Growth from Practice to Enterprise The Evolution of an Ex-Wirehouse Advisor’s $3B Business
The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors
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Navigating the Transition: Choosing Independence in Financial Advisory
This chapter explores the strategic transitions made by advisors who joined Hightower in 2014, focusing on the diverse business models and the critical role of culture and autonomy. The discussion emphasizes the importance of aligning one's career path with personal values and goals in the pursuit of independence from traditional firms.
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Overview
Joel Guth shares how stepping out from under the Hightower umbrella to become a fully independent RIA opened up a new world of opportunity for his firm Gryphon Financial Partners. He shares how that transition allows them to create a $3B firm designed around turning client problems into opportunities.
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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.
About this episode…
What does it really take to scale a business from a successful practice into a fully formed enterprise?
It’s not just about growth. It’s about clarity, intention, and evolving your mindset from advisor to leader.
And that’s exactly what this episode is about.
This episode’s guest, Joel Guth, made the leap from Morgan Stanley in 2014 to launch Gryphon Financial Partners under the Hightower umbrella. But a few years later, Joel recognized that he wanted even more control and greater access to products outside of the Hightower ecosystem.
So, in 2017, he and his team stepped away from Hightower to become fully independent—a move that reflected a deeper commitment to the kind of firm they wanted to build.
Since then, Gryphon has grown to manage more than $3B in client assets—with a structure, culture, and leadership model that reflects the journey from individual advisor to CEO.
In this episode, Joel talks with Louis Diamond about what that evolution has looked like over time, including:
The gaps in running the business under Hightower—and what he was specifically able to accomplish as a fully independent firm. 
- The challenges of scaling—and how the role of leadership is to create greater efficiency and make everyone “better.”
- The importance of client segmentation—and how they strategically align their client service levels.
- Their approach to problem-solving—and how they built a culture that sees problems as opportunities.
- And what it really means to build a business that’s never for sale.
Whether you’re early in your journey or thinking about what comes next, Joel offers a thoughtful, real-world look at what it takes to grow with purpose—and how removing the right obstacles can open up your firm’s full potential.
Want to learn more about where, why, and how advisors like you are moving? Click to contact us or call 908-879-1002.
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Joel J. Guth
CEO, Founder
Joel’s deep knowledge of complex financial markets, global economic landscapes and the M&A environment enhances his ability to advise clients regarding their specific investment strategies, appropriate asset allocation, cash flow planning, and estate planning needs. It is what has enabled him to successfully lead business owners, corporate executives, retirees, and families through their long-term financial plans. “The key,” he says, “is being able to reduce complex financial situations to simple and understandable terms while building consensus among differing opinions and working to define, plan for, and ultimately achieve sound financial goals.”
Joel’s true passion is developing lasting relationships with these successful, talented, hard-working, and philanthropic individuals. He admires that his clients have dedicated their working lives to acquiring substantial net worth, which they use to build their chosen legacies. Joel is dedicated to providing these clients with the assurance that comes from knowing their assets are being protected, while also employing strategies to grow their portfolios.
Immediately before founding Gryphon Financial Partners in May 2014, Joel was an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley. He began his career at Merrill Lynch.
Joel is an accomplished speaker, having appeared before the Ohio Bar Association, The Ohio Society of CPAs, various trade organizations, and numerous company programs. Since 2009, he has been named to the Barron’s America’s Top 1200 Financial Advisor list every year eligible. He has also been named to the Columbus Business First’s Ohio Top Advisor List, the Columbus C.E.O. Magazine’s Superstar List, and the Central Ohio Power List.
Joel graduated with a B.S. in Finance and Investment Management from Cornell University, where he also played college basketball. A father of three, he and his wife have resided in Dublin, Ohio, for many years. During that time, he has served as a youth coach across a variety of sports and as a Director and Board Member for the Dublin Youth Athletic Association. The Guths are active in numerous charitable organizations and sponsor scholarships for high school students in need of financial assistance for their post-high school education.
Joel’s priority is spending his free time with his family. The Guths enjoy traveling, skiing, hiking, and other family-oriented activities.
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