Barron's Advisor

Scott Sparks, the Founder and CEO of Sparks Financial and a Barron's Top 1200 leader, shares insights on transforming an insurance practice into a comprehensive wealth advisory firm. He highlights the advantages his insurance background provides in navigating tough financial discussions. Key topics include multi-generational planning, innovative tax mitigation strategies, and the firm's unique second opinion service that resolves client issues. Sparks emphasizes the importance of mentorship and building trust within client relationships as pathways to lasting success.

Ryan Parker, CEO of EP Wealth—a rapidly growing fee-only wealth management firm—shares insights on scaling with a focus on local partnerships. He discusses EP's client-centered strategy and why they prioritize organic and inorganic growth. Ryan highlights the importance of cultural alignment in partnerships and the benefits of regional autonomy. He also explores how technology and AI are transforming client expectations, emphasizing the need for diversity and internal talent development. His key takeaway? Asking better questions can significantly enhance organic growth.

The UBS financial advisor shares her best advice for advising clients who are going through a divorce.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mercer Advisors’ head of client development discusses how the firm built a data-driven client development machine that separates advice from acquisition and drives measurable, repeatable growth. Host: Steve Sanduski, CFP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dryden Pence, Chief Investment Officer of Pence Wealth Management and a former U.S. Army military intelligence officer, shares his unique investment perspective. He dives into why lower interest rates and strong earnings are set to boost small- and mid-cap stocks in the coming year. Pence discusses the transformative potential of AI, particularly in healthcare and productivity. He also explores global defense spending's impact on investment opportunities and highlights the importance of understanding labor productivity as a key growth indicator.

Nick Kavallieratos, a managing director and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, dives into the evolving world of lifestyle planning. He explores how advisors can cater to multigenerational clients, emphasizing the importance of continuous questioning to adapt to shifting priorities. Nick highlights the impact of lifestyle inflation, particularly with travel expenses, and contrasts the spending habits of different generations. He also discusses the potential of AI in personalizing client experiences and encourages advisors to deepen their understanding of client lifestyles.

In this captivating discussion, David Gelles, a New York Times journalist and author of 'Dirtbag Billionaire', delves into the complexities of Yvon Chouinard and his brand, Patagonia. They explore how a nonmaterialistic climber built a billion-dollar empire while adhering to unconventional values. Gelles discusses Patagonia's approach to capitalism, questioning the balance between profit and purpose. He contrasts Chouinard's quiet philanthropy with the more flamboyant conservation efforts of Doug Tompkins, while reflecting on whether Patagonia can inspire a new age of ethical business.

In this insightful discussion, Stephanie Gularte, Executive Director of the Women's Leadership Alliance, emphasizes the significance of trust and belonging in team dynamics. She shares strategies for fostering employee loyalty through clear career paths and shared values. Stephanie also highlights the impacts of workplace culture on retention and engagement, addressing reasons for employee disengagement. With a focus on coaching and the unique challenges women face in finance, she outlines actionable steps for creating a high-functioning, supportive team environment.

Ritik Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Savvy Wealth, discusses the journey towards advisor independence and the culture needed to support it. He shares insights from his background in tech and entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges in wealth management that sparked his digital RIA platform. Ritik emphasizes the importance of evaluating independence partners and building strong practice cultures through defined values. He also delves into practical AI applications for advisors while underscoring the enduring value of human relationships in a tech-driven landscape.

In this engaging conversation, Matt Reiner, a managing partner at Capital Investment Advisors and AI enthusiast, dives into practical AI applications in wealth management. He clarifies the noise from genuine AI use cases, such as AI note-takers for meeting summaries and CRM integration. Reiner also explores the evolving landscape of agentic AI, which automates tasks efficiently, while emphasizing that emotional intelligence remains key for advisors. His insights on managing cultural change and fostering a curious, experimental mindset are both thought-provoking and actionable.