Only Fee-Only

Want a founder story that includes spreadsheets, a stint as a roadie, an Atlantic crossing, and a will-signing party that packed the room? Meet Shane Mason of Brooklyn FI — a CPA/CFP who went from Big Four tax to touring life, then teamed up with AJ to build a 20-person advisory firm rooted in transparency, productized service, and genuine hospitality.

We dig into the early days: running a tax practice out of a bar booth, pricing low to get at-bats, and taking weekend prospect meetings to sharpen the offer. Shane explains why he and AJ decided from day one to build an enterprise rather than a lifestyle practice, documenting workflows so every client gets the same quality of service no matter who’s in the seat. That mindset shaped their hiring, retention, and their eventual shift from serving creatives to working with tech employees navigating ISOs, NSOs, RSUs, and liquidity events.

The conversation gets practical fast. Shane shares why most equity compensation issues are really tax issues, why offering refunds can be a reputation-saving move, and how turning estate planning into a social, notarized event helps clients finally take action. We also explore the difference between small giants and scalable firms, the value of serialized advice, and what happens when founders step back from client work to rethink the business. Plus, a look at Gemifi, the fintech platform Brooklyn FI built to help advisors visualize vesting schedules and future balance sheets.

If you’re building or scaling an RIA, this episode is full of hard-won insights on niches, processes, client experience, and leading through growth.

Shane's Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanemasoncpacfp/

How do you go from knocking on doors in the snow to running a referral-driven, tax-focused retirement firm? Hamilton Brandenburg shares his path from Chick-fil-A’s “my pleasure” culture, to prospecting at Edward Jones, to launching a fee-only practice built around tax-smart retirement planning. A near-lapsing whole life case pushed him toward a model where taxes, decumulation, and clear service rhythms give clients real value they can feel.

Hamilton talks about the habits that mattered early, how they evolved into surge meetings and a proactive review schedule, and why retirees need more than pie charts. They need coordination on withdrawals, Roth conversions, Social Security timing, and account sequencing that keeps lifetime taxes low.

We also get into the chapter where he built a virtual practice from a 46-foot fifth wheel while raising four kids, and how remote work forced cleaner systems and sharper communication. He shares practical advice for advisors going independent and simple ways retirees can evaluate whether an advisor is really planning through taxes.

Social:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamilton-brandenburg-9a361b12b/

Is it in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

Krystal Fortner built a thriving, advice-only firm by choosing clarity, community, and client-first values over sales pressure. In this episode, we trace her path from cold-calling at a wirehouse to launching her RIA with same-day state approval, and how learning product sales made her a stronger fiduciary.

Krystal shares how witnessing a "don't ask questions" sales culture shaped her ethical approach and how one generous Saturday conversation sparked a lasting referral flywheel.

We also dig into launching with XY Planning Network, how their compliance, registration, and peer support helped her hit the ground running, and the early days of signing her first clients. Krystal talks about finding quality leads, paying it forward, and designing a sustainable life that includes marathon training, CrossFit, and boundaries that protect her energy.

For new planners, she offers a surprising tip: spend time in a wirehouse. You’ll learn the complex products clients bring to the table and how to untangle them with empathy. Then build the model that fits your values.

If this episode helps you see a better way to serve clients, follow the show, share it, and leave a quick review so more planners can find it.

Social:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalfortner/

What if you could scale your advisory firm without rushing to hire and manage a full team?

In this episode, we talk with Michelle Wong, founder and CEO of Nifty Advisor Support, about how solo and small RIAs can build lasting capacity through remote support, strong processes, and a culture-first approach.

Michelle shares how Nifty grew from a pre-COVID launch to supporting more than 60 firms today, and how the rise of remote work changed the way advisors handle client service, marketing, and operations. She explains Nifty’s two main ways of working with firms: ongoing support that feels like a dedicated team member, and short project sprints designed to solve specific problems.

We also cover the “Nifty Fit” framework, which focuses on matching both technology and communication style so advisors avoid costly hiring mistakes.

Michelle opens up about the real bottlenecks that hold firms back—piled-up service work, inconsistent follow-up, and operational debt—and how her team helps fix them. She also introduces the Nifty Lab, a community where advisors and ops pros share templates and ideas before committing to ongoing support.

If you’re a fee-only or fee-based RIA thinking about outsourcing, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for what to delegate first, how to measure success, and how to reclaim your time.

Social and Website:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hellomiwo/

https://www.niftyadvisorsupport.com/

How does a fee-only firm grow without losing its purpose? In this episode, we talk with Sean Gillespie, president of Redeployment Wealth Strategies, about the lessons behind raising fees, building the right team, and serving military families with care and consistency.

Sean explains why their first-year planning fee reflects the real work of sorting through insurance, TSP choices, and transition planning, and how they keep ongoing service affordable for younger service members.

One story sums it up well: a client calls mid-PCS, asking if they can buy a beach house near family. Within a minute, Sean knows the answer and the funding source. That’s the value of clear planning—fast decisions, managed risks, and confidence in the next step.

We also discuss why “hire us for returns” is a losing pitch, how RWS uses a passive, factor-based approach, and what it takes to hire and train through SkillBridge. Sean shares how their firm grew by focusing on character over titles and why their biggest competitor isn’t another advisor—it’s Google.

Finally, he explains how they simplified compliance by co-founding Apforia, an SEC-registered umbrella that helps independent firms keep their brand while easing regulatory headaches.

If you care about fair pricing, meaningful planning, and building a business that lasts, this conversation is full of practical lessons you can use.

Episode #44 with Sean:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1943910/episodes/12637266

Website: https://www.redeploymentwealth.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-gillespie-1801316/

Prudence Zhu (pronounced "zoo"), CPA, CFP®, CFT™, is the founder and CEO of Enso Financial, a fee-only financial planning firm dedicated to helping couples, families, and entrepreneurs thrive through open communication and values-driven money management. 

Born in rural China, Prudence moved to the U.S. in 2012 alone with few belongings and achieved financial freedom nine years after through conscious spending and smart investment decisions. She transitioned from a successful corporate finance career to entrepreneurship, focusing on serving cross-cultural couples, small business owners, and foreign-born professionals. 

Prudence is the author of A Couple’s Guide to Money: Grow Closer, Dream Bigger, Thrive Together, which blends financial planning with communication coaching to build lasting financial success. Prudence is passionate about transparent, fiduciary advice and believes that love and money together can be a true superpower.

Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS58FXFG

Book website: www.InvestWithPrudence.com

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

Austin Preece went from selling insurance to building a thriving fee-only financial planning firm—by doing things differently. He rejected the traditional AUM model in favor of charging 0.5% of net worth, aligning his fees with client outcomes. When he realized a 100% prospect close rate meant his pricing was too low, he raised his fees and built a sustainable practice around clients who truly value his expertise.

Rather than broad marketing, Austin carved out a niche with real estate professionals, using his expertise in 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts to help agents manage feast-or-famine income cycles. From zero clients to now overseeing $40–50 million in assets, his journey is a blueprint for building a values-driven firm—and a must-listen for anyone navigating the future of financial planning.

Austin's Social:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinpreece/

Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

What happens when someone who used to sell financial technology decides to become a financial advisor? Clark Jeffries, founder of Jeffries Wealth Management, takes us inside his transition from FinTech sales to running his own independent practice.

After five years at Hidden Levers (later acquired by Orion Advisor Tech), Clark worked closely with hundreds of advisory firms and noticed a major gap. High-earning professionals weren’t being well served—many were managing money on their own, sticking with family advisors, or fielding product pitches from old acquaintances. Clark saw an opportunity to create something different.

Making the switch wasn’t without surprises. He quickly realized that while technology is helpful, clients don’t actually care about your tech stack—they care about how you can genuinely help them. Integrations fail, updates cause issues, and advisors often use only a fraction of their tools. What really matters, Clark says, is the human connection.

Instead of adopting a polished, corporate image, Clark chose authenticity. By being himself, he attracts the clients who align with his style and values. He views financial planning as an ongoing process, not a static plan, and believes long-term trust is built on real relationships.

Social and Website

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clark-jeffries-11366112a/

jeffrieswealth.com

How do you build a financial planning practice that succeeds without losing your values?

Fran Walsh, co-founder of Opulus LLC and one of Investopedia’s Top 100 Advisors, believes the key is authenticity. From a football award that unexpectedly introduced him to his future business partner to launching his firm just before COVID hit, Fran’s path has been anything but straight. His mindset has stayed the same: “The people who never quit and just keep going are going to be inevitably successful.”

At first, Fran didn’t rush to pick a niche. Instead, he worked with a range of clients while building momentum, eventually focusing on high-earning millennials, athletes, and business owners who share his drive for constant improvement. He also made a conscious choice to skip the traditional corporate image: “We wear t-shirts every day. We want clients to see we’re normal people just like them.”

His approach shows that being yourself can strengthen client relationships while building a business you actually enjoy running.

Fran's Social:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-walsh-b12775a3/

X: @FranWalsh73

Newsletter: https://www.opulusmethod.com/

Meet Dev Thompson – the newest addition to the BC Brokerage team.

Dev’s journey to insurance is a unique one—from college football player to strength coach at Purdue and Kentucky, to fee-only financial planner, and now a trusted resource for advisors across the country.

His background blends a passion for personal finance with the discipline of athletic coaching, giving him a thoughtful and client-focused approach to planning. Dev brings a deep understanding of how insurance fits into the bigger picture, especially when it comes to bridging property & casualty gaps for clients in multiple states.

At BC Brokerage, Dev helps advisors keep insurance implementation in-house, so recommendations turn into action—without handing clients off to outside agents.

He’s passionate about making the complex feel simple, and helping advisors feel confident navigating insurance alongside their clients.

Want to connect? Come meet Dev and the BC Brokerage team at XYPN Live—we’ll be there as a green sponsor and hosting a happy hour on the Corinne Patio.

Dev’s Linkedin: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/devthompsonbrk