Do Business. Do Life. — The Financial Advisor Podcast — DBDL 111: Solo - 5 Hard Truths from 20 Years in Finance with Brad Johnson
Ten years ago, I thought success was all about the numbers — AUM, revenue, production, etc. But after two decades in the industry and thousands of conversations with advisors, I’ve seen behind the curtain.
I’ve met advisors making millions who are secretly miserable… and others earning far less who are truly winning in every category that matters.
In this short solo episode, I’m sharing the 5 hard truths I wish someone told me earlier — the same ones we now teach inside Triad. These are the lessons that helped me (and the advisors we coach) grow faster, lead better, and actually enjoy both the business and the life we’re building.
5 Lessons to Succeed as a Financial Advisor …
1.) Relationships Beat Revenue
Early on, I was chasing numbers — production, AUM, call volume. But the most fulfilled advisors aren’t chasing clients; they’re building real relationships. The kind that go beyond the portfolio and into family, values, and legacy. When you lead with service, the business takes care of itself.
2.) Simplicity Sells. Complexity Repels
Top advisors take complex ideas and make them simple. Visuals, frameworks, and analogies aren’t gimmicks, they’re how you create clarity. And clarity builds trust. If a prospect doesn’t understand your value, they won’t pay for it. Clarity creates confidence
3.) Growth Without Alignment = Burnout
You can build a business that looks great from the outside and be miserable on the inside. I’ve seen it too many times. Growth only works if it aligns with your life. If your business doesn’t support your values, family, or well-being, it’s just a matter of time before burnout hits.
4.) Proximity is Power
You don’t need all the answers, but you do need the right people around you. I’ve seen entire businesses transform because an advisor got in the right room, asked the right questions, and stayed curious. Proximity accelerates growth. Don’t go it alone.
5.) Advisors Are Leaders (Not Just Planners)
Advisors aren’t just here to give advice. You’re here to lead. To guide families through fear, change, transitions, and uncertainty. If you only give advice, you inform. But when you lead with vision and empathy, you transform. That’s the difference between a commodity and a category of one.
SHOW NOTES
https://bradleyjohnson.com/111
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DISCLOSURE
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. 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.
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