Creativity, Community, and Compliance

Technology is no longer an option; it's a necessity. To remain competitive, entrepreneurs and financial advisors have to embrace innovation on all fronts, from streamlining operations to connecting with clients. However, despite the benefits of technology, a critical issue looms large - cybersecurity. How can compliance consultants, business owners, and financial advisors protect clients from cyber threats? In this episode, Mac talks with Roger Kiger, Chief Manager of Visionary Horizons and Founder of Smartria. While Visionary Horizons is his primary responsibility, Roger has started several businesses in his career. He helps many clients and community members establish and grow their own businesses. A certified financial planner, Roger enjoys business planning and how it relates to clients' financial plans.  A trusted advisor for high-net-worth individuals and business owners, Roger talks about the significance of creativity for entrepreneurs and financial advisors, the most pressing concern in the world of compliance presently, and the reason behind his creation of Smartria. Key Takeaways [02:13] - How creativity plays a role in Roger's work life. [02:58] - The AHA moment that sparked Roger to create Smartria. [06:10] - The type of creativity Roger enjoys the most. [06:52] - Roger's definition of Community Family Office. [11:43] - The most pressing concern in the world of compliance presently. [12:52] - How Roger handles compliance issues. [14:56] - Roger's advice to business owners. Quotes [02:37] - "As entrepreneurs and financial advisors that are using technology, you have to think outside the box because there's no template or outline for how you are supposed to do things every day. You have to find a solution that works for your business, whatever that business is." ~ Roger Kiger [05:57] - "We can't fight technology. We need to embrace it and utilize it to be better at what we do every day." ~ Roger Kiger [15:13] - "The hardest thing we can do as advisors is differentiate ourselves from other advisors. The only way to do that is through marketing and social media. It's hard to be a community family office and do what you want without interacting with the public electronically." ~ Roger Kiger Links  Roger Kiger on LinkedIn Visionary Horizons Wealth Management Charles Schwab Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

Innovation is not confined to technological advancements alone. It is a way of thinking, a mindset that permeates an organization's ethos and influences its members' behavior and problem-solving approach. Moreover, establishing compliance in an organization should not be viewed as an obstacle to innovation. How can organizations foster a culture of compliance that encourages and supports innovative thinking and creativity? In this episode, Mac talks with Bill Hortz, Founder and Dean of the Institute for Innovation Development. With over 40 years of experience in financial services, Bill has worked in various roles, including head of sales at firms like Templeton Fund Distributors and a Director of Strategic Accounts at OppenheimerFunds. His wide-ranging experiences have led him to a strong belief, passion, and advocation for innovation creation, strategic thinking, and strategic account management as the nexus of business forces needed to address a business environment challenged by an accelerating rate of change. Dedicated to helping businesses change to establish a culture of innovation while embracing new ideas and approaches, Bill talks about the importance of creativity, community, and compliance in the financial services industry. He emphasizes the need for a mindset shift to embrace innovation and adapt to the accelerating rate of change. Bill also highlights the power of building networks and communities to solve problems and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Key Takeaways [01:17] - Bill Hortz's background and role at the Institute for Innovation Development. [04:15] - Bill's "AHA" moment that led to the creation of the institute. [08:23] - The importance of creativity and innovation in a changing business environment. [13:00] - The role of creativity and innovation in AI and technology. [13:57] - Bill's advice on developing a creative and innovative mindset. [19:48] - The power of community and networks in problem-solving and innovation. [26:13] - How creativity and innovation can be applied to compliance. [29:30] - How people can learn more about the Institute for Innovation Development. Quotes [10:33] - "Innovation is the ongoing execution of new ideas that create new client value. It's not just an idea. You have to make it real." ~ Bill Hortz  [11:13] - "Innovation does not equal technology. Innovation is a way of thinking. It's a mindset and a way of behaving and handling challenges. Innovation is a dynamic process." ~ Bill Hortz  [14:31] - "The greatest thing the Institute for Innovation Development is trying to do is build awareness. You can't change your mindset if you're not aware that there's a mindset that needs to be changed." ~ Bill Hortz  Links  Bill Hortz on LinkedIn Bill Hortz on Twitter Institute for Innovation Development The Innovator’s DNA Connect with our host Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

Compliance officers have long been recognized for their steadfast commitment to maintaining regulatory compliance. But they also possess a unique attribute that sets them apart—agility. Their ability to adapt, collaborate, and think outside the box are valuable for making informed regulatory interpretations and decisions. By embracing a flexible mindset and fostering collaboration within the compliance community, they uncover innovative approaches to achieving the ultimate goal: providing the most cost-effective compliance solutions. In this episode, Mac talks with Scott Gill, Founder and Senior Consultant of Synergy RIA Compliance Solutions. Scott is an experienced compliance consultant with a strong background in both RIA and broker-dealer compliance. He began his financial services career in 2006 as a Registered Representative with E*Trade Financial. Scott previously held the title of Compliance Officer at Carolinas Investment Consulting, a dually registered RIA and broker-dealer firm, managing approximately $1 Billion in assets under management.  With a mission to deliver cost-effective compliance solutions for registered investment advisors, Scott talks about how creativity can help businesses adapt to changing conditions, what's new in the compliance world, and what Synergy RIA Compliance's recent comment letter to the SEC is all about. Key Takeaways [00:59] - Scott's journey into regulatory compliance. [03:37] - How creativity applies to Scott's professional life. [06:34] - How creativity can help businesses adapt to changing conditions. [09:47] - The communities that Scott is involved in and finds important. [12:22] - The level of interest Scott has in learning and meeting people at conferences. [13:42] - What's new in the compliance world? [18:56] - What Synergy's recent comment letter to the SEC is all about.  [24:20] - Why people should consider writing comments to the SEC. Quotes [05:37] - "One of the things we, compliance officers, do that is special is we remain very agile. We do not become rigid in any way. We focus heavily on processes, but we will change that process in a heartbeat if there's an inefficiency or if it's not meeting the ultimate goal, which is to provide the most cost-effective compliance solution." ~ Scott Gill [10:55] - "Compliance is a regulatory environment that's full of gray areas. So, getting different perspectives from other compliance professionals is important as you're making your regulatory interpretations and decisions." ~ Scott Gill [21:17] - "Many of the rules proposed to the SEC are not designed for single advisor state-registered firms. A single individual who's already wearing multiple hats and adding additional requirements may not reduce risks for the size and nature of their business." ~ Scott Gill Links  Scott Gill on LinkedIn Synergy RIA Compliance Solutions E*Trade J.P. Morgan Wells Fargo Carolina's Investment Consulting XY Planning Network IACCP Designation and Training Program National Association for Fixed Annuities Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Rebekah on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

Compliance, by its very nature, is an ever-changing landscape. Laws and regulations evolve, new requirements emerge, and staying ahead of the curve is important. However, contrary to popular belief, compliance need not be intimidating and overwhelming. With the right resources, creativity, and a proactive mindset, navigating this dynamic landscape can become achievable, ensuring that organizations can operate within the boundaries of the law while fostering growth and success. In this episode, Mac talks with Tiffany Chamberlain, Founder and Managing Director of Polaris Compliance Consulting. Tiffany started Polaris Compliance Consulting with almost 20 years of experience in accounting, audit, and compliance in the financial services industry. As a former NASD (now known as FINRA) regulator and "Big 4" advisory consultant, she has audited and advised over 350 broker-dealers and registered investment advisors. Tiffany advises clients on the latest regulatory developments, such as form ADV filings, customer disclosures, custody, and advertising, and assists clients in implementing policies and procedures designed to comply with the rules and regulations. Having the valuable experience of being on both sides of compliance, first as a former regulator and second as a senior compliance officer, Tiffany talks about how creativity applies to compliance, what it's like to interact with regulators, and the most common compliance issues advisors face. Key Takeaways [01:06] - An introduction to Tiffany Chamberlain and Polaris Compliance Consulting. [01:58] - The role of creativity in Tiffany's life and work. [03:58] - The kind of creativity Tiffany appreciates and enjoys. [06:50] - What communities Tiffany is involved in on a daily basis. [08:09] - What it's like to interact with regulators. [10:26] - How the regulatory environment has changed over time. [11:54] - The most common compliance issues advisors face. [14:18] - Why senior investors are a hot topic these days. [17:45] - How fund classes are handled in terms of compliance. [19:17] - The number of firms Polaris works with. Quotes [02:41] - "When I think of creativity, it's how we can streamline things. It's how we can make our services easier and more accessible to our clients and figure out the best way to deliver compliance in the most pleasant way possible." ~ Tiffany Chamberlain [11:20] - "Regulators love to see firms utilizing RIA software resources. It shows that the firm cares, they take it seriously, and that they're respectful of compliance." ~ Tiffany Chamberlain [20:25] - "Compliance is an ever-changing environment. Everyone needs to stay up-to-date and always be prepared. It's not something scary. As long as you have the right resources in place, it's easy to navigate." ~ Tiffany Chamberlain Links  Tiffany Chamberlain on LinkedIn Polaris Compliance Consulting Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Rebekah on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

In today's interconnected world, data breaches and cyber threats have become pervasive. Safeguarding sensitive information has become a paramount concern for businesses of all sizes. Cybersecurity is critical, not only for large companies that handle substantial amounts of sensitive information, but also for small businesses aiming to establish a strong foundation in the digital world.  In this episode, Mac talks with Jonathan Addington, President of CyberSecureRIA. Jonathan founded CyberSecureRIA with a specific mission: to provide comprehensive support to RIAs in the realm of cybersecurity. Its cybersecurity and IT support packages are based on the latest SEC guidance and publications by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). CyberSecureRIA exists to secure SEC-registered RIAs, keep them compliant with cybersecurity regulations, and tailor connectivity and cybersecurity IT Solutions for growing businesses. With years of experience in cybersecurity and an in-depth understanding of SEC requirements, Jonathan speaks about how the SEC addresses cybersecurity in businesses, why cybersecurity compliance is important for large and small companies, and his recommendations for the cybersecurity industry. Key Takeaways [00:52] - A brief overview of Jonathan's background. [01:58] - How Jonathan expresses his creativity. [04:37] - How Jonathan uses his creativity in business. [07:44] - The communities that matter to Jonathan. [16:08] - How SEC addresses cybersecurity in business. [21:11] - Why cybersecurity is important for large and small companies. [27:03] - Jonathan's recommendations for the cybersecurity industry. Quotes [07:05] - "There's never been any other time in history that you could help so many people at once, at scale. And it's all technology." ~ Jonathan Addington [16:37] - "On the technical cybersecurity side, the good news is that the government did a good job. They list cybersecurity best practices and things that a business of any size should be doing. It's a great playbook on how to stay secure." ~ Jonathan Addington [23:05] - "If you are one of these smaller businesses and don't have internal IT staff, it's very common to outsource all of that. You work with a provider that knows how to get cybersecurity done for you, and they ought to be working with you like they're an internal part of your organization." ~ Jonathan Addington Links  Jonathan Addington on LinkedIn CyberSecureRIA Jolt Conference Robert Herjavec Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Rebekah on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

In regulatory frameworks and industry standards, compliance often evokes images of rules, restrictions, and limitations. However, driven by their creative thinking and dedication, compliance officers bridge the gap between regulatory requirements and innovative solutions. The interplay between creativity, compliance, and artificial intelligence (AI) helps organizations navigate the complex regulatory landscape more effectively, finding a balance between adherence to rules and the pursuit of progress. In this episode, Mac talks with Akhil Lodha, Co-Founder and CEO of StratiFi. Akhil is tackling the need to understand portfolio risk through cutting-edge technology. With a modern risk management solution, he works with advisors to help clients have a better financial future by empowering them to easily understand risk and make decisions with clarity, confidence, and control.  Recognizing that creative approaches to meeting regulations reduce friction, Akhil talks with Mac about how creativity relates to compliance, why compliance officers are among the most creative people, and the impact of artificial intelligence. Key Takeaways [00:59] - Akhil Lodha’s backstory. [02:31] - How creativity plays a role in Akhil's life. [07:27] - What creativity has to do with compliance. [09:51] - How Akhil uses creativity in his personal life. [12:52] - The communities Akhil is involved in. [16:37] - Akhil's experience with Y Combinator. [24:07] - What compliance problem interests Akhil the most. [27:56] - The impact of AI on compliance. [30:27] - Akhil's take on what happened at Silicon Valley Bank. Quotes [07:32] - "By design, regulators tend to approach the industry with the idea of restricting something. It's often reactive, not proactive. Once people have gotten used to it, it introduces friction into the process. So, you have to think about creative ways of meeting the regulators and the regulations." ~ Akhil Lodha [12:29] - "You can always find creative ways of doing things. Thinking outside the box can help you unlock your potential in ways you may not have thought about before." ~ Akhil Lodha  [23:24] - "There are bad actors out there, and they can have consequences for some people. And even though a small number of people are affected, the impact that it can have on the credibility of the community can significantly outweigh the number of people. That's why compliance officers and guardrails are important." ~ Akhil Lodha Links  Akhil Lodha on LinkedIn Akhil Lodha on Twitter StratiFi Citigroup Y Combinator Carnegie Mellon University Silicon Valley Bank Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Rebekah on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

Many people mentally separate the arts from the corporate world, but the transferable talents of performers go a long way in traditional business environments. Performers are not afraid of public speaking or being in front of an audience. They work hard to build confidence and strong communication skills to resonate with various audiences. Performers think quickly on their feet and improvise when something goes wrong, adhering to the mentality “the show must go on” despite unexpected roadblocks. When Andrew Evans earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts, he soon realized that his skillset also positioned him well as a businessman. After graduating, Andrew worked at companies like Merrill Lynch, Charles Schwab, and TAG Advisors, before becoming the CEO of Rossby Financial in May 2009. In this episode, Andrew speaks to Rebekah and Mac about his transition from theater to finance, staying creative in financial settings, and building a professional community no matter where you are located.  Key Takeaways [01:07] - An introduction to Andrew Evans. [02:58] - How Andrew transitioned from theater to finance. [09:19] - How does creativity fit into Andrew’s work life? [11:37] - What community of professionals is most helpful to Andrew? [15:08] - Andrew’s advice for anyone looking for a community. [19:40] - Which story about a compliance professional is real? [23:45] - One compliance challenge Andrew faces. [29:49] - The best way to get in touch with Andrew. Quotes [04:54] - “[Business] is a bit of a show. You need to know the script. You gotta know what you're talking about. You gotta know the product. Then you perform, you talk.” ~ Andrew Evans [15:11] - “No matter what town you live in or where you are, there's probably an association. There are undoubtedly connections with the FPA, NAIFA chapter, or Society of Financial Service Professionals that you absolutely should get involved with and you should go be a part of.” ~ Andrew Evans [24:13] - “I took a lot of time doing due diligence and running over different programs before I selected Smartria, because one human can't do everything. No one can do everything. You need good, solid partners.” ~ Andrew Evans Links  Andrew J. Evans on LinkedIn Rossby Financial Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Financial Planning Association Society of Financial Service Professionals NAIFA Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Rebekah on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

The venture capital industry is notorious for attracting people from similar educational backgrounds, geographies, and social circles. The networks are closed, the unconscious bias is rampant, and representation is scarce. According to Pitchbook data, women-founded startups raised only 1.9% of all VC funds in 2022, and those percentages are even lower amongst minority founders. Research suggests that diverse teams are more successful, so why is the VC industry still so far behind? Brad Zapp is a serial entrepreneur who lives outside traditional venture capital hubs like San Francisco and New York but still wants to bring business to life. As co-founder of early-stage venture capital firm Connetic Ventures, Brad strives to bring opportunities to founders in overlooked geographies and eliminate bias using artificial intelligence.  In this episode, Brad talks to Rebekah and Mac about accessibility and representation in venture capital, creativity's role in entrepreneurial pursuits, and the resiliency required for aspiring business owners.  Key Takeaways [01:12] - An introduction to Brad Zapp and Connetic Ventures. [03:04] - The role creativity plays as a founder. [07:13] - What led Brad to business? [12:10] - Why Brad describes himself as the “Wizard of Oz.”  [13:42] - How Brad found his community of thought leaders in tech. [17:21] - Brad’s compliance challenges. [23:34] - How to get in touch with Brad. Quotes [03:04] - “When you are a founder, one of the most important attributes is creativity because nothing goes according to plan.” ~ Brad Zapp [11:26] - “Access is the keyword at our firm. We want to be accessible for founders to make it easy to get funding wherever you are.” ~ Brad Zapp [13:55] - “If you haven't been a tech founder, you don't know the loneliness, the pain, and the whipsaws of emotion. And the resiliency that you need to go up and down.” ~ Brad Zapp Links Brad Zapp on LinkedIn Connetic Ventures Wendal SEC.gov Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Rebekah on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

It’s no secret that the financial services industry is a white, male-dominated space. Percentages over the years may have improved slightly, but signs of real progress seem far away. Craving connection with people you can relate to is a normal part of the human experience, but when these communities don’t exist, how do you get started building it yourself?  For years, Sheryl Hickerson felt out of place in the financial services space and decided to do something about it. In 2018, she founded Females and Finance, a mission-driven company striving to hire, mentor, train, and advance 100,000 women in financial services and financial technology by 2025. Rebekah, Mac, and Sheryl discuss channeling creativity to start a business, how the support network fosters openness and vulnerability, and what the future holds for Females and Finance.  In this episode, Sheryl talks to Rebekah and Mac about how she got Females and Finance off the ground, the biggest mistakes people make in community building, and how fear of failure holds us back.  Key Takeaways [03:03] - How did the Females and Finance community get started? [06:18] - What is the goal of Females and Finance?  [09:24] - How Females and Finance creates a space of openness and vulnerability.  [13:06] - Sheryl’s response to haters. [15:56] - How Sheryl channels creativity to build a business.  [21:35] - Sheryl’s advice for expanding your network. [27:13] - The biggest mistakes people make in community building. [28:41] - Why the fear of failure holds us back. [31:10] - How to support Females and Finance.  [37:45] - Why compliance is necessary. Quotes [08:40] - “It feels better when you can actually come back and say, ‘I made a commitment to do this, and here's what I did with that goal.’ Numbers do matter.” ~ Sheryl Hickerson [24:47] - “We each have an ability to build something very special for ourselves. Do it, and guard that like you would a moat around a castle because the wrong people will try to penetrate your community. ” ~ Sheryl Hickerson [28:42] - “I hear a lot about the word fail, and I stop people as soon as they say, ‘oh, it's my fault.’ No, you learn. You learned something.” ~ Sheryl Hickerson Links Sheryl Hickerson on LinkedIn Females and Finance The Fearless Pledge Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do by Jeff Goins Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Rebekah on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

Every business touts that it can help you grow, scale, and improve efficiency. Humans are constantly inundated with this repetitive marketing messaging from many different businesses that have little proof to back up the claims, which makes standing out in a crowded space increasingly difficult.   Kelly Waltrich, CEO and Co-Founder at Intention.ly, believes that leaders should reimagine and modernize their marketing approach to match the needs of their consumers. Marketing should be a strategic driver of company vision and revenue, but many businesses are not using it to their advantage or quantifying the claims they make. Instead, they get lost in the sea of sameness.  In this episode, Kelly speaks to Rebekah and Mac about how to differentiate your firm’s marketing strategy, how to strengthen your marketing claims, and how Kelly has leveraged community as a business leader.  Key Takeaways [01:14] - An introduction to Kelly Waltrich. [03:05] - Kelly’s experience as a female founder. [05:51] - What is modern marketing? [09:36] - How to differentiate your firm’s marketing strategy. [12:39] - How to strengthen your marketing claims.  [13:42] - What aspect of creativity does Kelly enjoy the most? [17:25] - How Kelly has leveraged community as a business leader. [18:51] - How do struggling firms build communities?  [19:58] - Who excels at developing community? [26:01] - The biggest compliance issues companies encounter.  [30:37] - The best way to get in touch with Kelly. Quotes [03:23] - “I would be lying if I said that I didn't run into some moments where I thought to myself, ‘this would totally not be happening if I was a male founder.” But in those moments, I try to make the right decision and blow past them. I’ve fired clients who aren't kind. I've walked away from partnerships where I felt like they thought maybe I didn't know that they were trying to take advantage of me. I try to find the quickest way out of those situations and keep moving on towards our goals. But the beauty of it is, there are a lot of phenomenal people in this industry who are trying to make sure that women founders are successful.” ~ Kelly Waltrich [04:40] - “I have a list of non-negotiables for myself. They've evolved a little as I've gone from my role in-house to an entrepreneur, but the main pillars of them remain the same. Nobody knows what they are except for me. And I stick to them.” ~ Kelly Waltrich [06:11] - “The mission that I am on is really to evolve founders and leaders' mindsets to realize that marketing should be a strong driver of company vision and revenue. If you have the right people and if you are resourcing the team appropriately, it can truly be your biggest asset for growth.” ~ Kelly Waltrich Links Kelly Waltrich on LinkedIn Intention.ly The Social Dilemma Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Rebekah on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

How do you engage an audience in a topic that may not be the most interesting? And how do you ensure that important information gets retained? You can’t force people to pay attention, but you can get creative about how to initiate a conversation, hook your audience, and retain their interest. Alex Egan takes a unique approach when it comes to compliance conversations. On paper, Alex is the Director at Kaufman Rossin, a full-service public accounting firm, leading the regulatory compliance practice. Alex’s creative outlet as a comedian is what keeps his work interesting and his audience engaged. Compliance can be much more compelling than you might imagine.   In this episode, Alex talks with Rebekah and Mac about his creative approach to engaging audiences about compliance, the benefits and pitfalls of conversations with compliance regulators, and the biggest challenges currently facing RIAs. Share your thoughts at hello@smart-ira.com. Key Takeaways [01:12] - An introduction to Alex Egan. [03:17] - Should compliance be a selling point?  [05:00] - What happens when firms outgrow manual processes? [07:25] - How Alex brings creative outlets into his work. [13:24] - Alex’s most helpful community of industry professionals. [16:09] - The pros and cons of conversations with compliance regulators. [22:36] - The biggest compliance challenge facing RIAs — the SEC’s Modernized Marketing Rule. [25:53] - Why it can be difficult to comply with performance advertising obligations. Quotes [06:17] - “The process of having controls in place, of having technology solutions that the customer may be interacting with at various points in the relationship, these sorts of things may give a comfort level to a customer. That lets them know that there's a controlled process in place versus just talking to someone and writing a check and saying, ‘great, okay, where did my money go?’” ~ Alex Egan [09:57] - “I always ask myself, ‘how do you get people interested in something that they're not interested in?’ And the key was simply engagement. and that's why I was able to use comedy as a way to keep people engaged in the conversation. If you're performing comedy, but at the same time delivering very important information, the retention goes up significantly and people walk away enjoying the laugh, but they also remember what you were talking about. ~ Alex Egan [18:27] - “Even if you're not willing to open up in that big room or ask the question broadly [to regulators], certainly when you develop those relationships and conversations, you're a little bit more comfortable having those conversations later on.” ~ Alex Egan Links Alex Egan on LinkedIn Kaufman Rossin FBI National Society of Compliance Professionals SEC.gov Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Rebekah on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Learn more about Smartria Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com.

Creativity, Community, and Compliance is a podcast from Smartria about the power of creativity in the compliance profession. In each episode, Smartria CEO Mac Bartine and Director of Partnerships Rebekah Gucciardo, discuss how creativity can solve problems, create new solutions, and foster a sense of community among compliance professionals. You’ll also hear from industry experts in the world of compliance, fintech, and finance who will inspire and empower you to take your business to new heights. Learn more about Smartria  Creativity, Community, and Compliance is brought to you by Smartria, an award-winning compliance management platform for compliance consulting firms and RIA networks. We excel at making the complex and frustrating world of compliance simple to manage and easy to understand. Want to get a behind-the-scenes tour and check it out? Reach out to us at hello@smartria.com and take a peek at our website, smartria.com. Connect with our hosts Smartria Mac on LinkedIn Rebekah on LinkedIn