In business, one of the hardest skills to master, especially in a fast-moving capital market, isn’t knowing when to say yes; it’s knowing when to say no. Opportunities come knocking, and it’s tempting to answer every call, convinced that growth means grabbing at everything in reach. But more often than not, saying yes to the wrong things clutters your calendar, dilutes your value, and slows your momentum.

The real magic happens when you get clear on who you are, what you do best, and who you serve, and then have the courage to turn away from everything else. Every “no” becomes a way of protecting your time, energy, and resources for the work that truly matters. And every “yes” carries more weight because it’s intentional.

That’s exactly what Alison Moss and her team at Comstock Partners discovered. Once they gave themselves the license to say no, they cut out the distractions, doubled down on the right clients, and created the space to move forward with clarity and confidence. 

As Alison puts it, the right strategy doesn’t just point you in the right direction; it’s “the key that unlocks the door” so you can push past whatever wall you’ve been running up against.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Introduction to Comstock's Legacy

00:38 Meet Alison Moss: Artist, Advisor, and Industry Disruptor

01:07 What Comstock Partners Does—and Who They Serve

01:27 How Wealth Advisory Services Have Evolved

03:24 Alison’s Unexpected Path into Finance

04:47 Redesigning the Comstock Client Experience

05:32 Competing in a Crowded Wealth Market

07:29 Setting Strategic Guardrails for Smarter Growth

12:13 A Marketing Makeover That Changed the Game

16:29 Expanding the Client Portfolio Without Losing Focus

18:47 Comstock’s Unique Value in the Marketplace

20:20 Winning the War for Top Talent

25:37 Looking Ahead: Growth, Tech, and the Future of Wealth Advisory

31:13 How Cultural Alignment Fuels Performance

34:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Topics Discussed: 

• What’s it really like taking over a family business & still being a strong family unit
• Hiring new talent and the strategy behind setting strong standards
• The hardships behind creating new habits around presentations and deliverables
• Setting a reasonable pace for you and your team while also pushing yourself
• Using the guardrails as a culture perspective rather than a marketing strategy
• How to utilize AI and technology while keeping the human value alive

Connect with Alison Moss: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisoncomstockmoss/

About Rethink Change:

When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.

Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations uncover what actually works, so you can think differently and act smarter.

Get Connected with Rethink Change:

• Website: https://www.pennebaker.com/podcast
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennebaker/ 
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