The Customer Wins

Abby Morton is the Director of Customer Success at Elements, a fintech software company, where she's played various vital roles, including Chief of Staff and Marketing and Partner Manager. Starting her career as an analyst at Goldman Sachs, Abby earned her CFP and devoted herself to advocating for positive employee experiences as a pathway to customer satisfaction. At Elements, she champions the importance of financial health through innovative technology, turning complex financial data into digestible and actionable metrics for advisors and clients. With a strong foundation in financial advising at Dentist Advisors, Abby brings her extensive experience and proactive mindset to every client interaction, ensuring the success of Elements' mission and the well-being of its stakeholders. In this episode… Want to know how financial health can be more than just an emergency fund and a pension plan? What if there was a way to measure financial vitality through simple, understandable metrics? How does a FinTech company operate on the fine line between innovation and established wisdom to promote client well-being? Certified Financial Planner Abby Morton dives into how Elements equips financial advisors with novel tools to distill complex financial concepts into tangible, easy-to-grasp data for clients. She emphasizes the value of treating employees well to ensure they deliver the best customer experience. She also discusses the potential of AI in customer interactions and the continuous effort to improve customer experiences by staying attuned to their evolving needs. In this episode of The Customer Wins, Richard Walker interviews Abby Morton, Director of Customer Success at Elements, about the innovative ways of transforming financial planning. Abby discusses how Elements helps clients assess their financial health, its 12 financial metrics to provide tailored financial advice, the potential of AI in enhancing customer experience, and the correlation between employee happiness and customer satisfaction.

Robert Sofia is the Co-founder and CEO of Snappy Kraken, an award-winning marketing platform for financial advisors. With two decades of experience, he has served thousands of companies across the financial services spectrum. A former marketing agency owner, Robert has since focused on empowering advisors with technology-driven marketing tools. He is the author of four books, including the bestseller Blend Out, and is passionate about helping consumers, advisors, and enterprises achieve their financial goals. In this episode… Engaging prospects and converting leads can be complex, especially for financial advisors. With scattershot marketing strategies and a lack of clear guidance, many advisors struggle to grow organically. Where can they get powerful, technology-driven solutions that foster organic growth and stronger client connections? Digital marketing expert in the financial services industry Robert Sofia discusses revolutionizing marketing for financial advisors. He dives deep into the success secrets behind the industry's best performers. Robert shares compelling data on how specific outreach methodologies like SEO strategies, targeted text messaging, and personalized video content can dramatically bolster a company's growth. He also delves into the future of marketing, discussing AI's role in crafting even more engaging, authentic content for consumers. In this episode of The Customer Wins, Richard Walker interviews Robert Sofia, Co-founder and CEO of Snappy Kraken, about creating tailored marketing strategies as an advisor. Robert discusses the multilayered approach Snappy Kraken takes to support consumers and advisors, how it differentiates from traditional marketing agencies, prevents content saturation, and the future of AI in marketing.

Shaun Kapusinski is the Founder of HIFON, a premier community for RIA operations professionals, and the Senior Director of Technology at Sequoia Financial Group. With two decades of experience, he started HIFON as a modest study group and grew it into a thriving network of nearly 300 members. Shaun is also the co-author of The Financial Advisor M&A Guidebook, a trusted resource for technology integration. He is an innovator driven by providing valuable connections and education to elevate the RIA industry, always ensuring that customers win through enhanced operational practices. In this episode… Beyond the successful facade of RIA firms lies a complex operational world, ensuring a seamless experience beyond just financial advice. But who are the people mastering this realm, and what secrets do they hold? Shaun Kapusinski, the genius behind the operational powerhouse known as HIFON, dives deep into the world of RIA operations. He shares his journey from starting a modest study group to founding a community that now nears 300 members while also penning a comprehensive guidebook on M&A best practices. Shaun discusses the benefits of peer networking, the art of scaling niche-focused communities, and how he navigates the dynamics of subgroup formation. He also touches on the unexpected opportunities from his leadership, such as authoring a highly regarded industry book. In this episode of The Customer Wins, Richard Walker interviews Shaun Kapusinski, Founder of HIFON, about creating a thriving RIA community. Shaun discusses HIFON and the value of networking in the RIA industry, the key to successfully managing an ever-expanding mastermind group, and the surprising benefits of open dialogue between industry peers.

Mark Friedenthal is the Founder and CEO of Tolerisk, a company revolutionizing risk tolerance assessment technology for investment advisors. With a rich background that includes risk management roles at Citigroup, Cendant, and GE Capital and experience as an analyst with the Federal Reserve, Mark has the perfect amalgamation of insights to lead in the financial technology space. He is the Founder and President of Friedenthal Financial, an RIA firm in Marlton, New Jersey. Mark has been published in numerous publications, including Reuters, Financial Advisor, Financial Planning, Investment News, and many others. In this episode… Balancing risk tolerance with investment decisions can often feel like a high-wire act in the financial world. But what if there was a way to reconcile the personality-driven aspects of risk with the challenging numbers of financial capacity? Could technology hold the key to understanding and effectively communicating this balance to ensure customer success? Financial guru, math nerd, and entrepreneur Mark Friedenthal discuss the intersection of customer service, business growth, and risk management in the financial advisory sector. He shares the inspiration behind Tolerisk and how his platform empowers financial advisors, helping them to assess and articulate their clients' willingness and ability to take on investment risk, thereby driving better decision-making and business growth. Drawing from his rich background, including his early career role at the Federal Reserve, Mark stresses the importance of integrating financial data in risk assessment to create a tailored customer experience. In this episode of The Customer Wins, Richard Walker interviews Mark Friedenthal, Founder and CEO of Tolerisk, about innovating financial risk assessment. Mark talks about the philosophy behind Tolerisk, the need for considering both willingness and ability when assessing risk tolerance, the challenges of matching clients’ needs with suitable risk levels, and the potential advances in customer experience with artificial intelligence.

Amy Riley is an international speaker, coach, author, and leader of The Courage of a Leader, with over two decades of experience developing leaders across various levels. Amy is a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst (CPBA), a certified Tiara International LLC Coach, and certified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® instruments. Her work with esteemed clients, which includes Cisco Systems, Deloitte, and Google Drive, focuses on helping leaders inspire and engage their teams toward extraordinary results. She holds a master’s degree in training and development with an emphasis in organizational development from Loyola University Chicago. Amy’s latest book, The Courage of a Leader, is a #1 international bestseller. In this episode… Have you ever wondered why some teams flourish under pressure while others crumble? What's the difference between a good leader and a great one? Could courage be the elusive key to unlocking potential and driving results that are nothing short of extraordinary? Amy Riley, an expert on cultivating courageous leaders, offers insightful solutions to these questions. She delves into her unique perspective on leadership, discussing the four pillars of courage she believes are essential for anyone looking to make a marked impact. With over two decades of experience, Amy clarifies how leaders can inspire and engage teams to meet and exceed their goals. By focusing on authenticity, intentional communication, and embracing a culture of continuous learning, she presents a pathway for leaders at all levels to redefine their approach to leadership and achieve incredible outcomes. In this episode of The Customer Wins, Richard Walker interviews Amy Riley, coach and leader of The Courage of a Leader, about the courage inherent to effective leadership. Amy shares the role of leadership in inspiring teams and achieving outstanding outcomes, the value of uncovering and challenging hidden limiting beliefs in leadership, the importance of defining one's personal leadership legacy, and the different facets of leadership courage.

Mark Gatto is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of CION Investment Group, a leading manager of alternative investment solutions designed to redefine how individual investors build their portfolios and meet their long-term investment goals. CION manages CION Investment Corporation, a leading BDC listed on the NYSE (NYSE: CION), and sponsors, through CION Ares Management, CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund, a globally diversified interval fund. Mark's diverse experience ranges from executive roles at international companies to founding a specialty business consulting firm and practicing law. His leadership is characterized by a people-first mentality and a commitment to providing access to institutional-quality alternative investments for individual investors. In this episode… Have you ever wondered how the elites' investment strategies can unlock new potentials for the everyday investor? What if there was a way to democratize access to these sophisticated opportunities? Are our traditional views on stock and bond investment holding us back from financial greatness? Mark Gatto, an experienced professional in the investment industry, breaks down the barriers to institutional-quality investments for individual investors. He shares the philosophy that led CION to pioneer access to alternative investment solutions, overcoming challenges of affordability, transparency, and accessibility. His commitment to educating financial advisors and individual investors about the dynamic landscape of alternative investments is evident as he outlines the impact of these strategies on risk management and portfolio performance. Armed with deep industry knowledge, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a football coach's leadership lessons, Mark exemplifies how embracing adversity can foster growth and solidify customer trust. In this episode of The Customer Wins, Richard Walker interviews Mark Gatto, Co-founder and Co-CEO of CION Investment Group, about democratizing alternative investments. Mark talks about alternative investments and why they are crucial for a diversified portfolio, the various asset classes within alternative investments, how they manage risk, and the business philosophies and strategies that have made CION Investments stand out in a competitive market.

Lauren Schreyer-Merdinger is the CEO and Founder of Contract2Close, a company specializing in transaction management software for the real estate industry. With over 40 years of experience, she has become an industry leader, leveraging her extensive insights to develop cutting-edge solutions for agents and brokers. Lauren's platform, Contract2Close, focuses on streamlining operations and enhancing productivity while ensuring none of the crucial transaction details fall through the cracks. Continually evolving her offerings, she is passionate about empowering users with an easy-to-use, compliance-focused system for handling real estate transactions. In this episode… Are you tired of cumbersome, convoluted processes in real estate transactions? Do terms like mortgage contingencies and inspection reports make you cringe? And how can a software platform remedy these stress-inducing hurdles? Lauren Schreyer-Merdinger, a seasoned real estate professional turned tech CEO, identified these pain points and created a solution with Contract2Close. She discusses her journey from buying and selling properties to crafting an indispensable tool that empowers real estate agents. Centralizing communication, automating deadlines, and making transactions Amazon-easy are just a few ways her company streamlines the complex dance of real estate deals. Reflecting on the critical role of AI and staying nimble in the face of industry changes, Lauren gives an intriguing glimpse into the software's impact on real estate transactions. In this episode of The Customer Wins, Richard Walker interviews Lauren Schreyer-Merdinger, CEO and Founder of Contract2Close, about transforming the real estate industry through technology. Lauren talks about Contract2Close, the challenges in software development, the central hub that streamlines communication among all parties in a real estate transaction, and the potential impact of AI on compliance and the customer experience in real estate.

Cormac Murphy is the CEO of CacheTech Advisor Solutions, a pioneering company providing a single technology solution for RIAs. With a career that began at Charles Schwab in 2008, he earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and managed a $4 billion portfolio. Following his tenure as the Chief Investment Officer at Adams Wealth Advisor, Cormac now guides CacheTech in delivering scalable, quality investment and CRM technology solutions for independent financial advisors. He champions using AI to simplify data access and enhance client relationships for small to midsize RIAs. In this episode… In the ever-competitive business landscape, achieving the perfect harmony between providing sophisticated services and maintaining a personalized touch is crucial, but is it attainable? What if artificial intelligence could be the linchpin in combining high-tech capabilities with that personal flair? FinTech expert Cormac Murphy delves into the transformative power of AI in enabling independent financial advisors to thrive. He reveals how his company is making this possible, from the firm’s inception story to its revolutionary approach in delivering scalable, institutional-quality tools to independent RIAs — without losing the personal, local feel that's essential in the financial advisory landscape. Cormac emphasizes the importance of a fully integrated ecosystem, including CRM and operations, to prevent costly miscommunications. In this episode of The Customer Wins, Richard Walker interviews Cormac Murphy, CEO of CacheTech Advisor Solutions, about leveraging AI for financial advisory solutions. Cormac talks about CacheTech, the vision behind CAIT, the importance of understanding AI’s impact on compliance in regulated industries, and the challenges and cost-saving benefits of AI in report generation and analysis.

Jerome Myers is the Founder of Exodus, a company helping entrepreneurs navigate the eight exits of a founder. A former engineer turned award-winning business strategist, Jerome has led multimillion-dollar operations and now focuses on advising across diverse sectors, guiding leaders from the corporate world to successful entrepreneurship. He is known for his deep understanding of human behavior and strategic approaches to business growth, work-life harmony, and charitable efforts. Jerome is also a general partner in the multifamily real estate portfolio and lends his strategic acumen to the North Carolina Agricultural Technical State University entrepreneurship advisory board, driving entrepreneurial progress. In this episode… What if you could plan a graceful exit from your business that ensures your legacy and opens up new horizons for personal fulfillment? How can you pivot from the identity of a successful business owner to a life of impact and meaning? And is it necessary for every entrepreneur to have an exit strategy? Jerome Myers, a thought leader on the “founder’s exit paradox”, dives into crafting a thoughtful and successful exit strategy for entrepreneurs. He highlights the psychological and emotional layers of the exit process, emphasizing the importance of nourishing oneself post-exit, evaluating new avenues, exploring fresh opportunities, and ultimately transcending to the next milestone. His framework prepares entrepreneurs for potential liquidity events and fosters growth in personal identity outside the business. In this episode of The Customer Wins, Richard Walker interviews Jerome Myers, Founder of Exodus, about exploring the right path to exit and transition. Jerome shares his unique approach to helping entrepreneurs transition from the corporate world, the eight-step journey for guiding founders toward fulfilling exits, the importance of self-image and relationships in achieving business success, and the four-step NEXT process for figuring out what comes after business success.

Dan Trommater is a captivating magician and keynote speaker renowned for his ability to challenge assumptions and inspire fresh perspectives. With over two decades of experience, he has graced over 1000 events, including a TEDx talk. Drawing on his 25 years as a magician, Dan seamlessly blends illusion with motivational messaging to empower clients to unlock their potential. He attributes his passion for magic to its power to invoke wonder, which he harnesses to facilitate change and creativity. His approaches have positively influenced executives and teams, propelling them toward unimagined possibilities. In this episode… Imagine witnessing a feat you know is impossible, yet it unfolds right before your eyes. What if this moment of wonder could unlock the potential for innovation and growth? Could the sheer power of belief transform impossibility into a springboard for creativity? Magician Dan Trommater shares his journey, illustrating how his passion for magic became an influential tool in business leadership and growth. Through the art of illusion, he challenges his audience's assumptions and sparks new ways of thinking. His ability to inspire wonder entertains and fosters an environment where out-of-the-box ideas thrive. Through his storytelling and a remarkable understanding of human cognition, Dan provokes thought and equips business leaders to find unprecedented solutions to their challenges. In this episode of The Customer Wins, Richard Walker interviews Dan Trommater, a renowned magician and keynote speaker, about incorporating magic into professional development. Dan explains how he uses magic beyond entertainment to create a powerful communication tool, techniques for opening people's minds to new ideas and challenging preconceived notions, and innovative thinking approaches to discover multiple solutions to presumed insolvable problems.