The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors The Buck Starts Here: Ex-Edward Jones Advisor on His Leap to Independence
Apr 17, 2025
38:32
Overview
Glenn Israel reached a point where he recognized that, as an employee, he was limited in his ability to serve clients and grow his business. So he left Edward Jones to launch GFI Wealth Partners and shares what he learned in the transition process, what he can do differently in independence, and more.
Listen in…
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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…
Realizing that you, the advisor, are responsible for every aspect of your business often marks a turning point in many careers.
Ultimately, you’re the one who drives the bus and makes the decisions—such as how clients are served, when to hire staff, and what products and services to offer.
That is, unless you are limited to what the firm or model dictates—then the biggest decision you need to make is whether the firm you work for allows you to build and grow your business without limitation.
For Glenn Israel, the reality that “the buck stops here” motivated him to leave the practice he built at Edward Jones and make the leap to independence.
Glenn’s career is much like other breakaway advisors: He began his journey at Merrill and later moved on to Edward Jones, where he built the business to $215mm.
It was 13 years in at Edward Jones that Glenn decided it was time to make a change—and that the buck didn’t just stop with him, it started with him.
So he made the leap to independence in July of 2022, launching GFI Wealth Partners under the Raymond James umbrella.
In this episode, Glenn talks about his journey with Jason Diamond, including:
- The progression from Merrill to Edward Jones—and why he ultimately chose to leave for independence.
- The process of transitioning from Edward Jones to independence—and what lessons he learned from due diligence through launch.
- The value of being an independent business owner—and what he can do differently in independence.
- “The mirror test”—and how asking himself a few critical questions drove his decision-making process.
- Plus, Glenn shares how, in independence, he is no longer limited by what he describes as “confinement”—and much more.
It’s an equally relatable story for advisors considering change and independent business owners.
Want to learn more about where, why, and how advisors like you are moving? Click to contact us or call 908-879-1002.
Related Resources
Diamond Consultants Advisor Transition Report 2024 – Focus on Edward Jones
This “firm-focused report” seeks to look under the hood at movement to and from Edward Jones from January to June of 2024.
Post-Transition Survey: Checking in on Former Edward Jones Advisors Who Recently Moved
Unfiltered, fresh, candid, and honest feedback straight from your Edward Jones peers who transitioned to another firm or model within the past 18 months.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? An Advisor’s Guide to Thinking Through Their Biggest Decision
Jason Diamond turns the tables on Mindy who offers a first-hand glimpse into her book, Should I Stay or Should I Go?, created specifically for financial advisors who are looking to optimize their businesses or thinking through the biggest decision of their lives.
Glenn Israel, CFP®
CEO, Founder
With more than twenty years of experience in financial planning and investment management, Glenn Israel has the accumulated knowledge and perspective to help you with your financial goals. Glenn understands the dynamics of wealth, how to balance the complex forces at work and how to adapt intelligently as conditions change.
As your life and your needs as an investor evolve, so will your vision for the future and risk tolerance. Glenn will be with you every step of the way offering sound advice and customized financial solutions designed specifically for you.
Glenn endeavors to create long-term, meaningful relationships with a select group of clients and provide them with personalized financial planning advice using some of the industry’s most comprehensive resources. His investment process takes into account your investing experience, your expectations for returns, your tolerance for risk, and the performance of your portfolio.
Based on what he learns about you and your goals and an analysis of the current financial markets, Glenn designs a customized investment portfolio based on recommendations made solely with your best interest in mind. He then takes the time to explain his recommendations and once you are comfortable with your new plan, Glenn puts it into action and reviews its performance for opportunities to adapt to life changes and new goals.
Glenn began his career in financial services in 2002 and previously spent thirteen years with Edward Jones. Today, Glenn provides comprehensive planning with retirement, college education, insurance, income distribution needs, and estate planning in mind through Raymond James.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Glenn currently resides in Munster, IN. Away from the office, Glenn enjoys spending quality time with his children Jack, William, and Josephine, laughing with his friends, playing all types of racket sports, and allocating some time to be present in nature.
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