Jeff Jones is the owner and founder of Cypress Financial Planning, an independent RIA based out of New Jersey that oversees $275 million in assets under management for 380 client households. Jeff stands out for creating custom financial planning spreadsheets in Excel that seamlessly integrate into PowerPoint presentations, an approach that not only crafts a compelling financial story for clients, but also ensures transparency in every projection.

Listen in as Jeff shares how he leveraged his engineering background at Lockheed Martin to craft unique Excel spreadsheets, which later inspired a FinTech company now catering to other financial planning firms. You'll learn why he decided not to partner with the FinTech venture (opting instead for specific equity agreements to motivate partners and plan for his exit strategy), as well as how the invaluable guidance from FP Transitions helped in valuing his firm. Jeff also opens up about his early mentorship experiences and his aspirations to contribute through pro bono financial planning.

For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/348

Cary Carbonaro is the Senior Vice President and Director of Women and Wealth Services for Advisor Capital Management, an independent RIA with offices around the country that oversees more than $6 billion in assets under management for 1,700 households. Cary distinctively transitioned from selling her practice to United Capital to establishing a leadership role, only to later grapple with the sale of United Capital to Goldman Sachs. This shift presented complexities as she encountered a culture not attuned to her media-centric approach to advisor marketing.

Listen in as Cary recounts her decision to launch her own advisory practice during tech crashes and dwindling marketing budgets, as well as her subsequent choice to sell to United Capital. She also discusses the transformative sale of United Capital to Goldman Sachs and its impact on her marketing strategies, her efforts to buy back her practice, and her move to a smaller firm amidst personal challenges. You'll hear about Cary’s early career confidence struggles and how her evolving definition of success now goes beyond practice growth.

For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/347

Jim Ludwick is the founder of MainStreet Financial Planning, an hourly, fee-only financial planning firm, and Procrastination Junction, a coaching program for fee-only financial advisors looking to improve their sales skills. Jim stands out for his three-decade track record in transforming hesitant prospects into loyal fee-only financial planning clients, not through aggressive sales tactics, but by assisting them in their journey from their current situation to their ideal financial position, effectively helping them overcome their own procrastination.

Listen in as Jim shares his journey to success in the financial services industry, discussing how he leveraged networks like the Garrett Network and NAPFA to bolster referrals, as well as why he modified his sales funnel to enhance conversion rates and profitability. You'll hear his perspective on the key to building a top-tier fee-only financial advice business, how he structured his firm around the core principle of work-life balance, and what game-changing strategy enabled him to scale his business.

For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/346

Lori Van Dusen is the CEO of LVW Advisors, an independent RIA based out of New York state that oversees more than $2 billion in assets under management for over 450 small-to-mid-sized institutions and ultra-high-net-worth households. Lori's unique niche lies in her multi-decade expertise in handling the complexities of investment issues faced by small-to-mid-sized institutions and ultra-high-net-worth families, which she leverages to differentiate her RIA focused on serious investing.

Listen in as Lori shares her journey to amassing extensive investment expertise, adopting a unique portfolio management strategy, establishing a governance calendar for client interactions, enduring a lawsuit from Citigroup post-independence, and learning the significance of due diligence when selecting an advisor platform. Lori also reflects on the aftermath of her decision to launch her own RIA, the challenges faced and lessons learned, her journey to rebuild billions in AUM, and her persistent optimism that shaped her into the successful advisory firm owner she is today.

For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/345

Brad Barrett is the Managing Director and Partner of One Capital Management, an independent RIA based in Westlake Village, California, that oversees $5.3 billion in assets under management for more than 2,000 client households. Brad's unique approach to business development has helped his firm scale and grow organically by creating multiple niche specializations, or business segments, each led by a dedicated advisor team.

Listen in as Brad discusses the firm's unique approach to growth through the development of specialized business segments and the strategic acquisition of niche practices. You'll learn about their innovative media strategy, the importance of regular evaluation of business segments, and the lessons learned from a challenging partnership experience. Finally, Brad shares his insights on the benefits of specialization, the importance of setting realistic career expectations, and the pursuit of long-term advisor happiness and financial success.

For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/344