In this episode, we sit down with Jane Mepham, CFP®, Founder and CEO of Elgon Financial Advisors, a fee-only firm based in Austin, Texas that specializes in serving foreign-born individuals. Originally from Kenya, Jane shares her journey of coming to the U.S. to study computer science and how a lack of cultural competence in financial advising inspired her to shift careers and launch her own firm.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/397

In this episode of XYPN Radio, I chat with Nathan Donohue, co-founder and partner at Consilio Wealth Advisors, a fee-only firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nathan shares his experience transitioning his team from a broker-dealer to an RIA and what it takes to successfully run a growing advisory firm today.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/396

We dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey, discussing the realities of training and mentoring talent, and the inevitable challenge of team members moving on. We explore how perfecting your firm's story, values and mission not only draws in clients but also helps you attract the best talent. Caleb shares valuable insights, including key stats on compensation and hiring timelines, as well as practical tips for vetting applicants through interviews and work samples.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/395

In this episode, we welcome Jason Speciner, founder and CEO of Financial Planning Fort Collins, or FPFoCo, a comprehensive financial planning and tax preparation firm based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Jason, who last appeared on the show in 2019, returns to share exciting updates on his firm’s growth, the evolution of his team, and the challenges they’ve overcome along the way.

FPFoCo now serves over 120 clients, and Jason credits their success to the specialized expertise of his team and their commitment to continually improving processes and systems.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/394

In this episode of XYPN Radio, we welcome back Ashley Foster, CFP®, founder of NXT:GEN Financial Planning. You might remember Ashley from Episode 321 in 2021, where he shared his journey transitioning from the insurance industry to the fee-only financial planning world. Today, Ashley gives us an inside look at the firm he built, which now serves over 50 clients, focusing primarily on young to mid-career veterinarians.

Discover how niching down has allowed Ashley to align his passion with purpose while building a lifestyle practice.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/393

In this episode of XYPN Radio, we sit down with Jamie Lima, CFP®, CDFA®, MBA, an XYPN Ambassador, and the founder of Woodson Wealth Management and Allegiant Divorce Solutions, two virtual firms. Jamie's journey is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, having transitioned from managing 450 households at large wirehouses to founding his firm amid the COVID pandemic of 2020.

Jamie shares his unconventional path to gain marketing momentum, including how posting a profile on Thumbtack outperformed multiple marketing agencies. He also delves into his strategic hiring decisions, from bringing on an Operations Manager as a W2 employee to scaling his firm with 1099 advisors.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/392

In today’s episode of XYPN Radio I am thrilled to have Ed Smith and Amanda Lique of Valor Wealth Partners on the show. Valor Wealth Partners specializes in serving civilian federal employees and handling their complex financial situations. Ed and Amanda are here to share their journey of building their firm from the ground up.

We dive into the origins of their partnership, their strategic collaboration with ProFed to host workshops for their ideal clients, and the early investments that paved the way for their success. Despite the inherent risks, Ed and Amanda have no regrets in the venture and have grown their client base to over 100 satisfied clients.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/391

In today’s episode we are joined by John Bovard, CFP®, founder and CEO of Incline Wealth Advisors, a thriving wealth management firm based in Cincinnati. John launched his firm in 2020, just before the pandemic, and has impressively grown it to serve over 75 clients with a dedicated two person team supporting him and the firm’s continued growth.

We delve into John's unique "barbell" approach to client management, focusing primarily on his niche work with business owners. John shares his insights on how he successfully guides these clients through the complex financial decisions involved in running their businesses. John discusses his flat fee pricing model and comprehensive service approach, offering listeners a transparent view of his strategies. 

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/390

We are thrilled to welcome back Linden Cornett, the founder of Seagrass Financial. Linden holds the honor of being the first guest to return three times over our eight-year journey at XYPN Radio. Many recent guests have mentioned Linden as a role model within our community, and for good reason.

As a proud solopreneur, Linden has masterfully built systems and processes that allow her to scale and take well-deserved vacations. She gives us an inside look at how she leverages tools like Asana and introduces her innovative 15-hour intro planning package for new clients. Transparency is key as Linden openly shares her revenue and client numbers and offers invaluable advice for new advisors considering a shift into this space.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/389

In this episode of XYPN Radio, we are thrilled to welcome back Jack Arnold, CFP®, and David Harpool, AAMS®, founders of AVID Planning in St. Petersburg, Florida. Having first joined us in January 2022 on XYPN Radio Episode 326, Jack and David return to share the significant changes and challenges they’ve faced while continuing to build and grow their firm. 

They discuss the considerations required when moving from a large financial advisory firm to an independent RIA, navigating non-compete clauses, and handling compliance when first striking out on their own. We delve into their unique partnership dynamics, exploring how they manage disagreements and how their friendship and shared passion for their work strengthen their professional relationship. 

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/383

In this episode of XYPN Radio, we welcome back Rebecca Conner, CFP®, founder of SeedSafe Financial. 

Rebecca shares how she has evolved SeedSafe from a lifestyle practice into a firm that now serves over 90 ongoing clients with a team of five. She provides insights into her management philosophy, including how she inspires and empowers her team while also maintaining a manageable work-life balance. We also dive into her strategies for sustaining a 25-30 hour work week, and giving her team the same flexibility.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/387

On today's episode, we are thrilled to welcome XYPN member, Reese Harper, CFP ®, and Carl Richards, CFP ®, to XYPN Radio. These innovative minds are behind the cutting-edge technology called Elements, XYPN’s newest technology partner.  We'll dive deep into the origins of Elements, the technology itself, and the ideas that inspired its creation.

Reese shares how his frustrations with the lack of realistic, standardized measurements for a client's financial health led him to define what he calls the client's 11 vital signs—an essential aspect that eventually led to the development of Elements. These vital signs don't just transform the delivery of financial planning services by advisors, but they also redefine the client's experience and the overall value of financial planning.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/386

Today we welcome Mike Zung, CFP®, founder of Java Wealth Planning, an RIA based in Kansas City, Missouri to XYPN Radio. Mike shares insights into his journey from launching his firm part-time while still working in software development, to eventually transitioning to a full-time role serving over 30 tech industry clients. 

Mike and I cover marketing strategies, successfully transitioning from project-based to ongoing planning, and how he defines value for his clients. This episode provides valuable wisdom for advisors who change careers and the opportunities that can be leveraged by leaning into their previous expertise and personality strengths.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/383

This special episode of XYPN Radio will be Alan’s last episode before turning the podcast over to Maddy Roche! Alan talks about the transition before diving into a special episode with Patrick King, founder of Prana Wealth Management in Atlanta, Georgia. Patrick's journey began as an engineer designing machinery, but a realization about his financial advisor's priorities sparked his transition into financial planning. After earning his MBA, he gained experience at various large RIAs before deciding to start his own firm. Despite initial challenges, Patrick embraced YouTube to reach his ideal clientele, pivoting from targeting dual-income households to focusing on pre-retirees. Join us as Patrick shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the role of YouTube in building his successful fee-only practice.

Explore Tara Tussing Unverzagt's innovative approach to financial planning. Tara's path to success involves leveraging her expertise as a certified financial therapist and prioritizing accessibility in her services.

In this conversation, Tara shares how she has evolved her firm's offerings over the years to make financial planning accessible to diverse client populations. From hourly consultations to community-building initiatives, Tara's firm ensures fairness and affordability through a sliding scale fee structure based on income and assets. 

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: 

https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/380

Embracing your authentic self can be terrifying, but our guest today took the leap and built an amazingly successful RIA by connecting with her niche. Our guest today, Lindsey Young, CFP®, and founder of Quiet wealth, shares shares her journey, and how she found success. Lindsey navigated diverse career terrains, from strategy consulting to the Peace Corps, tech in San Francisco, venture capital, and investment banking. Her decision to transition before starting the firm, driven by authenticity moving forward, resonated with her clients.

On this episode, Lindsey shares her unique sales process, targeting successful LGBTQ professionals with a focus on clients with a net worth of one to five million. The conversation delves into her marketing strategies, emphasizing the significant return on investment from Google Ads and overall SEO efforts. Lindsey's experience offers a nuanced perspective on building trust within the LGBTQ community and highlights the broader appeal of her approach, serving both LGBTQ and straight clients. Join us for a deep dive into Lindsey's flat-fee model, her compensation structure, and the challenges and opportunities she encounters as a financial planner. I

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/379

Join us this week as we explore Prosp(a)rity, a non-profit dedicated to nurturing, uplifting, and advancing Black women, and ultimately positioning them to pay it forward to their communities and next generations. Bri Franklin, Co-Founder of Prosp(a)rity, shares her journey — from post-Ivy League student debt to catalyzing change.

This episode, Bri emphasizes the urgency of addressing predatory lending and student debt, spotlighting the systemic changes required. She details the programs Prosp(a)rity, champions. If you're a financial advisor seeking meaningful involvement, Bri outlines avenues for your impactful contribution. It's more than personal finance; it's about fostering resilience, community, and pursuing financial empowerment for all.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/378

Maggie Klokkenga shares her insights into her client engagement process, which involves 8 to 10 one-hour-long meetings over several weeks, and the positive outcomes she's witnessed.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting this link:

https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/376

Many of our recent guests have discussed how things are 2,3, 4 years after starting. But what about when you’re in the thick of it? Our guest today, Nycole Freer, founder of Eden Financial is only 8 months into her solo RIA journey and tells us what it’s like!

Whether you're an aspiring business owner, a new entrepreneur navigating challenges, or an established owner reflecting on your progress, Nycole's story is a great touchstone for so many of us. Be sure to tune in and join us as we see another new advisor building towards their very own best life.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/375   

Join us on this episode of XYPN Radio as we introduce you to Tim and Alexis Woodward, co-founders of Blend Wealth. These financial planners decided to blend not just their lives but also their financial expertise, serving blended families and business owners.

Discover how they've diversified their services, embraced their Christian faith in financial planning, and managed a thriving business while nurturing a harmonious marriage. This is an episode you won't want to miss.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/374   

What does it look like to scale your RIA and how long does it take? How big of an impact does it really make to have a niche? When should you start hiring, and who should it be when you do? 

Co-Founders Alan Moore and Michael Kitces met onstage this year to review the highlights of the seventh-annual Member Benchmarking Study in this episode of XYPN Radio. Every year, the study gathers information from XYPN member participants to get an accurate picture of how advisors are doing in their firms.