Episode 100: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Dave Welling, CEO of Mercer Advisors.  With 25 years of experience in wealth management, Dave has an extensive track record of serving clients and helping businesses and people define and achieve the next level of success. 

Together, Kyle and Dave unpack the human side of Mercer's incredible growth story, reflecting on how the firm's partnerships have fueled its scale and shaped its culture. From his unlikely entry into the RIA space to overseeing 95+ acquisitions since 2017, Dave shares insights on staying purpose-driven, maintaining empathy, and choosing growth as an integral part of an organization's DNA.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:31) - The journey to Mercer's 100 partnerships

(03:17) - Dave's money moment

(06:45) - How Dave's past experiences have influenced his present career

(11:05) - Why firms choose to partner with Mercer Advisors

(14:45) - Mercer Advisors' organic growth strategies

(17:11) - Talent attraction and growth as part of Mercer's DNA

(19:13) - The continuous journey of improvement

(23:51) - Leveraging technology experience on the RIA side

(27:49) - The best time to invest in technology solutions

(31:06) - The lessons Dave learned from working with Charles Schwab

(34:28) - Dave's thoughts about the future of Mercer Advisors

(37:34) - The role of AI in orchestrating workflows in the organization

(39:36) - Dave’s Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

Don't view growth as merely an outcome but rather as an integral part of your organization's DNA. Foster an environment that encourages individuals to learn, take on new responsibilities, and improve continuously.

When pursuing mergers or acquisitions, focus on integrating new teams into the existing structure rather than simply aggregating entities. The goal should be to enhance capabilities, improve client experiences, and create synergistic opportunities for all involved.

Before a transaction, engage in deep conversations with potential partners to understand their current challenges, unfulfilled opportunities, and aspirations. Help them determine if a partnership genuinely aligns with their long-term goals and will lead to a better future for their clients and team.

View technology as an enabler for scaling your operations and ensuring consistent service delivery. Before implementing new tech, standardize your core processes. Then, invest in platforms that not only support current operations but also allow for significant future growth.

Quotes

"Growth is part of our DNA. Growth is part of our culture. And the people that thrive here are interested in growing in some way." ~ Dave Welling

"The healthiest thing you can do for talented individuals of any age, at any stage of their careers, is provide an environment of growth so people can carve a path and jump into that next opportunity." ~ Dave Welling

"Growth isn't just adding assets, adding clients, and getting a bigger AUM number. Growth is just progress." ~ Dave Welling

Links 

Dave Welling on LinkedIn

Mercer Advisors

Nitrogen

Charles Schwab

Black Diamond Wealth Platform

Paragon Wealth Strategies

The 5 Types of Wealth

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Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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Dave Welling is the Chief Executive Officer at Mercer Advisors. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and delivers all investment-related services. Mercer Advisors Inc. is a parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. and is not involved with investment services.

Episode 099: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Brian Shenson, Managing Partner and COO at Rise Growth Partners. With more than two decades of experience working with financial professionals, Brian has developed a deep understanding of the business fundamentals and operational aspects of wealth management services. He applies this deep industry expertise and his passion for technology and innovation to help firms extend the reach, impact, and resiliency of their digital solutions.

Kyle and Brian explore the evolving landscape of advisor tech and the power of intentional growth. Shenson shares lessons from his journey through Schwab, consulting, and BCG, diving into the challenges firms face with tech sprawl, data integration, and delivering personalized client experiences. They discuss how Rise is helping mid-market RIAs scale with purpose, leverage data more effectively, and build modern platforms that prioritize human connection and operational clarity

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:09) - Brian's money moment

(05:35) - Brian’s journey from Schwab to Rise

(09:57) - What captive firms can learn from independents (and vice versa)

(13:43) - Why most RIAs don’t build their own platforms

(19:19) - What it really takes to build great fintech

(20:54) - The vision behind Rise Growth Partners

(23:54) - Accelerating growth with strategy and tech

(27:11) - Who Rise is built for

(33:20) - Bridging the gap between advice creation and advice execution 

(38:35) - The power behind platforms

(40:46) - Brian's thoughts on AI, data, and the future of advice

(46:20) - Brian's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

To build advisor platforms that can evolve with changing client and advisor needs, firms must separate the experience layer, business functionality, and data. This foundational architecture is key to long-term flexibility and scalability.

As firms grow—especially through M&A—they face a tangled web of tools and data. Middleware isn’t just a tech buzzword; it’s the critical infrastructure that transforms fragmented platforms into cohesive, advisor-friendly experiences.

Many firms delay tough integration work in favor of short-term growth. But without intentional platform decisions and cultural alignment, that tech debt builds silently, eventually stalling progress and creating friction at scale.

The best firms are redesigning workflows to let advisors spend more time in front of clients and less time in back-office systems. Separating advice creation from advice execution—with the right tools and teams—is a game changer.

Quotes

"There's a desire to learn and copy the innovations in the independent space because the independents are moving very fast. They're trying things, they're breaking things." ~ Brian Shenson

"With Rise, and because of our strategy and attention to getting it right, we're thinking as much about culture fit and platform fit. Those things matter almost as much, if not more than just the math." ~ Brian Shenson 

"What Rise is trying to do is back great entrepreneurs who have great businesses that want to have a meaningful impact on the industry. We want to provide them with the capital they need to get there, the expertise to support their journey, and to create an ecosystem of support around them." ~ Brian Shenson

Links 

Brian Shenson on LinkedIn

Rise Growth Partners

Charles Schwab

Joe Duran

United Capital Financial Advisors

Boston Consulting Group

Envestnet

Orion Advisor Solutions

The Psychology of Money

Sapiens

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Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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Episode 098: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Carrie King, Partner and Chief Compliance Officer at UlImann Wealth Partners. A former restaurateur turned finance professional, Carrie brings a service-driven mindset to wealth management—prioritizing simplicity, optimism, and disciplined planning. With over two decades of experience spanning hedge funds, trading desks, and advisory firms, she now helps lead a holistic, client-centered practice that supports families through life’s most complex transitions.

Kyle and Carrie discuss how Ullman supports clients through these transitions by staying grounded in simplicity, optimism, and practical discipline. Carrie also discusses the firm’s core values, how they integrate books into company culture, and the evolving role of compliance in an AI-driven world. 

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:59) - Carrie's money moment

(05:37) - The importance of core values in company culture

(09:08) - Reframing compliance through optimism and simplicity

(11:02) - Ullmann Wealth Partners' Divorce Advisory Group

(12:54) - Building relationships with Centers of Influence (COI)

(17:42) - Making complex projects simple

(19:30) - What makes a great CRM

(23:13) - Ullmann’s tech stack

(25:53) - Why texting is such a taboo for regulators

(28:04) - Carrie's outlook on the future of the industry

(30:46) - Carrie's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

Building your firm around core principles like discipline, simplicity, optimism, and professional advice isn’t just good branding—it creates a shared language that guides decision-making, shapes culture, and helps clients stay focused during uncertainty.

Compliance isn’t just about rules—it’s about protecting clients and building trust. A proactive, optimistic approach to compliance can strengthen your firm’s culture and help you deliver better service across the board.

Before adopting new tools like CRMs or AI platforms, prioritize peer insights over sales pitches. Talk to other firms, ask about pitfalls, and be methodical in your rollout—technology should support your process, not disrupt it.

When building relationships with centers of influence (COIs), don’t just tell them what you do—show them. Invite them into your client meetings, let them experience your planning firsthand, and trust that authenticity will speak louder than any pitch.

Quotes

"This business is working with people day in and day out. And when you see that in practice, there's nothing more fulfilling than that." ~ Carrie King

"You don't need to do crazy investment strategies, trading options, or all these other things. The most important thing for people is coming up with a financial plan and helping them stick to it, especially in times of turbulence when there are unexpected consequences." ~ Carrie King

"The ultimate end goal of compliance is to protect the client—protect them from scams, and protect them from fraud." ~ Carrie King

Links 

Carrie King on LinkedIn

Ullmann Wealth Partners

Brian James

Glenn Ullmann

Landing a Smooth Retirement

Move Forward Confidently

Patrick Kilbane

Caitlin Frederick

Getting Things Done

Factfulness

Jump AI

MyRepChat

Merrill Lynch

Raymond James

Wells Fargo

Mercer Advisors

Creative Planning

Hightower Advisors

Unreasonable Hospitality

An Unfinished Love Story

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Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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Episode 097: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jason Early, Founder and CEO of RISR, a wealthtech platform helping financial advisors better serve business owners. With a background in financial services, leadership, and fintech, Jason is passionate about solving complex problems and empowering advisors through data, technology, and behavioral insight.

Kyle and Jason explore why business owners are often an underserved yet high-potential client segment. Jason shares how RISR equips advisors with the tools and technology needed to navigate the complex needs of these clients—and why now is the time to tap into this fast-growing market.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:40) - Jason's money moment

(04:45) - What RISR is all about

(06:28) - Key tools and features RISR offers advisors

(08:23) - Why so many business owners go without financial advisors 

(10:32) - What makes business owners ideal long-term clients

(12:44) - How AI powers the RISR platform

(16:49) - Prospecting strategies for engaging business owners

(18:54) - The growing industry focus on business owners

(21:50) - Future trends in financial advising

(24:35) - Jason's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

A large portion of high-net-worth individuals are business owners, yet many don’t work with financial advisors—representing a major growth opportunity.

Business owners face unique and often complex financial situations that require more than traditional wealth management—advisors who understand this can deliver outsized value.

While business owners may not always have immediate liquidity, their long-term potential makes them ideal clients for strategic, relationship-driven advisors.

RISR helps advisors serve this segment by providing smarter data, personalized insights, and tools designed specifically for the challenges business owners face.

Quotes

"Business owners need better advice, and the advisors that serve them need better tools and technology." ~ Jason Early

"Business owners make the best clients for advisors. We need to position advisors with the tools and the technology to be able to serve." ~ Jason Early

"68% of millionaires own businesses, and 89% of people worth $30 million or more own businesses. And so, if you are in the advice business, you get paid for the size of the problems you sell. And nobody has bigger problems than business owners." ~ Jason Early

Links 

Jason Early on LinkedIn

RISR

McKinsey & Company

Be Where Your Feet Are

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Milemarker.co

Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 096: In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jonathan Blau, President and CEO at Fusion Family Wealth. Known as a “trusted advisor to trusted advisors,” Jonathan brings decades of experience partnering with accounting and law firms to offer comprehensive financial guidance. His approach is grounded in behavioral finance, and he’s known for cutting through complexity with clarity and insight.

Kyle and Jonathan talk about behavioral finance, how Fusion Family Wealth disrupts traditional investment strategies, and what it takes to stand out as an independent financial advisor. Jonathan offers a unique perspective on investing, challenging conventional wisdom around risk and safety. He also shares his passion for philanthropy and his work with Sunrise Day Camp, an organization supporting children with cancer and their families.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:05) - Jonathan's money moment

(04:08) - Why Jonathan chose to go independent

(05:59) - Redefining the investor problem: volatility vs. purchasing power

(12:10) - The impact of media on investor decision-making

(18:06) - Strategies for organic growth

(19:50) - Jonathan's thoughts on the future of the industry

(21:14) - Sunrise Day Camp and Jonathan's philanthropic work

(23:31) - Jonathan's boating journey

(25:45) - Leveraging technology for behavioral finance and coaching at scale

(29:28) - Jonathan's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

Behavioral finance plays a vital role in helping clients stay grounded, especially during market volatility. It empowers them to tune out fear-driven headlines and avoid impulsive, fad-based decisions.

As technology and AI reshape the financial landscape, the heart of wealth management remains unchanged: human connection and the behavioral insight that builds long-term trust and value.

Great financial advising goes beyond numbers — it’s about understanding people. Advisors must offer not only strategic guidance, but also emotional support as clients face life’s financial complexities.

The industry is evolving toward greater flexibility, giving advisors the freedom to work within large firms, operate independently, or design hybrid models that reflect their unique strengths and values.

Quotes

"Stocks are safe. Real estate is safe. Bonds are risky. We have to tell people something that's both counter-cultural and counterintuitive." ~ Jonathan Blau

"Inflation is the disease of money. Bonds are the carriers of the disease." ~  Jonathan Blau

"We need to own real assets that have the ability to appreciate and counter inflation, not put assets in paper assets that lead to the diminution of that purchasing power itself." ~ Jonathan Blau

Links 

Jonathan Blau on LinkedIn

Fusion Family Wealth

Diamond Consultants

Mindy Diamond

Merrill Lynch

UBS

Goldman Sachs

Same as Ever

How Not To Invest

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Milemarker.co

Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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Produce game-changing content with Turncast

Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Promos

Episode 096: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jason Early, Founder and CEO of RISR, a wealthtech platform helping financial advisors better serve business owners. With a background in financial services, leadership, and fintech, Jason is passionate about solving complex problems and empowering advisors through data, technology, and behavioral insight.

Kyle and Jason explore why business owners are often an underserved yet high-potential client segment. Jason shares how RISR equips advisors with the tools and technology needed to navigate the complex needs of these clients—and why now is the time to tap into this fast-growing market.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:40) - Jason's money moment

(04:45) - What RISR is all about

(06:28) - Key tools and features RISR offers advisors

(08:23) - Why so many business owners go without financial advisors 

(10:32) - What makes business owners ideal long-term clients

(12:44) - How AI powers the RISR platform

(16:49) - Prospecting strategies for engaging business owners

(18:54) - The growing industry focus on business owners

(21:50) - Future trends in financial advising

(24:35) - Jason's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

A large portion of high-net-worth individuals are business owners, yet many don’t work with financial advisors—representing a major growth opportunity.

Business owners face unique and often complex financial situations that require more than traditional wealth management—advisors who understand this can deliver outsized value.

While business owners may not always have immediate liquidity, their long-term potential makes them ideal clients for strategic, relationship-driven advisors.

RISR helps advisors serve this segment by providing smarter data, personalized insights, and tools designed specifically for the challenges business owners face.

Quotes

"Business owners need better advice, and the advisors that serve them need better tools and technology." ~ Jason Early

"Business owners make the best clients for advisors. We need to position advisors with the tools and the technology to be able to serve." ~ Jason Early

"68% of millionaires own businesses, and 89% of people worth $30 million or more own businesses. And so, if you are in the advice business, you get paid for the size of the problems you sell. And nobody has bigger problems than business owners." ~ Jason Early

Links 

Jason Early on LinkedIn

RISR

McKinsey & Company

Be Where Your Feet Are

Connect with our hosts

Milemarker.co

Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

Subscribe and stay in touch

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Produce game-changing content with Turncast

Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 095: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jimmy Lee. Jimmy is the Founder and CEO of The Wealth Consulting Group. A longtime Las Vegas resident and industry veteran, he champions a holistic, client-first approach to wealth management, blending financial planning, investment strategy, and innovative technology to serve as a personal CFO for his clients.

Jimmy shares his early experiences in the brokerage industry and how his perspective shifted towards a more holistic, client-centric approach. He also discusses what it means to serve clients as their personal CFO and how his firm approaches advisor support, succession planning, and scalability.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:57) - Jimmy's money moment

(05:35) - How Jimmy became part of Las Vegas' transformation

(09:43) - Fee compression vs. service expansion

(14:24) - Acting as a client’s CFO vs a traditional family office

(18:14) - How to scale high-touch, comprehensive financial services

(22:13) - Staying ahead of technology shifts in the advisory industry

(24:53) - How The Wealth Consulting Group stays competitive and future-ready

(28:49) - Building a platform that empowers and supports independent advisors

(34:43) - Jimmy’s transition from advisor to CEO—and the lessons learned

(38:59) - The biggest trends reshaping the future of financial services

(49:29) - Jimmy's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

Clients want more than investment advice—they want guidance on taxes, estate planning, health, and lifestyle.

Succession planning is human planning: a well-thought-out succession plan is not just about the business, it's about people.

Independent advisors may crave autonomy, but they still need back-office support, tech integration, and compliance infrastructure. The right platform can offer both freedom and scale.

Portfolio management alone isn't enough. Comprehensive services, like tax, trust, and succession planning, are becoming table stakes for high-net-worth clients.

Quotes

"The personal CFO concept, to me, is proactively helping clients accomplish their financial goals. And a lot of times, it's not about the portfolio." ~ Jimmy Lee

"The best financial advisors get a lot of knowledge about the individual or family situation. Working with advisors sometimes means finding out things about their personal lives sooner than other very close family members do." ~ Jimmy Lee

"Our goal is for our clients to call us about any issue regarding their money or financial situation, whether it's something that we could directly handle or not." ~ Jimmy Lee

"Five or 10 years from now, it's going to be table stakes to be able to provide a more holistic approach and at least be able to offer that. And if you can't do that in-house, you better be really good as an advisor, having those referral relationships tied up so that you can still offer the service and make it seem like a seamless experience." ~ Jimmy Lee

Links 

Jimmy Lee on LinkedIn

The Wealth Consulting Group

Merrill Lynch

MassMutual

Zappos

Michael Kitces

Wealth.com

LPL Financial 

Charles Schwab

McKinsey

Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth

Serious Money

The Excellent Investment Advisor

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Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 094: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jay Tarno. Jay is the COO of Cornerstone Planning Group. A former advisor turned operator, he helped lead Cornerstone’s transition to independence and rapid growth. Jay specializes in scaling operations, building advisor support systems, and leveraging technology to enhance client experience, all while maintaining a people-first, fiduciary approach.

Kyle and Jay discuss the risks and rewards of building a tech-forward firm from scratch. From navigating the choppy waters of the 2008 financial crisis to transitioning to independence during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Jay shares his path and the key strategies behind Cornerstone Planning Group's scalable growth.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:31) - Jay's money moment

(05:16) - Going independent during the pandemic

(07:47) - Building a tech stack from scratch

(13:02) - How Cornerstone supports advisors with niche markets

(16:42) - What it takes to be a great COO

(18:42) - Creating Cornerstone’s service team and its impact on growth

(21:51) - Cornerstone's approach to recruiting and developing talent

(24:08) - Jay’s outlook on the future of financial advice, tech, and client relationships

(26:50) - Jay's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

Despite launching its RIA during the pandemic, Cornerstone Planning Group thrived, demonstrating the power of adaptability and a strong value proposition.

Building a technology foundation from scratch allowed Cornerstone to select best-in-class solutions, enhancing efficiency and the client experience.

Cornerstone fosters a culture where advisors with niche markets are empowered and supported alongside more generalist practices.

By creating a dedicated service team, Cornerstone has freed up advisors to focus on client relationships and business development, leading to significant revenue growth.

Quotes

"When you're jumping into a new technology, it's nerve-racking. You have to really dive into it and use it to learn it." ~ Jay Tarno

"We like to pride ourselves on technology. We are nimble enough and have the autonomy to choose who we feel is best for us and our clients." ~ Jay Tarno

"On the tech side, you're going to have to lean into any tech that's going to improve client experience and make your lives easier. Save on labor costs and save on helping your team just make their work more efficient." ~ Jay Tarno

Links 

Jay Tarno on LinkedIn

Cornerstone Planning Group

Carmine Corino

Charles Schwab

Extreme Ownership

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Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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Episode 093: Terry Parham Jr is the Co-Founder, Wealth Advisor, CFO, and CCO at Innovative Wealth Building. Terry joined the financial services industry in 2011 and has held positions as a Financial Planner, Corporate Trainer, and District Manager.

This week, Kyle talks with Terry about the power of referrals and how having a structured approach can lead to exponential growth. Terry shares his strategy, which combines confidence and competence to generate consistent client introductions. They also explore how technology transforms client engagement, onboarding, and financial planning.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:19) - Terry's money moment

(04:42) - The role of psychology in Terry's career

(06:01) - Why being an educator is crucial to being a financial advisor

(12:21) - Terry’s strategy for a "one-of-one" client experience

(14:14) - The motivation behind becoming a content creator

(15:54) - The importance of communicating via any medium

(17:51) - Terry's strategies for simplifying financial concepts

(21:24) - How Terry built a referral system from scratch

(27:51) - How technology makes IWB a better firm

(31:06) - The future of financial advice

(33:19) - Terry's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

Confidence and competence play a key role in gaining client referrals.

Asking for referrals in a way that aligns with your personality increases effectiveness.

Creating a streamlined process makes it easy for clients to introduce new prospects.

Leveraging technology enhances efficiency, from onboarding to financial health assessments.

Quotes

"Educating is like teaching someone how to fish so they can feed themselves and their family forever." ~ Terry Parham Jr

"The biggest thing I learned about getting referrals is that you have to provide value." ~ Terry Parham Jr

"By getting referrals from your new clients and then getting referrals from those new clients, you have an unlimited stream of people you can help if you just systematize the process and follow the process." ~ Terry Parham Jr

Links 

Terry Parham Jr on LinkedIn

Innovative Wealth Building

Kitces Marketing Summit

Kennah Parham

Tyler Chavel

Coy Baldwin

Carman Kubanda

Warren Brooks

Jennifer Hill

fpPathfinder

Holistiplan

The American College of Financial Services

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Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 092: David Hefty is the CEO at Credent Wealth Management, a fast-growing, advisor-owned RIA that has scaled to nearly $3 billion in AUM through a unique blend of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and succession-focused consulting. With more than 25 years in the financial services industry, David has a deep passion for creating sustainable, client-centric firms built on transparency, operational excellence, and leadership development.

In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with David about the bold moves behind Credent’s explosive growth—from bootstrapping as a young advisor to leading 12 successful acquisitions. David unpacks how his firm scaled to nearly $3B in AUM by focusing on intentional succession planning, centralized operations, and a transparent, advisor-first culture. 

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:20) - David's money moment

(04:17) - Founding and growing Credent Wealth Management

(06:28) - Organic growth and creating a raving fan experience

(08:46) - The most common questions advisors ask about acquisitions

(11:28) - Succession-focused TAMP

(17:09) - The realities of running an RIA business

(23:07) - Growing firms that don’t rely solely on the founders

(28:52) - The Credent way of business development

(33:53) - Credent's technology strategy

 (40:28) - David's thoughts about the future of wealth management

(43:32) - David's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

Succession planning must start years in advance. Don’t wait until you’re ready to exit. Successful succession requires years of prep, a thoughtful client transition plan, and a clear structure that preserves the firm’s health and value.

Separate the roles of wealth advisor and wealth manager. Founders often fill both roles, but assuming a service-focused planner can carry the growth mantle after a founder exits is a critical mistake. Long-term growth demands intentional role clarity and accountability.

Organic growth is driven by raving fans, not referrals. Rather than asking clients for referrals, focus on delivering an experience worth sharing. When clients are genuinely enthusiastic, they’ll introduce others—fueling consistent, compounding growth over time.

Quotes

"Credent, being owned by advisors, built by advisors, and for advisors, one of our goals is to be the succession planning firm of choice for advisors." ~ David Hefty

"The idea behind launching a succession planning TAMP is to help those advisors maximize the value of their business. Not only the founder of that cluster of advisors, but every participating advisor can increase and maximize their value." ~ David Hefty

"You don't have to be an expert in financial services. You're an expert in human emotions and behavioral finance. So, as long as you have that natural skillset inside your environment, you can be wildly successful." ~ David Hefty

"A wealth advisor without a wealth manager is not a good business. The best businesses have both." ~ David Hefty

Links 

David Hefty on LinkedIn

Credent Wealth Management

Penny Phillips

Journey Strategic Wealth

Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy

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Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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Produce game-changing content with Turncast

Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.