Chepenik Financial Services is nearing its 50th anniversary. In this episode of OUTCOMES, Ross chats with Jason Chepenik, the well-known industry veteran advisor and creative genius behind the Taco-bout Retirement Food Truck, the 4.01k Race for Financial FitnessTM, and the loss of life of many, many crawfish. How did the practice grow from a one-man shop to one of the top firms in our industry? What are the “three Be’s” Jason focuses on to continue to grow his practice? What are the two “Fs” that he thinks are missing from the traditional 3-F advisory firm service model? What is Jason’s latest creative idea to engage employees? How is Chepenik Financial helping clients through these tough financial times during the current pandemic? What should the recent loss of our industry friend and colleague Dave Reish teach us? Join Ross as he chats with Jason and gain insight into the thinking of one of our industry’s leading advisors (and as a bonus, you’ll learn a versatile new Cajun phrase you can throw around to impress your friends!)

Resources: 

• Taco Truck
• Secure Retirement Institute 401(k) match research
• Ascensus Survey
• Jania Stout
• BlackRock
• How to speak Cajun

Advisors looking for growth models need look no further than Sageview Advisory, a leading retirement firm. 24 offices across the U.S. supported by 140 employees. 1200 retirement plan clients. Over $100 B in AUM. A list of industry accolades so long, it is rivaled only by the list of credentials and years of experience of the executives and team members supporting the firm. But the firm’s founder, Randy Long, is not resting on his laurels. What kind of feedback from plan sponsors has led the firm to make big changes to its focus? What does Randy think has triggered the holistic wellness movement? How has the team at Sageview successfully come together to shift to a new collective mindset? How did the team figure out how to deliver holistic wellness at scale, while still preserving the firm’s personal brand? Where does Randy see the industry headed in the next 3-5 years? How will small advisory firms stay competitive as the industry continues to consolidate? What is one lesson Randy has personally learned in the past several years as he continues to grow his firm? And how does the firm practice gratitude by giving back? Join Ross as he chats with one of our industry’s most respected founders.

Resources:
SageView Advisory
Sageview Foundation
Schwab Survey
VOYA Cares

“Financial Wellness” is the phrase currently permeating the 401(k) industry. What it boils down to for Daniel Bryant, President of National Sales, Retirement and Private Wealth at Sheridan Road Financial is, “How do we help participants help themselves?” Daniel has worked with some of the most prestigious behavioral finance minds in the finance world. What is the single issue that is preventing employees from saving more in their 401(k)? Is technology the answer? Which technologies have been thrust to the forefront because of the current pandemic? What is the one potential challenge to mass adoption of technology? And how does an advisor with a small practice prepare the digital-based industry coming five years from now?

www.sheridanroad.com

Join Ross for a conversation with Alex Assaley, Managing Principal of AFS 401(k) Retirement Services. Alex is considered a “young” advisor in an industry where the average age of an advisor is 54. Yet Alex is no rookie. With over fifteen years in the business, he has guided his firm from startup through successful growth and expansion. How did a tragic event in Alex’s past lead him to his passion? How did he grow his firm so quickly? Where has he seen the biggest expansion opportunities? What can a solo advisor do if he does not have a team to bounce around ideas, challenge decisions or provide feedback? Will robo-advisors replace financial advisors? What has Alex found to be the biggest challenge to acquiring new business, and has he overcome it? What does he think is the biggest shortcoming in the 401(k) industry, and how is that beginning to evolve? And what does piano playing have to do with the delivery of financial wellness? Tons of insight from one of the industry’s top 401(k) advisors!

www.afs401k.com

M&A activity has been on fire in the retirement industry for the past several years. Why are advisors increasingly looking for partners right now? Is it just for succession planning purposes, or are smaller firms finding specific points of disadvantage? What help are advisors looking for when vetting potential partners (nope, it’s not just technology or payout!) Join Ross as he chats with Kay Lynn Mahue, President at Merit Financial Partners. Kay Lynn shares practical help for advisors looking at potential partners, including one very insightful question advisors should ask anyone they are thinking of partnering up with, how to balance the need to make a decision with the inevitable uncertainties, and how to gain insight into firm culture and leadership philosophy. And what missteps of her own did Kay Lynn share that can help advisors spend more time focused on the right things?

meritfinancialadvisors.com

What mindset must financial advisors choose to successfully navigate external adversity like the current pandemic? Which two questions should advisors be asking themselves right now? What is the one thing advisors should avoid in the first hour of every day? Which two things do the current virtual environment require advisors to focus on to ensure an immediate positive first impression? What is one quick and simple thing advisors can do to formulate a succinct value proposition and brand? What are the best advisors doing right now to adapt to today’s uncertainty? And what on earth is Geo Arbitrage? Join Ross for this idea-rich and thought-provoking conversation with “Coach Joe” Lukacs, who has specialized in coaching and consulting financial advisors for nearly 25 years, helping them achieve their goals, break through the barriers that hold them back, and create their ideal life and business. 

www.coachjoe.guru

Jania Stout, Co-Founder of Fiduciary Plan Advisors, is called a lot of things. “Industry monster”, "a leader", a "forward thinker", “a star”. She’s on every industry award list and graces the covers of our industry magazines. Join Ross for a discussion with Jania where you’ll learn more about the person behind the labels. What incredible personal accomplishment has Jania achieved? How did NAPA’s important lobbying event, the Fly-In Forum, happen this year without members able to be “on” the Hill to talk to legislators in person? Hear about Jania’s journey to becoming the President of NAPA and get the inside scoop into how the committee member path works. What was it like testifying in front of the Ways and Means Committee, and does anyone on the Hill really listen? And what unique impact did Jania make a concerted effort to focus on as a female president of NAPA?

https://fpa.hightoweradvisors.com/

Hear from one of our industry’s most respected veterans about how his firm has built a worksite financial management business model designed to embrace today’s convergence of healthcare, retirement savings, and wealth management. What one shocking word did a long-time, happy, personally close client say that changed everything? What one thing must you do if you want to add wealth management to your 401(k) practice? What has the pandemic exposed about American household money? How do you deliver wealth management to the average employee who does not require a full blown, complex financial plan? Is it possible for holistic participant wellness to be delivered via---an app? Join Ross for a conversation with Brad Arends, Co-Founder and CEO of intellicents. If you have a 401(k) firm and you’re thinking about how to manage participant decumulation, this podcast is a must-listen!

www.intellicents.com