XYPN Radio XY Planning Network
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XYPN Radio is dedicated to building a community of fee-only financial planners who are ready to make the dream of serving next-generation clients into a profitable and successful reality. With an honest and forward-thinking perspective, host Alan Moore, various guests, and occasional co-host Michael Kitces deliver insights and knowledge to advisors in the financial planning industry who want to build better businesses that serve Gen X and Gen Y clients. Through the expertise of leaders in the field and case studies from financial planners like you, the discovery of how you can serve your own generation to help them achieve their financial goals starts today.
Featured Co-Host: Michael Kitces | Co-Founder of the XY Planning Network, and author of the popular blog www.Kitces.com joins in on occasion to bring his unique perspective to the show
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Ep #389: Going Full-time as a Solopreneur with Linden Cornett
In this special episode of XYPN Radio, we are thrilled to welcome back Linden Cornett, the founder of Seagrass Financial. Linden holds the honor of being the first guest to return three times over our eight-year journey at XYPN Radio. Many recent guests have mentioned Linden as a role model within our community, and for good reason.
Since her last appearance, Linden has made the bold move to dedicate herself fully to her firm, leaving behind a long-standing career at Intel in the wake of the pandemic. In today's discussion, she shares her insights on the evolving needs of her clients, with a particular focus on the increasing importance of tax planning. Linden also delves into how she has meticulously structured her firm to align with her lifestyle, ensuring she meets clients where they are.
As a proud solopreneur, Linden has masterfully built systems and processes that allow her to scale and take well-deserved vacations. She gives us an inside look at how she leverages tools like Asana and introduces her innovative 15-hour intro planning package for new clients. Transparency is key as Linden openly shares her revenue and client numbers and offers invaluable advice for new advisors considering a shift into this space.
We're honored to have Linden back on the show, and we hope you gain as much from her wisdom as we have. Tune in for an inspiring and informative conversation that underscores the power of passion, planning, and perseverance. Enjoy the episode!
What You’ll Learn From this Episode:
Making the transition from full-time employment to becoming a full-time solopreneur
How to set expectations with your clients as a solopreneur to maintain autonomy
Guiding clients through tax season and demystifying their taxes as an added value of your solo firm
How tailoring your approach to each individual client can lead to stronger relationships in the long run
Using multiple service models for clients while still maintaining a fixed fee-only pay structure
The benefits of starting clients on an initial limited planning package before moving to an ongoing agreement
How handling your own bookkeeping and compliance keeps expenses low in a solo practice -
Ep #388: Unlocking the Power of a Partnership, The Evolution of AVID Planning with Jack Arnold and David Harpool
In this episode of XYPN Radio, we are thrilled to welcome back Jack Arnold, CFP®, and David Harpool, AAMS®, founders of AVID Planning in St. Petersburg, Florida. Having first joined us in January 2022 on XYPN Radio Episode 326, Jack and David return to share the significant changes and challenges they’ve faced while continuing to build and grow their firm.
They discuss the considerations required when moving from a large financial advisory firm to an independent RIA, navigating non-compete clauses, and handling compliance when first striking out on their own. We delve into their unique partnership dynamics, exploring how they manage disagreements and how their friendship and shared passion for their work strengthen their professional relationship.
Listeners will be particularly intrigued by the bold decision to reduce their client base by nearly 50% and how the shift enabled them to provide the deep, meaningful planning they and their clients desire. Join us for an insightful conversation about evolving a financial planning practice with intention and integrity.
What You’ll Learn From this Episode:
How working independently outside of a large financial advisory firm as an RIA provides career flexibility and autonomy
Reconciling non-compete agreements when transitioning to an RIA from a more prominent firm
How clients perceive their relationships with you, their advisor, as a personal connection rather than being loyal to any particular firm
Why pairing down your client base as your firm grows and evolves can benefit your changing professional and personal goals
How surge meetings can be used to keep clients up to date and streamline your workload during the rest of the year
The proper way to approach financial advising as a means of truly helping people
Working with a partner in your firm and the best way to handle disagreements and differing visions -
Ep #387: Balancing Motherhood and Management While Scaling an RIA: With Rebecca Conner
In this episode of XYPN Radio, we welcome back Rebecca Conner, CFP®, founder of SeedSafe Financial. Since launching her firm in 2016, Rebecca has navigated the complexities of growing and scaling a successful business while also embracing the joys and challenges of parenthood.
Rebecca shares how she has evolved SeedSafe from a lifestyle practice into a firm that now serves over 90 ongoing clients with a team of five. She provides insights into her management philosophy, including how she inspires and empowers her team while also maintaining a manageable work-life balance. We also dive into her strategies for sustaining a 25-30 hour work week, and giving her team the same flexibility.
Join us as we discuss Rebecca’s approach to building a niche practice, conceptualizing time, and her mindfulness routine that plays a key role in her professional and personal success. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to gain actionable insights into juggling a thriving business, a team, and family life. Grab your notepad and prepare to be inspired!
What You’ll Learn From this Episode:
Managing employees in a firm and providing them with opportunities to grow within the firm
How prioritizing sleep and personal health will promote a healthy business
When and how to niche your clientele
Mindfulness and best practices for planning your work week
How to thrive on a 25-30 hour work
How to approach interviews with potential employees when expanding your firm
How growing your firm can help fuel your passion of helping more people
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Ep #386: Level Up Your Client Engagement Game with Elements’ Revolutionary Diagnostic Tool
On today's episode, we are thrilled to welcome XYPN member, Reese Harper, CFP ®, and Carl Richards, CFP ®, to XYPN Radio. These innovative minds are behind the cutting-edge technology called Elements, XYPN’s newest technology partner. We'll dive deep into the origins of Elements, the technology itself, and the ideas that inspired its creation.
Reese shares how his frustrations with the lack of realistic, standardized measurements for a client's financial health led him to define what he calls the client's 11 vital signs—an essential aspect that eventually led to the development of Elements. These vital signs don't just transform the delivery of financial planning services by advisors, but they also redefine the client's experience and the overall value of financial planning.
What struck me most during this conversation was the emphasis on the client’s’ present situation, referred to by Carl as the "presenting problem." Elements, through its standardized set of measurements, defines a new language of advice and guides the client towards making the next right decision with their advisor. It’s the ultimate engagement tool to help financial planners connect with their clients in an easy, fast, digestible way and provide visible ongoing value to their clients.
If you’re interested in learning more about a beautifully designed conversion tool that will attract, engage and demonstrate ongoing vaule to prospects and clients, this is a can’t miss episode! -
Ep #385: XYPN From “NextGen” to the “NextTen:” A Growth Story
Today’s episode is a special edition of XYPN Radio as we celebrate 10 years at XYPN with co-founders Alan Moore and Michael Kitces who join me on today's episode. We reminisce about the early days of XYPN, how Alan and Michael first met, and the initial emails exchanged about the untapped opportunities that existed for both financial planners and the underserved NextGen market.
We delve into the early growth and strategic decisions they made— including their first hire, which brought me into the mix. Michael and Alan discuss their complementary strengths and how XYPN and their partnership have both grown and evolved over the years. Unchanged at the core of XYPN's success lies an unwavering commitment to identifying challenges and delivering innovative solutions so that financial planners can live their great lives.
Share our vision for the future as we explore the reasons for our pilot program, XYPN Sapphire, a corporate RIA set to empower a wider spectrum of advisors navigating ever-changing goals and dreams. And join us in celebrating XYPN’s remarkable journey from industry disruptor to proven leader and all that lies ahead.
Tune in for this special episode as we celebrate the last—and next—10 years of making it possible for fee-for-service advisors to build the financial planning firm of their dreams.
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Ep #384: How to Sell Your Value and Other Lessons Learned from Running a Solo Practice for 25 Years with Cathy Curtis
I am honored to have Cathy Curtis, CFP ®, founder of Curtis Financial Planning, return to XYPN Radio. It’s been almost three years since Cathy last joined me on Episode 313, (linked below) where she delved into her passion for running a solo practice tailored primarily to women who are single, heads of household, and breadwinners.
We dive into the technological enhancements Cathy has implemented since her last visit, from embracing Holistiplan to integrating Kwanti into her tech arsenal and other software tools that she uses daily. We touch on the importance of using a TAMP for those entering the industry and how many tools are now available to advisors considering opening their own firm.
One of the most compelling parts of our conversation centers around Cathy’s AUM fee model where she describes how simplifying your fee structure is key over the long term. She eloquently discusses setting time boundaries with clients, which both assist your service model and build relationships that can last a lifetime. Cathy's confidence is contagious, and by the end of this episode, you'll feel more equipped to sell your own value.
We are incredibly lucky to have Cathy as part of the XYPN community and to have her return for a second conversation on XYPN Radio to share her sage advice with our members.