on the importance of using a TAMP for those entering the industry and how many tools are now available to advisors considering opening their own firm.  One of the most compelling parts of our conversation centers around Cathy's AUM fee model where she describes how simplifying your fee structure is key over the long term. She eloquently discusses setting time boundaries with clients, which both assist your service model and build relationships that can last a lifetime. Cathy's confidence is contagious, and by the end of this episode, you'll feel more equipped to sell your own value.  We are incredibly lucky to have Cathy as part of the XYPN community and to have her return for a second conversation on XYPN Radio to share her sage advice with our members.   

Today I am thrilled to welcome Mike Zung, CFP®, founder of Java Wealth Planning, an RIA based in Kansas City, Missouri to XYPN Radio. Mike's path is a testament to the power of perseverance and strategic planning in the financial advising industry. His background in tech architecture influenced his approach to financial planning and led to his creation of Beautiful Financial Plan—a separate online storefront that offers advisors visually appealing plan templates. Mike shares insights into his journey from launching his firm part-time while still working in software development, to eventually transitioning to a full-time role serving over 30 tech industry clients. He describes the considerations and challenges of balancing home life while changing careers. He emphasizes the importance of networking and how attending XYPN LIVE has shaped his career and created lasting connections in the industry that have sparked new ideas and strategies for his businesses. Mike and I cover marketing strategies, successfully transitioning from project-based to ongoing planning, and how he defines value for his clients. This episode provides valuable wisdom for advisors who change careers and the opportunities that can be leveraged by leaning into their previous expertise and personality strengths. We uncover the challenges and triumphs of Mike Zung's journey, underscoring the role of innovation and community in the ever-evolving landscape of financial advising. I am privileged to count Mike among XYPN's valued members, and we're honored to feature his expertise on today's episode. What You'll Learn From this Episode: ●      Transitioning clients from project-based planning to an ongoing engagement ●      Designing and implementing a tier-based, flat-fee structure ●      How and when to raise fees for your clients while providing great value ●      Niching down your client base to match your ideal clients with your own values ●      The importance of attending in-person networking events and conferences such as XYPN Live ●      Using YouTube to create evergreen content that will continue to attract clients ●      Leveraging your personality strengths and career background to launch your own firm ●      The considerations and challenges of balancing home life while changing careers.

Have you ever thought about how a leader's different experiences can influence an entire industry? Vince Hockett, President of XY Planning Network, will share his varied career, from manufacturing to international business, and how these roles shaped his leadership style at XYPN. He will discuss the importance of learning and mentorship in building a community and support system at XYPN.Vince also does an amazing job at highlighting what sets XYPN apart in a competitive field, such as its principles, leadership, and culture. Insights on the role of empathy in leadership and the psychological aspects crucial in financial planning will be shared. The talk aims to inspire with a vision of a mission-driven organization that impacts lives beyond just numbers. Join to discover how having a purpose can transform your approach to work, growth, and success at xyplanningnetwork.comVince's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vhockett-take-a-look/Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

In this episode, Maddy Roche returns as the full-time host of XYPN Radio.  Joining her is XYPN member Jennifer Kang, CFP®, founder of JWK Financial, a thriving RIA based out of New York. Jennifer shares her incredible journey and how she leveraged two decades' worth of experience in a large wirehouse to shape the foundation of her fee-only, flat-fee approach at JWK Financial.  Jennifer gets real about hitting the ground running and the expectations and pace she experienced in her initial months. What sets this interview apart is Jennifer's unwavering confidence in the value she delivers to her clients, a trait that shines through as she fearlessly encourages prospects to interview other advisors. She discusses the art of transitioning clients from an initial engagement fee to an ongoing relationship at an annual flat rate.  Jennifer encourages building a new business at a cadence that allows flexibility, reinvesting time into existing clients, and creating referability. This episode is a goldmine of advice, aligning seamlessly with the principles taught at XYPN. Don't miss out on the insights that make Jennifer's journey and expertise a can't-miss for financial professionals. Listeners, get ready for an informative show! 

Embracing your authentic self can be terrifying, but our guest today took the leap and built an amazingly successful RIA by connecting with her niche. Our guest today, Lindsey Young, CFP®, and founder of Quiet wealth, shares shares her journey, and how she found success. Lindsey navigated diverse career terrains, from strategy consulting to the Peace Corps, tech in San Francisco, venture capital, and investment banking. Her decision to transition before starting the firm, driven by authenticity moving forward, resonated with her clients. On this episode, Lindsey shares her unique sales process, targeting successful LGBTQ professionals with a focus on clients with a net worth of one to five million. The conversation delves into her marketing strategies, emphasizing the significant return on investment from Google Ads and overall SEO efforts. Lindsey's experience offers a nuanced perspective on building trust within the LGBTQ community and highlights the broader appeal of her approach, serving both LGBTQ and straight clients. Join us for a deep dive into Lindsey's flat-fee model, her compensation structure, and the challenges and opportunities she encounters as a financial planner. If you want a real world example of successful niche marketing, be sure to tune in!

XYPN member, Matt Miner, founder of Miner Wealth Management, joins us on the show today. Matt started his career on the corporate finance side of business. After a few years, he took a break and went to B school to get his MBA, then worked with John Deere in several capacities before his career was impacted by a layoff related to a merger.   His running partner was a fee only advisor and Matt became an intern at that firm. He was responsible for growing his own client base from scratch and shared how he found success getting those early clients. In 2021, after three years, Matt and the firm owner agreed to a buyout structure so that Matt could take his clients with him and ultimately start his own RIA.    Matt was kind enough to share the details of that buyout and how it worked for him and the prior firm owner. Matt has been growing a really awesome firm as he is looking to do more than 350, 000 of revenue in his third year in business.  He shared his approach to fees and how he sees the fighting amongst advisors on the best or right fee structure as unnecessary. And also how he uses his fee as a client segmentation tool to ensure he's working with his ideal clients.  From company management position to booming RIA in the first 3 years, this is an episode you won't want to miss!   What you'll learn from this episode How informational interviewing techniques have helped him in both working up the corporate ladder and in securing clients. How going into advising with a fully fledged philosophy of wealth management helped him attract a large client base quickly in the first few years. Alan and Matt discuss the details of what a buyout looks like and how it can compare to building out a business in other ways. How to approach fee structures and the benefits of keeping things simple both for the client and the advisor. The benefit of starting a podcast and how it has impacted Matt's business. While working for John Deere, Matt moved from trade to business school, graduating in 2013 with a business degree and a job with Intel. After the business was sold, Matt took on a financial advising job with Bridgeline Wealth Management in 2018. In August of 2021, Matt bought out his boss's share in the business, changing the business to Miner Wealth Management. Alan and Matt discuss the benefit of attending management training programs through companies like John Deere. Featured Links Matthew Miner: Website | LinkedIn | Advisor Page Certified Financial Planner™  Series 65 Informational Interviewing AdvicePay Work Pants Finance podcast XYPN LIVE  

In this episode of XYPN Radio, we're joined by XYPN member Maggie Klokkenga, the founder of Make A Money MindShift. Maggie's journey is a testament to the transformative power of financial coaching. Starting her career as a CPA, she eventually transitioned to a large firm in St. Louis, where she worked on various teams.   Maggie noticed a disconnect between her passion for helping clients lay their financial foundations and the higher net-worth clients she was serving. In 2021, she took the leap to start her own firm, focusing on providing financial coaching services. Maggie shares insights into her client engagement process, which involves 8 to 10 one-hour-long meetings over several weeks, and the positive outcomes she's witnessed. What you'll learn from this episode Maggie worked in public accounting (CPA) for 15 years Wanting to support clients in a broader way than she had been as a CPA, she decided to join an investment advisory firm as an advisor. Seeing a split in how fees were being charged to clients, Maggie and a group of others set up their own firm. Her family expanded rapidly,  getting married in 2011, then adopting her first and having her second child in 2013. Followed by adopting a third child the following year. This family dynamic pushed Maggie to become a remote worker in 2016 Wanting to provide real financial planning to her clients, she engaged with other financial planning curricula, only to find that she saw threads she could do something about. After working at the advisory firm for 7 years, she started working as a financial coach on the side. After learning that this constituted a conflict of interest, Maggie turned in her resignation and became an XYPN member the next day. Diversifying her revenue by coaching has kept Maggie able to balance her work and family life. As a financial coach, Maggie meets every week with clients to really learn where their money is going and helps  them build better habits by providing awareness to the emotional connections we associate with money. How making changes to her fee structure opened up the floodgates for new clients. Some examples of the incredible outcomes that she has seen through her work with clients. Her experience going to XYPN LIVE this year

Many of our recent guests have discussed how things are 2,3, 4 years after starting. But what about when you're in the thick of it? Our guest today, Nycole Freer, founder of Eden Financial is only 8 months into her solo RIA journey and tells us what it's like!  After navigating the corporate landscape, including a role at JPMorgan Chase, Nycole faced a pivotal choice – stay within the constraints of corporate structures or embark on her own entrepreneurial path. Motivated by her dream to write a children's book, provide more dynamic support for clients, and stretch her wings, Nycole launched her RIA in 2022. Eight months into this journey, Nycole candidly shares the hurdles and unexpected twists she's encountered. From marketing strategies, to finding help through coaches, to what's working in client acquisition, Nycole's story offers a real-time account of building a thriving practice from the ground up. Whether you're an aspiring business owner, a new entrepreneur navigating challenges, or an established owner reflecting on your progress, Nycole's story is a great touchstone for so many of us. Be sure to tune in and join us as we see another new advisor building towards their very own best life. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/375   

Join us on this episode of XYPN Radio as we introduce you to Tim and Alexis Woodward, co-founders of Blend Wealth. These financial planners decided to blend not just their lives but also their financial expertise, serving blended families and business owners. Discover how they've diversified their services, embraced their Christian faith in financial planning, and managed a thriving business while nurturing a harmonious marriage. This is an episode you won't want to miss. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/374   

What does it look like to scale your RIA and how long does it take? How big of an impact does it really make to have a niche? When should you start hiring, and who should it be when you do?  Co-Founders Alan Moore and Michael Kitces met onstage this year to review the highlights of the seventh-annual Member Benchmarking Study in this episode of XYPN Radio. Every year, the study gathers information from XYPN member participants to get an accurate picture of how advisors are doing in their firms.  This episode tells the story of how XYPN firms are scaling and what to look out for in your own journey. Whether you're getting ready to launch, are in your first years, or are already established, this is an episode you won't want to miss.   Notes:  (1:04) What the benchmarking study is and how it is conducted. (2:33) Chart 1 - The median annual growth rate of client relationships since 2018. Unlike other figures that largely are talking about AUM, this gives a real snapshot of growth rates of fee for service models. Alan and Michael discuss how fee for service models stand up to economic cycles and interest rates as seen over the last seven years (16:37) Chart 2 - Average annual revenue for those who join with few to no clients.   We want to be realistic when we tell you what to expect as you start your firm and have the data to back it up! Alan and Michael discuss what the data means and how it shapes those pivotal early years. (23:46) Chart 3 - Revenue growth by niche vs no niche.  Broken up by Implementation (0-20 clients), Building (20-75 clients), and Scaling (75 client households and/or 150K revenue) phases. (37:55) Chart 4 - Percentage of Advisors leveraging in-house or outsourced staff and number of clients. For someone looking to hire, this is an important one! (49:15) Chart 5 - Staff productivity by business type. Whether you have a solo, boutique, or enterprise practice, we take a look revenue per advisor as staff gets added to the business.  

Doing the right thing in the financial world often involves speaking up and knowing when to go your own way. This is in no way an easy thing, but has time and time again been a source of joy for advisors. Our guest today, Mike Kelly, CFA®, CFP®, and founder of Switchback Financial has pursued doing right by his clients, himself, and his family. Along the way, he has built a successful business and has exciting new ventures on the way! Starting as a fresh graduate in 2008, Mike ventured into financial and risk management for banks before realizing that his true calling lay elsewhere. He joined an established RIA, gaining valuable insights into the industry. However, due to strategic disagreements, he embarked on his own entrepreneurial journey in 2020, founding Switchback Financial. Inspired by his wife's experience, he found his niche working with younger clients in the tech industry. Mike shares his experiences, from the impact Silicon Valley Bank's collapse had on clients in the tech industry, to the importance of sales skills and effective marketing on platforms like LinkedIn. All the while, striving to be present for his family, friends, and personal well-being. What makes this episode truly exciting is Mike's revelation about merging with another XYPN member, combining their complementary skills and vision. From ethics in action to what to look for in a new partnership, you won't want to miss this episode. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/372  

Jay Coulter sits down with industry leaders, Michael Kitces and Alan Moore from XY Planning Network. This insightful interview sheds light on pressing challenges in the financial services industry, especially the shortage of financial advisors. The duo also shares how XY Planning Network offers a robust launching platform for serious financial planners eager to grow their businesses and charts the growth and trends they're observing within their network. Follow Financial Advisor TV™ on Social: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FinancialAdvisorTV  Twitter: https://twitter.com/finadvisortv  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financialadvisortv  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financialadvisortv  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financialadvisortv  Learn more about Financial Advisor TV™: http://www.financialadvisor.tv  © Resilient Advisor. All Rights Reserved

Join us for an insightful episode as we extend a warm welcome to XYPN member Jeff Clark CFP®, founder of Redwood Money. From youth ministry to personal finance, Jeff's journey wasn't simple. In his church, Jeff offered to help his peers with their finances, but soon had the attention of a congregation also in need! Following this path, he found himself in FinTech, able to learn from experts in the field. This stepping stone gave him the knowledge and confidence to strike out on his own. In 2021, he did just that. Cataloging his growth 2 years later, he has exceeded all expectations. With Jeff's practice expanding at an impressive pace, culminating in a hiatus from new client engagements for the latter half of 2023. He credits much of his success to the support of friends, family, and peers much like those in his XYPN Mastermind Group. Jeff and his wife are on the brink of welcoming their second child. For those looking into how their current support systems can bolster their practice, this episode is for you! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/369  

We often hear how the network of support and connection that XYPN offers is a strong component of success. In today's episode, we learn that for our guest, Leland Gross, CFP®, the founder of PeaceLink Financial Planning, "community" wasn't just a benefit, it was essential after a life-changing event pulled his focus from building his business. Leland discovered financial planning after meeting some advisors through a volunteer program he was part of just after college. He noticed that the advisors were able to work hard while also coaching kids' sports teams and having time to volunteer. Appreciating the flexibility he saw, he decided it was a fit for him. He started his career on the sales side of the business, but over time discovered fee-only planning and the opportunities it presented to him. In September 2021, Leland launched his firm and discovered that same month that his wife was pregnant! Three months later, they received the devastating news that their baby would need open heart surgery just after birth. Leland shares how his XYPN study group jumped in to help him keep his business from failing. While he focused on his family, they got set up so they could call Schwab on the client's behalf, helped craft emails and communications to clients, and basically did anything else they could do to support him while he cared for his family. With their assistance during that critical time, and Leland's strategic social media and podcast leveraging, he is now serving 45 client households (in less than 18 months!) in the self-employed niche—all while experiencing major changes and hardships to his growing family. Leland's story really shows how perseverance and support can get us through unimaginably difficult times and help us still find success. This is a story you won't want to miss! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/367 

If you're wondering whether taking custody of client accounts and a virtual assistant is right for your independent advisory firm, this episode's for you! Taking custody can be a scary decision, but sometimes it's the right one. Just ask XYPN member Kate Yearwood Young, CFA, CFP®, founder of Yearwood Young Advisors.  From engineering to Wall Street to founding a successful business, she acquired the skills and services to meet her client's needs where they are.  And their needs dictated that she take custody. Born into the advisor role despite her family's best efforts—her father, aunt, and cousin are in the industry—Kate was encouraged to explore other avenues of interest, but sometimes it's in your blood! After getting a degree in engineering, Kate pivoted back to finance and soon found herself on the Wall Street Trading Floor. She developed her knowledge and expertise in evaluating hedge fund managers for large pension funds and ultra-high-net-worth clients. In 2019, she made the decision to leave her last firm and start her own business. She launched in May 2020 with a six-month-old baby but found a way to persevere and began to grow her firm. Kate has a really unique service offering.  In addition to comprehensive financial planning and investment management, she also has a family office service. She needed to take custody of client accounts because she has bill pay authority for her office service. A deeper dive into the topic reveals her experience with the audit process and the documentation required when you have full control of a client's bank account. We also dive into what she's building and how she plans to get more control of her calendar, the number of hours she works, and how she's leveraging a virtual assistant and soon-to-be outsourced paraplanner. From being in touch with her clients' needs to growing her business in the most sane and productive ways, Kate's story is one that we need to hear. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/366 

If you are interested in learning highly effective, yet simple ways to use data-driven market research to find and maximize your niche, this episode is for you!  In this candid and informative conversation with XYPN member Marlon Wesh, MBA, founder of Wesh Financial, we learn how Marlon's early experience in HR for the Marine Corps helped formulate his firm's operational systems. We also hear how earning his undergraduate degree and MBA in business administration was tremendously helpful in structuring the business side of his firm—especially his marketing classes which informed his approach to finding his niche.  While completing his MBA, he did an internship with Merrill Lynch and decided that his path would be better served as an entrepreneur where he owned 100% of his business and where someone else wasn't testing out their inclusivity on him. He launched his firm in late 2019 with minimal planning experience, but a whole lot of grit and self-confidence. He tried a few niches and quickly established that just because there's a gap in the market, it doesn't mean there's a market in the gap. So, he turned to methods informed by both his marketing classes and what came most naturally to him: data-driven market research.  His strategic approach proved to be both satisfying and profitable.  A Google search that started with “What are professions that have complicated taxes?” ultimately led him to his niche: traveling nurses. He didn't stop there though, he studied multiple online forums where traveling nurses shared what he determined were pain points.  He then turned those pain points into his selling points—which directly fueled his success. Marlon was super open about the challenges of starting a firm, especially with young kids, and how he and his wife ultimately navigated it. He also shared that the next phase of his business will focus on helping advisors with their marketing. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/365 

If you're interested in how finding your fit can change everything and how well the equity compensation niche has worked for XYPN member Christine Amill Centeno, CFP®, MS, founder of Simplicity Wealth Management, this episode is for you!   Christine started her career in financial services at Ameriprise in 2007 and worked in a variety of broker's side roles until she ultimately decided to launch her own firm in 2019. Having just celebrated her firm's fourth birthday, she has grown quickly with over 40 client households and 400,000 of recurring revenue.   How has she had so much success? You probably guessed it, she has a really well defined niche. Christine specializes in equity compensation, and almost all of her growth from the last two years have been from client referrals. She also shared about her experience hitting the ceiling, realizing that she was working way too many hours and had let the business really take over her life.   She hit the reset button, defined her financial mission statement, and has been really intentional about building the business to support her life moving forward. This was a really great conversation that you are not going to want to miss. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/363  

If you're interested in learning how employment contract restrictions can seriously disrupt your plans to take clients with you should you decide to break away from your broker, as well working through growth and fee structuring decisions, this episode is for you! XYPN member John Underhill, CFP®, founder of Acorn and Oak Wealth Management, based in Raleigh, North Carolina shares how his journey from ski bum to managing parts of a ski resort, and then several Starbucks helped bolster his business acumen as well as humility—in the best ways. After having their first child, John and his wife moved back to the East Coast to be near family. He found a job on Indeed in financial services with a national firm. And he said without a plan B, he just committed to following their recipe for success. He knocked on a lot of doors and ultimately built a successful practice.  In 2020, after listening to the Financial Advisors Success Podcast, he decided to launch his own firm. We talked about his experience with a difficult employment contract and how he navigated it to let his prior clients know that he had gone independent. John is at a really cool point in his business where now that he has three years of experience under his belt, he's trying to figure out his fee structure if he's going to hire another advisor and more. It was fun to catch him in the middle of these big decisions as they are choices that all advisors eventually have to make as they start to approach capacity.   -Alan You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/362  

In this fun conversation with XYPN member Brian O'Neill, CFP®, founder of Winged Wealth Management and Financial Planning, we hear how niching not only what you know, but who you know can radically grow your business—even in the first year!  Brian spent the first 20 years of his career as an Air Force pilot, during which time he developed a passion for personal finance. After considering what to do after retirement from the military, he decided to launch a firm dedicated to working with fighter pilots like himself. Brian launched his firm in January 2021 and came out of the starting gates hot, working with 30 clients in his first year, 23 of which were retainer clients. He's grown quickly and shared that he'll gross over $200,000 in 2023, just his third year in business.  He shared his marketing secret sauces that helped him grow quickly as well as build upon the equity of trust his fellow fighter pilots feel towards each other.  Finally, we talked about his view of the future of the business and how that's changed from a plan to stay solo to a desire to grow, not only to serve more clients in need of his services but also his family—in the form of a succession plan for his business. Every entrepreneur has to make a similar decision, and I think you'll find his thoughts on the subject illuminating if you're near that junction in your journey.  -Alan You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/361

If you are interested in what it takes to transition from a long-term wirehouse position to solo RIA ownership, what it means to truly answer a calling, and how to sustainably serve others without being self-sacrificing, this episode is for you! XYPN member Kaysian Gordon, MBA, CFP®, CPA, CKA®, founder of Kaysi Gordon Financial Planning, started her career at UBS where her team grew over her tenure and ultimately focused on doing financial planning for ultra-high net worth clients.  She spent 14 years there learning the ins and outs of serving those clients and was the first on her team to get her CFP® designation.  Seven years ago she was able to start a weekly devotional blog that was not finance-related, so she had the freedom to share her thoughts and insights.  It later helped lay the foundation for her current niche of working with women of faith that are in transition.  When she felt called to leave UBS, she joined another organization that not only provided a unique “practice run” at RIA entrepreneurship, it allowed her to build a client base she could take with her when she decided to go independent—a rare opportunity. In late 2021, she left that RIA and launched her own firm with the help of XY Planning Network. She's been growing quickly (60 households in less than a year!) and her clear niche has not only helped build her base, it's kept her feeling fulfilled.  We also talked about how important time of life is—as she is a single mom with a ten-year-old daughter (who, by the way, co-authored a book with her!).  Her life stage has impacted the design of her business and how she ultimately wants her life to look.  There is so much to connect with in Kaysi's story, I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! -Alan You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/360

If you're interested in learning about the advantages of growing your firm with like-minded advisors, the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant, and how none of it would be possible without a supportive spouse, this episode's for you! XYPN member Mike Troxell, CPA, founder of Modern Financial Planning knew he wanted to be a financial planner, but his career started off on the tech side of the business as an accountant. After being steeped in tax education for two and a half years, he made the move into financial planning and started working at an RIA. While he thought at that time he might want to start a firm one day, he loved that job and the people he was working with and thought he'd be there a long time.  The stars unexpectedly aligned for him, however, and he decided to launch his own RIA. We talked about how he and his wife ultimately made that decision and made it work as they had just had their first child and had their second just 12 months after he launched. Modern Financial Planning works with clients with RSUs or stock options so many of his clients are in tech and we talked about how he helps clients navigate the financial decisions that come with that industry.  While he thought he would stay solo, he ended up bringing on another advisor and is in the process of onboarding a virtual assistant. We discussed that decision and how he's been focused on growing his business. This is a really fun interview that I'm certain you'll enjoy. - Alan You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/359

If you've ever found yourself questioning what “having it all” looks like for you, how to pull focus on those visions and find balance as you start and run your business, this episode is for you. In this reflective and empowering conversation, XYPN member Betty Wang, CFP®, founder of BW Financial Planning, shares a very real look into her journey from a career in financial services on the buy side, to taking time off to care for her children with medical issues to returning to the industry in private equity and ultimately deciding to do her own thing as a firm owner.  While she doesn't describe herself as an entrepreneur—because she doesn't fit the image that she had of what it means to be an entrepreneur—she has built a very successful firm. She launched in 2018, but struggled to put herself out into the world, so she didn't see much traction early on.  That all changed in 2020 when she made the decision to lean into the uncomfortable parts of the business, primarily selling financial planning and the relationship with her as the product of her business—and it has grown rapidly since.  She shares how she has been able to be intentional with her time—focusing on working 25 hours a week so she can spend time with her kids (something she hadn't envisioned being a priority in the beginning of her career).  She also shares tools she uses to help with what she calls life planning—a way for her to focus on living from a fulcrum of integrity, according to her values.  There are many aspects of Betty's story that you may find familiar, but mostly I think you'll appreciate her ability to turn the unexpected into an intentional and meaningful life.  I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! - Alan You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/358

If you're interested in learning how to grow your initial firm investment five-fold in 3 ½ years in a dual-entrepreneurial household, this episode's for you! Join in the conversation with XYPN member Jake Northrup, CFP®, CFA, CSLP®, founder of Experience Your Wealth and hear about how he started his firm journey in late 2019, with no clients, at the ripe age of 27. As if that wasn't challenging enough, his wife started her own wedding planning business at the same time.  Jake always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur, and after working in an RIA that served mostly older clients, he wanted to build a firm that focused on younger families that did a lot of traveling and wanted to experience more of life during their younger years versus just saving for retirement and hoping to have fun in their 60s.  Jake spent a lot of his upfront money building a website focused on telling the story of who he wanted to work with and how he was different from other advisors. It has clearly worked as he made just over $80,000 in his first 12 months and he has now crossed the $500,000 of recurring revenue mark, just three and a half years into the business.  We had a wide ranging conversation about how he has found success finding clients, his service model, what makes his business unique, how he and his wife have balanced being entrepreneurs at the same time, and how his views on building the business have changed from building a solo practice to hiring another lead advisor and other team members. Check out his interesting journey! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/357

If you're interested in learning how niching what you know and starting a group focused around your niche can grow your fee-only revenue to $250k in 5 years, this episode is for you! We're excited to welcome XYPN member Andie Clark, founder of The Table Financial Planning, a virtual firm serving military members and their families on the show. Andie married her high school sweetheart, who was an Air Force pilot and started moving all over the world every two years. She found work as a math teacher at community colleges, and over time, that ended up shifting into the realm of financial planning. She took part in a joint program between FINRA and the DOD that helped her get her AFC designation. That led her to getting her CFP® and, as her husband was retiring from the military and they were deciding where they wanted to end up, she started her financial planning firm. She talked briefly about a couple of big planning opportunities that service members can take advantage of this year. And it is clear how important having in-depth knowledge of what all service members have access to is when working with them. She's also part of a group that she helped found called the Military Financial Advisors Association, which is a group of XYPN members that serve military members and their families. They host regular meetups and provide education to members and have a pretty awesome lead gen program that's set up for members to take advantage of.  Another great example of the power of being better together! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/356

If you're interested in hearing about building a unique firm that's more focused on helping people and having an impact versus just being focused on making money due to personal financial circumstances, this episode is for you! This inspiring and really interesting conversation with XYPN member, Frank Austin, CFA, ChFC®, founder of Sustainable Financial Planning, was a little different from many other conversations we've had on XYPN Radio in that he is technically retired after a long career in financial services, mainly on the institutional side.  Frank achieved his FIRE goal of retiring at 50 and starting his own financial planning firm. His goal in starting the firm wasn't to make a lot of money as he was already set up for retirement, but instead to impact the lives of as many clients as possible.  We talked about some of the things he thought he would focus on early in the business, such as ESG investing and how those plans evolved over time as he found the clients he enjoyed working with and learned the challenges of running his own solo practice. He's made a recent pivot to moving into more advice packages and away from ongoing planning, and he shared why he made that move and the clients he hopes to help with that new program.  I hope you enjoy hearing about Frank's journey as much as I did! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/355

This episode's for anyone who: Has made or is considering making the transition from tax prep to financial planning Understands the impact every financial decision has on taxes Is looking for conversation starters with your clients about the value add tax-optimized financial planning offers them Wants to shift tax prep from being reactive to proactive Wonders how to structure fees when you offer tax services, financial planning, and investment solutions Is looking for inspiration to pursue their passion at any age In this informative conversation with XYPN member Joanne Burke, CFP®, CPA/PFS, founder of Birch Street Financial Advisors, we learn why Joanne left a big four firm to join a partner who'd split off to go independent and help start their accounting practice. After a few years and the birth of her second child, she decided to launch her own tax practice to give herself the flexibility to spend more time with her family than public accounting would have provided. Fast forward after her youngest left for college, she decided to pursue her passion for financial planning and made the leap in 2020 to start her own RIA. We talked about her original plans to convert tax clients over to ongoing financial planning clients and the challenges she faced as she tried to move from being seen as their tax preparer to being seen as their financial advisor. Her deep tax knowledge has proven to be a real asset as she's shifted tax prep conversations from reactive solutions to proactive planning. We talked about the upcoming decision she'll get to make as she decides if she wants to stay solo or hire and begin to grow the firm. This is a really fun interview that covers a lot of bases you don't want to miss. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/354

Tess Downing is the Founder of Complete View Financial based out of San Antonio, TX. She joins the show today to talk about her journey in the financial planning industry, including what she would have done differently if she could do it all over again. If you want to know what it is like to work your way up in a firm over 10 years—and then leave to start your own firm—this episode is one you won't want to miss! Listen in as Tess shares how she got started, as well as how she secured her internship. You'll learn what it was like for her landing her first financial planning position, her biggest challenges when starting out, why she made the decision to leave her firm after 10 years and start her own, and how the XYPN network and community have helped her. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3GTCkYx

Whether you live in a single or dual-entrepreneurial household, have children you're balancing in that equation, or are just looking for effective tips to convert prospects into clients, this episode is for you! In this fun and informative conversation with XYPN member Sarah Ponder, CFP®, MBA, founder of Real Estate Wealth Planning, Sarah joked that she's 37 and on her fifth and hopefully final career. She started out in the Enterprise Car Rental Management Training program, then ended up in a financial literacy software startup before getting her MBA. She was then recruited to Dimensional Fund Advisors, or DFA, where she moved up into a regional director role, during which time she got her CFP®. She always knew she would launch her own firm one day and decided that the fall of 2020 right in the middle of COVID was the right time. We talked about her decision to become an entrepreneur as she had two kids under four and another on the way, and she had historically been the breadwinner for her family as her husband is a realtor. She said she drank the niche Kool-Aid from this podcast, and after doing a round of interviews with real estate professionals, she decided to specialize in working with realtors. We talked about her fee structure, successful marketing programs, her new course for realtors, and also how her family has leveraged an Au Pair to be able to support them with childcare so they can build their respective businesses. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/353

We're excited to welcome back XYPN member Kay Dee Cole, CFP®, founder of Clarity Wealth Development, on the show today. Kay Dee was on the show back in 2017 and we wanted to bring her back on now, to give us an update on her firm and how things have progressed and changed. I have to say it was hard to find anything that was similar to the business she was running five years ago, aside from her being there and her niche. Kay Dee shared the various transitions that have happened from splitting with a business partner, finding her integrator, which is something we talked a lot about, building up the team, selling a portion of the company to her employees, and ultimately setting herself on a path to spend more time on passion projects. If you're interested in being really intentional about building the business that makes sense for you and where you're at in life, this episode is for you! You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/352

At XYPN we talk a lot about community. This holiday season feels like a great time to celebrate what a powerful gift being independent, but never alone can be.  So, we invited three members of an XYPN Mastermind Group, Dillon Cobb, CPA, CFP®, Andrew Gray, CFP®,  and Allen Mueller, CFA, MBA, to share how their group has become a gift that “keeps giving” toward their personal and professional successes. We'll hear about how the group has become a place of shared strengths and divided weaknesses – kind of like a family.  A family whose support betters themselves, their firms, and their clients.  It's impact acceleration at its absolute best. Their varied backgrounds and unique paths to launching their own firms enrich and inform their conversations as do their commonalities – like facing the challenges of raising young kids and building solo practices. We had a wide-ranging discussion about the value of a mastermind group – from helping navigate family dynamics playing out in their firms to imposter syndrome. You can feel the difference their support of one another has made in their lives and practices.  If you are already in an XYPN Mastermind Group, you'll recognize the positive impact and feelings our guests share.  And if you aren't – you may find yourself seeking the powerful gift of community by the time you're done listening to this episode. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/351

We're excited to welcome XYPN member, Daniel Yerger, MBA, CFP®, ChFC, AIF, CDFA, founder of MY Wealth Planners, a fee-only firm based in Colorado on the show today.  Today's podcast follows Daniel's career path from joining the Army and specializing in PSYOPS to becoming an IT manager for IBM before deciding to pursue financial planning. He effectively started his own firm at a broker-dealer because he didn't have a salary to build his own client base from scratch. Looking back, if he found a salary position in financial planning, he would have taken it and maybe would have never started his own firm. In this show we talk about the importance of meeting like-minded financial planners and his decision to launch his own RIA after attending an FPA NexGen conference. We cover a variety of other topics, including fee structure and using net worth in fee calculations as well as leveraging interns in his practice - one of whom ultimately became his associate advisor. He discusses the importance of firms hiring and paying interns in order to expose more young people to the work we do as financial planners. We closed our discussion on his PhD research on financial advisory fees, advisor compensation, and ultimately how the fight on Twitter regarding fees is really missing the point. If you're interested in the importance of finding a passion that fits and exposing next generations to financial planning, this show is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/350

We're excited to welcome XYPN member Jessica Goedtel, founder of Pavilion Financial Planning, on the show today. Jessica started her career thinking she wanted to be an archeologist. After a few jobs and a few different industries, her love of personal finance brought her to her first job in financial planning. She worked for a couple of different firms, including an online startup RIA, and learned as much as she could about doing financial planning and the types of clients she wanted to work with before ultimately launching her own firm in September of 2021. Jessica has two niches listed on her website's home page: tech workers and online sex workers. We talked about the decision to have two niches, which she admits can be difficult at times, but also wouldn't go back and change it if she could. We dove into the service model and fee structure of both niche markets and how she's ultimately bringing value to her clients, including how she has incorporated tax preparation and tax planning into her business just over a year in, and she's doing amazingly well. This is an interview you don't want to miss. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/349

Today we welcome XYPN member Andy Panko, CFP®, RICP®, EA, founder of Tenon Financial, to XYPN Radio. Andy always knew he wanted to be a financial advisor—but the harsh reality of financial planning opportunities (or the lack of them) for a fresh college graduate was discouraging. So, Andy spent the first 19 years of his career working in insurance, banking, and brokerage firms. It was in 2016 that Andy discovered XYPN Radio and realized that his dream of helping others with their finances could be a reality. Andy spent the next three years preparing to launch—and that preparation really paid off. COVID soon followed Teton Financial's 2019 launch. Rather than seeing this as a roadblock, Andy took it as a sign to double down on his marketing efforts, and it paid off handsomely. He got his first client in June 2020 and quickly reached capacity at the beginning of 2022. Andy is truly passionate and candidly talks with us about his growth and how he has worked to intentionally build a high-efficiency solo practice. If you're interested in working with clients to and through retirement and building a great firm in the process, this is the episode for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/348

Co-Founders Alan Moore and Michael Kitces review the highlights of the sixth-annual Member Benchmarking Study in this episode of XYPN Radio. Each year, the study gathers information from XYPN member participants to get an accurate picture of how advisors are doing in their firms. This episode tells the data-backed story of an XYPN firm's journey, from the average growth in revenue, client profitability, and client relationships, to the value of community. Alan and Michael pull graphs from the study to paint a clear picture of what's working and not working for member firms. And yes, the survey includes insights from XYPN members who started with the Network from scratch that yields incredibly impactful for those considering starting an independent fee-for-service RIA. If you're interested in learning what really works for fee-for-service advisors, then this is the episode for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/347

Today we talk to Maggie Beach, CFP®, CPA/PFS, and XYPN Member who is the founder of NexJenn Financial Services—a fee-only firm servicing the real estate niche—and NexJenn CPA—an accounting firm that specializes in individual and trust taxation. Today's podcast is full of information as Maggie shares her expertise in real estate, and how her early career path gave her the ability to provide advice on a personal level. In this show, we talk about everything in the real estate niche, from prospecting to outsourcing. For Maggie, real estate isn't just a niche, it's a family business. Maggie uses her personal experience in real estate investing to provide a holistic approach to advice to her clients. She also talks candidly about what it's like to offload aspects of her business. Bottom line? Trusting your instincts is one of the most important skills advisors should hone while building their firm. If you're interested in real estate as a niche, and finding better ways to serve your existing clients, this show is for you.  You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/345

We're excited to welcome XYPN member Cody Garrett, CFP®, founder of Measure Twice Financial—an advice-only firm based in Houston, TX. After 10 years in the music industry, Cody jumped into a career in financial planning. As Cody learned about financial planning, he shared blogs to teach others at the same time. His generosity changed the trajectory of his career. Cody lasted two and a half years at an RIA before the floodgates opened. Dozens of clients started reaching out wanting planning advice—without investment management. After two months, he generated more revenue than an entire year. So, he made the decision to go solo. In this episode, Alan and Cody discuss the importance of empowering clients to get involved with their finances. Measure Twice Financial leads by example—simplifying financial topics to help DIY investors to align their money with their values. Cody built his firm from the ground up, finding his ideal client before choosing a service model and fee structure. His goal is to change the perception of a financial planner's role by increasing the transparency of planning. If you're interested in advice-only planning or are looking to align your professional goals and values, this episode is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/344

Today, we talk to XYPN member Ethan Miller, CFP®, founder of Planning for Progress—a fee-only firm based in Washington D.C. Ethan started his career in labor and union organizing which gave him the passion for working with individuals one-on-one to empower them to make the world a better place. Financial planning seemed to be the perfect way to help clients lead socially responsible lives while building financial stability. He launched Planning for Progress in 2016 part-time to build slowly (and remain an active part of movements for social and economic justice). After 4 years, his network and niche aligned. Ethan relaunched in 2022 as a full-time advisor and now serves 70 clients in a calendar year. This episode is fun—and brutally honest. Ethan shares his experience of transitioning between service models to fit his ideal client by embracing both comprehensive and project-based service models and getting his existing clients on board. If you're thinking about starting a firm part-time or looking for ways to incorporate your values into your business, this episode is full of advice for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/343

We're excited to welcome XYPN member, Rachael Burns, CFP®, CDFA®, founder of True Worth Financial Planning, on the show today. Rachael's start in financial services and life experience have allowed her to build a practice based on empathy and education. The day after learning she was pregnant with twins, her family faced the news that no one should have to hear: her husband had a brain tumor. Shortly after the birth of their twins, the COVID pandemic hit. The next year was challenging—to say the least. In this interview, Rachael talks candidly about finding #XYPNRadio during the pandemic and the role that it played in taking the leap to start her own firm. She soon realized that opening her own fee-only firm was a real possibility and found the courage to launch. Rachel's leap of faith paid off—after two years, she now has found her niche helping women manage money stress to deal with what really matters. Rachael's story is incredible, as is her commitment to advising with empathy. You don't want to miss this episode. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/342

We're excited to welcome Colton Etherton CFP®, XYPN Member, and owner of Out of the Office Planning to the show today. On this episode, Colton talks us through his professional background, which includes starting his career in the banking side of financial services, transitioning to Merrill Edge, Schwab, then an independent RIA, all before launching his fee-only firm with a tattoo artist niche. Colton shares the impact of his unexpected unemployment in the launch of his firm in January of 2021 and how his banking background gave him the confidence to build his own firm from scratch. After 9 months of business, Colton scrapped his niche nine months in to be the go-to resource for tattoo artists on his schedule. His firm is now growing incredibly fast, bringing in 10 clients in 6 months, on a schedule that prioritizes his personal and business goals. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/341