Today, we have two remarkable XYPN members—Tremaine Wills and Charles Ho—on the show. Tremaine and Charles both left the broker-dealer space knowing they were destined to do more meaningful work. Both ended up finding major fulfillment in being owners of their very own independent RIAs.
We speak with both Tremaine and Charles about their previous professional backgrounds, including the tears that were shed, the pressure that was applied, and the emptiness they both felt around the work they were doing. We discuss the ideas of time freedom, mission-driven work, and what it feels like to burn out. Tremaine and Charles talk very transparently about what it took in terms of support, mental stamina, and confidence to make the leap and become their own bosses. They highlight what success means to each of them and how, despite the pressure they felt from their employers, it wasn’t about making money. Instead, success to them is all about making an impact.
If you’re feeling dissatisfied or unfulfilled in your current position, then this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/300
We’re thrilled to have four incredible XYPN members on the show with us today: Alexandra Baig, Neil Mahoney, Todd Sensing, and Matthew Ricks. Each advisor has built a practice that either focuses entirely on or incorporates special needs planning—a unique niche that brings its own challenges, and of course, rewards.
From soft skills like trust and sensitivity to having deep technical expertise, specific requirements are needed to serve the special needs community. Alex, Neil, Todd, and Matthew share their individual approaches to working within this niche. Some adjust their payment structures and service models to serve their clients better, while others have developed particular marketing techniques that resonate with this community. They also touch on the importance of staying up to date on the ever-evolving nuances within the special needs space and how you should be ready to speak the language of your clients, meeting them where they are.
If you’re interested in working with the special needs community, or just hearing what it’s all about, then this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/299
Today, we’re excited to talk with three extraordinary people—Aaron Agte, Michael Reynolds, and Trishul Patel—with three remarkable things in common: they are all RIA owners, XYPN members, and, to top it off, podcasters.
In today's episode, we discuss the intricacies of hosting a podcast as a primary component of a content marketing strategy. You’ll learn that each of these advisors approaches their podcasts a little differently in terms of structure, format, and purpose. Aaron and Trishul team up to host their podcast together, while Michael hosts a live show and finds this to be the format that is best suited for him. These three share their experiences leveraging this intimate medium, how listeners desire insights, not information, and how podcasting has allowed them to establish credibility among their listeners and within the industry. They also offer their expertise about which platforms and technology to utilize and tips for keeping a cadence that works for you while maintaining a passion that’s contagious.
If you’re interested in exploring what podcasting can do for your firm, this episode is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/298
We’re excited to have Cathy Morgan and James Hindes on the show today to talk about their respective firms, Assess Financial Freedom and ENOW Financial. While Cathy and James own two separate RIAs, they share many similarities, both having entered the industry from other careers (and both being XYPN members, of course!). Cathy was and is a CPA, while James spent most of his career in the tech industry.
Today we talk about what it's like to change careers, including the good, the bad, and the scary. Cathy and James share their experience when it comes to leveraging a community, what it takes to run a business, and what kind of preparation you need to enter this industry. We talk about how career changers often feel like they need to work extra hard to stay up to date with education and compliance, how the pandemic-driven switch to virtual advising has enabled them to serve their clients better, and how to make such a people-centric role work for “high-functioning introverts.”
Cathy and James have a lot to offer our listeners today, so if you’re contemplating a career change or have been there and done that, then this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/297
We’re excited to have John Mason and Tommy Blackburn on the show today. John and Tommy are partners at Mason & Associates, a fee-only firm out of Newport News, Virginia. Tommy and John are friends, first and foremost, but also business partners, both working at a firm that John’s uncle and father started together in the early 80s.
Today, the firm serves over 400 clients, a majority of whom are federal employees. John and Tommy talk about what it was like to transition the business from a broker-dealer into an independent firm, a transition they spearheaded just last year. John and Tommy reflect on what they gave up but, more importantly, what they gained by moving away from the broker-dealer structure. They share some sage advice about how preparation can be your best friend in a transition like this. John and Tommy also have a radio show together on their local radio station, and they discuss how radio marketing is a primary lead source for them and how it enables them to further their mission by expanding their reach and impact.
If you’re interested in what it’s like to transition an existing firm into the fee-only space and to do it with a dear friend, then this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/296
We’re honored to have XYPN Director of Brand Communications, Kelly Moorman, on the show today to talk about all things brand. Kelly is a trained chemist, but married her experience with large data sets and analytical writing with her passion for storytelling to carve out a career in marketing. Today, she shares some of her best advice as a professional marketer and brand builder.
You’ll hear Kelly talk about developing a tone and voice that is real, and how that helps define your brand architecture and ultimately allows you to tell an authentic story that resonates with your audience. She explains the importance of knowing not just who you want to attract, but why, and talks about the power of repelling audiences, and why you should embrace that as much as you embrace attracting them. Throughout this episode, Kelly reiterates the importance of always knowing who you’re speaking to and meeting your target audience where they are. Kelly will leave you feeling motivated to evolve, iterate, and play with your marketing strategy—even if you aren’t a marketing guru. She’ll inspire you to be yourself, stay true to what you want to build, and most importantly, not waste your time on things that aren’t working.
If you’re interested in hearing from a professional brand expert, this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/295
We’re excited to have XYPN member Anna N’Jie Konte, the founder of the fee-only firm Dare to Dream Financial Planning out of Kensington, MD, on the show today. Anna started her firm in August of 2019 and now serves 27 clients, most of whom are business-owning women of color—clients who are just like Anna.
Anna tells us about her journey to going out on her own and how it took learning the stories of others to inspire her and paint a picture of what success may look like if she broke out on her own. She shares how being authentic is a magnet for her clients, and how her approach allows her clients to feel safe with her, and see the value of a long-term financial planning engagement. Anna’s three young girls can be heard in the background of the episode, but Anna is unfazed. Anna talks about what it’s been like to start a business from scratch as a mom and a first-generation American, the intentionality with which she’s built Dare to Dream, and how she uses a barometer of satisfaction to determine if something is working or not. Anna’s commitment to changing the reputation and face of this industry is clear, and her love for her work is even more so. Of her career Anna reflects, “I can’t believe I get paid to do this.”
If you’re interested in what it would be like to build a business as a mom and as a woman of color, this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/294
We’re excited to have XYPN member Ben Wacek, founder of Guide Financial Planning, and his firm’s Operations Manager, Amy Artiga, on the show today.
A few years ago, Amy was a stay-at-home mom, looking to pivot into the financial planning industry, and she merged her interests of writing and helping pastors when she started a blog called the Pastor’s Wallet. After hearing Ben’s original interview on #XYPNRadio about targeting people who embodied biblical principles, pastors being some of those clients, Amy reached out to Ben about potentially working for him in a part-time capacity. The rest is, as they say, history.
Today, Amy continues to work part-time for Guide in a virtual capacity as an Operations Manager, but also helps build the actual business. Her blog has only gotten more popular and continues to send prospects to Guide. Ben discusses what it was like to hire when he wasn’t necessarily looking to, and discusses how Amy is an integral part of the firm. We discuss the EOS model, client surges, and what their future plans are for themselves and their business.
If you want to learn about what it’s like to go from a stay-at-home mom, to helping run a financial planning firm targeting your ideal clients, then this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/293
We’re excited to have XYPN member Todd Pouliot, owner of Gateway Financial, a fee-only firm out of Northfield, OH, on the show today. Todd started his career spending time as a captive insurance agent and a long-time rep at a broker-dealer.
In this episode, Todd talks about his evolution to understanding the responsibilities of being a fee-only fiduciary advisor, and how that drove his ultimate decision to open his own firm. He walks us through his experience firing clients, transitioning them over, and eventually acting as a fully independent RIA. Todd speaks to the movement within our industry as being an evolution—not a revolution—and how he feels more deeply committed to his duty as an advisor than ever before. Todd serves nearly 60 clients and utilizes the support of virtual assistants to maintain balance and efficiency within his firm, but plans to hire virtually as he continues to grow. Todd shares his experience of finally finding a community of like-minded advisors, and how giving back, learning, and growing stay at the forefront of his purpose. Todd’s fee-only and fiduciary commitment to his clients drives all aspects of his business.
If you want to learn about what it’s like to transition from a broker-dealer to an independent RIA, and the fiduciary and fee-only commitments that come along with it, then this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/292
We’re excited to have XYPN members Dan and Natalie Slagle, owners of Minnesota-based fee-only firm, Fyooz Financial Planning, on the show today. Dan and Natalie are partners in life and business, and together have nearly 20 years of industry experience.
Today, they talk about how they built Fyooz intentionally to reach their target market: successful, fun, and authentic couples. They discuss what sparked the fire to launch their firm, the sacrifices they made along the way, and how their relationship has allowed them to serve their ideal client base. Together, they serve 30 clients—and have the capacity to serve 50-70 more. Dan and Natalie walk us through how they delineate roles and responsibilities, and the inherent challenges of working with your spouse. They share their candid thoughts about the pressures of the fiduciary oath they’ve taken, how they manage anxiety, and, on a lighter note, discuss what they’ve loved most about building Fyooz.
If you want to learn about what it’s like to go into business with your partner, then this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/291
We’re excited to have XYPN teammate, Taylor Deardorff, on the show today. Taylor currently manages XYPN’s Tech Team as the Product Owner, a role that allows her to leverage her deep understanding of member needs to design and create cutting-edge technology solutions for the Network.
Taylor pivoted into this industry when she joined Team XYPN back in 2018 as one of the original team members. We cover a lot of ground in this episode as we talk about the tech tools Taylor recommends for all advisors, insights into the role technology can play in scaling large business, and, how as someone who has managed anxiety her whole life, she’s been able to make decisions and move projects forward even when she’s not 100% confident. As an avid reader and efficiency whiz, Taylor shares her words of wisdom about uncovering your “why” and leaves listeners with some great book recommendations.
If you’re interested in how to leverage a technology mindset in this industry or your practice, this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/290
We’re excited to have XYPN member Lamar Watson, owner of Dream Financial planning, a fee-only firm out of Reston, VA, on the show today.
Lamar started his career in this industry before he even went to college! He was an avid follower of the stock market and reader of Warren Buffet. While he was in college, he secured an internship at a diverse Scottrade branch where he received valuable insight, training, and mentorship in the financial services industry. Lamar walks us through his career from how he pitched himself in an interview before he even graduated from college to how he climbed the ranks and finally to how and why he decided to open his own RIA. Lamar talks about what it was like to move from a steady high-paying job to working one-on-one with his ideal types of clients—the newbies who have never worked with a financial planner before.
If you want to learn about what it’s like to work your way up through this industry and then launch your dream firm, this show is for you.
You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/289