The Connected Advisor

Episode 061: Wealth creators understand that financial planning isn't solely about maximizing returns. It’s also about building a lasting legacy. By involving the next generation in family wealth discussions, advisors can help beneficiaries develop a solid financial understanding. This ensures a smoother wealth transfer and empowers future generations to manage their financial affairs effectively. 

In this episode, Kyle talks with Craig Robson, Founding Principal and Managing Director at Regent Peak Wealth Advisors. In his role, Craig sets the firm's overall vision and strategy. The creation of Regent Peak Wealth Advisors is a direct result of Craig's desire to provide all relationships with objective advice free from the conflicts of interest that might come from large institutions.

Craig and Kyle break down what financial planning for wealth creators looks like. They discuss the importance of using a tech stack that best suits the firm's needs rather than the one-size-fits-all approach, the flexibility of being an independent advisor, and Craig’s unique approach to solving complex financial scenarios for wealth creators and their successors.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[11:42] - "If you're going to take the professional risk to start your own business, don't forget why you did it." ~ Craig Robson

[16:14] - "As I started to have deeper, broader conversations with clients about what was most important to them and what they wanted to accomplish in their lifetime, I realized that the more complex one situation is, the more we can help them." ~ Craig Robson

[23:55] - "In our industry, it's an art and a science. The science is the actual plan itself. The art is communicating it and deciding the prioritization of what you want to follow through on." ~ Craig Robson

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Episode 060: Operations is the cornerstone of any organization, and technology is integral to successful business operations. Their integration revolutionizes any organization, and wealth management is no exception. By automating tasks, streamlining workflows, and connecting disparate systems, technology has become an indispensable tool for improving operational efficiency. This increased efficiency empowers advisors to focus more on what they do best: serving their clients, building lasting relationships, and providing personalized financial guidance.

In this episode, Kyle talks with Chrissy Lee, Chief Operating Officer of Merit Financial Advisors. Chrissy is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm, working within the executive leadership team and each department within the organization to create efficiencies and streamline the client service experience. She is also responsible for operational strategy, driving strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions, and overseeing onboarding processes, business development, and technology implementations to create a best-in-class experience for the Merit community.

Kyle talks with Chrissy about the importance of operational efficiency in wealth and asset management. She discusses the challenges of integrating technology, the significance of human relationships in wealth management, and how technology should enhance, rather than replace, these relationships.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[15:27] - "One of the things that really takes away from advisors is productivity. Why not allow advisors to stay in their "hot zone," which is to serve their clients and have that relationship with the clients?" ~ Chrissy Lee

[20:11] - "Operations and technology go hand in hand. Operations is at the heart of an organization because you have the relationships. And if we don't have the right technology or if it's limited, it is difficult because it becomes a manual process." ~ Chrissy Lee

[27:46] - "People are not numbers. You can only send so much data and analysis to someone, you know? They want someone who cares, who is listening, and who is hearing their story." ~ Chrissy Lee

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Episode 059: CG Financial's expansion into property and casualty insurance is a unique strategy in the advisory space. While many firms focus on core expertise, CG Financial has ventured into new territories, taking advantage of its internal expertise. Its proactive use of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), diversification into new business lines, and commitment to technological excellence set the bar for strategic growth and leadership.

In this episode, Kyle talks with Jeff Casey, President and Partner at CG Financial Services. As a Founding Partner and Senior Financial Advisor, Jeff has been a pillar of CG Financial's foundation, specializing in comprehensive wealth management, executive compensation, and corporate retirement plans. He works to build and implement business strategies across the four divisions of CG Financial Services: Individual Wealth Management, Business Services, CG Advisor Network, and CG Insurance Agency.

Jeff talks with Kyle about the strategic expansion and innovation driving CG Financial's success. He shares CG Financial's transition to implementing EOS, its integration of property and casualty insurance into its service offering, and the importance of technology in enhancing business capabilities.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[23:42] - "Technology is so important in the evolution of our business. We want to make sure that we can stay at the cutting edge of providing the best resources and solutions for our clients in any line of business that we offer." ~ Jeff Casey

[24:41] - "Data warehouse is a way for us to store data securely, organize that data, and have it in a fashion that allows your team to adapt should you decide to change things in the future." ~ Jeff Casey

[31:46] - "Every business owner has to look internally at what makes you good, what makes you great, and try to find those same qualities in the people that you're hiring and the people that you're developing." ~ Jeff Casey

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Episode 058: Financial advisory firms always look for innovative ways to create a culture of growth. Internal promotions and residency programs are some unique and great strategies. By nurturing talent and creating opportunities for advancement, specializing in a specific niche, and the strategic integration of technology, firms can cultivate seasoned advisors who understand the company's core values and philosophy and offer comprehensive planning solutions that truly resonate with clients.

In this episode, Kyle talks with Patrick Sweeny, Chairman and CEO of Apella Wealth and Co-founder of Symmetry Partners. Patrick focuses on investor education and the strategic growth of the firm. He is a recognized speaker on asset-class investing and transforming advisor businesses into more efficient models.

Patrick and Kyle discuss how to create a culture of growth through internal promotions and residency programs, the advantages of focusing on a specific niche, and the importance of technology in providing comprehensive planning services.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[18:35] - "We always talk in this business about how you differentiate yourself. You don't need to think long and hard about it. You differentiate yourself by delivering more services that are important to clients." ~ Patrick Sweeny

[21:08] - "The most successful advisors have a niche. They understand their niche, and when the prospect sits in front of them, they quickly realize, this is my person. This is my advisor because they know everything there is to know about me already."~ Patrick Sweeny

[28:07] - "This is still a relationship business. People want a relationship in place with someone they trust. And technology is there for us to leverage and use to make us more effective at what we do." ~ Patrick Sweeny

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Episode 057: Financial advisors often go beyond the confines of business to become trusted guides in their client's financial lives. More than crafting investment strategies and managing portfolios, advisors offer support and expertise to individuals and families through various life stages and financial challenges. 

In this episode, Kyle talks with Scott Hanson, Co-Founder and Vice Chair at Allworth Financial. A nationally recognized financial expert, Scott has been named to Barron's list of the Top 100 Independent Wealth Advisors in America numerous times and has been listed as one of the 25 most influential people in the financial services industry nationwide. For more than 29 years, Scott has co-hosted Money Matters, a financial radio program and podcast, making it one of the longest-running shows of its kind in America.

Scott talks with Kyle about what makes financial advisory a noble profession. He discusses his early experiences in the industry and the shift toward a more inclusive and diverse approach to financial advising. Scott also shares Allworth Financial's successful consolidation strategy, the importance of marketing as a business development tool, and why they're a sought-after partner for firms. 

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[06:14] - "The longer I'm in this industry, the more noble I believe it is. I've personally held clients' hands through lots of different things, whether financial markets going crazy or their personal lives going crazy. Navigating the clients through all those different seasons is tremendously valuable to them." ~ Scott Hanson

[33:35] - "If someone's at Allworth, they're going to be well served. One of the reasons I'm passionate about continuing to grow the organization is there are a lot of people out there who need good financial advice, and I would love to be able to provide it to them." ~ Scott Hanson

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Episode 056: Partnering with a platform that prioritizes service over growth offers valuable opportunities for advisors and financial institutions. This strategic approach, combined with the power of technology and data analytics, streamlines operations and fosters deeper client connections. Priority Financial Group's approach to wealth management, rooted in flexibility, control, freedom, and technology, is a blueprint for success in the financial services industry.

In this episode, Kyle talks with Mike Prior, CEO of Priority Financial Group. With more than 25 years of experience in the securities industry, Mike helps advisors and financial institutions reach their unique goals. He is a recognized industry expert and sought-after speaker who helps financial institutions adopt and implement a best practices approach to building successful investment services programs. 

Kyle and Mike discuss revolutionizing wealth management for advisors and credit unions, and the importance of data and technology in achieving clients’ goals.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[07:00] - "About 10 years ago, when we formed the RIA, it was to come up with a different idea, an alternative that was RIA-forward and RIA-focused. We are an RIA platform for advisors and financial institutions." ~ Mike Prior

[08:31] - "I've seen a lot of really neat things happening in the fintech space. But when financial institution people see what we have related to our core platforms, they're pretty impressed." ~ Mike Prior

[11:37] - "We care about every single advisor, every single client. That matters to us. Every institution is a client, a friend, and a partner. We don't have crazy growth goals; we have crazy service goals." ~ Mike Prior

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Episode 055: In this episode, Kyle talks with Shannon Spotswood, CEO at RFG Advisory, about empowering independent advisors through technology. Shannon discusses the importance of a tech-forward approach to delivering services and optimizing internal processes and what it takes to become the RIA of the future. She also shares the foundational pillars of RFG 2.0 and offers a glimpse into the future with RFG 3.0 and the strategic initiatives driving the platform's growth.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[17:33] - "My obligation and duty in the industry is not only to be a mentor and a champion for innovation but also for RFG to be a testimony that if you link arms with talented people, you're aligned on your mission, and you're willing to walk through that trench and that valley, you can build something reflective of these big dreams." ~ Shannon Spotswood

[29:15] - "Advisors deserve more. They deserve a tech stack that is as frictionless as possible. They deserve centralized operations. They deserve a team that is wrapped around them, highly trained, motivated, and force multipliers for their clients and their growth. They deserve marketing and coaching resources anchored around the business they want to build." ~ Shannon Spotswood 

[37:45] - "We are builders. We are servants. We like to build something bigger than ourselves. That ‘service above self’ unites us all and drives us to get out of bed in the morning." ~ Shannon Spotswood 

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Episode 54: In this episode of The Connected Advisor, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Ted Bovard, Principal at Fort Pitt Capital Group. Ted shares his unconventional path to wealth management and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Emphasizing the importance of long-term planning over chasing returns, Ted discusses Fort Pitt's client-first approach, the firm's five-step onboarding process, and how they leverage teamwork and technology to enhance their services. Kyle and Ted also explore the importance of strong core values, and the impact of AI and technology on the future of financial services.

Episode 053: For many advisors, transitioning from wirehouse firms to independent practices is not just about autonomy—it's about building a business that aligns with their vision and values. However, true independence comes with its own set of challenges. To thrive, advisors need the right technology. When chosen strategically, technology becomes a key partner in building strong client relationships and delivering meaningful financial planning.

In this episode of The Connected Advisor, Kyle talks with Jason Barber, CEO and Co-Founder of Uptick Partners. Jason helps advisors and investors achieve independence. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Holistic Planning, where he delivers high-quality, comprehensive, and unbiased financial advice to individuals and families.

Jason talks with Kyle about how breakaway advisors achieve true independence. He shares why he left a large wirehouse, the challenges and opportunities of establishing an independent advisory firm, and the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[23:06] - "We want to provide you with the things you have to have and nothing more. As for the things you must have, we'll do a great job." ~ Jason Barber

[24:39] - "There's a big opportunity to help people, and people want what we do because we actually do it and have done it ourselves." ~ Jason Barber

[31:37] - "Most advisors want to log into one thing in the morning. They want to have a CRM and a portfolio management tool, they want to be able to do their billing, they want to have a built-in TAMP, and they want to have it all in one place. And that's what we've got with Advyzon." ~ Jason Barber

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Episode 052: Successful advisory firms recognize that having the right people is an investment in the organization's future. But it's more than simply filling seats. It's about cultivating a team that is passionate about the industry, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is genuinely enthusiastic about contributing to its success. 

In this episode, Kyle talks with Lori Van Dusen, Founder and CEO of LVW Advisors. An advocate of client-focused strategies, Lori provides comprehensive, integrated solutions to a fragmented financial services industry. She is the author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book Running with Grace: A Wall Street Insider's Path to True Leadership, a Purposeful Life, and Joy in the Face of Adversity. 

Lori talks with Kyle about what it takes to build a successful advisory firm. She discusses the importance of mentorship, succession planning, and investing in the right people. Lori also shares insights from her book, highlighting resilience and overcoming adversity.

In this episode:

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[14:10] - "You have to study each client base that you're serving and say, 'What is it that they need that's not out there?' Then you have to find people you can partner with so it is seamless to solve problems." ~ Lori Van Dusen

[13:04] - "Our whole business is based on understanding the client's unique situation, the problems they're having, and the implications of those problems, and then solving for that." ~ Lori Van Dusen

[15:38] - "The rankings or recognitions we've got simply come back to having great people, a great team, and the mindset that you're not only wanting to solve problems for clients but also giving back to the industry." ~ Lori Van Dusen

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