Behind The Advisor

This week, J.D. Bruce - President of Abacus Wealth Partners - shares his experience of growing a firm from a solo practice to an established business with a professional management, a board of directors, and a governance structure. J.D., a CPA with management experience across a variety of industries, was hired at Abacus to help merge two solo firms into the successful operation that exists today. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/82

We closed 2016 out with 350 members; hitting our 20-year goal in just two years. Whoa! As accidental entrepreneurs who sought the freedom to build a lifestyle on their own terms, we discuss the pros and cons of pursuing an aggressive growth strategy in business. In this episode, we reflect on how we were able to meet this challenge and the tools that made delegating much simpler. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/81

Inga Chira is the President and Founder of Attainable Wealth, a fee-only RIA based in Los Angeles. She specializes in financial planning services for college professors and teachers. Inga has an awesome story and a very cool career path. During her first year, she has started working with 23 new clients while maintaining her full-time position as an Assistant Professor of Finance. On this episode, we discuss her time management strategies and a simple, yet effective technique to connect with her ideal client. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/80

Cady North, like most of our guests on the #XYPNRadio podcast, didn't begin her career as a financial planner. She was a political science major and became the leading expert on the Dodd-Frank bill as it was being written. After getting her MBA, she decided to make the leap into fee-only financial planning. She started her firm, North Financial Advisors, to bring independent and affordable financial advice to young professionals with an emphasis on women. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/79

Jim is the President of Financial Planners Assistance Corp. FPAC is a compliance firm that works with independent RIAs and financial planning firms. We talk about quite a few topics from what to expect when being audited to how giving gifts can create unintended consequences. Obviously, all information offered today should be considered general advice. Follow up with your state regulators for more specific information. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/78

Kristin Harad followed a very non-traditional route before landing in the financial planning industry. She initially dreamed of becoming an advertising executive on Madison Avenue in New York City and began her career as a direct marketer. This is where she honed her expertise building brand awareness for various firms and developing customer loyalty programs. Her success led to new opportunities helping financial advisors develop their marketing campaigns. She's become a noted speaker and sought-after consultant in the financial planning industry. The increased notoriety ultimately led her to choose between running her financial planning firm and nurturing this burgeoning advisor-facing practice. She talks about which path she chose and why selecting one is essential for consistent growth and a balanced lifestyle. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/77

In the hustle of this always-busy time of year, we thought it'd be a great idea to answer several of the mailbag questions from our private XYPN network. We start off with an announcement about the wide release of Advice Pay, our payment processor for advisors that follows the rules of all 51 states. Alan and Michael then spend a couple questions discussing the effects of the Department of Labor's new fiduciary laws, and which firms will have to change the most to accommodate them. We also dig into compliance regulations and how to limit risk when you're advising on 401Ks. The co-hosts also cover going solo as an advisor, how you need to market yourself, and how other advisors have transferred clients from a commission-based model to a net-worth retainer model. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/76

This week, we're excited to welcome Hui-chin Chen, a Certified Financial Planner and co-owner of Pavlov Financial Planning, a fee-only firm based in Washington D.C. This Taiwanese native received an undergraduate degree in business before relocating to the United States to pursue her master's degree at Carnegie Mellon. Specializing in financial planning for digital nomads, Hui-chin has created a location independent practice that caters to expats with assets in both Taiwan and the United States. As a digital nomad herself, she's been able to build her practice while relocating between various countries with her husband - a professional in the Foreign Service. Hui-chin's experience will shed new light on a world of possibilities for financial planners with a sense of adventure. She lays out the benefits and challenges of operating as an advisor in a global environment. After learning about Hui-chin's location independent lifestyle, you may never look at financial planning the same way again. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/75

Adele Martin may just be one of the most famous guests ever interviewed on the XYPN Radio podcast. She's a recent recipient of the prestigious Independent Financial Advisor Excellence Award based on the innovative strategies she's using to expand her firm's reach while keeping costs low. This Australian planner is disrupting the industry down under with her fee-only firm, Experience Wealth. Adele provides an international perspective on the evolution of fee-only planning. Australian financial planners have transitioned to a business climate that is heavily regulated by the government. She shares a fascinating glimpse into the business environment as we discuss the impact of the new laws on firms and their customers. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/74

Steve Dunlap is our guest on the XYPN Radio podcast this week. He is the President and COO of FolioDynamix, a firm that employs technology to help advisors improve their business processes. This interview is a break from the norm. Instead of learning directly from a firm owner, Steve provides a unique take on the financial planning industry from a business development and software solutions perspective. He's at the forefront of changes in technology and lends his expertise to help us understand how those changes will impact the financial planning industry. Get full show notes and more information here: http://bit.ly/2eBJQZ7