Model FA Podcast

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle spoke with Jennifer des Groseilliers, CEO of The Mather Group, to discuss her career journey, the firm's growth strategy, and its distinct business philosophy. Jennifer detailed her transition from practicing law to becoming a financial advisor, moving through the broker-dealer world to ultimately embrace the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) structure. The conversation explored The Mather Group's holistic service platform, which includes in-house tax and investment construction, its two-part M&A integration approach, and how their core value of "Unreasonable Hospitality" drives success metrics like high client retention and referrals.In this episode:

• The RIA Model is a Growth Area: Jennifer des Groseilliers' move from the broker-dealer world highlights the perceived stability and future of the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model.

• Embrace Holistic Wealth Management: The Mather Group's success with $15B in AUM/A is built on a comprehensive platform that integrates financial planning, in-house tax services, investment management, and a family office approach. This "all-in-one" model offers greater efficiency and coordination for clients.

• M&A Success Hinges on Culture: For firms pursuing growth via mergers and acquisitions, the primary focus ("heavy lifting") should be on ensuring cultural alignment, not just operational synergy.

• Define Success by "Unreasonable Hospitality": High client retention and referral rates can be achieved by moving beyond basic service to align a client's financial goals with their personal values, creating a truly exceptional experience.

• Strategic Growth is Dual-Track: The firm demonstrates that expansion can be effectively achieved through both organic client acquisition and strategic M&A.

• Team Structure and Governance Matter: Utilizing a team-based service model and having an advisory council composed of equity owners are effective mechanisms for ensuring service consistency and internal goal alignment.

• Advice for Women in Finance: Aspiring women professionals should seek out firms that demonstrably align with their personal values and provide a genuinely supportive working environment.

#RIAMergers #FinancialAdvisor #WealthManagement #TheMatherGroup #ModelFA #RIAAcquisitions #FinancialPlanning #UnreasonableHospitality #BusinessStrategy #WomenInFinance #SuccessionPlanning #OrganicGrowth #TaxServices

Connect with Jennifer des Groseilliers and The Mather Group:

• Website: TheMatherGroup.com

• Email: [email protected]

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

Learn how Forms Logic, a cloud-based fintech platform built exclusively for financial services firms, is revolutionizing client onboarding, account opening, and advisor transitions. In this episode of the Model FA podcast, CEO David DeCelle interviews Joel Friedman, the Chief Operating Officer of Forms Logic, who shares his 25 years of experience in wealth tech.

Discover how the Navigator product eliminates paper-oriented, manual processes and single-handedly ensures single data entry and the use of the most updated, correct forms, dramatically reducing Not In Good Order (NIGO) rates from up to 50% down to the low single digits. Joel also details how the Migrator product streamlines advisor transitions, turning a typically 60- to 90-day process into a three-to-four-week preparation period, which is critical because "time kills deals" and means assets are deployed faster to generate income. Forms Logic is focused on streamlining front and back office operations for broker-dealers, RIAs, and wealth managers to free up capacity for organic growth.

In this episode:

• Meet the Expert: Joel Friedman, a long-time expert (25 years!) in the technology used by financial companies, especially known for his 20+ years at Docupace.

• The Solution: A tool called "Forms Logic Navigator" that solves the huge problem of too much paperwork in wealth management.

• The Problem: Opening new client accounts is slow and full of mistakes because people have to manually fill out and check forms, often typing the same information (like a name) over and over.

• The "Magic" of Single Entry: Forms Logic's Navigator lets you enter a client's information just once, and it automatically fills out all the necessary forms.

• Fewer Mistakes: The system drastically cuts down on forms that are "Not In Good Order" (NIGO)—meaning they're incomplete or incorrect—from a very high 30-50% down to almost none.

• Easy Advisor Moves (Migrator): Forms Logic's Migrator makes it much faster and simpler for financial advisors to switch firms and bring all their clients with them, cutting a 60-90 day process down to just a few weeks.

• Why Quickness Pays Off: Moving assets faster means they start earning money sooner, which boosts income and keeps clients happier.

• Complete Workflow Automation: The platform handles everything from the forms the advisor fills out (front office) to the processing and checking done by the company (back office), creating a seamless, streamlined process.

• The Main Advantage: By automating and simplifying operations, the firm and its advisors have more time and energy to focus on finding new clients and growing the business.

#FinancialServicesTechnology #WealthManagementSolutions #AdviserTechnology #FormsAutomation #FintechInnovation #BusinessEfficiency #ClientOnboardingSolutions #AdvisorTransitions #FintechForAdvisors #FormsLogic #WealthTech #NIGOSolutions

Connect with Joel Friedman / Forms Logic:

• Website: formslogic.com

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

In Episode 202 of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Arnulf Hsu, CEO & Founder of GReminders, to break down what "end-to-end meeting management" actually looks like for financial advisors—from automated scheduling and reminders, to pre-meeting briefs, AI note-taking, workflows, and post-meeting follow-ups. Arnulf shares his journey as a serial SaaS entrepreneur and explains why wealth management became the ideal vertical for automation—especially as "note takers" became table stakes. You'll also hear what advisors struggle with most (change management + compliance), why deep native integrations matter, and where AI meeting tech is going next (document intelligence, KPI insights, and profitability analytics).

What You'll Learn 00:00 – Intro + guest welcome (Street Cred connection) 02:05 – Arnulf's background: enterprise SaaS exits + why wealth tech 06:40 – Why wealth management is "ripe" for innovation 09:10 – Why GReminders picked wealth as a vertical (focus + integrations) 13:10 – What GReminders does: end-to-end meeting management 18:40 – Automated scheduling + team meetings (ops time-saver) 23:10 – Pre-meeting briefs + pulling context across systems 28:10 – AI note-taker + action items + draft follow-up emails 33:40 – Adoption: change management + why back-office AI wins 39:10 – Compliance, security, and archiving/journaling expectations 44:05 – Roadmap: document intelligence + more native integrations 49:10 – KPI/profitability analytics + coaching advisors to improve 55:20 – Final takeaways + where to learn more If review season scheduling is crushing your team, or your meeting prep and follow-up are inconsistent, this episode is a blueprint for how advisors are gaining back months of capacity. Connect with Arnuff:

Website: https://www.greminders.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnulfhsu/

About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with two fast-rising UK advisors, Sam Luke and Lawrence Bearman, to unpack how they're using LinkedIn intentionally and consistently to build real brand authority and drive booked appointments.

They break down what worked early (a lot of outbound messaging), what changed everything (consistent posting), and why boosting top-performing posts can turn "pretty good" organic traction into a serious appointment engine—especially when your content speaks directly to a niche's real pain points (Amazon/AWS professionals and high-performing lawyers).

• How Sam and Lawrence got started in advice and found their niches

• The "messaging-first" phase vs. the moment posting finally clicked

• What types of content actually resonate on LinkedIn (and why "viral" isn't always the goal)

• Why boosting posts can be a no-brainer after you prove the message works organically

• The role of peer collaboration, accountability, and getting help from specialists to shorten the learning curve

Connect with Sam:

Website: https://www.westminster-wealth.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-luke-191331213/

Connect with Lawrence:

Website: https://www.westminster-wealth.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westminster-wealth-management/

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team:

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

Louis Diamond (CEO of Diamond Consultants) joins David DeCelle to break down what really drives advisor transitions—and how top teams evaluate moves to independence, new platforms, or M&A opportunities. Louis shares the "consultative recruiting" model his firm has built over nearly 30 years, why freedom, flexibility, and control are the three core forces behind most breakaway decisions, and what a realistic timeline looks like from exploration to execution.

You'll also hear how Diamond Consultants structures compensation (including a refundable retainer approach), what their 7-step consulting framework looks like, and how advisors can avoid getting overwhelmed when independence opens up a "toy box" of tech, compliance, and infrastructure decisions.

• The difference between traditional recruiting vs recruitment consulting

• Why most advisor pain points trace back to Freedom, Flexibility, and Control

• How Diamond Consultants helps advisors compare 3–7 best-fit destinations (wirehouse, IBD, RIA, aggregators, etc.)

• How fees work: firm-paid recruiting model + when a refundable retainer comes into play

• A realistic view of the transition timeline: 6–12 months is common, longer for breakaways

• How many breakaway teams simplify tech decisions by plugging into existing RIA platforms

#FinancialAdvisor #RIA #AdvisorTransition #BreakawayAdvisor #WealthManagement #ModelFA #DiamondConsultants #MergersAndAcquisitions #SuccessionPlanning #AdvisorGrowth

Connect with Louis:

Website: https://www.diamond-consultants.com/team/louis-diamond/ LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisdiamond Email: [email protected]

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team:

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

In this inspiring episode, host David DeCelle sits down with ModelFA's newest team member, Joseph Pietrocini, Chief Growth Officer. Joseph shares his entrepreneurial journey, from launching a lawn care business in sixth grade to building a digital marketing agency in college, and how his faith and vision have shaped his career. Discover how Joseph's passion for innovation and impact led him to ModelFA, where he's helping drive the next wave of AI-powered tools and automations for financial advisors. Hear about his big goals, including his commitment to generosity and making a difference in his community, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the exciting projects on the horizon for ModelFA. Whether you're an advisor, entrepreneur, or just love a good story about growth and purpose, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and motivation. Plus, find out where you can follow Joseph's journey online!

Connect with Joseph: Email: [email protected] Website: modelfa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpietrocini/

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team:

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

Today we go inside of the mind of Model FA's Chief Marketing Officer, Graham Gardner, as he shares his path from OG Model FA employee to Partner at Model FA. In this episode, Graham discusses his role, the significance of strategic marketing, and how he helps clients build lasting relationships.

Key Takeaways:

• From Gaming to Marketing: Graham's unique transition from running a gaming server to becoming a marketing expert.
• Fractional CMO Role: Insights into how Graham serves as a fractional CMO, providing deep, strategic marketing support to multiple clients.
• Long-Form Content Strategy: The importance of creating core content that can be repurposed across various platforms to build authority.
• Building Relationships: How focusing on meaningful client relationships can drive success in financial services marketing.

Connect with Graham: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theonlinemarketer/ Email: [email protected] #MarketingJourney #ModelFA #GrahamGardner #Podcast

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team:

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, host David DeCelle sits down with Michael Barasso, Director of Business Development at United Financial Planning Group and founder of Wealthline.

Michael shares his journey from software sales to joining and transforming his family's wealth management firm, and how he leveraged technology and process improvements to drive explosive growth. Discover how United FPG doubled their lead flow, harnessed the power of client reviews, and implemented innovative solutions like dynamic client questionnaires and an AI-powered receptionist.

Michael also unveils Wealthline's suite of tools designed to help advisory firms streamline operations, capture more leads, and reclaim valuable time. Whether you're a financial advisor, business owner, or tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights on scaling your business and embracing AI-driven solutions.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Michael's transition from software sales to wealth management
2. The evolution and growth of United Financial Planning Group
3. How client reviews transformed their sales process and lead generation
4. Building a high-converting, SEO-optimized website
5. Streamlining client onboarding with dynamic questionnaires
6. The story behind Wealthline's AI receptionist and Engage platform
7. Tackling email overload with AI-powered inbox management
8. Actionable advice for advisors on leveraging technology and AI

Action Items from the Episode:

Connect with Michael Barasso on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbarrasso/

Check out the Wealthline website at wealthline.ai and fill out the form for a free call analysis

Explore Wealthline's AI receptionist and email management features

Links Mentioned:

Wealthline: https://wealthline.ai

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team:

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

In this inspiring episode of the Model FA Podcast, host David DeCelle sits down with award-winning financial advisor, author, and female advocate Cary Carbonaro. Cary shares her remarkable journey from learning about money at her father's side to becoming a leading voice for women in wealth management. Discover how Cary built her brand, the importance of marketing in financial services, and why women are poised to control the majority of the nation's wealth in the coming years. Cary opens up about the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry, her passion for empowering women—both as clients and professionals—and the lessons from her bestselling book, "Women in Wealth: A Playbook to Empower Clients and Unlock Their Fortune." Key Topics Covered:

• Cary's early influences and career path in finance
• Building a personal brand and client base through marketing and PR
• The critical role of women in the future of wealth management
• Overcoming adversity and advocating for change in the industry
• Actionable tips for advisors to connect with and serve female clients
• Highlights from "Women in Wealth" and the coming $30 trillion wealth transfer

Connect with Cary Carbonaro:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carycarbonarocfp/ Book: "Women in Wealth" (Wiley Publishing) – Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent booksellers

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team:

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

Welcome to Model FA Episode 194! David DeCelle sits down with Chris King, CEO of Eagle Brook Advisors, to dive deep into the evolving world of crypto in financial planning. Chris shares his journey from early Bitcoin research in college to building Eagle Brook, a leading digital asset platform for RIAs. Discover how Eagle Brook empowers advisors with automated tax loss harvesting, direct Bitcoin ownership, and seamless integration with major reporting platforms.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Chris King's backstory and what inspired him to launch Eagle Brook Advisors
• The unique value proposition of Eagle Brook for RIAs and their clients
• How automated tax loss harvesting works and why it's a game-changer for Bitcoin investors
• The importance of direct Bitcoin ownership versus ETFs and retail platforms
• How Eagle Brook ensures institutional-grade security and compliance
• Trends in crypto allocations among high-net-worth clients and advisors
• The educational resources Eagle Brook provides to empower advisors
• What's next for Eagle Brook, including product roadmap and market expansion

Whether you're a financial advisor curious about crypto or an investor seeking smarter ways to manage digital assets, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world examples

Connect with Chris:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherking7/

Website: https://eaglebrook.com/

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team:

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.