Financial Advisor Success
Michael Kitces
The Financial Advisor Success podcast brings you real success stories and insights from the most successful financial advisors, and leading industry consultants, about how to take your advisory business to the next level. Get a glimpse of what it's like behind the scenes building a successful advisory business, and how entrepreneurial advisors navigate the inevitable highs, and lows, of growing a firm. Whether you're a new financial advisor trying to get started on the right foot, or an experienced advisor who's hit a wall, we're here to give you the insights and inspiration you need to break through and reach the level of success you want to achieve. Subscribe to the show, and get even more at the leading industry blog Nerd’s Eye View at www.Kitces.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
6 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 449: Growing To $2B AUM Organically By Setting High Client Service Standards with Michelle Perry Higgins
Michelle Perry Higgins, Principal of California Financial Advisors, shares insights on cultivating exceptional client service standards that have propelled her firm to $2 billion in assets under management. She reveals her 'non-negotiable' practices, like ensuring clients never wait over five minutes for meetings, resulting in over 99% retention. The discussion dives into her innovative ‘Everything Binder’ to enhance client organization and the importance of meaningful conversations to uncover client values. Michelle also candidly reflects on balancing career demands with motherhood in the finance world.
Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 448: Attracting More Ultra-HNW Clients By Taking The Time To Due Diligence More Alternative Investments with Monish Verma
Monish Verma, CEO of Vardhan Wealth Management, specializes in alternative investments for high-net-worth clients. In this discussion, he reveals how educating prospects leads to trust and retention. He emphasizes the importance of a tailored approach to investments and client communication, fostering long-lasting relationships. Monish shares insights on navigating client referrals and maintaining confidentiality, as well as the significant shift from wirehouses to independent practices to better serve client needs and build meaningful connections.
28 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 447: Getting A Healthy Flow Of New Clients From Centers Of Influence By Addressing The Referral Risk They Fear The Most with Dan Allison
Dan Allison, owner of The Exchange and a marketing expert for financial advisors, dives into the crucial dynamics of securing referrals from Centers of Influence (COIs) like accountants and attorneys. He outlines how COIs often hesitate due to reputation concerns and offers strategies to build trust over time. Listeners will learn effective networking tips, the importance of personalized gratitude, and how ongoing communication fosters fruitful partnerships. Allison also discusses identifying the right COIs and rethinking success to focus on relationships over mere wealth.
Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 446: Getting Known In Your Local (Facebook Group) Community To Quickly Add $30M In The First Two Years with Misty Lynch
In this discussion, Misty Lynch, owner of Sound View Financial Advisors, shares her incredible journey of growing her firm's assets by $30 million in just two years. She emphasizes the power of community engagement through local Facebook groups, where she focuses on building trust rather than self-promotion. Misty reveals how early content creation, such as blogging and podcasting, set the stage for her success. Additionally, she discusses the importance of transparent client relationships and the role of life coaching techniques in deepening connections.
17 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 445: Leveraging Educational YouTube Videos To Drive Hundreds Of New Clients Per Year with James Conole
James Conole, founder of Root Financial, oversees $1.3 billion in assets and shares how his YouTube channel has driven explosive growth. He discusses targeting wealthy pre-retirees and retirees with tailored content, which leads to better client fit. James reveals their innovative 'one-meeting close' and a structured onboarding process that enhances client experience. He also emphasizes the importance of consistent team training through 'Root University' and building a strong remote culture as the firm continues to scale.
19 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 444: Driving More Client Referrals In The First 100 Days By Crafting An Exceptional Onboarding Experience with Libby Greiwe
Libby Greiwe, founder of The Efficient Advisor, revolutionizes client onboarding in the financial advisory world. She discusses transforming cold processes into warm, personalized experiences that encourage referrals within clients' first 100 days. Libby breaks onboarding into three 30-day phases, emphasizing clear communication and emotional connection. She highlights the significance of client 'intel' for building loyalty and creating memorable interactions. Her practical strategies ensure a seamless journey, fostering trust and long-term growth.
Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 443: Going Deep With Business Owners And Real Estate Investors To Grow $200M Of AUM In 5 Years with Griffin Kirsch
Griffin Kirsch, owner of GK Wealth Management, shares how he rapidly built a $200 million AUM firm in five years, all while maintaining a 70% profit margin. He discusses his unique approach to high-touch financial planning for business owners and real estate investors, focusing on hard-dollar value and tax strategies, which foster deep client trust. Griffin explains how proactive outreach during the pandemic fueled growth, the importance of CPA partnerships for referrals, and his model of client segmentation by complexity rather than assets. He also emphasizes empowering junior advisors for sustainable growth.
Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 442: Attracting $100M Per Month Of Like-Minded Clients By Being Vocal About (Divisive) Issues You’re Passionate About with David Bahnsen
David Bahnsen, founder of the Bahnsen Group with $7.5 billion in assets under management, shares his bold approach to attracting clients by discussing divisive issues like politics and religion. He reveals how his vocal content strategy has drawn in $100 million of new client assets monthly. Bahnsen explains the transition from client service to scaling business, the integration of tax prep as value-add, and his commitment to mentoring advisors. His unique model fosters long-term success while expanding his firm's national brand.
Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 441: What It Really Takes To Implement And Scale Compliance As An Independent RIA Grows with Leila Shaver
Leila Shaver, founder of My RIA Lawyer, offers invaluable insights into the challenges of compliance as advisory firms expand. She explores when firms should seek outsourced compliance support and highlights the distinct regulatory landscapes for RIAs versus broker-dealers. The discussion also touches on the importance of integrating compliance professionals in business strategy and the impact of technology on compliance efficiency. Leila shares her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing resilience and redefining success in the financial advisory world.
8 snips
Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 30min
Ep 440: Making Client Meetings More Consistent Across Multiple Advisors By Utilizing A “Money Personality” Assessment with Nina Hajjar
Nina Hajjar, a partner at Stratos CA in Los Angeles, revolutionizes client interactions with her custom 'money personality' assessment. This innovative tool helps advisors decode client financial behaviors before meetings, leading to more personalized service. Nina discusses the importance of understanding financial psychology to enhance communication and the complexities of firm acquisitions. She shares insights on building strong client relationships and trusting instincts in business, advocating for resilience and personal growth in the financial advisory field.
