Next Mile

Episode 130: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Adam Spiegelman, Founder and Wealth Advisor at Spiegelman Wealth Management, which offers investment and wealth management programs and services for high-net-worth clients. The company’s mission is to develop enduring relationships with clients by providing professional guidance for a lifetime of financial security.  Adam talks with Kyle about what it really means to go independent and why freedom, service, and intentional scale matter more in financial services. He shares why he left large firms to build a boutique RIA, the emotional weight of the transition, and how he maintains a human-centric approach in an automated world. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:32) - Adam's money moment (03:18) - Navigating the LPL acquisition of Commonwealth (06:07) - What Adam learned after going independent (08:41) - The reality of independence (10:09) - The challenges and rewards of building a custom technology ecosystem (13:03) - What made Commonwealth technology user-friendly (17:53) - Adam's vision for Spiegelman Wealth Management (20:20) - What great service actually looks like in practice (22:31) - Adam's growth strategies (26:04) - Adam's outlook on the future of the wealth management industry (28:30) - Adam's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Freedom creates clarity, but also responsibility. Going independent removes bureaucracy but also challenges leaders to own every decision, especially in technology and operations. Great service lives in the small, thoughtful moments. Picking up the phone, anticipating confusion, and proactively helping clients through stressful situations often matter more than flashy offerings. Growth doesn't have to mean “bigger”. Staying intentionally small can be a competitive advantage when relationships, trust, and responsiveness are the core product. AI will change the work, but not remove the human role. As modeling and analysis become commoditized, judgment, empathy, and contextual thinking become even more valuable. Quotes "I talked to dozens of recruiters, firms, and advisors. And I did all this due diligence with one purpose in mind: to scare me out of wanting to go independent. And no one could scare me. I knew in my heart that this was the absolute right thing to do." ~ Adam Spiegelman "I learned a long time ago that this business is not just about lining my pockets. It's not about money and fees, it's about relationships." ~ Adam Spiegelman "People want to take more charge of their finances. Gone are the days of pension plans and the government providing all that support." ~ Adam Spiegelman Links  Adam Spiegelman on LinkedIn Spiegelman Wealth Management Fidelity Investments A Gentleman in Moscow Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 129: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Mitch Hamer. Mitch is the Founder & Lead Advisor at Intersecting Wealth, where he partners with families to navigate their financial lives with clarity and intention. With an approach rooted more in psychology and behavior, Mitch helps clients step back from the things that get far too much attention and focus on the priorities that are often overlooked.  Kyle and Mitch unpack the real alpha inside modern advisory work. They also discuss the challenges of scaling a highly personalized service, the importance of building a multi-generational firm to serve multi-generational clients, and the self-aware entrepreneurial path that focuses on alignment, work-life balance, and finding your own unique way in the industry. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:55) - Mitch's money moment (03:32) - Mitch's journey from options trading to wealth advisory (09:16) - Why advisors say planning is everything (12:08) - The challenges of scaling highly personalized service (15:38) - What it takes to start an RIA without an established book of business (22:03) - The difference between a strategist and a technician (25:40) - How Intersecting Wealth builds a multi-generational firm (29:35) - The future of Intersecting Wealth (31:26) - Mitch's take on the future of the financial services industry (34:27) - Intersecting Wealth's tech stack (35:34) - Mitch's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Planning, not returns, is where trust is built. Advisors often feel pressure to deliver higher returns, but most client anxiety comes from uncertainty around spending, legacy, and purpose. Behavioral insight is a real advisory skillset. Advisors who understand behavior, fear, emotion, and decision-making are positioned to add more value than technical portfolio expertise alone. Don't confuse activity with value. Spending too much time on complex, non-scalable technical work can prevent growth. Realize that your greatest contribution might be in the human element, the listening, strategizing, and having hard conversations with clients. Quotes "I realized that the value-add was the conversations away from investments. And that's the reason why I ended up doing really deep advanced planning across the financial planning spectrum." ~ Mitch Hamer "When you're sitting across from a family, and you're starting to unpack what they're trying to accomplish or what makes them nervous, it's often verbalized as 'I'm uncomfortable with risk'. But what I'm seeing them verbalize is 'I don't really know what my plan is.’” ~ Mitch Hamer "You can't overlay tech on trust. It's not going to be a tech platform that moves advisors over. It's going to be a service model that wins them." ~ Mitch Hamer Links  Mitch Hamer on LinkedIn Intersecting Wealth Cboe Global Markets John Marshall Goldman Sachs Morgan Stanley Merrill Lynch Stratos Wealth eMoney Advisor RightCapital Income Lab Wealthbox Money Together Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 128: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Tyson Ray, CEO, Founding Partner, and Senior Wealth Advisor at FORM Wealth Advisors. Tyson helps financial advisors exit their businesses with clarity, confidence, and no regrets. He's been recognized as a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor, AdvisorHub Advisors to Watch, and Barron's Top 1200 Advisor.   Kyle and Tyson discuss what it takes to build a successful wealth advisory practice that balances growth, client care, and community impact. Tyson shares the strategies, leadership mindset, and values that have guided his career to success. He also discusses his SPACE (See, Prepare, Act, Commit, Exit) framework, which reveals how advisors can exit their practice confidently and fully compensated, while keeping their clients' interests first and foremost. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:12) - Tyson's money moment (05:48) - Valuable lessons Tyson learned during the early stages of his career (07:26) - How to build a career that lasts a lifetime (10:23) - The power of structure, boundaries, and accountability in scaling a firm (13:51) - The SPACE framework (21:29) - The importance of building a multi-generational team (30:07) - How Tyson finds and trains his team members  (32:52) - Why you should “never enter data twice” (34:59) - Tyson's outlook on the future of the industry (40:36) - Tyson's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Great leadership begins with humility. The best leaders don't pretend to have all the answers. They listen, learn, and grow alongside their teams. Don't let fear define your future. If you know a change is necessary for growth, don't let fear hold you back from what is ultimately the right thing for your firm's long-term health and your own personal well-being. Invest in the next generation of advisors. Intentionally recruit and mentor younger team members to build a truly multi-generational firm—one where clients feel confident their advisor won’t retire before they do, and where modern, responsive service comes naturally. Make space for succession. You cannot effectively plan for your future or your firm without intentionally creating the time and mental room to do it. The succession process is not just about selling or retiring; it's about seeing a vision, committing to the necessary actions, and exiting with confidence and purpose. Quotes "You can't let fear prevent you from doing what's right." ~ Tyson Ray "The reason most of us don't do planning for ourselves is that we don't create the space to do it." ~ Tyson Ray "How to build your business is to hire caretakers of what you've built to free you up, because most likely, you are the rainmaker." ~ Tyson Ray Links  Tyson Ray on LinkedIn FORM Wealth Advisors Total Succession Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 127: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Matt Regan, President at Wealthcare. With more than two decades in the financial services industry, Matt has helped build several transformative business models, including launching the retail brokerage and OpenIPO system at WR Hambrecht+Co. His work has consistently focused on scaling world-class organizations with a strong commitment to the client experience. Kyle talks with Matt about building scalable, sustainable advisory businesses at the intersection of technology and operations. Matt shares his journey into wealth management, the evolution of Wealthcare from planning software to a full-service platform, and how standardized systems drive organic growth and enterprise value. They dive into affiliation models, M&A strategy, talent challenges, and the future of advice in an AI-driven world—especially for emerging advisors and smaller clients. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:44) - Matt's money moment 0. (03:58) - Wealthcare's origin story (06:20) - Wealthcare's affiliation model (12:24) - Common pitfalls in M&A (14:04) - The talent gap and finding Gen 2 successors (15:33) - Matt's thoughts about the future of M&A (19:34) - What it takes to build a firm from $0 to $100M in today's market (22:47) - The role of AI in serving HENRYs (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) (26:50) - Why soft skills are the new hard currency (28:27) - Matt's outlook on the future of the industry (32:37) - Matt's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Standardization creates enterprise value. A repeatable operating system is what turns an advisory practice into a real business. Consistency across planning, investments, client service, and operations becomes your biggest growth lever. Tech-enabled platforms only matter if the tech actually supports the advisor's workflow. A true tech platform is not a stack of tools. It's a single operating system that connects planning, investments, trading, and service in one experience.  "Date before you marry" might be the future of advisor M&A. Affiliation provides an opportunity for advisors to integrate systems, see the culture, and test-fit a partner long before selling the firm. It reduces regret and increases alignment. Not every acquisition is a good acquisition. Great M&A means buying businesses you can meaningfully improve. Quotes "What the founder of this firm preached was that you should do things in a very systematic, repeatable way. It's the only way you scale. It's the only way you grow organically." ~ Matt Regan "[Being a financial advisor] takes an incredible amount of resilience and aggressive dedication to building a business. And it's not for the faint of heart." ~ Matt Regan "Progress empowers the people who work for us here and creates career paths and a valuable professional life for Wealthcare's employees. I care deeply about the people who work here. And I want to see them not only succeed financially, but become happy people." ~ Matt Regan Links  Matt Regan on LinkedIn Wealthcare Capital Management Wells Fargo Fidelity Investments Orion Advisor Solutions Charles Schwab Morgan Stanley The Passenger Blood Meridian Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 126: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Sarah Simmer, Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Heritage Wealth Advisors. Sarah delivers customized wealth management and tax planning services to individuals and families, with a special focus on multi-generational households. Sarah talks with Kyle about what world-class client experience truly requires, especially for ultra-high-net-worth families. She shares the tactical side of scaling a white-glove firm, highlighting the importance of rigorous client segmentation, the courage to have difficult fee conversations, and how to use data to determine exactly who you should and shouldn't be serving.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:10) - Sarah's money moment (06:11) - How Sarah's mother influenced her career in wealth management (09:13) - How an auditor's mindset translates to serving high-net-worth families (10:30) - What client experience means for ultra-high-net-worth families (13:16) - How Sarah uncovers and manages client expectations (17:55) - Why proactively discussing fees can reinforce value (22:46) - How Heritage scales white-glove service to ultra-high-net-worth clients (30:03) - How a scaled white-glove service feels personalized (34:08) - Sarah's outlook on the future of the financial services industry (36:22) - Sarah's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Client experience is not a deliverable. It's the whole relationship.  The client's perception is the reality. Leaders need a consistent feedback loop to ensure the experience matches the intent. Audit-trained minds bring hidden superpowers. Learning how to learn quickly and diagnose problems is often more valuable than specific industry knowledge.  Don't fear the fee conversation. While many leaders shy away from this topic, proactively raising it allows you to realign expectations. If the client hesitates on the fee, it's an immediate signal that there is a disconnect in the perceived value of the service being delivered. Providing white-glove services at scale requires a personalized approach. White-glove service feels impossible to scale unless you define exactly who fits in which bucket. Quotes "At the end of the day, we're a people business, so the client's experience is their reality. We can think we're doing a fantastic job, but if the client has a terrible experience through all of it, we're not going to stay in business." ~ Sarah Simmer "If you believe in the value you're providing to your clients, you shouldn't be scared to check in with them on how that fee feels." ~ Sarah Simmer "If we can focus on making the information and the story we're trying to get to the client more aligned with the types of experiences they enjoy, that's the goal." ~ Sarah Simmer Links  Sarah Simmer on LinkedIn Heritage Wealth Advisors PwC Dee Ann Remo KPMG International McKinsey A Bit Much Northanger Abbey Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 125: In this special New Year's 2025 episode, Kyle Van Pelt brings together four standout voices to explore why wealth technology still feels broken—and what actually fixes it. Jeremy Nelson explains how rising client complexity demands centralized planning and operational tech that can truly scale. Art Ambarik shares how fragmented data and poor transitions create bottlenecks that distract advisors from clients. Kylie Felker shows how efficient systems make room for unreasonable hospitality and deeply human service. And Terry Parham Jr outlines how impact, efficiency, and effectiveness improve when firms own and streamline their data. Together, these conversations reveal how better integration—not more tools—is the path forward. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (00:30) – Jeremy Nelson on rising client complexity and why centralized tech is essential for scale (03:25) – Art Ambarik on data bottlenecks, advisor transitions, and removing operational friction (08:30) – Kylie Felker on using efficient systems to create unreasonable hospitality for clients (15:30) – Terry Parham Jr on evaluating wealth tech through impact, efficiency, and effectiveness Links  Jeremy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-my-element-wealth/  Element Wealth: https://myelementwealth.com/ Art Ambarik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-ambarik-cfp%C2%AE-75359457/  Perigon Wealth Management: https://www.perigonwealth.com/  Kylie Felker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyliekotowskifelker/  Foster Victor Wealth Advisors: https://fostervictor.com/  Terry Parham Jr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tepjr/  Innovative Wealth Building: https://innovativewealthbuilding.com/  Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 124: In this special Christmas 2025 episode, Kyle Van Pelt brings together four standout voices to explore what it takes to identify, attract, develop, and retain the next generation of talent. Daniel Spurgeon shares how firms can spot potential early and create intentional career pathways instead of reactive hires. Kristen Oziemkowski explains what today’s young professionals are really looking for—and how purpose, culture, and clarity drive attraction. Eric Kittner highlights the power of mentorship, in-person learning, and real responsibility in developing talent. And Matt Matrisian makes the case that long-term growth, trust, and investment are essential to retention. Together, these conversations offer a practical roadmap for building teams that thrive well into the future. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:54) – Daniel Spurgeon on identifying potential early and building intentional career pathways (07:32) – Kristen Oziemkowski on attracting young professionals through purpose, culture, and clarity (16:53) – Eric Kittner on developing the next generation through mentorship and real responsibility (24:52) – Matt Matrisian on retaining talent by investing in growth, trust, and long-term vision Links  Daniel Spurgeon on LinkedIn Commonwealth Financial Services Kristen Oziemkowski on LinkedIn The Mather Group Eric Kittner on LinkedIn Moneta Group Matt Matrisian on LinkedIn Signature Estate & Investment Advisors Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 123: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Tim Thomas, Chief Investment Officer and Wealth Manager at Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers. Tim joined Badgley Phelps in 2008 and brings more than two decades of experience in financial planning and portfolio management. He specialized in security analysis and selection, portfolio construction, asset allocation, and alternative investments. Tim shares with Kyle about the mechanics of modern portfolio construction. He discusses why the financial plan must be the north star for investment strategy, how to navigate the noisy and rapidly democratizing world of alternative investments, and how AI is changing the backend of advisory work without replacing the human connection. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:33) - Tim's money moment (02:57) - Marrying financial planning with investment strategy (03:56) - How investing has changed over time (06:18) - The rise in alternative investments (09:55) - Understanding alts as more than one asset class (16:24) - How Badgley Phelps helps clients navigate the nuances of alts (18:27) - Managing M&A and the acquisition of Marshall & Sullivan (21:45) - How Badgley Phelps approaches holistic planning (23:40) - Tim's thoughts about the future of the industry (27:25) - Tim's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Planning is a strategy. Investments are implementation.  The most effective portfolios are built after the cash flow model is complete.  By understanding the client's lifestyle needs and success rates first, you can determine the specific hurdle rate required to achieve their goals.  Democratization of alts is exciting, but operational risk is real. Alternative investments are booming, but they shouldn't be added to a portfolio just because they are trendy or accessible. Customization beats cookie-cutter strategies. Whether it's equities, fixed income, or alts, thoughtful leaders build client portfolios around client-specific needs — income, growth, risk tolerance, or liquidity — instead of defaulting to one-size-fits-all recommendations. The quarterback model vs. the generalist. There is a massive industry push to bring tax, legal, and estate planning in-house. Sometimes, building a bespoke team of external experts serves the client better than a one-size-fits-all internal department. Quotes "Planning has really come to the forefront, and the investments are critically important because that is the implementation of the plan. But the planning has definitely risen in prominence, and it has a much bigger role than it used to." ~ Tim Thomas "It's just incredible to see how fast alts have grown in prominence and how big an allocation they're getting in portfolios these days. We're missing out on some opportunities by not having them." ~ Tim Thomas "When you think about technology, computers are really good at crunching a lot of data, sorting, and solving a lot of different things at the same time. What they can't replace is that conversation with a client." ~ Tim Thomas Links  Tim Thomas on LinkedIn Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers Vanguard iCapital CAIS Focus Financial Partners Marshall & Sullivan, Inc. Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology Boom: Bubbles and the End of Stagnation Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 122: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Eden Ovadia, Co-Founder of FINNY. Before FINNY, Eden worked on the private equity team at Boston Consulting Group, where she advised on major M&A deals across the wealth management space. Driven by her background in AI and engineering, and inspired by the wealthtech industry's shifting dynamics, Eden co-founded FINNY to help advisors build predictable, personalized, and tech-enabled organic growth engines.  Eden discusses why the wealth management industry is ripe for innovation and disruption. She also shares why referrals are no longer enough to drive organic growth, and how FINNY rewrites the marketing playbook using machine learning to create hyper-personalized, high-propensity matches between advisors and prospects. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:18) - Eden's money moment (04:12) - Innovation in wealth management (07:28) - Why referrals are no longer enough to grow organically (09:25) - How FINNEY rewrites the traditional marketing playbook (16:16) - The power of niching and segmentation in organic growth (18:14) - Introducing the F-score: FINNY's proprietary machine learning algorithm (22:56) - What it takes to build an advisor-first tech stack (24:18) - FINNY's future goals (25:39) - FINNY's outlook on the future of the wealth management industry (28:51) - Eden's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Referrals are great. But they're no longer enough to grow organically. Referrals are a linear expansion tied to an advisor's personal time and energy. True scalability requires building an engine that works in the background for you. Consumer behavior has changed. Your growth strategy should, too. The next generation of clients shops for everything digitally, including financial guidance. They expect personalized, tech-enabled experiences.  Niche and segment. The firms breaking out from the pack are the ones that define exactly who they serve. Not "retirees," but "retirees selling a dental practice." Not "business owners," but "HVAC operators with succession on their minds." Precision builds trust, and trust accelerates conversion. Organic growth must become intentional and operationalized. The fastest-growing firms don't stumble into growth. They measure it, build systems for it, and treat it with the same seriousness as investing or planning. Growth becomes predictable when it becomes part of your operating rhythm. Quotes "Referrals will always be king. The problem with referrals is that they grow with every advisor's time, energy, and resources. It doesn't scale exponentially. It scales with your time and money" ~ Eden Ovadia "If you're an advisor who wants to build a generational business, you need to start building and investing effort in creating a growth engine, because referrals will decline year over year." ~ Eden Ovadia "If you believe that there's going to be a lack of a hundred thousand advisors in the near future, we view FINNY as the tool that can serve as the optimization layer between the supply of financial advisors and the demand for financial advice." ~ Eden Ovadia Links  Eden Ovadia on LinkedIn FINNY Brian Chesky Y Combinator Boston Consulting Group JUMP AI Zocks Outliers Never Split the Differences Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 121: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Mark Buffington, CEO at BIP Capital and Managing Partner at BIP Ventures. Since founding BIP Capital, Mark has helped shape the firm into one of the most active and respected investment brands outside Silicon Valley. He’s also spearheaded several of its most forward-thinking initiatives, from a private-equity Evergreen BDC to a proprietary deep-data AI platform and a Performance Engineering framework built to create category-leading companies and deliver premium exits. Mark and Kyle explore what it takes to build a wealth advisory practice that blends growth, service, and innovation. Mark explains the regulatory and educational hurdles that have historically kept most individuals at arm’s length from the innovation economy—and the unconventional solution BIP created to bridge that gap. He also breaks down how BIP adapted “performance engineering” principles from its tech portfolio to transform business culture and fuel record-breaking growth in the wealth management space. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:30) - Mark's money moment (08:50) - Why individuals struggle to access private markets (15:08) - How BIP connects investors to alternative and private market opportunities (23:32) - Bringing “performance engineering” into BIP’s business strategy (27:46) - The challenge of building a sales culture on top of a service culture (31:43) - The internal and external tech stack powering BIP’s growth (37:15) - Mark’s outlook on the future of financial services (43:16) - Mark's Milemarker minute Key Takeaways A sales culture can enhance—not replace—service excellence. A strong service-driven culture doesn’t conflict with growth. When layered thoughtfully, a disciplined sales and marketing process amplifies the value you deliver while expanding your firm’s reach. The traditional advisory value proposition isn’t enough. As the industry becomes more complex and competitive, simple asset allocation or basic planning won’t consistently attract or retain clients. Advisors need differentiated value supported by expertise, technology, and innovation. Technology is a strategic advantage when you control it. Building or owning your tech and data enables better decisions, stronger efficiency, and a better client experience—especially as AI accelerates what’s possible. Innovation removes structural barriers. Regulation, access limitations, and operational friction often hold back growth. Firms that find creative ways to overcome those barriers can separate themselves from competitors and unlock new opportunities. Quotes "The market shifted. Traditional advisors that provide basic asset allocation and some basic planning are not enough to win and keep business consistently." ~ Mark Buffington "In a world where advisors are increasingly under competitive pressure, how do we give them an advantage? Technologically, with AI and with private market products, and in ways that integrate with their workflows." ~ Mark Buffington "We are in the advice business, but we're also in the worry elimination business. The real value to individuals with complex lives, who are raising kids and trying to manage their own careers, is to take that worry and concern off their plates." ~ Mark Buffington Links  Mark Buffington on LinkedIn Bill Harris BIP Capital BIP Ventures BIP Wealth iCapital CAIS Charles Schwab Christy Johnson Andrew Somoza Hart Williford Tamarac | Envestnet Orion Advisor Solutions Envestnet | MoneyGuide eMoney Advisor Plaid Skin in the Game Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube

Episode 120: As firms enter strategic planning season, Kyle Van Pelt brings together the strongest technology insights from four standout leaders. Nelly Mubashi explains the operational realities of supporting multiple advisor-selected platforms. Carrie Delgott highlights why consolidation into a unified stack unlocks collaboration and efficiency. Phillip Hamman shares how long-term planning and thoughtful automation free advisors to deliver “unreasonable hospitality.” And Michael Batnick offers a candid look at integration frustration inside a hyper-growth firm. Whether you’re expanding advisor choice or tightening your stack, this episode clarifies what it takes to build a scalable, integrated tech ecosystem that truly serves your team. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:54) - Nelly Mubashi on supporting advisors across multiple platforms like Tamarac and Orion (05:01) - Carrie Delgott on why aligning the firm around one tech stack drives efficiency and collaboration  (07:14) - Phillip Hamman on using technology to free up advisors and deliver “unreasonable hospitality” (12:04) - Michael Batnick on the challenges of selecting tools that integrate well in a fast-growing firm Links  Nelly Mubashi on LinkedIn Northwest Asset Management Carrie Delgott on LinkedIn Wescott Financial Advisory Group Phillip Hamman on LinkedIn Linscomb Wealth Michael Batnick on LinkedIn Ritholtz Wealth Management Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 119: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Eric Kittner, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Moneta Group. Eric began his career at Arthur Andersen and RubinBrown before joining Moneta in 2003. Since becoming Managing Partner in 2018, Eric has led Moneta through a period of remarkable growth, expanding from a single Midwest office to multiple national markets and more than doubling its AUM.  Eric talks with Kyle about Moneta's comprehensive service model and how they've operationally mastered the 'quarterback' role for clients. He also shares the firm's geographic growth strategy and the importance of in-office culture for developing the next generation of advisors. From tax strategy to tech adoption to developing next-gen talent, Eric reveals what it really takes to grow a firm that never loses its human touch. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:11) - Eric's money moment (05:33) - Lessons from Arthur Andersen: culture, training, and crisis opportunity (08:10) - How tax strategy shapes Moneta’s approach to serving clients (09:09) - Building a truly comprehensive service model (11:39) - Why Moneta has never taken private equity money (13:43) - Moneta's intentional growth strategy: Go deep, not wide (16:16) - What makes a perfect cultural and business fit for Moneta partnerships (20:50) - Growing next-gen talent through flexibility and connection (25:11) - Recruiting vs. developing future advisors (30:30) - How Moneta leverages technology (33:40) - The biggest tech drag on the advisor experience (36:31) - Eric’s outlook on the future of wealth management (40:57) - What makes one RIA different from another (44:01) - Eric's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Independence is not just a label—it's a mindset. Whether you're solo or part of a large firm, true independence comes from making decisions that align with your clients' best interests, not outside pressures or short-term gains. Culture is a foundation. Processes and tech can be copied. Culture can't. The way your team behaves when no one's watching determines how clients experience your firm. Intentional growth leads to sustainable success. It's easy to chase expansion or new tech for the sake of momentum. The best leaders grow deliberately, aligning every move with purpose, people, and long-term vision. Technology should create time. Use tools that simplify and elevate human connection, not replace it. The future of advice belongs to firms that blend empathy with efficiency.  Quotes "To us, culture is not a mythical figure. Culture is the total of your behavior on a day-to-day basis." ~ Eric Kittner "We've been very intentional about doing what we do really well, being that quarterback, providing that advice, and coordinating the resources." ~ Eric Kittner "The title on your business card is what it is. When a client reaches out to you, that's when you are their advisor." ~ Eric Kittner Links  Eric Kittner on LinkedIn Moneta Group Andersen Outliers: The Story of Success Leaders Eat Last Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 118: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jason Weaver, Managing Partner of Weaver Consulting Group. With nearly three decades of experience in the financial services industry, Jason leads with a people-first philosophy rooted in mentorship, emotional intelligence, and community.  Kyle and Jason unpack why financial planning today requires more than performance charts and retirement projections. Jason describes his mentorship-first approach to helping young people break free from the instant gratification of sports gambling and develop healthier, long-term investing habits. By fostering in-person community, accountability partnerships, and meaningful client events, he’s building trust and transformation that lasts beyond market cycles. Their conversation highlights how true advisory work is ultimately about alignment—connecting money with personal values, emotional well-being, and the relationships that support growth across a lifetime. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:50) - Jason's money moment (04:11) - The rise of sports gambling and its impact on young investors (08:03) - How Jason helps teens shift from gambling to investing through mentorship (12:32) - Jason’s five core beliefs and how they shape behavior and financial decisions (17:10) - Why in-person community is essential for trust and transformation (19:24) - Bringing humanity back into retirement planning (21:52) - Balancing tech and touch: using digital tools to deepen relationships (24:08) - Inside the Weaver Consulting Group tech stack (27:39) - Jason’s outlook on the future of the financial services industry (30:04) - Jason's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Real financial planning is about people, not products. Numbers and strategies matter, but lasting transformation happens through human connection. Advisors create the most impact when they understand clients’ values, emotions, and identity—not just their balance sheets. Short-term dopamine behaviors can derail long-term wealth. Sports gambling and similar instant-gratification habits literally retrain the brain. Helping young people shift from betting to investing starts with awareness, accountability, and a supportive community. In-person relationships build trust that technology cannot replace. Face-to-face conversations, shared experiences, and community events deepen connection and reinforce healthy financial mindsets. Digital tools can support—but never substitute—the human element. Use technology as an amplifier, not a replacement for advisory work. Tech should simplify workflows, enhance communication, and provide clarity—not create more noise. The most effective firms pair smart systems with authentic, values-driven guidance. Quotes "We individualize the planning experience and then educate people to understand the strategies we've chosen together to make sure that we can help them have a wonderful life." ~ Jason Weaver "People don't want just a plan. They want alignment between their money, their values, and their well-being." ~ Jason Weaver "Invest in yourself first. At the end of the day, your greatest return is yourself." ~ Jason Weaver Links  Jason Weaver on LinkedIn Weaver Consulting Group Ameriprise Financial Fidelity Investments Vanguard Orion Advisor Solutions Redtail Technology eMoney Advisor Charles Schwab The Hum The Law of Success Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 117: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jacqueline Martinez, Managing Partner at Alaris Acquisitions. Previously part of United Capital's M&A team, Jacqueline contributed to $10.5B in acquisitions before the firm's 2019 sale to Goldman Sachs. Now at Alaris, she and her team have closed more than 50 deals with leading wealth management firms. Recognized for her leadership in culture-first M&A, Jacqueline was named M&A Executive of the Year in Wealth Solutions Report's Pathfinder Awards and honored among WealthManagement.com's "Ten to Watch" in 2025.  Kyle and Jacqueline discuss what makes a truly successful merger or acquisition in the wealth management industry. Jacqueline unpacks how data, AI, and cultural alignment can make or break a deal, why emotional intelligence matters as much as financials, and what sellers can do to ensure they're choosing the right partner for the next chapter of their business. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:44) - Jacqueline's money moment (04:02) - United Capital's secret to success (06:51) - The psychology of finding the right buying partner (09:19) - Inside Alaris Lens (12:41) - How to vet potential buyers (14:46) - How Alaris Lens can help find the right culture fit for companies (20:40) - How to verify a buyer's promises and programs (23:25) - How to handle 'cold feet' moments during the sales process (27:36) - The role of the seller's current tech stack in a deal's success (31:50) - The impact of having centralized data in the valuation of a firm (33:22) - Jacqueline's outlook on the future of the industry (34:45) - Jacqueline's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Focus on alignment points, not just price. The best partnerships start when both sides clearly define what they want — from deal structure to future vision — long before the negotiation table. Data brings clarity. Matching firms based on quantifiable factors reduces surprises later. Data-driven fit creates long-term success. Prepare emotionally, not just financially. Every deal comes with "freak-out moments." Knowing they're normal and working through the fears helps avoid walking away from a great opportunity. Ask the hard questions — twice. Sellers need to verify every promise made by potential buyers. Ask for data. Talk to past partners. Consistency in answers reveals the truth. Quotes "Every conversation or piece of information that you're sending to a buyer is like a constant evaluation of the risk of your business." ~ Jacqueline Martinez "Everyone says cultural fit, but what does that really even mean? If the buyer aligns well with the seller's needs, that's a much better foundation for exploring the cultural fit." ~ Jacqueline Martinez "It's important when you're running your business to make better decisions throughout the journey. Particularly in a sales process. There's always a risk evaluation that's happening, and you want to appear as organized and professional as possible and deliver the data people are asking for." ~ Jacqueline Martinez Links  Jacqueline Martinez on LinkedIn Alaris Acquisitions United Capital Financial Advisors Goldman Sachs Joe Duran Brandon Gage Jarrod Upton It Ends with Us Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 116: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Matt Reed, Chief Revenue Officer at Powerlytics. Matt brings 20 years of wealth management experience to Powerlytics, including leadership roles at Skience, eMoney Advisor, and Brightscope | ISS. At Powerlytics, Matt oversees the sales and marketing teams and leads the company's revenue-generation strategy and execution.  Matt talks with Kyle about the power of data in driving organic growth. He explores the struggle of finding the right target and why “who and where” matter in prospecting. Matt also shares how Powerlytics' data-driven targeting and wealth platform can help find the next ideal client, define the Ideal Client Profile (ICP), and tailor outreach for maximum effectiveness. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:53) - Matt's money moment (04:08) - The struggle for organic growth (08:13) - The “who” and the “where” of prospecting (10:36) - How Powerlytics' TrueWealth platform works (15:54) - Using data to target specific niches (17:45) - Using Powerlytics as a solo advisor or marketing team (20:49) - Where Powerlytics sits in the wealth-tech ecosystem (24:02) - Matt's outlook on the future of the industry (26:15) - Matt's Milemarker Minute (29:40) - The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Key Takeaways Define the right targets, not just any targets. It isn't enough to cast a wide net. Identify your ideal client profile and use data to locate and reach them. Build organic growth the "Moneyball" way. Rather than always buying growth (firm acquisitions, big sponsorships), focus on smarter internal growth by leveraging data, analytics, and repeatable processes. Use rich data for smarter prospecting. Many firms struggle with finding the who and the where of opportunity. Use unique data sets to fine-tune your target list.  Know your role in the stack. If you partner with data providers, lead-gen platforms, and tech tools, be clear about what you bring and how it complements the rest of your stack. Not every tool needs to do everything. Quotes "The right decisions based on the right analytics can be successful." ~ Matt Reed "The thing that makes us unique is that we have income and assets for every consumer in the United States. That has been proven to be very valuable in targeting and prospecting," ~ Matt Reed "Marrying our rich data set of income and assets, and providing that to a marketing database, is what we're calling the true wealth platform." ~ Matt Reed Links  Matthew Reed on LinkedIn Powerlytics TrueWealth FINNY  Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 115: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Matt Matrisian, President of Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA). Matt is a pioneer in transforming the delivery of financial advice. His career has focused on simplifying the financial services industry, supporting its evolution, and enhancing the value to advisors. He believes the best investment outcomes begin with advisor-centric tools and capabilities that wrap around investors' needs. Matt's appointment as President of SEIA represents the culmination of a three-decade journey dedicated to reimagining how wealth management firms can scale with purpose while preserving the personal touch that defines the client experience. Kyle and Matt discuss how SEIA builds a platform that enables advisors to thrive. From transitioning independent contractors to equity partners to driving double-digit organic growth, Matt reveals how the firm empowers advisors with infrastructure, flexibility, and support. Matt also talks about the race for talent in the industry and how firms should develop the next generation of advisors to sustain future growth. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:14) - Matt's money moment (04:08) - SEIA's founding and growth trajectory (08:17) - Making the move from 1099 to W-2 advisors seamless (12:18) - Understanding the advisor lifecycle (14:04) - The role of Signature Investment Advisors (SIA) in the industry (15:51) - Should larger firms become their own TAMPs or asset management arms? (19:43) - How outsourcing can accelerate growth (25:19) - Delivering value that justifies the cost (27:15) - The race for talent: The importance of developing G2 and G3 talent (31:29) - How SEIA leverages technology (34:17) - How SEIA utilizes the power of AI (36:38) - Matt's outlook on the future of the industry (39:29) - Matt's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Growth requires structure, not just ambition. Success stems from clear systems—shared equity, technology, and culture—that give advisors both autonomy and stability. Outsourcing drives exponential growth. Advisors who outsource investment management and back-office operations free up valuable time to focus on relationships, growth, and client experience. Know your "why" behind growth. Growth isn't about chasing numbers. It's about serving more families who need financial guidance, while creating space for advisors to live fuller lives. Invest in G2 and G3 talent. To ensure long-term sustainability, firms must have a structured career ladder and a pathway for young talent to grow, get licensed, and eventually become equity partners. Actively recruiting and nurturing the next generation is essential in the industry's "race for talent." Quotes "I envision SEIA as always being a dual affiliation model. We will always have W-2 and 1099 advisors. We want to give the best of both worlds to advisors, and how they want to affiliate with us." ~ Matt Matrisian "To provide that flexibility and eliminate the swivel-chair experience of advisors having to go across multiple platforms, to give them a technology platform that integrates everything and consolidates into a data lake solution, and to surface their assets regardless of the platform or investment vehicle used for advice to digest and monitor, that's where we need to be spending our time." ~ Matt Matrisian Links  Matt Matrisian on LinkedIn Signature Estate & Investment Advisors Raymond James Charles Schwab Fidelity Investments Reverence Capital Partners Signature Investment Advisors Osaic LPL Financial AssetMark Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube

Episode 114: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Torie Happe, Head of Partnerships at Holistiplan. Torie began her career at LPL Financial, where she managed new accounts, led RIA conversions, and developed new operational procedures. In 2016, Torie transitioned into fintech at Riskalyze. She later held leadership roles at FIX Flyer and Onramp Invest before joining Holistiplan in 2022 as Head of Partnerships. Kyle and Torie discuss how Holistiplan enables advisors to turn complex tax returns into clear, actionable plans. Torie also discusses the difference between tax planning and tax advice, how firms can bridge that gap, and where Holistiplan seamlessly integrates into an advisor's tech stack. Torie also talks about Holistiplan's academic program, which provides hundreds of students with free access to the firm's award-winning software and a certification course to enrich their curriculum and credentials. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:18) - Torie's money moment (06:16) - How Holistiplan has gone viral in the fintech space (08:04) - Making taxes simple and meaningful for clients (10:03) - The difference between tax planning and tax advice (11:40) - How advisors use Holistiplan alongside other tools (15:55) - Holistiplan's academic program (19:49) - Torie's outlook on the future of the industry (22:09) - Torie's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Simplicity wins. Magic happens when you make complex financial concepts simple enough for clients to actually understand and engage with. Use technology as a bridge, not a barrier. Fintech tools like Holistiplan are there to enhance advisor-client relationships, not replace them. Plan first, execute second. Tax planning lays out the "what-ifs." Tax advice executes the "what now." Small firms can thrive by focusing on that planning layer before involving a CPA. AI is powerful, but people are irreplaceable. While AI can streamline workflows, clients will still want authentic, face-to-face interaction with their advisors. Quotes "We took something really complicated (tax) and made it really simplistic for an advisor to understand." ~ Torie Happe "Tax planning is really just planning for your life. What are you doing with every dollar you've spent or will spend this year? The tax advice piece is that execution piece, and that's where you're going to your tax professional to execute on the plan that your advisor has built." ~ Torie Happe "Clients actually want to talk to a human. You're dealing with their everyday money and their lifestyle. They don't want to just be automated into whatever email campaigns or text messages you're going to send out." ~ Torie Happe Links  Torie Happe on LinkedIn Holistiplan Nitrogen The Outsiders Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 113: John Bunch, CEO of Allworth Financial. With over 30 years in financial services, John has guided firms through big transitions, from founder succession and acquisitions to private equity cycles and scaling operations, while preserving their culture.  This week, Kyle talks with John about leading Allworth into its third generation. John reflects on lessons from Schwab and other founder-led firms, and how Allworth is balancing organic growth with strategic acquisitions. He explains the importance of culture, integration, and advisor support, while also detailing the firm’s investments in tax services and AI innovation. From client-centric models to the future role of advisors as coaches, John offers an inside look at building enduring growth in a rapidly changing RIA landscape. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:11) - John's money moment (04:07) - Allworth's third-generation growth strategy: Evolve, Elevate, and Execute (04:51) - The holy grail of financial services (07:04) - Allworth's organic growth strategy (09:29) - John's growth mindset (12:29) - What it's like to work with industry legends  (16:09) - Why RIAs are moving into tax services (19:10) - The power of specialized teams (22:02) - How Allworth manages multiple tech stacks (24:16) - Allworth's approach to AI adoption (28:31) - John's thoughts about the future of the industry (30:35) - John's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways The holy grail in this industry is organic growth. Acquisitions help, but building scalable, client-centered growth engines is what drives long-term value. Don't focus on what you spend on growth. Focus on the payback. If a channel is working, invest more in it. A supportive board will always back a strategy with a good return on investment. Be a "fiduciary to their dreams." When acquiring a founder-led firm, respect their legacy and understand that they built the business to help people. Frame the future as a partnership and be willing to adopt the best ideas, regardless of where they come from. Embrace AI now or get left behind. Firms that fail to strategically adopt AI will be at a disadvantage. Start experimenting and integrating it into your operations, from client service to advisor dashboards, and see how it can help you get more insights. Quotes "The holy grail in this industry is organic growth. That's what drives valuations. And if you get that right, you're building a scalable business for the future." ~ John Bunch "If you're not willing to evolve your business and elevate how you meet with your clients, you're going to be in a bit of trouble. The winners in the long term in this industry are going to be the folks who can grow organically." ~ John Bunch "Advisors will be more like counselors and coaches on a wide variety of things than they will be on experts on cash flow or investments. And the firms that actually help their advisors move in that direction are going to be the winners." ~ John Bunch Links  John Bunch on LinkedIn Allworth Financial Pat McClain Scott Hanson Darla Sipolt Charles Schwab Jump AI Atomic Habits Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 112: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jason Wenk, Founder and CEO of Altruist. Jason has lived and breathed the financial services industry over the last 20 years as a financial advisor, investment systems developer, analyst, and founder. Jason shares his journey from humble beginnings to building some of the fastest-growing RIAs. From his early days at Morgan Stanley to pioneering digital marketing for his own RIAs, Jason discusses the innovations that led to the founding of Altruist. Jason also explores the power of content and why social media platforms are today's hub for advisor growth. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:44) - Jason's money moment (05:21) - From intern to industry disruptor: Jason’s path to building two RIAs (13:56) - Jason's digital marketing playbook (17:38) - Where attention is won: YouTube, TikTok, referrals, and more (25:02) - Why offline marketing still crushes in 2025 (28:05) - The pain points that led Jason to create Altruist (34:12) - How Altruist is using AI to transform advisor workflows (43:06) - Jason's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Leverage digital marketing. Blogging and creating videos on social media build authority and trust. Play the long game. Social media platforms can drive billions in new business. But when they eventually get crowded, differentiation comes from client experience and outcomes, not just marketing tactics. Know your audience. AI and SEO shifts may impact younger investors, but retirement-age clients still search the old-fashioned way. Tailor your approach to the people you want to reach. Consistency wins. Whether it's local seminars, radio shows, or social media content, firms that pick a lane and execute with discipline tend to outpace the rest. Quotes "A lot of our fastest-growing advisors are using YouTube as their primary mechanism to be in front of new clients. We have a few who are using social media, so they're active on X, some are heavy on LinkedIn, and we're starting to see some who are actually doing decent volume from TikTok." ~ Jason Wenk "Our generation is open about how and what we do. We all have an abundance mindset, and we share and love celebrating everybody else's wins." ~ Jason Wenk "In a world where it'll be nearly impossible to be different and unique based on your content, what you actually deliver will matter a lot more. Driving the best outcomes and the best experience will become a differentiator. " ~ Jason Wenk Links  Jason Wenk on LinkedIn Altruist Morgan Stanley AI Assistance - Altruist Elon  Musk Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

Episode 111: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Ian Wenik, Editor at Citywire and one of the sharpest reporters covering the RIA space. While many firms rely on market performance to maintain their numbers, Ian sheds light on what truly differentiates the fastest-growing RIAs. From niche strategies and referral networks to the big M&A moves reshaping the industry, Ian shares insights from Citywire's 50 Growers Across America and why organic growth is the real differentiator. He also unpacks the pressures of private equity ownership, the challenges of succession, and what the endgame looks like for mega firms. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:46) - Ian's money moment (04:01) - What sets the fastest-growing RIAs apart (07:55) - The future of inorganic growth and M&A trends (10:45) - The challenges of the IPO market for large RIAs (17:15) - Why Ian compares the industry to a fancy beach house (22:06) - Innovative growth programs and strategies (24:19) - Challenges for America's fastest-growing RIAs (25:47) - Ian's thoughts about trends and the  future of the industry (31:17) - Ian's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Organic growth is harder—but more sustainable—than most advisors realize. Many RIAs rely heavily on market appreciation to appear successful, but Ian underscores that true, organic growth takes significant investment and intentional strategy. The fastest-growing firms often succeed by identifying niche markets, building strong referral networks, and developing internal training programs to cultivate talent from within. Talent is the real differentiator (and how you develop and retain it). In a competitive, consolidating market, your ability to recruit, train, and retain top talent matters more than ever. Firms that provide clear career paths, equity ownership, and operational roles for junior staff—not just rainmakers—will be best positioned for long-term success. Quotes "Momentum generates momentum. Deals generate deals. Once you have a track record of being able to integrate a firm, keep clients on board, and keep the advisors happy, you're going to have those bankers who handle sell-side engagements trust you with more deals." ~ Ian Wenik "What's driving so much of the M&A in the industry right now is time. A lot of the big firms sell because they have succession planning needs. Or if you're already an institutionally-backed firm, you're in the market because you're a private equity owner, and you have an expiration on that play clock." ~ Ian Wenik "The dirty secret of the RIA industry is that many firms don't grow at all. They don't grow organically. It's the market appreciation that's propping them up." ~ Ian Wenik Links  Ian Wenik on LinkedIn Citywire Newsday The Deal Alex Steger Alec Rich Carson Group Hightower Advisors Wealth Advisor Solutions Schwab Advisor Network FINTRX Ulrich Investment Consultants Allworth Financial Wealth Enhancement Creative Planning CI Financial Corient LPL Financial Cetera Financial Group Osaic The Unlock Michael Batnick Moneta Group Alaska Wealth Advisors Angie Herbers Cerity Partners Genstar Capital Steward Partners Morgan Stanley Merrill Lynch UBS Goldman Sachs Summit Trail Advisors BBR Partners Ameriprise Financial Edelman Financial Engines Mariner Wealth Advisors Savvy Wealth Dakota Wealth Management The Fund Great Leap Forward Mao's Great Famine Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube