Next Mile

By MilemarkerBusiness Technology Investing Marketing

Next Mile episodes

May 31, 2025How Advisors Can Better Serve Business Owners with Jason Early
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
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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.
35 min
May 27, 2025Serving Clients Holistically at Scale with Jimmy Lee
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
Connect with our hosts
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.
56 min
May 20, 2025Thriving Through Disruption: Building a Future-Ready RIA with Jay Tarno
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
Connect with our hosts
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.
33 min
May 13, 2025Turning Happy Clients into Referral Engines with Terry Parham Jr
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
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.
38 min
May 06, 2025The Growth Strategy Behind a $3B Succession-Ready Firm with David Hefty
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
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.
48 min
April 29, 2025The Hidden Cost of Fragmented Data with Kailash Duraiswami
Episode 091: Kailash Duraiswami is the Chief Technology Officer at Milemarker, where he leads the development of data infrastructure and AI-powered solutions for modern advisory firms. With a unique blend of financial expertise and deep technical knowledge, Kailash brings his passion for innovation, data strategy, and scalable technology to help wealth management firms thrive in a multi-platform world.

In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kailash about his unconventional path from launching an RIA straight out of college to building tech that transformed data operations for financial firms. They unpack the challenges firms face with fragmented data, the importance of centralized infrastructure, and how AI will reshape wealth management. They discuss why firms need to reclaim ownership of their data, how to avoid becoming an “accidental CTO,” and how Milemarker is building scalable, simplified tech solutions for advisors navigating a multi-platform, AI-enabled world.

In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro

(01:53) - Kailash's money moment

(06:56) - What is Pantenix?

(10:10) - The value of a data warehouse

(12:31) - Kailash's thoughts on cloud-based infrastructure

(14:16) - The importance of data platforms

(18:29) - Why becoming a CTO should be intentional

(22:30) - AI in wealth management

(24:46) - The advantage of building your own language models

(31:51) - Why CTOs in RIAs need to understand wealth management

(36:02) - Why all-in-one platforms limit user experiences

(39:03) - Kailash's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways
Centralize your data to maximize AI and operational efficiency. Without consolidating your firm’s data into a single, accessible environment, it’s nearly impossible to generate meaningful insights or leverage AI effectively. Fragmented data limits your ability to scale and innovate.

You don’t have to become an “accidental CTO”. Many firm leaders end up spending too much time wrestling with tech. Outsourcing specialized functions—like data architecture and infrastructure—can free up your time to focus on clients and growth, while still driving innovation.

Owning your data is not the same as using cloud-based tools. Just because your systems are in the cloud doesn’t mean you own your data. True ownership means having control over how and where your data is stored, accessed, and used to make decisions.

AI is only as smart as the data it has access to. For AI to deliver meaningful outcomes—like intelligent agents or predictive analytics—it needs clean, well-structured, and centralized data. Start with solid infrastructure before diving into advanced AI capabilities.

Quotes
"What we're doing here, as a help to your technology footprint, is enabling you to see and understand your business in ways you've never done before. And that requires very sophisticated technology." ~ Kailash Duraiswami

"You must have your data in one place to really make use of AI because the conclusions that the model can make or the recommendations are all subject to what data is presented to it." ~ Kailash Duraiswami

"The biggest thing we are making here is building a tool that is advisor-centric and executive-centric. And that means simplicity. Above all, the boldness of what we have here is to do less in an excellent way." ~ Kailash Duraiswami

Links
Kailash Duraiswami on LinkedIn

Orion Advisor Solutions

Black Diamond

Tamarac

Connect with our hosts
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.
43 min
April 22, 2025AI-Driven Private Wealth Intelligence with Russ D'Argento
Episode 090: Russ D'Argento serves as Founder & CEO at FINTRX. Prior to founding FINTRX, Russ served as Sr. Consultant of Family Office Marketing and introductions for Windham Capital Group—a 20-year-old consulting firm in the hedge fund space.

In this episode, Milemarker Co-Founder Jud Mackrill talks with Russ about how to make financial data more powerful and strategic. Russ shares the origin story of FINTRX—a platform born from his personal struggle navigating the private wealth market. Host Jud Mackrill and Russ discuss how FinTRX evolved from bootstrapped startup to a data intelligence leader with more than 150 employees. They explore the growing demand for actionable, smart data, the role of AI in modern wealth tech, and how FinTRX helps asset managers, advisors, and fundraisers identify and engage the right prospects. Russ also shares what’s next for the company and how it’s positioning itself at the forefront of the AI-powered wealth transfer wave.

In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(00:55) - Russ's background and the origins of FINTRX
(05:28) - FINTRX's areas of focus for 2025
(07:32) - The evolution of data usage and expectations in the financial industry
(11:25) - FINTRX's rapid growth and expansion
(14:26) - What lies ahead for FINTRX
(19:09) - How to connect with FINTRX
Key Takeaways
Smart data beats static data. Don’t settle for spreadsheets. Today’s wealth managers and fundraisers need dynamic, actionable insights—not just names on a list. Tools like FINTRX help surface the right contacts, timing, and context to turn cold outreach into warm, personalized conversations.
Build products backward from user pain. Great companies are often started by solving your own problem. Russ built FINTRX by reverse-engineering the solution he wished he had while raising capital—focusing on better data, smarter tech, and a seamless user experience.
AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a growth engine. Integrate AI to automate prospecting, clean data, and surface valuable signals without constant manual effort. The future belongs to platforms that anticipate user needs and take action autonomously.
Private wealth is evolving. The private wealth space is more sophisticated and influential than ever. As wealth transfers to new generations and advisors, staying ahead with the right intelligence and outreach tools is crucial for capital raising and long-term growth.
Quotes
"There was a gap in the market and what was available, not only the data but also the breadth of the data, the tech, and how that data was delivered." ~ Russ D'Argento

"We want to continue to position ourselves as this wealth transfer happens. We want to continue to position ourselves at the forefront of that private wealth data intelligence market." ~ Russ D'Argento

"All we think about every day when we get to the office is how we can improve, iterate, make this thing better and more powerful, and continue our rapid growth." ~ Russ D'Argento

Links
Russ D'Argento on LinkedIn
FINTRX on LinkedIn
FINTRX email
FINTRX
Orion Advisor Solutions
Salesforce
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.
23 min
April 15, 2025How Envestnet Is Redefining Scale and Accessibility with Molly Weiss
Episode 089: Molly Weiss, Group President of Wealth Platforms at Envestnet, is a 20-year financial services veteran who drives Envestnet’s end-to-end technology and solutions ranging from portfolio management, financial planning, performance reporting, and digital account management tools. Over her tenure at Envestnet, she has played a pivotal role in shaping scalable solutions that empower advisors to serve clients more effectively.

In this episode, Kyle and Molly explore the critical role of configurability in building scalable tech, the evolving landscape of UMA, and how advisors are blending custom portfolio construction with third-party management. Molly shares what’s ahead at Envestnet’s Elevate conference, how AI will empower—not replace—advisors, and why personalization and access to alternatives are shaping the future of wealth management.

In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(01:48) - Molly's money moment
(04:20) - Common challenges faced by firms of all sizes
(06:09) - Molly's perspective on “scale” in the financial industry
(07:50) - What to expect at Envestnet Elevate 2025
(11:48) - How Envestnet leverages third-party asset management
(14:52) - The multifaceted role of advisors
(18:17) - Managing diverse investment solutions
(22:14) - Speakers at the Envestnet Elevate 2025 conference
(24:19) - Envestnet's focus on ultra-high-net-worth clients
(25:48) - The future of financial advice
(30:23) - Molly's thoughts on alternative investments
(33:36) - Molly's Milemarker Minute
Key Takeaways
True scalability in advisory tech isn’t about one-size-fits-all solutions or endless customization. Instead, it’s about creating configurable systems that can adapt to a firm’s unique needs without added complexity—allowing both large institutions and small RIAs to grow efficiently.
AI won’t diminish the advisor’s value—it will amplify it. By automating routine tasks and surfacing meaningful insights, AI can free advisors to focus more on high-impact, human-centered work like client relationships, planning, and trust-building.
Clients don’t just want a 60/40 portfolio; they need guidance through complex life decisions. Advisors are part coach, part therapist, and part strategist. The tech behind the scenes should support that full spectrum of client service.
Just as SMAs and UMAs became accessible to more clients over time, the future is about lowering barriers to non-traditional assets. Advisors should prepare to integrate alternatives and illiquid investments into broader portfolios, especially as client demand for diversification and behavioral discipline grows.
Quotes
"If everything you do is either about customization or one size has to fit all, you can't scale. But if you think about technology as a really configurable set of capabilities, a firm can grow because as they need more, it's already there. It just needs to be configured." ~ Molly Weiss

"Part of an advisor's job is translating human problems into something that helps solve those problems. And that includes technology that helps the portfolio management process, taxes, performance, and life events that might change all that and throw it all up in the air." ~ Molly Weiss

Links
Molly Weiss on LinkedIn
Envestnet
Bill Crager
Envestnet Elevate 2025
Katty Kay
Dennis Moseley-Williams
Allistair McCaw
Chris Todd
Margo's Got Money Troubles
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.
39 min
April 08, 2025Lessons from 20 Acquisitions: What Works—and What Doesn’t with Kristen Oziemkowski
Episode 088: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kristen Oziemkowski, COO at The Mather Group. With a background in economics, Kristen brings deep expertise in operational strategy, M&A integration, and organizational growth. Since joining TMG, she has led the firm through 20 successful acquisitions and helped build a values-driven, process-oriented culture.

Kyle and Kristen explore what sets TMG apart in the competitive world of wealth management. Kristen reveals how a team-based model, disciplined acquisition strategy, and robust internship pipeline have powered the firm’s consistent growth and five-year run on Barron’s Top 100 list. They also discuss the future of the industry—from data strategy and AI integration to attracting the next generation of advisors.

In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(01:22) - Kristen's money moment
(03:44) - The secret to TMG's consistent success
(05:02) - The challenges of leading a growing team
(07:59) - Inside TMG’s acquisition and integration playbook
(11:08) - Tackling the advisor shortage and attracting future talent
(13:18) - Turning interns into leaders: TMG’s talent pipeline
(19:51) - Stewart Mather and his legacy
(21:20) - The one skill that accelerates career growth
(22:56) - What’s next for wealth management
(25:55) - Milemarker Minute
Key Takeaways
Successful M&A requires both a robust integration plan and the ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges and emotional factors.
Investing in technology and data management is crucial for scalability and efficiency in the wealth management industry.
TMG’s internship program isn’t just about summer help—it’s an intentional talent pipeline that has produced some of the firm’s top leaders. When thoughtfully designed, internships can be one of the best long-term growth strategies for your team.
Networking is key to building meaningful relationships and is essential for career advancement and industry growth. Meaningful connections can open doors to opportunities, partnerships, and career advancements.
Quotes
"Wealth management is a unique industry, and we're truly helping people. So, I don't think AI, technology, automation, and all these things becoming the forefront of every industry can replace the human touch." ~ Kristen Oziemkowski

"The biggest value-adding skill I've learned and has become increasingly important throughout my career is networking. It can open doors to opportunities, partnerships, and projects. It helps you exchange ideas and insights and can be an avenue for advice and support, career guidance, and knowledge building." ~ Kristen Oziemkowski

"There's no proxy for building meaningful relationships with people. And you have to be very intentional about going out of your way to network and get to know people." ~ Kristen Oziemkowski

Links
Kristen Oziemkowski on LinkedIn
The Mather Group
Merrill Lynch
Stewart Mather
Fe league
The Obstacle Is The Way
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.
30 min
April 01, 2025Building Legacies That Last with Rick Simonetti
Episode 087: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Rick Simonetti, CEO and Head of Wealth Planning of Fidelis Capital Partners, to explore what it takes to serve ultra-high-net-worth families with excellence. Rick shares how Fidelis was built on the foundation of faithfulness—delivering on promises through deep collaboration, proactive planning, and personalized service. They discuss the importance of mentorship, family meetings, interdisciplinary teams, and how true success lies in preparing future generations. From structuring internal teams to navigating external partnerships, Rick offers practical wisdom for firms looking to elevate their service model and create lasting impact for their clients.

In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(02:54) - Rick's money moment
(05:50) - CPA firms vs. wealth management: business model breakdown
[10:45] - Building collaborative relationships with experts
(16:35) - Why “faithfulness” became the foundation of Fidelis
(19:40) - Succession by design: mentorship and developing next-gen advisors
(26:55) - Crafting custom solutions for ultra-high-net-worth families
(32:24) - The power of integration: inside Fidelis’ team-based model
(36:30) - How Fidelis earns trust and referrals from ultra-high-net-worth clients
(42:32) - Rick's outlook on the future of serving ultra-high-net-worth clients
(46:29) - Milemarker Minute
Key Takeaways
Financial plans don’t fail because they were poorly designed—they fail because they weren’t maintained, optimized, or passed on well. Advisors should prioritize family meetings and mentorship to ensure heirs are ready to step into leadership when the time comes.
Wealth managers don’t have to do it all in-house. In fact, creating strong, collaborative relationships with attorneys and CPAs leads to better outcomes for clients and smoother execution. The key is showing you’re there to make everyone’s job easier—not replace them.
At Fidelis, planning and investment professionals sit in the same meetings with clients. This integrated approach allows for real-time problem-solving, clearer communication, and a seamless experience for families. It’s a model built on visibility, not silos.
Mentorship creates real succession—not disruption. Fidelis intentionally develops “next-up” advisors by embedding them in client relationships long before a transition is needed. It’s a model that preserves institutional knowledge, builds trust, and gives clients peace of mind about who’s carrying the torch next.
Quotes
"One of the foundational elements of our firm was that we wanted to be faithful to the promise of serving multiple generations." ~ Rick Simonetti

“There's just no better endorsement, nothing more humbling and nothing for which we're more grateful than being able to serve families the way that we do, which results in them being thrilled to the point of saying, ‘Hey, I'm going to entrust someone I care deeply about to you.’” ~ Rick Simonetti

"Nothing replaces sitting with clients and talking through issues, hosting family meetings, having all these questions come up and then figuring out how to explain them in a way that makes the complex simple or understandable." ~ Rick Simonetti

Links
Rick Simonetti on LinkedIn
Fidelis Capital Partners
Wells Fargo
Joe Diffley
Merrill Lynch
Christopher Gunster
Neale Ellis
Connect with our hosts
Milemarker.co
Kyle on LinkedIn
Jud on LinkedIn
Subscribe and stay in touch
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YouTube

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55 min