The Pursuit

What does it take to build a business from scratch?

For Marcos Milla, it meant working a full-time job while spending nights and weekends building ETF Academy Media from the ground up.On Episode 5 of The Pursuit, Marcos shares the story behind his journey – from making YouTube videos about ETFs to building a major finance media platform – and the lessons he’s learned about consistency, conviction, reputation, and knowing when to say no.From entrepreneurship to the discipline behind running 100 miles in 21 hours, Marcos shares lessons on building something you believe in, and doing business the right way.

Recorded in Washington, D.C. at the AE Wealth Symposium, this special episode explores the role culture plays in building successful businesses.Featuring insights from leaders across the financial services industry, the conversation covers how strong values, authentic relationships, and intentional leadership can strengthen teams, deepen client relationships, and support long-term growth. Whether you're a business owner, leader, or advisor, you'll walk away with practical ideas for creating a culture people want to be part of.

The rapid advancement of AI is closely tied to a critical yet often underestimated element – capacity. Recent breakthroughs like AI coding agents are transforming productivity. In this episode, Sam Kim - Founder and Portfolio Manager at Black Hill Capital Partners - reveals why the explosive growth in AI demands a seismic shift in chip manufacturing and how industry giants like TSMC and Nvidia are racing to keep up.Joined by Kevin Thornton- Head of Sales at AE Wealth Management- The group breaks down the implications of massive prepayments, capacity bottlenecks, and the race for raw materials in a landscape where the physical world struggles to keep pace with the cyber revolution.

Most people underestimate just how much their retirement can hinge on one key factor - cash flow. Are you prepared to turn your savings into a sustainable income, especially in today's unpredictable markets? This episode exposes the true challenge: maintaining financial independence while navigating economic shifts that threaten your nest egg. Join Kevin Thornton, Head of Sales at AE Wealth Management, as he dives into diverse visions of retirement - rich with hobbies, travel dreams, or simply spending time with family. Alongside industry experts Jeff Feldman and Chris Lakumb of RiverNorth, we unravel the complex realities facing today’s retirees.

In this debut episode of The Pursuit, Mike Loukas is joined by co-hosts Phon Vilayoune, CEO of Veta Investment Partners, and Kevin Thornton, Head of Sales at Advisors Excel– as well as guests Mike Barker, retired Navy Seal, and Larry Robinson, Chief Impact Officer with the Folds of Honor Foundation. Set in sunny Orlando during the 2026 World Series of Success hosted by Advisors Excel, the group dives into the pursuit of understanding risk.