Behind The Advisor

We’re thrilled to have four incredible XYPN members on the show with us today: Alexandra Baig, Neil Mahoney, Todd Sensing, and Matthew Ricks. Each advisor has built a practice that either focuses entirely on or incorporates special needs planning—a unique niche that brings its own challenges, and of course, rewards.  From soft skills like trust and sensitivity to having deep technical expertise, specific requirements are needed to serve the special needs community. Alex, Neil, Todd, and Matthew share their individual approaches to working within this niche. Some adjust their payment structures and service models to serve their clients better, while others have developed particular marketing techniques that resonate with this community. They also touch on the importance of staying up to date on the ever-evolving nuances within the special needs space and how you should be ready to speak the language of your clients, meeting them where they are. If you’re interested in working with the special needs community, or just hearing what it’s all about, then this show is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/299       

Today, we’re excited to talk with three extraordinary people—Aaron Agte, Michael Reynolds, and Trishul Patel—with three remarkable things in common: they are all RIA owners, XYPN members, and, to top it off, podcasters. In today's episode, we discuss the intricacies of hosting a podcast as a primary component of a RIA marketing strategy. You’ll learn that each of these advisors approaches their podcasts a little differently in terms of structure, format, and purpose. Aaron and Trishul team up to host their podcast together, while Michael hosts a live show and finds this to be the format that is best suited for him. These three share their experiences leveraging this intimate medium, how listeners desire insights, not information, and how podcasting has allowed them to establish credibility among their listeners and within the industry. They also offer their expertise about which platforms and technology to utilize and tips for keeping a cadence that works for you while maintaining a passion that’s contagious. If you’re interested in exploring what podcasting can do for your firm, this episode is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/298

We’re excited to have Cathy Morgan and James Hindes on the show today to talk about their respective firms, Assess Financial Freedom and ENOW Financial. While Cathy and James own two separate RIAs, they share many similarities, both having entered the industry from other careers (and both being XYPN members, of course!). Cathy was and is a CPA, while James spent most of his career in the tech industry. If you’re contemplating a career change or have been there and done that, then this show is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/297  

We’re excited to have John Mason and Tommy Blackburn on the show today. John and Tommy are partners at Mason & Associates, a fee-only firm out of Newport News, Virginia. Tommy and John are friends, first and foremost, but also business partners, both working at a firm that John’s uncle and father started together in the early 80s.  If you’re interested in what it’s like to transition an existing firm into the fee-only space and to do it with a dear friend, then this show is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/296        

We’re honored to have XYPN Director of Brand Communications, Kelly Moorman, on the show today to talk about all things brand. Kelly is a trained chemist, but married her experience with large data sets and analytical writing with her passion for storytelling to carve out a career in marketing. Today, she shares some of her best advice as a professional marketer and brand builder. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/295    

We’re excited to have XYPN member Anna N’Jie Konte, the founder of the fee-only firm Dare to Dream Financial Planning out of Kensington, MD, on the show today. Anna started her firm in August of 2019 and now serves 27 clients, most of whom are business-owning women of color—clients who are just like Anna. If you’re interested in what it would be like to build a business as a mom and as a woman of color, this show is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/294    

We’re excited to have XYPN member Ben Wacek, founder of Guide Financial Planning, and his firm’s Operations Manager, Amy Artiga, on the show today. We discuss the EOS model, client surges, and what their future plans are for themselves and their business.  If you want to learn about what it’s like to go from a stay-at-home mom, to helping run a financial planning firm targeting your ideal clients, then this show is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/293    

We’re excited to have XYPN member Todd Pouliot, owner of Gateway Financial, a fee-only firm out of Northfield, OH, on the show today. Todd started his career spending time as a captive insurance agent and a long-time rep at a broker-dealer.  In this episode, Todd talks about his evolution to understanding the responsibilities of being a fee-only advisor, and how that drove his ultimate decision to open his own firm. He walks us through his experience firing clients, transitioning them over, and eventually acting as a fully independent RIA. Todd speaks to the movement within our industry as being an evolution—not a revolution—and how he feels more deeply committed to his duty as an advisor than ever before. Todd serves nearly 60 clients and utilizes the support of virtual assistants to maintain balance and efficiency within his firm, but plans to hire virtually as he continues to grow. Todd shares his experience of finally finding a community of like-minded advisors, and how giving back, learning, and growing stay at the forefront of his purpose. Todd’s fee-only and fiduciary commitment to his clients drives all aspects of his business. If you want to learn about what it’s like to transition from a broker-dealer to an independent RIA, and the fiduciary and fee-only commitments that come along with it, then this show is for you.  You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/292    

We’re excited to have XYPN members Dan and Natalie Slagle, owners of Minnesota-based fee-only firm, Fyooz Financial Planning, on the show today. Dan and Natalie are partners in life and business, and together have nearly 20 years of industry experience.  Today, they talk about how they built Fyooz intentionally to reach their target market: successful, fun, and authentic couples. They discuss what sparked the fire to launch their firm, the sacrifices they made along the way, and how their relationship has allowed them to serve their ideal client base. Together, they serve 30 clients—and have the capacity to serve 50-70 more. Dan and Natalie walk us through how they delineate roles and responsibilities, and the inherent challenges of working with your spouse. They share their candid thoughts about the pressures of the fiduciary oath they’ve taken, how they manage anxiety, and, on a lighter note, discuss what they’ve loved most about building Fyooz. If you want to learn about what it’s like to go into business with your partner, then this show is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/291     

We’re excited to have XYPN teammate, Taylor Deardorff, on the show today. Taylor currently manages XYPN’s Tech Team as the Product Owner, a role that allows her to leverage her deep understanding of member needs to design and create cutting-edge technology solutions for the Network. Taylor pivoted into this industry when she joined Team XYPN back in 2018 as one of the original team members. We cover a lot of ground in this episode as we talk about the tech tools Taylor recommends for all advisors, insights into the role technology can play in scaling large business, and, how as someone who has managed anxiety her whole life, she’s been able to make decisions and move projects forward even when she’s not 100% confident. As an avid reader and efficiency whiz, Taylor shares her words of wisdom about uncovering your “why” and leaves listeners with some great book recommendations. If you’re interested in how to leverage a technology mindset in this industry or your practice, this show is for you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/290