In this episode of Nurturing Success, John Thompson welcomes Gary Pia, a veteran financial advisor and founder of Mission Street Wealth Planning. With more than three decades in the profession, Gary reflects on the defining moments that shaped his values. From unexpectedly entering the field to building a client-first, fee-only RIA focused on financial education, equity compensation, and retirement readiness.
John and Gary explore what it means to truly serve clients in a fiduciary capacity, the power of consistent communication, and how thoughtful debt management and cash flow strategies can elevate financial outcomes. Gary also shares how his creative background and love for storytelling help him break down complex financial topics, and how staying curious has enabled him to evolve through every stage of his career.
💡 What You'll Learn:
Gary’s personal journey into financial services and early lessons from Merrill Lynch
Why Mission Street Wealth Planning chose a fee-only, client-first RIA model
How consistent client engagement builds trust and long-term relationships
The firm’s two key verticals: equity compensation and retirement planning
Key planning issues around stock options, RSUs, and deferred tax liabilities
How financial advisors can incorporate debt, mortgages, and cash flow into planning
Why content creation and simplifying complex ideas help clients take action
The importance of lifelong learning and how to stay relevant in a fast-changing world
⏱ Timestamps:
[00:00] John welcomes Gary and opens with gratitude
[01:00] Gary’s reflections on life, service, and the basics we often take for granted
[02:00] The surprising way Gary entered the financial industry
[04:00] Lessons from Merrill Lynch and why the client should always come first
[06:30] How Gary and his team maintain a strong cadence of client communication
[09:00] Mission Street Wealth Planning’s structure and fee-only model explained
[10:30] Who Gary serves: clients with equity comp and near-retirees
[12:00] The risks and rewards of stock options, RSUs, and diversification timing
[14:30] Retirement planning for 50-somethings and social security guidance
[16:00] Acting as the “general practitioner” in clients’ financial lives
[17:00] Gary’s passion for storytelling and translating finance into “human”
[18:00] Why averages are misleading in investment performance discussions
[20:00] How Gary uses tools like Asset Map to onboard new clients
[21:30] The three possible outcomes of his onboarding process
[23:00] Thoughts on mortgages, debt, and the power of cash flow
[25:30] Building a cycle of income, cash, and assets — and using leverage wisely
[27:00] Final thoughts: staying curious, unlearning, and remaining relevant
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
Mission Street Wealth Planning – [Website or LinkedIn]
Asset Map – Visual financial planning tool
Book: Future Shock by Alvin Toffler
Gary’s YouTube channel and educational videos
Equity Compensation Planning Resources
Partner Firms: Charles Schwab, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Focus Partners Advisor Solutions
Please reach out to Gary with any questions or feedback. Contact Gary Here
Follow us on social media for the latest updates and additional insights. @smplmortgage
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to Nurturing Success for more insights from industry leaders. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we continue to explore successful financial strategies and practices. If you're interested in being our next guest, please reach out to [email protected] to schedule a time.
