Advertise on podcast: Do Business. Do Life. — The Financial Advisor Podcast — DBDL

There’s a point where being good at what you do isn’t enough. Financial advisors are competing for clients, talent, attention, and trust. And when everyone starts looking and sounding the same, it becomes harder for people to understand why they should choose you. Zach Nadler has spent more than 17 years working with Gary Vaynerchuk and the last eight building VaynerSpeakers. Along the way, he’s had a front-row seat to what separates people and businesses that become indispensable from those that blend into the crowd. Zach and I explore why telling people what they want to hear can actually hurt your business, what the best partnerships get right about feedback, how great leaders respond when circumstances change overnight, and why creating a memorable experience often comes down to things that have nothing to do with spending more money. We also get into what it actually takes to become a paid speaker, why having a great story isn't enough, and the question every Financial Advisor should ask before expecting someone to pay them to get on stage. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) The Cost of Telling People What They Want to Hear It’s tempting to keep clients, employees, and partners happy by avoiding difficult conversations. But Zach has seen how quickly that can turn a valuable relationship into a transactional one. We explore why the willingness to say what others won’t can become a major competitive advantage. #2.) Why Great Businesses Are Hard to Copy As companies grow, it becomes harder to maintain the personal attention that made people choose them in the first place. Zach shares what he’s learned from GaryVee and some of the world’s best speakers about creating relationships and experiences that don’t feel interchangeable. #3.) What Pressure Reveals About Leadership When COVID shut down the speaking industry almost overnight, Zach’s team had no choice but to adapt. We unpack what that experience taught him about staying nimble, making difficult decisions, and how a leader’s response to uncertainty can spread throughout an entire organization. SPONSORED BY BELAY If you’re an advisor and you’re still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you’re the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/191 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Imagine this. A new advisor joins your firm. Ten months later, he brought in roughly $40 million in new assets. That’s what happened at Dana Dunkelberger’s firm. In this episode, Dana and I unpack what happened behind the scenes to help one of his newer advisors ramp up that quickly, and why developing great advisors takes a lot more than handing someone a process and hoping they figure it out. We also get into the uncomfortable part of getting someone ready, the role repetition and feedback play in their development, and the mistake many successful founders make once they start building a team around them. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) Why Your Team Can’t Learn What Only Exists In Your Head Experienced advisors often operate on instinct without realizing how much knowledge they’ve accumulated over the years. The problem shows up when they expect newer advisors to somehow replicate a process that was never clearly taught in the first place. #2.) The Hidden Cost Of Avoiding Uncomfortable Practice Role-playing a sales appointment can feel awkward, especially when peers are watching and pointing out what needs work. But Dana has noticed a major difference between advisors willing to expose their weaknesses and those who avoid that discomfort. #3.) When The Founder Becomes The Bottleneck The habits that helped you build the business can eventually make it harder to scale. Dana and Brad explore why founders sometimes struggle to hand over responsibility and how staying involved in everything can quietly hold talented team members back. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/190 TRIAD SALES LAB Learn how to break through the ceiling using the framework behind some of Triad’s fastest-growing firms. Discover the sales system that scales and apply right here: https://bradleyjohnson.com/190-triad-sales-lab/ FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The bigger your firm gets, the easier it is to lose sight of what made it work in the first place. I’ve spent 20 years in finance watching firms chase better marketing, sales processes, and growth strategies while overlooking some of the things that quietly determine whether a business gets stronger or loses its identity as it grows. In this solo episode, I share three lessons that helped us grow Triad from an idea in 2020 to serving 100 firms nationwide—and a simple test for whether you’re building a firm that can truly outlast you. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) When You're Sick of Saying It, You're Halfway There Your mission and values can't live on a wall. Brad explains why every new hire and every new client resets the count—and why repeating what you stand for is how you eventually start hearing it repeated back to you. #2.) Who's Sitting At Your Table? The people around you can either accelerate where you're going or slow you down. Brad shares why the right table isn't just about surrounding yourself with smart people. It's about finding people who have been where you want to go and are willing to help you get there. #3.) Save A Seat For The Person You Serve At Triad, an empty chair sits in every conference room as a physical reminder of the member who isn't in the room. Brad explains how that chair has influenced what Triad builds, how the team makes decisions, and the conversations that happen behind closed doors. SPONSORED BY BELAY If you’re an advisor and you’re still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you’re the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/189 TRIAD SALES LAB Learn how to break through the ceiling using the framework behind some of Triad’s fastest-growing firms. Discover the sales system that scales and apply right here: https://bradleyjohnson.com/189-triad-sales-lab/ FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Four days after Anthropic released Claude for Financial Advisors, it was the main topic on our AI mastermind call. I get why. Asking one tool to pull your appointments, your Schwab balances, and your Orion data, and having it all ready before your first meeting, is hard to ignore. But there's a gap between a tool being available and a tool being ready to use in your firm. Most advisors are thinking about what this can do. Far fewer are thinking about where client data goes once it starts moving between systems, who is reviewing what the AI produces, or whether their compliance program holds up when a regulator asks how the firm uses AI. So I sat down with Triad's CTO, Quin Kilgore, and our Chief Compliance Officer, Shannon McGinnis, for an early take. Quin brings the tech stack side. Shannon brings the side that keeps you out of trouble. I play the advisor who wants to turn it on today. If you've been tempted to connect a new AI tool to your client data, or you're not sure your firm has an AI policy at all, listen to this before you do. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) Treat AI Like A New Employee Shannon shares a simple framework for thinking about AI inside an advisory firm. Just as you wouldn't hire someone, give them access to every system, and walk away, bringing AI deeper into your business introduces questions around policies, training, access, oversight, and ongoing supervision. #2). Archiving Your AI Isn't Enough It's easy to assume that if your AI tool keeps logs, you're covered. Shannon explains why the logs are only the starting point, and what regulators expect you to do with them. #3.) The Weak Link Between Your Trusted Tools Schwab and Orion grew up in a regulated industry. Claude didn't. We look at what changes when a newer, general-purpose tool gets connected to the systems holding your clients' data, and the question most advisors aren't asking about the connection itself. FREE GIVEAWAY Get Your Free PDF of Our AI Implementation Checklist by Visiting: https://bradleyjohnson.com/188-ai-implementation-guide/ SPONSORED BY BELAY If you’re an advisor and you’re still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you’re the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/188 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP10265950813 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nico Pesci’s firm went from bringing in roughly $150k–$250k in new assets per client to between $1M-$2M. But the interesting part isn’t some new marketing funnel, sales script, or lead source. It’s what changed in the way Nico thinks about the client relationship itself. In this conversation, Nico and I explore why advisors can unknowingly limit themselves before a prospect meeting even begins, what changes when a $17 million opportunity walks through the door, and why high-net-worth clients may be looking for something very different than what the financial industry has traditionally sold them. We also get into the challenge of taking what works inside a founder’s head and turning it into something an entire team can consistently deliver. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) The Prospect You Almost Write Off Nico talks about the assumptions advisors make about a small crowd, an unqualified list, or a prospect who doesn't look the part, and what those assumptions quietly cost. #2.) Why Bigger Clients Expose Weak Sales Processes Put a $17 million prospect across the table and suddenly even experienced advisors can start changing how they communicate, selling differently, or abandoning the process they normally trust. We explore why the size of an opportunity can create its own set of problems. #3.) The Bottleneck Hidden Inside The Founder There’s a limit to how far an advisory firm can scale when every important conversation still depends on the founder. Nico shares what he’s learned moving from solo advisor to founder and the new challenges that appear when other people are trusting you with their careers. TRIAD SALES LAB Learn how to break through the ceiling using the framework behind some of Triad’s fastest-growing firms. Discover the sales system that scales and apply right here: https://bradleyjohnson.com/186-triad-sales-lab/ SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/187 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies.TP09265933114 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eventually, growth creates a problem: there simply isn't enough of you to go around. So you hire another advisor, give them a quick download of how you do things, start filling their calendar, and then wonder why they aren't converting the way you do. I've watched this happen over and over during the last 20 years. And in many cases, the problem isn't the person you hired. It's what was waiting for them when they walked in the door. In this episode, I walk through two firms facing the same growth ceiling but getting very different results from their next advisor. If your firm's growth still depends on you being the best salesperson in the room, this episode will show you what needs to change before you can actually build a sales team that scales. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) Structure Comes Before Scale A lot of advisors try to solve a capacity problem by simply adding another advisor. But if the roles inside the firm aren't clearly defined first, you can end up duplicating the same bottlenecks instead of removing them. #2.) New Advisors Need A Training Track Giving someone a quick download and then putting them in front of prospects is one of the fastest ways to lose confidence, waste leads, and decide the hire was a mistake. We cover why the path into the sales role matters just as much as the person you hire. #3.) Lead Flow Shouldn't Be Random As your sales team grows, sending every new opportunity to whoever has an opening can create expensive mismatches. We unpack why the way leads are distributed becomes a major part of protecting conversion and scaling the team. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/186 TRIAD SALES LAB Learn how to break through the ceiling using the framework behind some of Triad’s fastest-growing firms. Discover the sales system that scales and apply right here: https://bradleyjohnson.com/186-triad-sales-lab/ FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP09265770676 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gary Vaynerchuk didn't build a 2,200-person company by keeping his hands on everything. Claude Silver has spent the last 12 years helping him build the culture behind that growth as Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, the company behind VaynerMedia and Gary's broader business empire. In this conversation, Claude shares the one sentence Gary gave her that became a North Star for how they hire, lead, develop people, and scale without making the entire company dependent on him. We also get into what Vayner looks for in leaders, why Claude doesn't believe in "A-players only," and how they create accountability without building a culture of fear. If you're trying to grow a firm beyond yourself without losing the culture that made it successful, there's a lot to learn here. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) The One Sentence Behind Vayner’s Growth When Claude became Chief Heart Officer, Gary gave her a single sentence that became the North Star for the company they were building. We explore how that idea shaped the culture as Vayner grew from roughly 200 people to more than 2,200. #2.) Is "A-Players Only" Actually The Right Standard? I told Claude that one of our beliefs at Triad is A-players only. Her response surprised me: Vayner is perfectly comfortable with B-players. The conversation that follows raises an important question about what you should actually be measuring when you're building a high-performing team. #3.) The Leadership Problem Training Doesn't Solve You can teach someone processes, systems, and technical skills. Leadership is harder. We explore why coaching, accountability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate messy human behavior become increasingly important as a company scales. SPONSORED BY BELAY If you’re an advisor and you’re still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you’re the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/185 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP09265877888 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when a client has enough money to retire, but no idea what they’re retiring to? That's the tension at the center of my conversation with Mark Hedderman, a second-generation financial advisor from Ireland who's been rethinking what great financial planning should actually look like. Mark started noticing a gap in the traditional model. Clients could accumulate enough money for several lifetimes while quietly neglecting other parts of their lives that become much harder to fix later. We get into why advisors can mistake a growing portfolio for a successful outcome, how retirement can expose problems the accumulation years hide, and why the rise of AI may actually make the human side of financial advice more valuable. 4 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) Money Is The Vehicle, Not The Outcome A client can reach every financial milestone and still arrive at retirement unprepared for what comes next. Mark and I explore why the numbers only tell part of the story and what advisors risk missing when accumulation becomes the primary definition of success. #2.) AI May Make The Human Side Of Advice More Valuable Technology can analyze portfolios, compare fees, and produce financial information faster than ever. The bigger question is what happens to the advisor's value when those things become commodities. #3.) Help Your Clients Retire To Something Leaving a career can also mean losing purpose, routine, relationships, and identity. Mark explains why retirement shouldn't feel like slamming on the brakes, and how advisors can help clients gradually transition into a new season filled with meaningful experiences, relationships, and pursuits. #4.) Being Rich And Being Wealthy Aren't The Same Thing More money can create freedom, but it can also become a scoreboard that never stops moving. Mark challenges the assumption that a larger portfolio automatically creates a better life and explores the point where accumulating more can actually distract clients from what the money was supposed to make possible. FREE GIVE Download your copy of The Life Care Plan. One place for care preferences, legal and estate details, and the conversations families put off until it’s too late. Get your copy here: https://bradleyjohnson.com/184-life-care-plan-download/ SPONSORED BY BELAY If you’re an advisor and you’re still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you’re the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/184 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when a client has enough money to retire, but no idea what they actually want retirement to look like? Ben Nemtin knows that problem better than most. After struggling with anxiety and depression at 19, he and three friends created a list of things they wanted to do before they died. That experiment eventually became The Buried Life and led to nearly two decades of studying purpose, regret, and what actually makes people feel alive. This week’s conversation covers why some clients lose their sense of identity after retirement, why the habits that helped them build wealth can keep them from enjoying it, and how financial advisors can help clients get clearer on what all that money is actually for. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… 1.) The Retirement Problem a Financial Plan Can't Solve Clients can reach financial independence and still feel completely unprepared for the loss of structure, identity, relationships, and purpose that can come with leaving work. We explore why this transition can be harder than the numbers suggest. 2.) Why Some Clients Never Feel “Rich Enough” Saving can become a lifelong default. Even when the plan says they're financially secure, some clients still struggle to spend on the experiences they spent decades working toward. That tension creates an important opportunity for advisors. 3.) Trust Is Built Beyond The Spreadsheet Clients don't only want to know whether their plan works. They want to know that their advisor understands what the money is actually for. Ben and I explore what advisors may be missing when those deeper conversations never happen. SPONSORED BY BELAY If you’re an advisor and you’re still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you’re the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/183 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TO09265770638 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A growing advisory firm and a valuable advisory firm aren't always the same thing. Plenty of founders know their AUM, revenue, and production. Far fewer know how an outside buyer would judge the business if they had to put a price on it tomorrow. SHP Financial went from less than $30 million in AUM around 2014 to roughly $2 billion AUM by the time they entered the acquisition process. But going through that process forced Derek, Keith, Matthew, and Michelle, to look at the business through a completely different lens. We talk about the things buyers cared about that they hadn't always measured, the founder dependencies that can quietly hurt enterprise value, why impressive growth numbers don't always tell the full story, and what SHP had built behind the scenes that made the firm attractive to an acquirer. If you're building an advisory firm you eventually want to sell, or simply want a business that can grow without depending on you, this conversation gives you a look at what the market actually values. 3 Insights From This Week's Episode #1.) Growth Doesn't Automatically Create Enterprise Value You can have significant AUM, strong production, and years of growth while still owning a business that's difficult for someone else to buy. We explore the questions an acquirer asks that many advisors don't start thinking about until much later. #2.) What Happens When The Founder Is The System? If sales, service, planning, and key client relationships still depend on you, your firm may be more fragile than it looks. SHP's acquisition experience revealed why the business behind the founder matters just as much as the founder's ability to produce. #3.) Are You Tracking The Wrong Growth Number? A big production year can look great on paper while hiding what's actually happening inside the business. Derek, Michelle, and Keith share how the acquisition process changed the way they look at growth—and why the scorecard buyers use may be different from yours. WANT TO LEARN WHAT ACTUALLY DRIVES VALUE FOR YOUR FIRM? Apply for a seat at The Table for a one-time, behind-the-scenes training with SHP Financial on the metrics, systems, and lessons that matter most when building a business that’s bigger than you. Apply now to reserve your spot: https://bradleyjohnson.com/182-the-table-with-shp/ SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/182 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies.TP08265847628  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Almost every advisor hits a point where the grind starts to wear on you, the finish line feels hundreds of miles away, and the urge to give up starts creeping in. This week, Ariana Luterman joins me to talk about what it took to go from being completely bedridden for a year to breaking two Guinness world-records by completing six Ironmans on six continents. We get into what happens when motivation disappears, why you need to have belief before there’s any evidence you should, and how to know when to keep pushing instead of changing the goal. We also talk about one of the biggest mistakes I see advisors make as they grow: treating business like a solo sport. Ariana’s story is a powerful example of what happens when the goal is yours, but the weight of getting there isn’t all on your shoulders. And there’s a lesson in that for any advisor trying to build something bigger than themselves. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) Confidence Is Built Long Before Results Show Up Extraordinary goals rarely come with immediate proof that you're on the right path. Ariana shares why learning to believe in yourself before anyone else does became one of the most important skills on her journey—and why advisors often face a similar challenge as they build their businesses. #2.) The Right Mindset Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage When obstacles appear, most people focus on circumstances. We discuss how intentional mental habits, daily rituals, and disciplined self-talk can shape performance long before external results ever catch up. #3.) Growth Often Begins Where Comfort Ends Every meaningful pursuit eventually becomes uncomfortable. Ariana reflects on what happens when excuses become easy, why resilience is developed through adversity, and how embracing difficult seasons can transform both business and life. SPONSORED BY BELAY If you’re an advisor and you’re still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you’re the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/181 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This one flips the usual format. Instead of hosting, I was the guest on the Beyond The Trees podcast with Alex Murphy, from the team at Cedarwood Financial Partners. We talked about something a lot of advisors feel but rarely say out loud. You can hit the numbers, look successful from the outside, and still feel disconnected from the work and the life you thought you were building. I share the moment that forced me to rethink what success actually meant and why there is an important difference between building success and building significance. We also look at what your calendar reveals about your real priorities, why many advisors underestimate the value of their own time, and how holding onto the wrong work can quietly limit both the business and the life you are trying to create. This conversation is about the hidden cost of success and the choices that determine whether your firm ultimately supports your life or slowly takes it over. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) Successful on Paper, Trapped in Practice A lot of founders leave one situation to build something better, then look up a few years later feeling boxed in by the thing they created. We get into why this happens and how easy it is to miss until it is well underway. #2.) The Conversation Finance Doesn't Want to Have Burnout, loneliness at the top, needing outside help. These show up constantly behind closed doors and almost never on stage. We talk about why the industry stays quiet about it and what that silence costs. #3.) What an Hour of Your Time Is Actually Worth Most advisors have never put a real number on their own time, so they spend hours on work they would never pay someone else to do. We explore why that math changes how you think about hiring, delegation, and growth. SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/180 SPONSORED BY BELAY If you’re an advisor and you’re still scheduling your own appointments, sending your own follow-up emails, or dealing with other tasks keeping you from bringing on other clients, you’re the bottleneck. BELAY helps busy leaders find world-class Virtual Assistants who can take tasks off their plate, protect their time, and help them stay focused on the work that actually moves the business forward. Learn more about BELAY and find the right assistant for your business here: http://belaysolutions.com/dbdl FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP08265629238 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The assumptions that shaped the last 40 years of investing may not hold for the next 40. The world is becoming more complex. U.S. dominance is shifting, while major changes in energy, technology, and demographics are creating new risks and opportunities that many financial plans aren’t prepared for. The challenge for financial advisors isn’t getting more information. It’s cutting through the noise, finding the signals that actually matter, and helping clients avoid short-term decisions based on the latest headline. I’m excited to be talking with geopolitical analyst Jacob Shapiro to unpack the four forces he believes will reshape markets, portfolios, and financial planning in the years ahead. We also explore where advisors may be carrying more risk than they realize, why some of the best opportunities may exist outside the United States, and how to think more clearly about what’s coming next. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) The Four Forces Advisors Can’t Afford To Ignore The shift toward a multipolar world is happening alongside major changes in energy, technology, and demographics. Jacob explores why these forces matter for financial advisors and how they could challenge assumptions that have guided portfolios and financial plans for decades. #2.) More Information Can Lead To Worse Decisions Advisors and clients have access to an endless stream of headlines, opinions, and predictions. We discuss why reacting to all that noise can distort how people understand risk and why the most important signals are often hiding beneath the story dominating the news. #3.) Are Advisors Too Focused On Avoiding Losses? Clients remember losses more than gains, which can quietly push advisors toward overly cautious decisions. Jacob examines the tension between protecting what clients have and helping them participate in the opportunities created by a more volatile world. Triad Sales Lab Want to turn more great prospects into lifelong clients? Triad Sales Lab helps advisors use simple visual models to communicate more clearly, strengthen appointments, and improve the way they present their process. Learn more and apply below. https://bradleyjohnson.com/174-triad-sales-lab/ SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/179 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP07265768485 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Financial advisors are being pitched new AI tools almost every day. The promise is simple: more automation, better client service, and fewer hours buried in administrative work. But adding AI to a fragmented technology stack doesn’t automatically make your business smarter. If your client data is incomplete, trapped inside disconnected systems, or flowing through tools you haven’t properly vetted, AI may amplify the problems you already have. Today, I’m talking with Triad’s Chief Technology Officer, Quin Kilgore, to explore why the next era of advisor technology won’t be won by the firm with the most software. We discuss why the tools that helped build your firm may not be the tools that carry it forward, where convenience can create hidden compliance risks, and how AI could reshape everything from marketing attribution and advisor coaching to client events and everyday operations. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) The Hidden Risk Beneath Every AI Tool  Advisors tend to focus on what a new AI tool can do. But the bigger risk may be hiding in incomplete client records, fragmented systems, and unclear data policies. We explore why AI adoption can make weaknesses in your firm’s foundation much harder to ignore. #2.) Why Today’s Tech Stack May Become Tomorrow’s Bottleneck For years, advisory firms built their businesses around software that was expensive to customize and painful to replace. Quin explains how quickly that equation is changing, and why advisors may need to reconsider what a “core” technology system even looks like. #3.) The Client Intelligence Advisors Are Leaving Behind Your client conversations contain far more valuable information than a traditional fact finder can capture. We explore what becomes possible when that information can be organized, understood, and used throughout the firm. INTERESTED IN TRIAD'S AI MASTERMIND? Triad’s AI Advisor Lab, led personally by Michael Hyatt, is built for financial advisors who want to cut through the hype, apply AI more effectively, and stay ahead as the industry evolves. Apply here to see if the mastermind is the right fit for your firm: https://bradleyjohnson.com/178-ai-advisor-lab SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/178 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP07265629240 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here's a question most advisors can't answer honestly: if you stepped away from your business for a couple of months for more than a vacation, would it survive?  For many founders, the answer is no. And that's a bigger problem than it sounds. Not just for you, but for your team, your clients, and the long-term value of your firm. Today, I’m talking with DJ DiDonna, founder of The Sabbatical Project and author of Big Time Off, to talk about why sabbaticals are more than extended vacations. For advisors, they can become the ultimate stress test for the firm, the team, the client experience, and the life you’re supposedly building toward. We get into why burnout can show up even after you’ve built the “dream job,” why a business that depends entirely on you may be more fragile than it looks, and why waiting until retirement to finally live the life you’ve earned is a risky bet. If you’ve ever wondered whether your business is giving you freedom or quietly taking it away, this conversation will hit close to home. 3 Insights From This Week’s Episode… #1.) The Freedom Test Most Advisors Avoid Many advisors say they’re building freedom, but their calendar, client model, and team structure make that freedom nearly impossible. We explore what your ability to step away may reveal about whether you’ve built a real company or just a more sophisticated version of a job. #2.) Why Burnout Can Hit After You Win Burnout doesn’t always come from failure. Sometimes it shows up after you’ve built the business you thought you wanted. DJ shares why that can be so disorienting and what advisors may be missing when they keep pushing through. #3.) The Fear That Keeps Owners From Offering Time Off "What if I create the exit door and my best people walk through it?" It's the first objection every owner raises, and DJ has actual data on what happens when companies make extended leave part of the deal. The numbers aren't what you'd expect. This Week's Free Give To Get a Free Copy of Big Time Off: The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals and How to Take One, visit https://bradleyjohnson.com/177 SHOW NOTES https://bradleyjohnson.com/177 FOLLOW BRAD JOHNSON ON SOCIAL XInstagramLinkedIn FOLLOW DBDL ON SOCIAL: YouTubeTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook DISCLOSURE  DBDL podcast episode conversations are intended to provide financial advisors with ideas, strategies, concepts and tools that could be incorporated into their business and their life. No statements made in the episode are offered as, and shall not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial professionals are responsible for ensuring implementation of anything discussed related to business is done so in accordance with any and all regulatory, compliance responsibilities and obligations.  The Triad member statements reflect their own experience which may not be representative of all Triad Member experiences, and their appearances were not paid for.  Triad Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Please visit Triadwealthpartners.com for more information. Triad Wealth Partners, LLC and Triad Partners, LLC are affiliated companies. TP07265629233 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.