Most advisors think they’re personalizing portfolios. But what does that actually look like in practice?

In this episode, Kelsey McKenna and Zach Conway talk about how to turn investment expertise into a repeatable process that still feels personal. They walk through what true personalization looks like, how to communicate trade-offs clearly, and why efficient systems actually make client relationships stronger.
If you’ve ever struggled to scale your approach without losing the human touch, this conversation will help you create consistency, clarity, and trust across every client relationship.

Key Takeaways:

• Personalization isn’t binary — it’s a spectrum.
• Scalable personalization = consistency, not conformity.
• True tailoring starts with understanding client preferences and having meaningful trade-off discussions.
• Transparency and clarity are the fastest paths to trust.
• Efficiency doesn’t kill personalization — it enables it.
• Advisors who define their framework can delegate with confidence and focus on growth.
• The future of advisory work belongs to firms that are flexible, curious, and client-centered.

Episode Chapters:
3:55: You've reached an inflection point in your practice growth, so what's next?
6:35: What is "personalization" in investment management?
12:35: The future standard of strong investing experiences
14:00: Clarity is underrated in the wealth management industry
18:09: Why tradeoffs are under-discussed in client conversations
20:04: Real-world example: how to connect portfolios to client stories
27:54: How advisors will have to adapt to remain relevant in the future

Relevant Resources:
[Article] What Does “Good” Investment Management Look Like?
https://useseeds.com/investment-management-standards/

[Article] How to Start Asking Advisors Deeper Questions
https://useseeds.com/asking-deeper-questions/

[Podcast] The Foundation of Advisor Value = Humanity + Expertise
https://useseeds.com/podcast/where-humanity-expertise-meet-the-true-foundation-of-advisor-value/

[Podcast] Advisors: Are You Confident in Your 1% Fee?
https://useseeds.com/podcast/are-you-confident-in-your-1-percent-fee/

Connect with us:
Zach Conway on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-conway
Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kelseymckenna3
Website: www.useseeds.com
Our Blog: https://useseeds.com/blog/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seeds-investor
Disclosures: https://useseeds.com/terms/

Ready to scale the human side of advice with Seeds? Schedule your personalized
demo today at www.useseeds.com/demo

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Is your communication building trust, or just checking boxes?

In the newest episode, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna explore a skill that separates good advisors from great ones: understanding the balance between expertise and empathy.

It’s not enough to know your stuff. Clients need to feel your value. From the first conversation to ongoing reviews, every touchpoint shapes how clients experience trust, confidence, and connection. Zach and Kelsey break down what it takes to communicate with impact, showing that the best advisors don’t just talk about value, they help clients feel it in every interaction.

They also share how scalable systems can help you deliver personalized,
human-first service at every stage of your client journey, without burning out or losing authenticity.

Here are 5 key highlights from the episode:
- How to align expertise and empathy to strengthen long-term client
relationships.
- Why communication should focus on how clients feel, not just what you
say.
- Simple ways to show value through actions and presence instead of
explanation.
-The power of curiosity, active listening, and emotional awareness in
every client meeting.
- How systematizing routine tasks frees you to focus on “magic moments that matter most.

If you’re ready to elevate your client experience by connecting on a deeper
level, this episode will help you rethink the way you communicate, lead, and grow your firm.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us: 

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn 
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn 

Want to learn more about how Seeds Investor can assess investors’ true investing preferences, personalize portfolios, and present engaging insights–all in one digital solution? Then be sure to click on the links below!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog

This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit: https://useseeds.com/terms/ and https://tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Are you selling alpha...or underselling yourself?

Most advisors still lead with investment returns. But clients aren’t just buying “performance.” They’re buying you. 

So why do so many think advisors “just manage money?”

In this episode of The Advice Business Podcast, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna confront one of the industry’s most frustrating realities: advisors deliver significant value, but struggle to show it in a way clients actually understand. The episode opens with a story: a prospective client who proudly claimed he could “DIY” his investments. Sound familiar? That one moment reveals the perception gap plaguing even the best firms. Zach and Kelsey unpack why this mindset persists, how it sabotages pricing and positioning, and how leading advisors are working to close the gap.

You’ll hear how top firms are ditching the “financial plan” as a one-time deliverable and instead building ongoing experiences anchored in clarity, transparency, and measurable progress that clients can actually feel. Inspired by both fintech and elite practices, this episode shows you how to sharpen your message, productize your value, and make your story unforgettable.

5 Powerful Takeaways:

1️⃣ The real reason clients don’t “get” advisor value — and how to change their mindset.

2️⃣ Turning services into tangible outcomes clients can see, feel, and repeat to others.

3️⃣ Why testing your messaging with actual clients is a key advantage.

4️⃣ How elite firms proactively communicate value (before anyone asks “what am I paying for?”).

5️⃣ How Seeds helps advisors quantify human value beyond investment returns and finally demonstrate it.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

Zach Conway: www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-conway

Kelsey McKenna: www.linkedin.com/in/kelseymckenna3

Ready to grow your business with Seeds? Schedule your personalized demo today.

Website: www.useseeds.com

Our Blog: https://useseeds.com/blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seeds-investor

This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit: https://useseeds.com/terms/ and https://tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25

Keywords related to this topic:

investment management, financial advisor value, AUM fee, advisor tech, holistic financial planning, value proposition, client perception, pain points, advisor differentiation, customer centricity, messaging strategy, pricing models, comprehensive financial planning, fiduciary duty, wealth management misconceptions, articulating value, behavioral management, asset allocation, tax planning, tax loss harvesting, rebalancing, investment complexity, transparency in services, client trust, ongoing advisor services, niche marketing, growth tactics, authenticity, industry reputation, financial planning outcomes, client onboarding

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

What does it really take to be a great financial advisor today?

Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna mark nearly two years behind the mic by tackling this question every advisor should be asking themselves.

In a time dominated by conversations of DIY investing and AI, empathy and presence matter just as much as advisor expertise in client conversations.

The kicker? Empathy can’t happen without presence, and true presence can’t happen without expertise fueling advisor confidence. In this episode, Zach and Kelsey make the case that confidence comes from structure having reliable systems for investment management.

Here are 5 key highlights from the episode:
1️⃣ Why the modern advisor must master both technical precision and emotional intelligence.
2️⃣ How a “rules-based” portfolio process creates room for deeper client relationships.
3️⃣ The hidden cost of chasing control instead of building systems that scale.
4️⃣ Why presence not product is now the true differentiator for financial advisors.
5️⃣ How to combine structure and empathy to stand out in an increasingly automated world.

It’s an honest, energizing reflection on what it really means to evolve as an advisor and beyond.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

Zach Conway: www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-conway

Kelsey McKenna: www.linkedin.com/in/kelseymckenna3

Ready to grow your business with Seeds? Schedule your personalized demo today.

Website: www.useseeds.com

Our Blog: https://useseeds.com/blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seeds-investor

This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit: https://useseeds.com/terms/ and https://tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25

Keywords related to this topic:
financial advisors, investment management, human-centered advising, International Podcast Day, financial planning, client experience, advisor expertise, relationship building, presence, personalization, value proposition, systematization, tax loss harvesting, rebalancing, compliance, asset allocation, model portfolios, planning discovery, legacy holdings, values-based investing, thematic investing, robo-advisors, confidence, automation, control, client trust, outsourcing, back office operations, technology in advising, advisor-client relationship

#AdvisorBusinessPodcast #FinancialAdvisors #WealthManagement #ClientExperience #AdvisorGrowth #Leadership #PracticeManagement #HumanFirstAdvice #SeedsAdvisor

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

At this year’s Future Proof Festival, one theme stole the spotlight: AI.

Everywhere you turned, someone was pitching an AI-driven solution. 

But what is all this efficiency really serving? Because no matter how powerful the tech, it can’t replace the fundamentals of delivering clarity, confidence, and genuine value to clients.

In this episode, we take you inside the buzz of the Future Proof, unpacking trends and insights we took away from packed panel discussions and one-on-one conversations with advisors facing real challenges. 

Whether you were part of the action or catching up on what you missed, this conversation is worth hearing.

Here are 4 key highlights from the conversation:

▶️ Why AI is dominating wealth management, but adoption without purpose is a risky move.

▶️ The disconnect between what advisors believe is valuable and what clients actually experience as valuable.

▶️ How many firms get stuck over-investing in operational efficiency without considering client experience. 

▶️ Why the future belongs to advisors who combine technical excellence with deep human connection.

It’s a conversation about slowing down, reflecting, and doubling down on the one thing no algorithm can replicate: authentic, personalized client experiences.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

Zach Conway: www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-conway

Kelsey McKenna: www.linkedin.com/in/kelseymckenna3

Ready to grow your business with Seeds? Schedule your personalized demo today.

Website: www.useseeds.com

Our Blog: https://useseeds.com/blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seeds-investor

This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit: https://useseeds.com/terms/ and https://tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

From aspiring surgeon to founder of a thriving client-first advisory firm, Adam Koós has always approached challenges with a “financial surgeon’s” precision.

In this episode of The Advice Business Podcast, hosts Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down with Adam to explore his journey to wealth management and the lessons he’s learned about building a client-first advisory practice.

Adam shares the real story behind building and scaling an advisory practice and it wasn’t about closing sales. He opens up about the common pitfalls that hold advisors back, like overengineering processes, constantly tweaking business models, or overthinking tactics, instead of focusing on what truly drives growth: consistent outreach, qualified prospecting, and persistence.

Key takeaways from Adam’s playbook:

❌ Sales isn’t hard → ✅ Lead generation is hard

❌ Time stuck in operations isn’t value → ✅ Client engagement is value

❌ Overengineering processes → ✅ Building repeatable processes

❌ Over-nuancing tactics → ✅ Nailing the basics

❌ Overthinking → ✅ Taking action

For growth-minded advisors, this episode is packed with candid insights and actionable takeaways you can apply to your own practice today.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us: 

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn 
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn 
• Adam D. Koós on LinkedIn
• Libertas Wealth Management Group
• ADRENALINE

Want to learn more about how Seeds Investor can assess investors’ true investing preferences, personalize portfolios, and present engaging insights–all in one digital solution? Then be sure to click on the links below!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog
• Our LinkedIn
• Disclosures

This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit: https://useseeds.com/terms/ and https://tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25

#AdvisorBusinessPodcast #FinancialAdvisors #WealthManagement #ClientAcquisition #AdvisorGrowth #LeadGeneration #Entrepreneurship #PracticeManagement #AdamKoos #AdrenalineAdvisor

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Is your tech making your client experience better or just busier?

In this episode of The Advice Business Podcast, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down with Laura Holt, CFP®, founder & CEO of WealthTech Matchmaker, to tackle one of wealth management’s toughest challenges: scaling a personalized, human-first client experience with the right technology.

Laura shares her journey from advisor to WealthTech strategist and explains why intentional tech choices matter more than chasing the next shiny tool.

You’ll hear how to:

• Cut the busywork with AI and automation (billing, documents, account prep)
• Free up more time for proactive planning and deeper client relationships
• Avoid the “silver bullet” trap of chasing every new app or feature
• Align your tech spend with firm goals, not vendor promises
• Create efficiency without losing the human touch that drives loyalty

Packed with practical strategies, this episode will help you turn your tech stack into a true growth engine, not a distraction.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to make every tech dollar count while deepening your client connections

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us: 

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn 
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn 

Want to learn more about how Seeds Investor can assess investors’ true investing preferences, personalize portfolios, and present engaging insights–all in one digital solution? Then be sure to click on the links below!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog
• Disclosures

This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit: https://useseeds.com/terms/ and https://tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25

#AdvisorBusinessPodcast #WealthManagement #FinancialAdvisors #ClientExperience #WealthTech #Fintech #AdvisorGrowth #PracticeManagement #LauraHoltz #WealthTechMatchmaker

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Feeling stuck in the weeds of your advisory firm’s operations? You’re not alone.

In this episode, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down with Charesse Spiller, founder of Level Best and the FinOps Co-Op, to unpack why most firms think they have an operations problem—when really, they have a leadership and structure problem.

Charesse shares what she’s learned from helping RIAs scale without burning out their teams or burying themselves in tech they don’t fully use. She breaks down the real drivers of operational success: people, processes, and technology—in that order. And she dives into why so many founders are stuck wearing too many hats, slowing down growth and blurring accountability across the business.

If you’ve ever defaulted to hiring another ops person or buying another tool without fixing the foundation, this conversation is your wake-up call. Charesse shares simple but powerful ways to shift from running around inside your business to actually leading it forward—with clarity, structure, and a team that’s fully empowered to operate.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us: 

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn 
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn 

Want to learn more about how Seeds Investor can assess investors’ true investing preferences, personalize portfolios, and present engaging insights–all in one digital solution? Then be sure to click on the links below!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog
• Disclosures

This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit: https://useseeds.com/terms/ and https://tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25

#AdvisorBusinessPodcast #RIAOperations #FinancialAdvisors #BusinessLeadership #Fintech #ScalingSmart #AdvisoryFirms #PracticeManagement #CharesseSpiller #LevelBest #FinOpsCoOp

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Think you’ve mastered the risk conversation? Think again.

In the newest episode of The Advice Business Podcast, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna take on one of the most misunderstood yet mission-critical pieces of asset allocation: risk tolerance. Here are three surprising facts they uncover:

1️⃣ Most risk tolerance scores do little to keep clients invested when markets get rough.

2️⃣ Risk tolerance and risk need are completely different but most advisors treat them the same.

3️⃣ Failing to involve both partners in risk conversations can impact trust and lead to missed opportunities.

They dig into how outdated questionnaires and one-size-fits-all approaches actually undermine the financial plans we’re trying to build for clients. Instead, separating how clients feel about risk from what they need to achieve their goals can open the door to far more meaningful, confidence-building conversations.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us: 

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn 
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn 

Want to learn more about how Seeds Investor can assess investors’ true investing preferences, personalize portfolios, and present engaging insights–all in one digital solution? Then be sure to click on the links below!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog
• Disclosures

This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit: https://useseeds.com/terms/ and https://tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25

#TheAdviceBusinessPodcast #FinancialAdvisors #WealthManagement #RiskManagement #ClientExperience #BehavioralFinance #PlanningBetter #SeedsAdvisor

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Want to grow your advisory firm without burnout and finally attract clients who actually feel like a perfect fit?

In this episode, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down with Dan and Natalie Slagle, the powerhouse duo behind Fyooz Financial Planning, to share how they built a thriving, human-centered firm by staying hyper-focused on one audience: young couples and families.

After years in traditional financial institutions, Dan and Natalie made a bold move. They launched their own firm not just to build something different, but to build something that felt true to them. Along the way, they discovered the power of creating a brand that speaks directly to their ideal client, setting clear boundaries around who they serve and how they work.

They share how they tackled some of the most common challenges advisors face — like finding the confidence to raise fees, moving away from saying yes to everyone, and creating meaningful experiences where both partners feel equally seen in the financial planning process. Their journey proves that a niche isn’t limiting — it’s the key to deeper relationships, better referrals, and sustainable growth.

Now with their own podcast, Money Dates, and a thriving client base, Dan and Natalie are continuing to grow in ways that are both strategic and deeply personal.

This episode is packed with honest reflections, practical inspiration, and a clear message: you don’t need to build a firm for everyone. You need to build a firm that’s right for you — and the people you’re best positioned to serve.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us: 

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn 
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn 

Want to learn more about how Seeds Investor can assess investors’ true investing preferences, personalize portfolios, and present engaging insights–all in one digital solution? Then be sure to click on the links below!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog
• Disclosures

This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit: https://useseeds.com/terms/ and https://tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25

#TheAdviceBusinessPodcast #FinancialAdvisors #WealthManagement #ClientExperience #Entrepreneurship #MoneyDates #FyoozFinancialPlanning #AdvisorGrowth #Seeds

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!