At one point, Colleen Bowler was doing it all — leading client relationships, growing her firm, and keeping every plate spinning. Then she found her "whos" and built the firm to over $500 million in AUM. Then she sold it.

Now, she’s on a mission to help other advisors scale without sacrificing themselves in the process.

In this episode of Advisors Off Script, Shelby Nicholl sits down with Colleen to trace her journey — from the early days of building a successful practice, to coaching inside The Strategic Coach, to developing tools now used by advisors across the country through her firm C & J Innovations.

What emerges is a story about growth — not just in revenue, but in mindset. About choosing the right “Whos” over doing it all yourself. And about protecting your most valuable resources: your energy, your time, and your vision.

In this episode:

• How Colleen built and exited a $500 million practice
• The mindset shift from do-er to builder
• What the best advisors are doing to scale without burnout
• Why saying “no” is a business strategy
• How assessments can deepen client relationships and accelerate growth

This isn’t just advice. It’s a blueprint for building a firm — and a life — that lasts.

Learn more at MurielConsulting.com 

www.murielconsulting.com

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

You may have seen the headlines: the largest advisor group to ever exit Edward Jones — nine advisors, nearly $1 billion in AUM, and a bold move to independence.

This group embodies something we see again and again: when advisors succeed in a captive environment, they often thrive — wildly — in independence.

In this episode, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Dylan Ripley and Todd Vincent, co-founders of Cedarwood Financial Partners, to talk about what happened after the breakaway.  They share how they built a fast-growing $2 billion firm, how they thinking about scale, culture, and long-term durability — and a few raw lessons from their group’s newsworthy exit. 

In this episode:

• What it takes to build a 100-year firm
• The cultural glue behind a thriving advisor team
• Lessons learned from rapid growth
• Why the real story begins after the breakaway

If you’re building, leading, or even imagining what your next chapter could be, this conversation is a powerful look at what’s possible in independence.

Learn more at MurielConsulting.com 

www.murielconsulting.com

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

What separates a smooth breakaway from a chaotic one? Spoiler: it’s not just your custodian, tech stack, or timing — it’s your brand.

In this episode of Advisors Off Script, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Kevin Nichols, partner at Oechsli and a leading voice in advisor marketing, to unpack what really makes a successful launch.

Kevin shares what the best-prepared advisors do before they leave, why brand clarity is more important than ever, and how storytelling drives client retention and long-term growth. If you’re thinking about going independent — or already in motion — this is the marketing blueprint you need.

You’ll learn:

• Why branding is the foundation of every successful launch
• The biggest marketing mistakes breakaway advisors make
• How to build a story that inspires clients to follow
• What to invest in — and what to avoid — in your first year of independence

Whether you’re planning your leap or fine-tuning your new firm, this conversation is a must-listen.

Learn more at MurielConsulting.com 

www.murielconsulting.com

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

Sometimes, you don’t get to casually consider change. Sometimes, you hit a wall and realize...it’s just not working anymore. That’s what happened to Lauren Williams, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Prosper Plan Wealth, based in Sacramento.

After a decade at a major firm managing a $300 million book, everything shifted—the culture, the leadership, and ultimately, Lauren herself. Burnout set in, and staying was no longer an option. But instead of leaping on instinct, she built a detailed forecast of what might follow her and what she’d need to rebuild.

It worked. Lauren co-founded a thriving, award-winning firm, reignited her purpose, and brought her true client community with her—all while partnering with New Edge Advisors, an RIA platform built for independent financial advisors.

In this episode of Advisors Off Script: Stories from the Independent Front Lines, host Shelby Nicholl of Muriel Consulting talks with Lauren about her journey of resilience, rebuilding to $200 Million in under 18 months, and reclaiming her freedom to serve clients her way.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to walk away from corporate comfort and build something entirely your own—this conversation is your blueprint for going off script.

Learn more at MurielConsulting.com 

www.murielconsulting.com

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

After 30 episodes, Kick It Open is evolving.
🎙️ Introducing Advisors Off-Script — Stories from the Independent Frontlines.

When our podcast launched and we named it Kick It Open, it was podcast about opportunity — about pushing open doors and saying yes to what’s next.
But over the past couple of years, something deeper has unfolded.

As we built Muriel Consulting, we experienced the incredible freedom (and responsibility) that comes with full ownership. There’s something powerful about waking up each day knowing you get to design the vision, make the calls, and create something that’s fully yours.

And it’s been just as rewarding to watch the financial advisors we work with experience that same transformation — to see them take agency over their businesses, build thriving firms, and rediscover the joy that drew them into this profession in the first place.

Because in this next chapter, we’re not just talking about opening doors. We’re talking about what happens after you walk through them.

These are the real stories of advisors who’ve built boldly, led with purpose, and found freedom in entrepreneurship.

BTW - Advisors Off Script isn’t just a podcast.
It’s your playbook for building boldly and living Off-Script.

www.murielconsulting.com

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

On this episode of Kick It Open, Shelby Nicholl of Muriel Consulting sits down with Brooklyn Brock—a third-generation CFP®, succession planning expert, and founder of Ellevate Advisors—to explore one of the trickiest dynamics in wealth management: planning your own future, especially when family is involved.

Brooklyn grew up inside a multigenerational financial planning firm and experienced its full arc—from her grandfather, to her father and uncle, to an eventual external sale. Through that deeply personal journey, she saw how even the most successful advisors can struggle to plan for their own transitions.

Now, she’s flipping the script. Brooklyn helps advisors build intentional succession plans, unlock value from their business, and pursue the freedom to define their next chapter. In this conversation, we dive into the emotional side of letting go, the mindset required to build with an exit in mind, and how her father gave her the ultimate gift—permission to choose her own path.

If you’re an advisor who hasn’t planned for your own future with the same rigor you give your clients—this one’s for you.

Connect with Brooke:

Brooklyn Brock — Ellevate Advisors

Learn more at MurielConsulting.com 

www.murielconsulting.com

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

 Shelby Nicholl of Muriel Consulting sits down with Catherine Tindall, CPA and CEO of Dominion Enterprise Solutions, a tax planning firm dedicated to financial advisors. In this episode, Catherine outlines how proactive, year-round tax strategies help advisors keep more of what they earn while enhancing client trust. She discusses why LPL Financial and broker-dealer advisors should rethink their S-Corp approach, how tax education bolsters client relationships, and even how AI can streamline advisory workflows. Whether you're looking to optimize your take-home pay or deepen client value, Catherine’s insights are a game-changer. 

Also, check out Catherine's podcast Financial Advisors Want to Know.

Sign up for Catherine's newsletter.

Learn more at MurielConsulting.com 

www.murielconsulting.com

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

In this episode of the Kick It Open podcast, host Shelby Nicholl of Muriel Consulting welcomes financial advisor and Perfect RIA founder Matthew Jarvis for a straight-talking, strategy-filled conversation on one of the most underrated drivers of organic growth: consistency.

Matthew opens up about his early career struggles, the turning point that led to a multi-million-dollar solo practice, and why delivering massive value with precision and repeatability is the real key to success. He shares how scripting client meetings word-for-word, practicing like a stand-up comic, and eliminating sales pressure has helped him build deep trust with clients—and a wildly efficient business.

From the “Sleep On It” process to debunking advisor myths around fees and closing, this episode is packed with actionable ideas to help advisors refine their approach, boost their confidence, and grow with integrity.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Repetition and structure create space for authentic, high-value client interactions
• Organic growth isn’t about gimmicks—it’s about consistent value delivery
• You don’t need to be a “closer” to build a thriving practice
• Confidence stems from clarity, scripting, and practicing your delivery

If you’re ready to simplify your process, supercharge your confidence, and create real momentum in your advisory business, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and kick open the door to your next level of success.

Learn more at MurielConsulting.com 

www.murielconsulting.com

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

For many high-performing professionals (yes, even financial advisors), exiting a career isn’t the easy slide into golf, leisure, and legacy we imagine. In fact, it often triggers boredom, loss of identity, and a surprising lack of fulfillment—even when the money is more than enough.

This week on the Kick It Open podcast, host Shelby Nicholl is joined by Susan Latremoille, co-founder of Next Chapter Lifestyle Advisors and faculty at the Exit Planning Institute. Susan spent over 35 years as a top financial advisor before turning her focus to the non-financial side of retirement.

She now teaches others how to navigate the emotional and psychological transition of exiting a business or a career—and she was a key influence in Shelby’s own decision to pursue the CEPA designation.

In this episode:

• Why the wealth management industry is facing a retirement crisis
• The real reasons advisors stay past their prime
• How to prepare clients (and ourselves) for what's next
• The S.I.P.S. Framework: Social, Identity, Purpose, and Structure
• The Happiness Portfolio: Why diversified lives matter just as much as diversified investments

This conversation is a must-listen for any advisor planning succession—or realizing they might need to.

Learn more at MurielConsulting.com 

www.murielconsulting.com

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

Do you have the courage to be curious? In this thought-provoking episode of Kick It Open, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Liz Schehl—executive coach, industry change agent, and author of The Courage to Be Curious—to explore what it really means to lead in today’s fast-changing wealth management landscape.

From her early days in financial services to her powerful pivot into coaching and authorship, Liz shares how embracing curiosity, not certainty, has guided her greatest transformations. You’ll hear how the CEO role is evolving into something far more human, how her SPARK Days framework helps leaders slow down and think big, and why looking back to who you were at eight years old might be the key to rediscovering your purpose today.

This episode is for anyone questioning the status quo, craving more authenticity in leadership, or looking to unlock their next chapter. Because the most powerful breakthroughs often start with one brave question: What if?

Sign up for Shelby's newsletter to get some very special handouts from Liz, including a resource on having your very own SPARK DAY and more! 

Learn more at MurielConsulting.com 

www.murielconsulting.com

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU