Behind The Advisor

Helen Ngo is here today to share her experience working her way into the financial planning world and starting her own successful business by the age of twenty-six. There's a whole lot to take away and apply to your own business plan, whether you want to start a business or you're already in the process.

Starting out in a male-dominated field definitely didn't make Helen shy away from business; it actually gave given her the motivation to quit an aging practice and start her own unique, passion driven firm. She talks about everything from getting her CFP certification to the beginnings of her business. She started out by getting clients through knocking on doors, and now she is starting to face scaling issues that demand she re-work her pricing and marketing.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/108

Nannette Kamien took a long and winding road to becoming an entrepreneur in the world of financial services, but her previous career continues to improve her offering as a financial services professional.

To build a modern practice, she's drawn on her background in information technology. This technical expertise has allowed her to serve clients and move fast toward establishing her own firm.

In this interview, we discuss breaking into a new market, executing a career change, and capitalizing on a diverse background and network for success. Nannette also had to move her firm from Chicago to San Diego to accommodate her husband's career, and she shares what that experience was like.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/107

When Bill Nelson realized that working on Capitol Hill wasn't for him, he joined Price Waterhouse Cooper and became an expert on compliance. But when he and his future wife decided to move so she could attend medical school, Bill considered opening his own firm.

In this interview, Bill shares why he took the safe route when he first moved rather than start his own RIA. He talks about what he learned working for a big broker dealer, why working in the industry was so helpful before starting his own business, and what his business looks like today as he finally niches down.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/106

Oftentimes we're so excited about financial planning around here that we can gloss over some of the tougher, less glamorous aspects of running your own business.

After a 12-year career in tech herself, today's guest, XYPN member Meg Bartelt decided to get a Masters in financial planning and switch careers entirely.

Meg shares candidly about the obstacles that she's confronted in her first year of business. The unique challenges of having an entirely virtual firm, learning to practice self care, and hiring a business coach are just a few of the topics Meg generously covers in this interview!

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/105

We're super excited to be hosting today's guest, Mitch Anthony, because he's also going to be our keynote speaker at #XYPN17 this year! Mitch is a communication guru and longtime advisor of financial advisors - and he's got a great system for getting to the root of clients' needs.

In this interview, Mitch shares how he stumbled into the financial planning industry and how he applies storytelling principles to working with advisors and clients alike. He also details the importance of understanding a client's history, transitions, principles, and goals (though he prefers the term possibilities).

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/104

It's no secret the first year of running your own RIA is no walk in the park. But this week's guest and XYPN member Shawn Tydlaska has had some unique and impressive success in his first year as an independent advisor.

Shawn talks about how his long and winding path through the financial services industry led him to practicing true financial planning. He walks through the obstacles he's overcome and many false starts he experienced before establishing his firm.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/103

You've undoubtedly heard about FMeX if you're a regular listener and lover of finding innovative ways to connect with your clients. We're lucky enough to have Ric McConkey, Managing Partner at FMeX, with us today to talk about how his service helps advisors provide clients with valuable, relevant content and improve your marketing.

Ric shares how the rapid rise of technology has forced advisors to adapt their practices, and how targeted content marketing is perfect for landing new clients, maintaining relationships with current ones, and building your overall brand.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/102

It's been a while since we dug into our mailbag, so we're back with another Alan & Kitces Unhinged episode. On this edition: the differences between prospecting and marketing, varying service models, how to educate yourself on financial planning, and E&O insurance.

We start off by digging into prospecting and marketing and explaining why we generally focus more on the latter here at XYPN. We also discuss the best CRMs for firms of different sizes and how your service model should change based on who you're serving and what they need to hear from you. Then we run through a list of our best recommendations for advisors hoping to get educated on true financial planning, and wrap up with a speedy overview of E&O insurance.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/101

It's hard to believe we've already made it to episode 100, but here we are! We're so thrilled you've been with us this long, whether you've listened to every single episode or you only recently discovered the podcast. We're doing something a bit different for this episode to celebrate!

From tips on entrepreneurship and persistence to those on having fun and being positive, tune in to our one-hundredth episode for some excellent insights from standout guests. There are many ways to define and find success - and these guests all have their own. Thank you again for being a part of the XYPN community, and join us for the next 100!

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/100

Many of you listeners will be familiar with (and undoubtedly excited to hear from) our very own Director of Getting Shit Done, Maddy Roche. She's shifted from being our first hire and a jack-of-all-trades member of XYPN, to a manager, leader, and member engagement expert within the company.

In this interview, Maddy shares how she's grown along with XYPN and some of the key things she's learned along the way. She talks about the challenges of learning to be a leader and a manager, and the critical role mentorship has played in her journey. She caps off the episode by sharing her Personal Leadership Philosophy, which will undoubtedly get you thinking about your own.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/99