From the Ground Up

May 30 2024
From the Ground Up Podcast artwork

Through personal stories from the start-up world, co-hosts Zach and Kelsey offer an insider perspective on honing big ideas into business realities. Tailored for financial advisors, the show serves as a  roadmap for entrepreneurship, from initial concept development to effective implementation strategies. Each episode is a blend of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and practical tips, making it an invaluable resource for advisors at any stage of their career, eager to build and refine their businesses from the ground up. 

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15. Implementing Human-First Advice with Ross Marino

May 30 2024 25 mins  
How does understanding a client's money story transform financial planning? Going from “answer man” to “question person” is uncomfortable, but Ross Marino encourages advisors to take the plunge. Two questions is all it takes to have more gratifying and enlightening conversations with clients.“You have to take a human first approach. Some people get it quickly, and they st

14. A New View on the Advisor Support Model with Avise

May 16 2024 46 mins  
Many financial advisors find themselves juggling the roles of advisor and business owner. To grow effectively, founders should focus on one role and seek support for the other.Advisors want to maintain their independence and brand identity but struggle to build a business from scratch without substantial infrastructure. This creates a dilemma: join a larger firm and lose some auton

13. Connecting with a New Generation with Dr. Preston Cherry

May 02 2024 35 mins  
The younger generations want to give and receive financial advice in a drastically different manner than Gen X and those before them. By creating an authentic company culture that emphasizes the importance of human connection and cross-generational sharing, firms can both serve and attract the next generation of investors and employees. Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna chat with the

12. Human-Centric Advice with Brian Portnoy

Apr 18 2024 37 mins  
When financial advisors are asked at conferences if they feel like a client’s therapist, almost always, an entire room raises its hands. With a majority of advisors not trained in therapeutic techniques, they are left to navigate the emotional aspects of money management. Brian Portnoy, Founder of Shaping Wealth, joins Zach Conway, and Kelsey McKenna to discuss how advisors need

11. Embracing Technology to Scale Your Business with Anthony Stich

Apr 04 2024 51 mins  
With many modern clients walking away from legacy firms, advisors must ask themselves how they can adapt to serve their clients’ needs. Anthony Stich, a seasoned Chief Revenue Officer, Chief Growth Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer, sits down with Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna to dive into why some advisors shy away from new technology and best practices for firms looking to

10. Niching Down to Scale Up: How To Find Your Right Niche with Guillaume Decalf

Mar 21 2024 48 mins  
In an industry where broad appeal is commonplace, creating a niche is the path to scaling your business. Join Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna as they sit down with Guillaume Decalf, CEO of Oui Financial, to break down defining your niche, the value of “free” advice, and targeting the right audience. Guillaume Decalf’s extensive background is a masterclass for new and seasoned

9. Culture over Quantity: Building a System of Sustainable Growth with Michael Batnick

Mar 07 2024 46 mins  
Some businesses can achieve initial growth but struggle to later get to the next level. Or worse, they get to the next level of financial success but at the cost of good culture. Michael Batnick, CFA, joins Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna to discuss leading with culture, effective hiring strategies, and building a strong foundation for your business. Michael Batnick’s insights bri

8. Bridging the Gap: Addressing the Generational Divide in Financial Advisory with Jamie Hopkins

Feb 22 2024 52 mins  
The financial advisory world is at a crossroads. There are over 109,000 financial advisors today, with around 40% of them planning to retire in the next ten years. That leaves a big gap to fill. The next generation has plenty of talent, but the challenge is getting them to step up and stick around. Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna hear from Jamie Hopkins Esq., LLM, CFP, ChFC, CLU, an

7. Overcoming the Burnout Odds: Creating Early Momentum with Scrappy Sales

Feb 08 2024 49 mins  
Whether you're a seasoned advisor or a newcomer to the field, there is no question that the early days within the financial advisory world can be challenging. Join Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna as we offer a candid look into the critical early stages of a financial advisor's career. We share real-life accounts from those who've walked the path and insights on the necessary “scra

6. Picking the Right Tech Stack to Grow your Business

Jan 25 2024 44 mins  
Have you ever wondered how the complex maze of technology can be harnessed to fuel business growth? Join Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna on a journey through the ever-evolving world of advisor tech, where we share our hard-earned insights from our own experience starting Seeds Investor. Hear about the pivotal moments and strategic choices that led us to build an investment platform