Category: Financial Planning
Shannon Spotswood’s Journey Towards Servant Leadership with Dr. Daniel Crosby (Ep. 28)

Shannon Spotswood’s Journey Towards Servant Leadership with Dr. Daniel Crosby (Ep. 28)

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As independent financial advisors, RFG Advisory’s core values emphasize building a rapport with clients and providing a higher level of service to stand out in a crowded industry.

In this episode, Shannon Spotswood is interviewed by Dr. Daniel Crosby, the host of the Standard deviations Podcast. She shares her story of deviance by pivoting her career to join RFG, what RFG’s values are, and how other RIAs can address and prioritize their client’s needs by building a rapport and higher level of connection with them.

Shannon discusses: 

  • What interested her in the finance world and how her career started
  • Why she pivoted from an investment fund analyst to a career in a more customer-oriented position at RFG
  • What RFG’s core values are and their selection process for building a team of A players
  • What the “RIA of the future” looks like and how it will address longevity risk
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Shannon Spotswood:

Connect with Dr. Daniel Crosby:

About Dr. Daniel Crosby:

Educated at Brigham Young and Emory Universities, Dr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist and behavioral finance expert who helps organizations understand the intersection of mind and markets. Daniel was named one of the “12 Thinkers to Watch” by Monster.com, a “Financial Blogger You Should Be Reading” by AARP, and a member of InvestmentNews’s prestigious “40 Under 40”. When he is not consulting around market psychology, Daniel enjoys independent films, fanatically following St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and spending time with his wife and three children.

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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

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Digging Into the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team with Greg Menefee (Ep. 27)

Digging Into the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team with Greg Menefee (Ep. 27)

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Not every successful team is functional, but every functional team is successful.

In this episode, Shannon Spotswood and Greg Menefee, Consulting and Implementation SVP at Orion Advisor Tech, dig into the 5 dysfunctions of a team. They help advisors identify each dysfunction and its cause, and learn how to resolve it to build a high-performing, opt-in team.

Greg discusses: 

  • The difference between management and leadership
  • The 5 dysfunctions of a team 
  • Which dysfunction is most commonly seen in teams
  • The first step a leader can take to resolve their team’s dysfunction
  • How advisors can create and sustain a high-functioning team and company culture
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Greg Menefee:

Connect with Shannon Spotswood:

About our Guest:

Greg Menefee is the Senior Vice President of Consulting and Implementation at Orion Advisor Tech. Greg leads teams that excel at consistently elevating the client experience and industry standards.

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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

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Achieving Your Goals One Habit At A Time With Phillip Deas (Ep. 26)

Achieving Your Goals One Habit At A Time With Phillip Deas (Ep. 26)

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Setting goals is one thing, but sticking to and achieving them is a whole different marathon.

In this episode, Shannon Spotswood speaks with Business Coach Phillip Deas about how to commit to achieving the goals you set for yourself and your business by building habits. He pulls some tips from his book, House Habits: Living on Mission One Habit at a Time, and shares some motivational stories along the way.

Phillip discusses: 

  • What the 12 house habits are
  • The most important house habit: “We live on” 
  • The three keys to habit formation
  • How to form a habit around increasing the size of your practice
  • The importance of putting yourself first
  • Why the journey is the destination
  • What it means to “change your posture, change your life, lean in”
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Phillip Deas:

Connect with Shannon Spotswood:

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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

About our Guest:

Phillip Deas is a Business Coach at Every Day Champion and a Lead Pastor at Northpoint Community Church. With years of experience as an athlete and then as a coach, Phillip published the book, House Habits: Living on Mission One Habit at a Time.

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Choosing Growth And Overcoming Fear with Laura Hinton, ChFC (Ep. 25)

Choosing Growth And Overcoming Fear with Laura Hinton, ChFC (Ep. 25)

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“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” 

– Abraham Maslow

In this episode, Shannon Spotswood speaks with Laura Hinton, ChFC, about her journey to becoming an independent financial advisor. Laura shares how she got into the industry, why she decided to go independent, and how being a two-time breast cancer survivor has helped shape her career with lessons of perseverance, reacting vs responding, and the importance of a solid plan.

 Laura discusses: 

  • How she got into the business as a chartered financial consultant
  • Why she decided to pivot and go independent after 28 years in the industry
  • How choosing growth and overcoming fear has impacted her as a financial advisor
  • What advice she has for financial advisors who are looking to go independent
  • Why financial advisors are facing a succession crisis
  • How her experience of surviving breast cancer twice has helped shape her as an advisor
  • Why planning for the possibility of extended longevity is better than risking the plan being too short
  • Why the industry still struggles to attract women to become financial advisors, in 2023
  • And more

Connect with Laura Hinton, ChFC:

Connect with Shannon Spotswood:

About our Guest:

For nearly 30 years, Laura Hinton has been working with clients to assess and plan for their financial needs. Her focus is on providing fee-based financial planning for executives, business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Laura works with clients to help identify their financial goals and work toward wealth accumulation and retention. Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Montevallo and graduated from The American College of Financial Services with her Chartered Financial Consultant designation. Prior to joining RFG, Laura worked as a Financial Advisor at Bridgeworth, LLC, and Mass Mutual. She is an avid adventurer and lover of the outdoors.

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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

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Overcoming Fear with Jack Burnette, CFP® (Ep. 24)

Overcoming Fear with Jack Burnette, CFP® (Ep. 24)

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Fear keeps us from achieving our dreams and striving to be the best version of ourselves. Overcoming fear is one of the biggest accomplishments we can have.

In this episode, Shannon Spotswood joins Jack Burnette, CFP® in a conversation about how he overcame fear to completely turn his life around and get to where he is today. They extend the discussion to how he helps the future of financial advisors to strive for what they want through his story.

Jack shares: 

  • How his personal journey from working in sales to becoming an independent advisor helped him accomplish and maintain his sobriety
  • His strategy for having a work-life balance
  • Why fear is an obstacle for so many financial advisors
  • How he overcomes fear and anxiety around change
  • How he addresses questions regarding when he plans to retire
  • And more

Connect with Jack Burnette, CFP®:

Connect with Shannon Spotswood:

About our Guest:

Jack Burnette, CFP® is an Independent Advisor and Senior Vice President of Wealth Management at RFG Advisory Wealth Management. Jack has been at RFG Advisory for over 7 years. Prior to going independent with RFG, he worked with Ameriprise and Merill Lynch. His passion for financial advising was preceded by working in sales and VP development in the medical industry.

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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

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The Journey Of Independence with Kevin Harper, CFP® (Ep. 23)

The Journey Of Independence with Kevin Harper, CFP® (Ep. 23)

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Most advisors who go independent, never look back. For Kevin Harper, it was the best decision he’s made for his career.

In this episode, Shannon Spotswood speaks with Kevin Harper, CFP®, about his personal journey of independence. He walks us through his journey up to how he found himself where he is today and all the ups, downs, and in-betweens on the way.

Kevin discusses: 

  • What his business looks like
  • Why other advisors are following the trend to go independent
  • How he manages his work-life balance to prioritize what matters the most to him
  • Why more advisors aren’t walking the path that he’s walking
  • How changing the paradigm of where an advisor works weaves into the client experience
  • And more

Connect with Shannon Spotswood:

Connect with Kevin Harper:

About our Guest:

Kevin Harper, CFP® is an independent advisor in wealth management located in Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor of science in finance and joined Olde Discount Brokerage the same year as a financial advisor. After 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Kevin joined RFG Advisory and is now an executive vice president.

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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

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Marketing Madness with Kelly Waltrich (Ep. 22)

Marketing Madness with Kelly Waltrich (Ep. 22)

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Many financial advisors struggle to define themselves in their marketing. If you’re one of them, you don’t have to struggle any longer.

In this episode, Shannon Spotswood speaks with Kelly Waltrich, the Co-founder of Intention.ly. Kelly shares her expertise in marketing and how financial advisors can create their own brand that is unique to them and escape the “sameness”.

Kelly discusses: 

  • What factors need to be paid attention to when building a brand
  • How to determine the appropriate amount to spend on client acquisitions
  • What questions advisors should ask themselves as they put pen to paper on defining their brand
  • How thinking of marketing as multiple skills instead of one makes it easier to tackle
  • The 3 mountains to climb in marketing
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Shannon Spotswood:

Connect with Kelly Waltrich:

About our Guest:

For over 15 years, Intention.ly Co-founder Kelly Waltrich has been championing the role of marketing in the financial services industry. As former Chief Marketing Officer at eMoney Advisor and Orion Advisor Solutions, she proved time and again that there is no better driver of an organization’s growth and overall success than a well-run marketing and communications team. At eMoney and Orion, Waltrich built powerhouse marketing teams from the ground up, developing the engines that would fuel the highest periods of growth for both companies.

Kelly designed the strategy behind several successful rebrands, acquisitions, and product launches—including spearheading the development of two advisor marketing products—while creating unmatched overall brand visibility and helping to turn company executives into industry thought leaders.

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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

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From Lawyer To Advisor: Working With High Net Worth Individuals ft. Lynne Wiggins (Ep. 21)

From Lawyer To Advisor: Working With High Net Worth Individuals ft. Lynne Wiggins (Ep. 21)

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Commitment and care matter to all of our clients as financial advisors. These traits are especially important when working with high-net-worth individuals, and who better to meticulously commit to and care for clients than a former lawyer?

In this episode, Shannon Spotswood speaks with Lynne Wiggins, a former lawyer, current financial advisor, and founder of Ariv Wealth, about advising high-net-worth individuals. Lynn shares why she switched careers, the importance of commitment and care when working with high-net-worth clients, why multi-generational planning is so exciting, and what led her to found Ariv Wealth.

Lynne discusses: 

  • Why she switched from working as a lawyer to an advisor
  • Why commitment and care matter so much in her approach to working with high-net-worth clients
  • The exciting opportunities for growth with multi-generational planning 
  • What the industry can do to attract more female talent into finance
  • What led her to start Ariv Wealth where she is in her career
  • How she weaves expensive passions into financial plans
  • And more

Connect with Shannon Spotswood:

Connect with Lynne Wiggins:

About our Guest:

Lynne Wiggins is the Founder and CEO of Ariv Wealth. Lynne is a twenty-five-year veteran in the securities industry both as an Attorney and Financial Advisor, Lynne enjoys working closely with her clients and developing an overall strategic wealth management plan aligned with their goals and family legacy plan. As a FINRA Arbitrator, former SEC Attorney, and trial counsel for several Fortune 500 companies, Lynne’s experience spans decades and across multi-disciplines. Her passion for helping clients, extensive knowledge of the financial markets, and dedication to a high standard of excellence provide her clients with the roadmap to their desired financial destination.​ Lynne and her family are sports enthusiasts and enjoy outdoor life in Austin with their 3 dogs and horses.

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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services, Ariv Wealth and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

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Prismm: The Digital Vault Built For Your Most Important Documents with Martha Underwood (Ep. 20)

Prismm: The Digital Vault Built For Your Most Important Documents with Martha Underwood (Ep. 20)

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If you store your important documents in a locked drawer or have a list of where they all are that hasn’t been updated in a decade, sharing them with your trusted network can be stressful. Prismm makes it easier and more secure.

In this episode, Shannon Spotswood speaks with Martha Underwood, founder of Prismm, a digital vault built for end-of-life. Martha talks about her career in technology and executive leadership and introduces Prismm, why she saw a need for it, how it allows people to share important documents before or at the end of their life with consent, and how accessible it is to use.

Martha discusses: 

  • What Prismm is and why she saw a need for it
  • How Prismm allows its users to share important documentation with consent
  • What the uses of Prismm are during-life and after-life 
  • How accessible Prismm is
  • And more

Connect with Shannon Spotswood:

Connect with Martha Spotswood:

About our Guest:

Martha Underwood is an advisor, speaker, and founder. Martha is a co-founder of Prismm. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in English and technical writing and completed her Executive Leadership Certification from the University of Texas at Austin.

Martha Underwood is skilled at successfully managing large-scale digital transformation initiatives within budget by leveraging the cross-functional talent of teams. She is also one of the most sought out speakers on the topic of Women Leading in Technology & Innovation in the business marketplace. Martha focuses on creating extraordinary strategies that lead to increased compensation and executive advancement without compromising authenticity or integrity.

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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

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The Truth About Being an Independent Financial Advisor Ft. Steve Spaeth, CFP® (Ep. 19)

The Truth About Being an Independent Financial Advisor Ft. Steve Spaeth, CFP® (Ep. 19)

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We’re back with another episode of Disruption Blueprint! Today, we are joined by Steve Spaeth, CFP®, Founder and CEO of River Oak Asset Advisory out of Cincinnati, OH.  Steve recently marked his one-year anniversary of going independent after leaving a billion-dollar self-built business in the wirehouse channel. Reflecting on his more than 28 years in wealth management, Steve notes that while he had success and partners who supported his growth, ultimately the wirehouse model had limitations. His decision to go independent in 2021 was based largely on his interest in deepening client relationships and optimizing his business model.

In today’s episode, RFG President Shannon Spotswood and Steve discuss what it’s like to create a more fulfilled, intentional, and rewarding career as an independent advisory owner. It’s never easy to leave a successful business that has taken years to build. Steve reflects upon his prior illusion of freedom, his passion for his clients, and how “each win matters.”

Through his journey to independence, Steve acknowledges improved family connections and deeper intentionality in everything he does. Instead of putting in face time at the office, his focus is now on the things that truly matter personally and professionally. One of the most important mindset shifts for Steve is that he now holds himself accountable, rather than allowing outside influences to impact where and how he invests his time throughout the day.

Earlier growth under the wirehouse model was very different than the way independent advisors grow their clientele. “Passion Prospecting” – coined by Shannon – is something that newly independent advisors often struggle with – not because they don’t want to explore it, but because it is so different than what they are used to doing. Now, Steve can lead with what he enjoys doing while seeking others who also share those interests. There is almost zero challenge in attracting the right clients when he hosts events that surround those activities. He has experienced incredible growth from this strategy. Steve recommends advisors make an effort to know where every client likes to eat out, what they like to do in their spare time, and make an effort to connect with them outside of the office. Building a true relationship is key to earning trust and delivering advice.

In conclusion, Steve shares his advice for both younger and more seasoned advisors. For experienced advisors like himself, Steve shares that it’s easy to keep your blinders on. It may feel like you have a multitude of resources at your disposal, but you should look beyond your existing toolset for other places that may offer better technology, deeper resources and more accessible support. The big custodial name on client statements matters a lot less to clients than advisors think. In fact, all of his clients came with him when he announced his transition, and that is a reflection that relationships and quality service are the two most important catalysts for client retention.

As for his advice for younger advisors considering independence, he shares that it really is true that most independent advisors say, “I should have done this sooner.”

Join the conversation to hear all about:

  • Why independence after building a multi-billion wirehouse practice
  • Time management as an independent advisor
  • Impact of the transition on family
  • Building enterprise value on your personal balance sheet
  • Creating the ideal base of operations
  • Attracting the right clientele
  • Refining your story as an independent advisor
  • Advice for seasoned advisors considering independence
  • Tackling fears in going independent
  • Economic upside of going independent

Referenced Materials:

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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

Information here may be provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither our guest nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources.

The views expressed here are those of our guest. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, its employees, or its clients. This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Securities offered by Registered Representatives of Private Client Services. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC (“RFG Advisory or “RFG”), a registered investment advisor. Private Client Services and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

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