Next Mile

Episode 076: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jeremy Nelson, President at Element Wealth. Jeremy shares his journey from discovering investing as a 10-year-old in Canada to building Mississippi’s fastest-growing RIA. Jeremy discusses merging with Ross and Yerger, prioritizing culture and client relationships, and leveraging technology for growth. He explores AI’s potential to enhance advisory efficiency while maintaining human-centered service. From integrating new team members to fostering client trust, Jeremy highlights the importance of leadership, transparency, and personal connections in driving success. 

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

“I think AI is going to become a massive productivity tool that we're going to be able to leverage and we're just scratching the surface.” ~ Jeremy Nelson

“ The only way to be efficient is technology, right? And by putting that at the center of our business, operationally, it enables us to handle more and more clients.” ~ Jeremy Nelson

“When you do a good job with your clients—when you connect with them on a personal basis, when you understand where they are in life, what they're trying to achieve— you're working together in a partnership. They're going to be really willing to refer you because they like you.” ~ Jeremy Nelson

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Episode 075: In this episode of The Connected Advisor, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jessica Gibbs, Partner and VP at Monument Wealth Management. Jessica shares her journey from nonprofit fundraising to financial planning, driven by her passion for helping people align their wealth with their purpose. She highlights the importance of personalized communication, Monument’s innovative approach to financial advising, and the firm’s commitment to flexibility and inclusivity. Jessica also shares insights about hosting Monument’s podcast Off the Wall, leveraging technology for efficiency, and preparing the next generation of advisors. 

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

“Being a financial planner is about the money, the modeling, taxes, IRS code. But it is equally a relationship business. It is equally a communication business.” ~ Jessica Gibbs

”This is a subject matter that I've always loved learning about. I was that kid who read Money magazine in high school. I opened my first Vanguard account when I got my first job and invested in a mutual fund. I talked to my friends about like, hey, do you have an investment account?” ~ Jessica Gibbs

“Wealth is going to be changing hands to women and younger generations… Having women representation within the industry is so important to making sure that you are speaking effectively to female clients.” ~ Jessica Gibbs

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Episode 074: In this “Best of 2024” episode of The Connected Advisor, Kyle Van Pelt brings together four leaders from four firms to discuss why firms should own their data and why data and technology are keys to success. Featuring Mike Prior, Brian Preston, Mark DeLotto, and Chrissy Lee.

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Episode 073: In this episode of The Connected Advisor, Kyle Van Pelt brings together some of the show’s best moments from 2024 discussing how firms are recruiting and developing their talent. Featuring Seth Merrill, Jeff Casey, Alex Goss, and Patrick Sweeny, this episode dives into how great leaders of great firms tackle different aspects of the war for talent.

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Episode 072: Brad Ball, founder of Bison Wealth, is a seasoned financial expert with a passion for creating long-term value in wealth management. Brad’s approach integrates patient capital, cutting-edge investment strategies, and a focus on building resilient client relationships. 

In this episode, Kyle talks with Brad about the importance of infrastructure in financial firms, the key elements of successful advisor training, and the challenges and opportunities in the wealth management industry. Brad shares his journey from working with large pension plan investments to founding Bison Wealth, emphasizing the need for a supportive environment and sophisticated strategies to meet client needs. They also explore the role of technology and AI in modern wealth management, along with Brad's insights on industry trends and future growth.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

“If you're not trying to create some synergy with your tech stack, with your operations, you simply bog down and you can't be successful.” ~ Brad Ball

“ We're really focusing on building products that have protections built in that give [clients] less of a binary outcome and more of a disproportionate up to down.” ~ Brad Ball

“ There is no question the market has voted firmly that aggregators are going down in value, and integrators are going up in value.” ~ Brad Ball

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Episode 071: Building a thriving business is about playing the long game—prioritizing sustainable value creation over fleeting, short-term wins. Organic growth strategies lie at the heart of this approach, leveraging the power of client referrals, collaborative partnerships, and the ability to craft compelling stories that resonate with clients. For advisors aiming to attract ultra-high-net-worth clients, focus on telling, not selling, and offer genuine value without the pressure of asking for referrals.

In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jonathan Foster, President adn CEO of Angeles Wealth Management. Jonathan is a senior leadership executive with experience in all three major wealth management channels: wirehouse, registered investment advisory, and independent representative marketplaces. 

Kyle and Jonathan discuss the strategies and philosophies that drive long-term success in the RIA space. Jonathan shares the three ways to grow organically, how to attract ultra-high-net-worth clients, and the importance of long-term value creation. He also dives into the key factors driving RIA's valuation and the challenges of democratizing alternative investments.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[12:57] - "There are three ways that we've identified that could organically grow the business. The first is getting referrals from happy clients. The second one is being a good colleague with our sister company. The third way is hiring a good storyteller." ~Jonathan Foster

[26:12] - "People always talk about the wins. They don't talk about the ones that didn't work. What you don't want to do is spend five or 10 years of your life on a bad idea." ~ Jonathan Foster

[28:30] - "What makes a business valuable to own or valuable to sell is organic growth, high-quality people, and a high-quality process." ~ Jonathan Foster

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Episode 070: Succession planning and growth strategies are critical considerations for RIAs seeking long-term sustainability. As firms evolve and leadership transitions occur, a well-defined succession plan ensures smooth handover and business continuity. Succession plans, coupled with strategic growth initiatives and investing in the right technology, allow RIAs to deliver better client service, attract top talent and potential leaders, and provide more sophisticated services.

In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Thomas Carroll, CEO & President of Homrich Berg. Thomas has an extensive background in wealth management, both as an advisor to clients and as a leader of client service organizations.

Kyle and Thomas discuss the importance of a well-defined succession plan and growth strategies, how RIAs can effectively plan succession, and how investing in technology improves client and advisor experiences. Thomas also talks about the trend of advisors and clients migrating to RIAs and the value of maintaining a culture and service model while scaling.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[17:08] - "The only revenue we make as a firm is providing advice to our clients. They're paying us for advice. And you're going to see more and more clients gravitate to that business model because it's inherently unconflicted. We do whatever is in the client's best interest." ~ Thomas Carroll

[22:50] - "We're here to provide a comprehensive fiduciary wealth management experience in a fee-only way on a chassis of service, not a chassis of sales." ~ Thomas Carroll

[28:35] - "Our goal was not to get bigger for bigger's sake. Our goal was to continue to deliver the client experience that we are committed to delivering in a fee-only construct with a service-oriented approach." ~ Thomas Carroll

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Episode 69: Our relationship with money is often influenced by personal experiences, cultural upbringing, and deeply rooted beliefs. These invisible drivers shape our financial habits, decision-making, and overall well-being. Financial therapists understand that money decisions aren't just about numbers and logic—they're about people. By recognizing clients' emotional and psychological responses to money, financial therapists create holistic plans that align with each person's values and goals.

In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Emily Millsap, Manager of Financial Planning at Avantax Wealth Management. Early in her financial services career, Emily discovered her passion for behavioral finance and how our core money beliefs are deeply rooted in our generational wealth stories and personal experiences.

Kyle and Emily talk about financial therapy and its role in holistic planning. They discuss the key differences between traditional financial advice and financial therapy and how a holistic approach can lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes. Emily also shares the process of managing a centralized planning desk and future trends in the industry.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[08:18] - "Most of us in this industry are problem solvers and solution bringers. But I think we have to get to a point where we humanize financial planning in many ways. And it's not just about getting to the solution but answering the question for the client." ~ Emily Millsap

[23:27] - "If we continue to silo our financial lives, which is a very important part of our lives, how do we know the different pieces are working together and that we've got the best pieces in place? I would love to get to a point where this doesn't have to be a question anymore because everyone is doing holistic [planning]." ~ Emily Millsap

[24:28] - "If we stay as a team and keep learning as a foundational part of our culture and what we do together, then we will be better positioned to stay on top and continue building an environment where it's okay for any one team member to not know something at any point." ~ Emily Millsap

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Episode 068: Marketing is about providing value, building relationships, and earning trust. Financial advisors who want to stand out focus less on selling and more on serving. One of the most effective ways to do this is by creating content people want to engage with, whether blog posts, newsletters, social posts, podcasts, or videos.

In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Samantha Russell, Chief Evangelist at FMG Suite. Samantha teaches financial advisors how to utilize digital marketing strategies to produce exponential growth through website development, content marketing, SEO, social media, and video. Her cutting-edge thought leadership is recognized throughout the financial services industry and led to her being named to Investment News 40 Under 40, ThinkAdvisor "Luminary" and Wealth Management Top Ten to Watch.

Kyle and Samantha talk about strategic marketing techniques for financial advisors. They discuss the power of content marketing, the importance of consistency in the marketing process, and the impact of providing value beyond financial advice.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[06:39] - "One of the biggest ways any firm can become a trusted source, where someone will take the phone call or the sales meeting first, is to give something of value away before you ask. I always say give, give, give, then ask." ~ Samantha Russell

[09:45] - "AI has completely changed the game of how people get information. SEO is probably the thing that's Wild West the most, more than anything else." ~ Samantha Russell

[28:33] - "Content is going to become even crazier, and the tools that we use to service clients are going to become so hyper-productive. We are going to go back to thinking about experiences because so many other things are going to become commodities, and the experiences are going to become crucial." ~ Samantha Russell

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Episode 067: Effective communication is the bridge that connects financial experts with clients who may feel overwhelmed by financial jargon. Translating financial concepts into clear, relatable language closes the gap between technical knowledge and client understanding, laying the groundwork for successful partnerships and empowering clients to make better financial decisions.

This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Paula Nangle, President and Senior Wealth Advisor at Marshall Financial. Paula focuses on instilling the values that have guided Marshall Financial for more than 40 years. She talks with Kyle about how she transitioned from pharmaceuticals to financial services, and her experiences navigating cultural shifts, overcoming communication barriers, and building meaningful client connections. Paula also dives into her passion for teaching financial planning concepts, and shares her take on the industry's future.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[12:55] - "The RIA has evolved where there are more enterprise firms. So, not everyone needs to be a salesman to be successful as a financial advisor." ~ Paula Nangle

[16:40] - "Every year, we get a valuation of our company to know what it's worth. So, it's very data-driven, and it comes from a lot of different sources. Milemarker helps clients pull all that complex data together." ~ Paula Nangle

[25:47] - "AI is a whole new ballgame. I don't think we're going to see the obsolescence of human financial advisors. I think clients are going to crave human connection even more, and I believe these tools will allow us to deliver a more personalized experience." ~ Paula Nangle

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