Only Fee-Only

What does it take to build a successful financial planning firm—while living off the grid in a cabin-caboose hybrid?

Ryan Sullivan of Off the Beaten Path Financial did just that. After leaving a career in engineering that lacked the flexibility and impact he wanted, a chance meeting led him to financial planning. Despite industry warnings, he launched his RIA while still working full-time.

He and his wife bought 20 acres in remote Montana, where their home—half log cabin, half 1890s train caboose—is only accessible by snowmobile in winter. Ryan commuted up to four hours a day while building his firm on nights and weekends.

Early growth was slow—until he hired a coach, shifted away from rigid service models, and focused on project-based planning for architects and engineers. His technical mindset became his advantage, and the business took off.

In January 2025, he earned more than in the previous two years combined. Now, he runs his firm fully off-grid, embracing the lifestyle and clients that make it truly off the beaten path.

Ryan Social

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-sullivan-pe/

Matt Zeigler and Ben Tuscai of Sunpoint Investments take a different approach to wealth management. Instead of just managing money, they combine deep financial planning with investment consulting to build real relationships and help clients make smarter decisions.

Their paths into the industry were unique—Matt was a music major, and Ben worked for the Phillies before spending eight years at Vanguard. That experience helps them think more broadly about client needs. At Sunpoint, they helped redesign the firm’s service model to go beyond portfolios and address the full picture of a client’s life.

They work with everyone from young professionals to billion-dollar families, applying the same core principles: track cash flow, build strong balance sheets, plan for life events, and manage risk. For ultra-wealthy families, they focus on education—teaching kids as early as sixth grade to understand money and avoid entitlement.

They call it “garden glove service”—hands-on, practical, and focused on building something meaningful. They also emphasize five types of capital: financial, human, intellectual, social, and wisdom.

Their planning helps clients avoid tax mistakes, close insurance gaps, and navigate big life transitions. As Matt says, they often just “stand between clients and stupid.”

You can follow Ben on LinkedIn or The Advisor Dads YouTube channel, and Matt on Linkedin and Twitter @cultishcreative.

Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

A lot of financial planners don’t actually want to run a business.
They just want to help people.

But when the only way to do that is to launch your own firm… you end up becoming an accidental entrepreneur—juggling compliance, operations, tech, and marketing instead of focusing on clients.

Stephen Fox saw that problem firsthand.

Marine Corps veteran. Financial planner. Firm builder.
And now, the founder of Advice Only—a platform built for planners who want to offer advice without managing assets or selling products.

Instead of taking a percentage of revenue, Advice Only charges a flat fee.
Instead of leaving you to build everything from scratch, it handles the RIA, compliance, and infrastructure.
Instead of forcing you into a traditional model, it gives you space to just be a planner.

It’s not just idealistic—it’s practical.

✅ Lower overhead
 ✅ Faster path to revenue
 ✅ Easier compliance
 ✅ Access to a broader client base

Stephen believes advice-only planning is the future—and after hearing his story, you might agree.

Catch the full conversation on the latest episode.
Then visit adviceonly.com or connect with Stephen to learn more.

Stephen's Social:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenfox3/

Choosing the right tech for your advisory firm can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we talk with Joe Moss, COO at January Capital Advisors and founder of Connector, about how to build a tech stack that actually improves your client experience.

Joe shares his story from mowing lawns to helping advisors cut through the noise of outdated and overpriced software. He explains how to evaluate tools based on ease of use, real value, and what people actually use—not just name recognition.

Joe also talks about why your technology choices shape your client experience and why human connection still matters in an AI-driven world. As someone who is building community and creating content consistently, Joe brings a mix of practical tips and big-picture thinking.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to improve your current setup, this episode will help you make smarter tech decisions and stay focused on what matters most: serving clients well.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn (Joe Moss 🔥) or check out advisortechbook.com for his top picks.

Joe's Social:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemoss-xyz/

Music in this episode is brought to you by Bensound.

The way financial advisors market themselves is evolving—and testimonials are leading the charge. Brian Thorp, founder of WealthTender, joins us to break down how SEC rule changes have opened the door for compliant client reviews.

WealthTender, the first SEC-compliant review platform, helps over 500 advisors use testimonials effectively. For just $49/month, advisors gain visibility without referral fees or commissions—making it accessible and authentic for both advisors and the 500,000+ annual site visitors.

Brian outlines the three key disclosures for compliance and shares WealthTender’s recent partnership with AGC, building community and connection for 150+ advisors.

We also explore tools on the horizon to promote reviews across digital channels. If you’re ready to modernize your marketing and stand out, this episode is your roadmap.

Brian's Social and Website:

https://wealthtender.com/

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

Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

What if financial planning could be simpler—and better?

Guy Penn, founder of Core Planning, joins us to share how building the simplest version of an RIA has led to something powerful: a close-knit community of advisors built on generosity, trust, and support.

At Core, everything starts with one question: “What can we remove to make this better?” Instead of adding layers of complexity, the firm focuses only on what helps clients and advisors. The result? A place where people come first and relationships thrive.

Generosity is the core value. Advisors help each other, share ideas, and grow together—without sacrificing their own unique way of working.

Guy also challenges the idea that experience is everything. He believes new advisors bring fresh insight and asks the questions others overlook. At Core, they’re welcomed and empowered to use the tools that work best for them.

And for those struggling with impostor syndrome? Guy’s advice is simple: “If you act with integrity and are willing to find the answers, this profession needs you.”

Connect with Guy Penn on LinkedIn or check out Core Planning to learn more.

Guy's Social:

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

X: @guympenn

Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound.

What happens when two advisors decide to completely rebuild their firm from the ground up?

In this episode, Tommy Blackburn and John Mason share how they transformed Mason & Associates from a commission-based practice to a thriving fee-only RIA focused on federal employees.

Driven by a desire for stronger client relationships and a clear vision for the future, they took on the challenge of “rightsizing” their client base—John had been serving over 250 families. The transition allowed them to realign their firm with the kind of practice they truly wanted to run.

They break down how they made those tough decisions, how they preserved relationships, and why having a partner with complementary strengths made the journey possible.

Their niche-focused marketing—including a podcast and YouTube channel—now attracts exactly the clients they want to serve.

Thinking about your own transition? Their advice: plan for scale early, embrace technology, find a community, and specialize fast.

Learn more at masonllc.net or subscribe to their Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast.

What happens when your lifestyle practice takes off faster than you ever expected?

Andy Panko, founder of Tenon Financial, didn’t set out to build a firm. After leaving the corporate finance world in 2019, his goal was simple: work with 50 clients, enjoy flexibility, and ease into retirement on his own terms.

But within two years, he was at capacity—and suddenly facing a new question: Now what?

In this episode, Andy shares how he navigated that inflection point and grew Tenon Financial without sacrificing the lifestyle he set out to protect. Rather than hiring assistants or junior staff to “scale,” he took a different route—bringing on experienced advisors with decades of prior careers who operate independently with their own client bases. The result is a lean team of three serving more clients without compromising autonomy or quality of life.

Andy opens up about his approach to hiring, compensation, and why he places intentional limits on growth. “I don’t want the business to consume me,” he says. “Since I started Tenon, I’ve never once felt like I had to go to work.”

We also dive into industry-wide tensions around product sales and compensation structures. Andy, who owns an IUL policy himself but regularly calls out misleading marketing, offers a nuanced view on where insurance fits—and where it goes wrong.

If you're a solo advisor wondering what comes next—or just want to hear what it looks like to grow without giving up control—this conversation is a must-listen. As Andy puts it:

 “When you take ‘just being about money’ off the table, it’s actually very liberating.”

Andy's links and Social:

retirementplanningeducation.com

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

Taylor Stewart didn’t set out to build software. He created a simple spreadsheet to help with his own planning, and it quickly caught the attention of other advisors. When one offered to buy it, he named a price that felt too high—and they said yes without hesitation. That moment sparked the creation of Income Mapper, and later, the tools that would become the foundation of Partheon, where Taylor now leads financial advice. He also runs his own fee-only firm, Adaroke Wealth.

As a second-generation advisor, Taylor grew up watching his father build a traditional AUM practice. His experience taught him something many advisors miss: we tend to undervalue our own ideas. It also taught him that waiting for clients to show up doesn’t work. After a year of slow growth, he realized the problem was fear—of showing up, of being seen, of failing. So he started sharing. Through podcasts, writing, and social media, he began to attract the right people by leading with value.

Taylor doesn’t measure success by revenue. In his words, “I don’t even know how much my firm makes.” He focuses on the impact—helping people make better financial decisions. Whether through planning or software, that mission drives everything he does. His advice to advisors who feel stuck is simple: “Just go create the problem. You’ll fix it.”

Listen now to learn how authentic positioning, value-based pricing, and showing up with purpose can reshape your advisory business.''

Taylor's Social and Websites:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-stewart/

x: @oTaylorStewart

https://www.parthean.com/

https://www.ataroke.com/

Many advisor websites feel like digital brochures—bland, generic, and forgettable.

Colton Etherton wants to change that.

A former financial advisor turned web designer, Colton now helps advisors build sites that actually convert. Through his firm, Slices Design, he’s helping advisors stand out from the sea of sameness in financial services.

In this episode, Colton shares:

• The #1 website mistake most advisors make (hint: it’s your homepage)
• Why clear messaging beats credentials
• How to use your niche to attract the right people
• When it’s time for a full website overhaul

Even if most of your clients come from referrals, Colton reminds us: “They’re still going to check your website before reaching out.”

Whether you need a full revamp or just a few tweaks, you’ll walk away with practical steps to make your site more compelling.

Listen now and start turning visitors into clients.

Colton's Social: 

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

x: @slices_design

Music in this episode was obtained from Bensound