Only Fee-Only

How do you build a financial planning practice that succeeds without losing your values?Fran Walsh, co-founder of Opulus LLC and one of Investopedia’s Top 100 Advisors, believes the key is authenticity. From a football award that unexpectedly introduced him to his future business partner to launching his firm just before COVID hit, Fran’s path has been anything but straight. His mindset has stayed the same: “The people who never quit and just keep going are going to be inevitably successful.”At first, Fran didn’t rush to pick a niche. Instead, he worked with a range of clients while building momentum, eventually focusing on high-earning millennials, athletes, and business owners who share his drive for constant improvement. He also made a conscious choice to skip the traditional corporate image: “We wear t-shirts every day. We want clients to see we’re normal people just like them.”His approach shows that being yourself can strengthen client relationships while building a business you actually enjoy running.Fran's Social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-walsh-b12775a3/X: @FranWalsh73Newsletter: https://www.opulusmethod.com/

Meet Dev Thompson – the newest addition to the BC Brokerage team.Dev’s journey to insurance is a unique one—from college football player to strength coach at Purdue and Kentucky, to fee-only financial planner, and now a trusted resource for advisors across the country.His background blends a passion for personal finance with the discipline of athletic coaching, giving him a thoughtful and client-focused approach to planning. Dev brings a deep understanding of how insurance fits into the bigger picture, especially when it comes to bridging property & casualty gaps for clients in multiple states.At BC Brokerage, Dev helps advisors keep insurance implementation in-house, so recommendations turn into action—without handing clients off to outside agents.He’s passionate about making the complex feel simple, and helping advisors feel confident navigating insurance alongside their clients.Want to connect? Come meet Dev and the BC Brokerage team at XYPN Live—we’ll be there as a green sponsor and hosting a happy hour on the Corinne Patio.Dev’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devthompsonbrk 

What does it take to build a successful financial planning firm—while living off the grid in a cabin-caboose hybrid?Ryan Sullivan of Off the Beaten Path Financial did just that. After leaving a career in engineering that lacked the flexibility and impact he wanted, a chance meeting led him to financial planning. Despite industry warnings, he launched his RIA while still working full-time.He and his wife bought 20 acres in remote Montana, where their home—half log cabin, half 1890s train caboose—is only accessible by snowmobile in winter. Ryan commuted up to four hours a day while building his firm on nights and weekends.Early growth was slow—until he hired a coach, shifted away from rigid service models, and focused on project-based planning for architects and engineers. His technical mindset became his advantage, and the business took off.In January 2025, he earned more than in the previous two years combined. Now, he runs his firm fully off-grid, embracing the lifestyle and clients that make it truly off the beaten path.Ryan Socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-sullivan-pe/

Matt Zeigler and Ben Tuscai of Sunpoint Investments take a different approach to wealth management. Instead of just managing money, they combine deep financial planning with investment consulting to build real relationships and help clients make smarter decisions.Their paths into the industry were unique—Matt was a music major, and Ben worked for the Phillies before spending eight years at Vanguard. That experience helps them think more broadly about client needs. At Sunpoint, they helped redesign the firm’s service model to go beyond portfolios and address the full picture of a client’s life.They work with everyone from young professionals to billion-dollar families, applying the same core principles: track cash flow, build strong balance sheets, plan for life events, and manage risk. For ultra-wealthy families, they focus on education—teaching kids as early as sixth grade to understand money and avoid entitlement.They call it “garden glove service”—hands-on, practical, and focused on building something meaningful. They also emphasize five types of capital: financial, human, intellectual, social, and wisdom.Their planning helps clients avoid tax mistakes, close insurance gaps, and navigate big life transitions. As Matt says, they often just “stand between clients and stupid.”You can follow Ben on LinkedIn or The Advisor Dads YouTube channel, and Matt on Linkedin and Twitter @cultishcreative.Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

A lot of financial planners don’t actually want to run a business. They just want to help people.But when the only way to do that is to launch your own firm… you end up becoming an accidental entrepreneur—juggling compliance, operations, tech, and marketing instead of focusing on clients.Stephen Fox saw that problem firsthand.Marine Corps veteran. Financial planner. Firm builder.And now, the founder of Advice Only—a platform built for planners who want to offer advice without managing assets or selling products.Instead of taking a percentage of revenue, Advice Only charges a flat fee.Instead of leaving you to build everything from scratch, it handles the RIA, compliance, and infrastructure.Instead of forcing you into a traditional model, it gives you space to just be a planner.It’s not just idealistic—it’s practical.✅ Lower overhead ✅ Faster path to revenue ✅ Easier compliance ✅ Access to a broader client baseStephen believes advice-only planning is the future—and after hearing his story, you might agree.Catch the full conversation on the latest episode.Then visit adviceonly.com or connect with Stephen to learn more.Stephen's Social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenfox3/

Choosing the right tech for your advisory firm can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we talk with Joe Moss, COO at January Capital Advisors and founder of Connector, about how to build a tech stack that actually improves your client experience.Joe shares his story from mowing lawns to helping advisors cut through the noise of outdated and overpriced software. He explains how to evaluate tools based on ease of use, real value, and what people actually use—not just name recognition.Joe also talks about why your technology choices shape your client experience and why human connection still matters in an AI-driven world. As someone who is building community and creating content consistently, Joe brings a mix of practical tips and big-picture thinking.Whether you are just starting out or looking to improve your current setup, this episode will help you make smarter tech decisions and stay focused on what matters most: serving clients well.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn (Joe Moss 🔥) or check out advisortechbook.com for his top picks.Joe's Social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemoss-xyz/Music in this episode is brought to you by Bensound.

The way financial advisors market themselves is evolving—and testimonials are leading the charge. Brian Thorp, founder of WealthTender, joins us to break down how SEC rule changes have opened the door for compliant client reviews.WealthTender, the first SEC-compliant review platform, helps over 500 advisors use testimonials effectively. For just $49/month, advisors gain visibility without referral fees or commissions—making it accessible and authentic for both advisors and the 500,000+ annual site visitors.Brian outlines the three key disclosures for compliance and shares WealthTender’s recent partnership with AGC, building community and connection for 150+ advisors.We also explore tools on the horizon to promote reviews across digital channels. If you’re ready to modernize your marketing and stand out, this episode is your roadmap.Brian's Social and Website:https://wealthtender.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancthorp/Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

Guy Penn, founder of Core Planning, shares his vision of simplifying financial planning to foster authentic relationships among advisors. He emphasizes that a community built on generosity and trust can thrive without unnecessary complexity. Guy argues that new advisors bring invaluable fresh perspectives and encourages those facing impostor syndrome to embrace their journey with integrity. The discussion also explores the importance of flexible technology in enhancing advisory services, making the profession more accessible and supportive.

What happens when two advisors decide to completely rebuild their firm from the ground up?In this episode, Tommy Blackburn and John Mason share how they transformed Mason & Associates from a commission-based practice to a thriving fee-only RIA focused on federal employees.Driven by a desire for stronger client relationships and a clear vision for the future, they took on the challenge of “rightsizing” their client base—John had been serving over 250 families. The transition allowed them to realign their firm with the kind of practice they truly wanted to run.They break down how they made those tough decisions, how they preserved relationships, and why having a partner with complementary strengths made the journey possible.Their niche-focused marketing—including a podcast and YouTube channel—now attracts exactly the clients they want to serve.Thinking about your own transition? Their advice: plan for scale early, embrace technology, find a community, and specialize fast.Learn more at masonllc.net or subscribe to their Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast.

What happens when your lifestyle practice takes off faster than you ever expected?Andy Panko, founder of Tenon Financial, didn’t set out to build a firm. After leaving the corporate finance world in 2019, his goal was simple: work with 50 clients, enjoy flexibility, and ease into retirement on his own terms.But within two years, he was at capacity—and suddenly facing a new question: Now what?In this episode, Andy shares how he navigated that inflection point and grew Tenon Financial without sacrificing the lifestyle he set out to protect. Rather than hiring assistants or junior staff to “scale,” he took a different route—bringing on experienced advisors with decades of prior careers who operate independently with their own client bases. The result is a lean team of three serving more clients without compromising autonomy or quality of life.Andy opens up about his approach to hiring, compensation, and why he places intentional limits on growth. “I don’t want the business to consume me,” he says. “Since I started Tenon, I’ve never once felt like I had to go to work.”We also dive into industry-wide tensions around product sales and compensation structures. Andy, who owns an IUL policy himself but regularly calls out misleading marketing, offers a nuanced view on where insurance fits—and where it goes wrong.If you're a solo advisor wondering what comes next—or just want to hear what it looks like to grow without giving up control—this conversation is a must-listen. As Andy puts it: “When you take ‘just being about money’ off the table, it’s actually very liberating.”Andy's links and Social:retirementplanningeducation.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andypanko/