Behind The Advisor

What’s the real trajectory of an RIA? How early should you start hiring, and is a niche worth it?  Co-Founders Alan Moore and Michael Kitces hit the stage at XYPN LIVE 2024 to discuss insights from the seventh-annual Benchmarking Study on episode 400 of XYPN Radio. Each year, the study gathers information from XYPN member participants to get an accurate picture of how advisors are doing in their firms. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/400

In this episode of XYPN Radio, we welcome Brenna Baucum, founder of Collective Wealth Planning. Just 21 months after launching her firm in Salem, Oregon, Brenna has already reached significant milestones, with 21 clients and $21 million in assets under management. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/399

In this episode of XYPN Radio, we sit down with Jay Zigmont, founder of Childfree Wealth®, and Bri Conn, the firm's Chief Experience Officer, to dive into the unique financial planning needs of childfree individuals. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/398

In this episode, we sit down with Jane Mepham, CFP®, Founder and CEO of Elgon Financial Advisors, a fee-only firm based in Austin, Texas that specializes in serving foreign-born individuals. Originally from Kenya, Jane shares her journey of coming to the U.S. to study computer science and how a lack of cultural competence in financial advising inspired her to shift careers and launch her own firm. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/397

Nathan Donohue, co-founder and partner at Consilio Wealth Advisors, shares insights on his transition from a broker-dealer to a successful RIA. He discusses the importance of transparent communication with clients in tech sectors like Amazon and Microsoft. The conversation explores financial planning that prioritizes life fulfillment over mere metrics and the emotional aspects of money management. Nathan also addresses navigating challenges in the tech industry, effective client engagement strategies, and the significance of professional development and networking in scaling an advisory firm.

Caleb Brown, Founder and CEO of New Planner Recruiting and educator at the University of Georgia, dives into the intricacies of recruiting top talent in financial planning. He reveals how a firm's story and values attract both clients and advisors. The discussion highlights the shifting hiring landscape, emphasizing mentorship and onboarding for success. Caleb shares practical strategies for vetting candidates, and insights on graduates' preferences for collaborative environments. He underscores the importance of emotional intelligence in effective hiring.

In this talk, Jason Speciner, founder and CEO of Financial Planning Fort Collins, shares his journey of transforming his firm from a blog into a thriving financial advisory. He discusses the challenge of fostering team dynamics and implementing specialized roles, which significantly enhance client service. Jason highlights the importance of balancing entrepreneurship with personal life and celebrates team achievements as a motivator. He also emphasizes integrating tax preparation into financial planning for improved client satisfaction and operational efficiency.

In this episode of XYPN Radio, we welcome back Ashley Foster, CFP®, founder of NXT:GEN Financial Planning. You might remember Ashley from Episode 321 in 2021, where he shared his journey transitioning from the insurance industry to the fee-only financial planning world. Today, Ashley gives us an inside look at the firm he built, which now serves over 50 clients, focusing primarily on young to mid-career veterinarians. Discover how niching down has allowed Ashley to align his passion with purpose while building a lifestyle practice. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/393  

In this episode of XYPN Radio, we sit down with Jamie Lima, CFP®, CDFA®, MBA, an XYPN Ambassador, and the founder of Woodson Wealth Management and Allegiant Divorce Solutions, two virtual firms. Jamie's journey is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, having transitioned from managing 450 households at large wirehouses to founding his firm amid the COVID pandemic of 2020. Jamie shares his unconventional path to gain marketing momentum, including how posting a profile on Thumbtack outperformed multiple marketing agencies. He also delves into his strategic hiring decisions, from bringing on an Operations Manager as a W2 employee to scaling his firm with 1099 advisors. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/392

In today’s episode of XYPN Radio I am thrilled to have Ed Smith and Amanda Lique of Valor Wealth Partners on the show. Valor Wealth Partners specializes in serving civilian federal employees and handling their complex financial situations. Ed and Amanda are here to share their journey of building their firm from the ground up. We dive into the origins of their partnership, their strategic collaboration with ProFed to host workshops for their ideal clients, and the early investments that paved the way for their success. Despite the inherent risks, Ed and Amanda have no regrets in the venture and have grown their client base to over 100 satisfied clients. You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/391