Advisor Freedom

Conner Young

Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money. Hosted by Conner Young, this show shares real stories from advisors who are serving clients and sharing their best practices for growing and planning for their clients! Whether you're growing your practice or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.

  1. 6d ago

    Say Less, Do More: Tailored PR for Advisors

    “I had seven different jobs… I was just picking up all the work that I could pick up just to basically survive.” (02:54–03:22) “I was comfortable with rejection, which is, you know, in PR, you're always getting rejected.” (04:42) “I was working at the agency and my first day back was the day that COVID hit the US.” (13:42) “I had a three‑month‑old at home…and my husband's business was shut down.” (13:42) “We really want you to lean in and be yourself.” (26:18–26:48) “I don't have visions to build a giant agency — I want to continue to kick ass and meet great people.” (27:48) Abbie Sheridan, founder and CEO of Greenrose Communications, built a boutique PR firm for the wealth industry out of sheer necessity during COVID — with a three‑month‑old at home and no roadmap. What began as freelancing turned into a nimble agency that helps advisors, fintechs, and wealth‑tech companies earn media coverage, credibility, and growth without massive retainers or one‑size‑fits‑all contracts. Abbie explains how hustle, repeated rejection, and seven different early jobs taught her to sell, pivot, and build referral‑driven growth; why authenticity beats sounding like everyone else; and how tailored PR (project or hourly-based) unlocks opportunities most advisors never knew existed. ------------------ Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money. Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Conner Young⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who launched his own independent RIA firm in 2021, the show shares real stories from advisors who’ve broken away, built their books from scratch, and refined their client service models through experience. Each episode dives into how advisors got started, how they attracted their first clients, the systems they use today, and the best practices that help them grow. We also open the doors to the other side of the table: interviewing high-net-worth investors, family offices, and entrepreneurs about the investments they love, the strategies they use, and the legacy they’re trying to build. Whether you're just launching your RIA, growing your practice, or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.

  2. Sep 7

    Betting on Yourself: Leaving the Traditional Firm to Serve Women in Transition

    “I was handed a book of high‑net‑worth clients and just had rapid‑fire conversations.” (02:55–03:24) “It was more of a therapist than a financial advisor.” (04:46–05:19) “If I’m going to invest in anything, it’s going to be on myself.” (12:26) “Wild Iris — the name came from the flower: it dies and grows back, and that’s symbolic of life phases.” (18:20) “I don’t want to sacrifice quality just to hit a growth number.” (28:12) “There’s a difference in talking with someone that you know can calm those fears and worries.” (12:54) “I’d rather build something that helps people than chase vanity metrics.” (28:12) Nikki Savage, founder of Wild Iris Financial, walks away from the traditional advisor playbook to build a practice that centers human connection and women in transition. With a math degree and no plan to become an advisor, Nikki found herself handling high‑net‑worth clients during COVID and learned the job was often more therapist than planner. After earning her CFP, she bet on herself and launched Wild Iris to serve women starting over (divorce, inheritance, business pivots). This episode covers the emotional reality of advising in a crisis, how to find a niche by being honest about who you are, the practical steps of launching an RIA, and why redefining success (impact over scale) matters. ------------------ Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money. Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Conner Young⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who launched his own independent RIA firm in 2021, the show shares real stories from advisors who’ve broken away, built their books from scratch, and refined their client service models through experience. Each episode dives into how advisors got started, how they attracted their first clients, the systems they use today, and the best practices that help them grow. We also open the doors to the other side of the table: interviewing high-net-worth investors, family offices, and entrepreneurs about the investments they love, the strategies they use, and the legacy they’re trying to build. Whether you're just launching your RIA, growing your practice, or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.

  3. Aug 31

    Know Your Loss: How Measured Risk Rewrote Portfolio Risk

    “How much worse could it get? And I didn't have an answer.” (05:19) “Diversification doesn’t protect you when everything falls.” (05:46) “We can actually have a synthetic equity allocation with only about 13 to 15% drawdown risk.” (16:51) “If you build a portfolio that doesn't participate in the first 15% it’s a different journey — and sometimes a dangerous one.” (21:06) “It’s  remarkable when you ask a client to give you the dollar budget of their loss, not a percentage, that number gets a lot smaller. Like in time, you had to find a million dollar portfolio and you say, what's your risk tolerance?” (25:25) Larry Kriesmer, founder of Measured Risk Portfolios, shares how a market crash forced him to rethink traditional diversification and build a different approach: defined, dollar-based downside limits. After stumbling into finance via life insurance, Larry discovered that telling clients their maximum loss in dollars — not percentages — changes behavior. He explains the simple math behind bond-plus-options “synth equity” structures, how clients choose a 5/10/15% risk budget, why limiting losses can outperform chasing upside, and why launching an ETF (SNTH) scaled adoption for advisors. If you care about real risk management and smarter portfolio design, this episode will change how you think about loss, liquidity, and long‑term investing. ------------------ Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money. Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Conner Young⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who launched his own independent RIA firm in 2021, the show shares real stories from advisors who’ve broken away, built their books from scratch, and refined their client service models through experience. Each episode dives into how advisors got started, how they attracted their first clients, the systems they use today, and the best practices that help them grow. We also open the doors to the other side of the table: interviewing high-net-worth investors, family offices, and entrepreneurs about the investments they love, the strategies they use, and the legacy they’re trying to build. Whether you're just launching your RIA, growing your practice, or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.

  4. Aug 24

    People Need Clarity, Not Just Investments: The Clarity Wealth Journey

    “She started by knocking on doors. Thousands of them… Literally wore the heels off her shoes building her first book of business.” (01:20) “No shortcuts. No warm intros. Just grit.” (01:35) “No big office. No team. Just a card table and a phone.” (03:18) “The inspiration behind it all? My dad. He passed away the same year I launched the firm after battling Alzheimer’s.” (03:50) “People do not just need investments. They need clarity.” (04:12) “I fought through cancer. Three different times. Still showed up for clients.” (05:30) KayDee Cole, founder and CEO of Clarity Wealth, shares a gritty, inspiring journey from door‑to‑door prospecting to building a $200M+ advisory firm serving roughly 270 households. Starting out by knocking on thousands of doors to build her first book of business. In 2010 she launched Clarity on a card table and a phone during the industry’s tumult after the financial crisis, driven by watching her mother shoulder the family’s finances after her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Along the way KayDee battled cancer three times, often meeting clients during treatment, and developed deep trust with clients. Now she’s executing a thoughtful internal succession plan with a handpicked partner, preparing for retirement in 2027 and a well‑earned sabbatical. This episode is a masterclass on grit, client trust, and building a real transition plan. ------------------ Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money. Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Conner Young⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who launched his own independent RIA firm in 2021, the show shares real stories from advisors who’ve broken away, built their books from scratch, and refined their client service models through experience. Each episode dives into how advisors got started, how they attracted their first clients, the systems they use today, and the best practices that help them grow. We also open the doors to the other side of the table: interviewing high-net-worth investors, family offices, and entrepreneurs about the investments they love, the strategies they use, and the legacy they’re trying to build. Whether you're just launching your RIA, growing your practice, or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.

  5. Aug 17

    From Secretary to Founder: Lori Jones’ Path into Finance

    “Within a month I was like, oh my gosh, this was what I was put on the earth to do.” (02:21) “I didn't know that this whole industry even existed and I didn't know that girls could do it.” (02:51) “It took me probably 12 years to finally say…‘I’m a financial advisor.’” (04:43) “My calling is helping women specifically take control of their financial future… They should have the driver's seat in their financial future.” (05:42) “My main motto in life is there should be more women in finance.” (18:53–19:17) Lori Jones left a history degree and years of full-time parenting for a secretary job at a small financial firm. Within a month realized, she’d found her calling. Over more than a decade she earned licenses, a CFP and an MBA, handled operations and client work, and only after 12 years claimed the title “financial advisor.” Feeling underrepresented, she founded Fearless Financial Advisors to help high‑performing women (breadwinners, executives) take the driver’s seat in their finances. Lori chose an RIA/fee‑only path and partners with Tandem for back‑office and investment support so she can focus on planning and client relationships. She also hosts the Fearless Females podcast to showcase women’s career stories and to recruit and mentor more women into finance. Her approach: meet clients where they are, give clear, respectful guidance, build trust without cold outreach, and scale by bringing other female advisors into a supportive team. ------------------ Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money. Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Conner Young⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who launched his own independent RIA firm in 2021, the show shares real stories from advisors who’ve broken away, built their books from scratch, and refined their client service models through experience. Each episode dives into how advisors got started, how they attracted their first clients, the systems they use today, and the best practices that help them grow. We also open the doors to the other side of the table: interviewing high-net-worth investors, family offices, and entrepreneurs about the investments they love, the strategies they use, and the legacy they’re trying to build. Whether you're just launching your RIA, growing your practice, or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.

  6. Aug 10

    Building a Team‑First Wealth Firm: Lessons from Krilogy’s Founder

    “We took our young talent, matched it up with the seniors and that system has been working really well ever since.” (05:11–05:41) “I started it so young, I could risk, I had a lot of time and I had a lot of time to make small incremental investments.” (13:06)  “You can risk two things in our world, in this world. You can risk time and you can risk money. And because I started it so young, I could risk, I had a lot of time and I had a lot of time to make small incremental investments.” (12:39) "Our mission is to build one of the great firms in the US, with our location up and down the Midwest. And in order to do that, you got to find a wonderful, smart, and you know, people who care about their clients first." 28:46 Kent Skornia launched Krilogy in January 2009 with a $20M book, a junior planner and an assistant, betting on people, culture and a planning‑first platform amid the crisis. He built the firm by recruiting and coaching advisors, adding in‑house expertise (tax, estate, investments, ops), and reinvesting in a team‑centric platform. Krilogy now manages billions across multiple offices. Kent’s lesson: start young, take calculated risks, delegate, and scale without losing culture. ------------------ Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money. Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Conner Young⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who launched his own independent RIA firm in 2021, the show shares real stories from advisors who’ve broken away, built their books from scratch, and refined their client service models through experience. Each episode dives into how advisors got started, how they attracted their first clients, the systems they use today, and the best practices that help them grow. We also open the doors to the other side of the table: interviewing high-net-worth investors, family offices, and entrepreneurs about the investments they love, the strategies they use, and the legacy they’re trying to build. Whether you're just launching your RIA, growing your practice, or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value. ------------------ Krilogy Financial, LLC (Krilogy) is a Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Registered Investment Advisor. Registration with the SEC should not be considered an express or implied approval of Krilogy by the SEC. Krilogy does not provide tax and legal advice. Tax services are provided under separate engagement with Krilogy Tax Services, LLC, a separate but affiliated entity to Krilogy. KEP Law, LLC d/b/a Krilogy® Law is an independent law firm affiliated with Krilogy® through common ownership. Legal services are provided under separate engagement through KEP Law, LLC d/b/a Krilogy Law, an independently owned law firm affiliated by common ownership, servicing both Krilogy and non-Krilogy clients. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be solely based upon advertisement. All expressions of opinion are subject to change. This information is distributed for educational purposes only, and it is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement of any particular security, products, or services. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Investors should understand the risks involved of owning investments, including interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial advisor and/or tax professional before implementing any strategies discussed herein.

  7. Aug 3

    Your Best Is Not Enough: Building Trust in Enterprise Fintech

    “All I've ever wanted to do is, one thing. And that is running the biggest business that I can, that I think does something that makes a difference.” (01:53) “The massive problem: advisors struggled to explain investments; clients struggled to feel confident.” (16:10) “We lost that deal, but what we learned was actually much more valuable.” (26:04)“Our vision is confidence for the moments that shape financial futures.” (40:14) James Rockwood, founder & CEO of CapIntel, built an enterprise fintech after an “obsession” with better client experience, without a technical background or startup pedigree. James spent years in banking, lived through a brutal “blackout period,” and then spotted a huge communication gap: advisors couldn’t clearly explain investments and clients couldn’t feel confident. He convinced early investors, joined an accelerator, endured long enterprise sales cycles, and turned that product into a rapidly growing platform used by major institutions across North America. CapIntel is a lesson in product‑market fit born from personal pain, relentless execution, and a team culture summed up by one company principle: “Your best is not enough.” If you’re building fintech, leading teams, or aiming to create durable products, this episode is full of hard lessons and long‑game thinking. ------------------ Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money. Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Conner Young⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who launched his own independent RIA firm in 2021, the show shares real stories from advisors who’ve broken away, built their books from scratch, and refined their client service models through experience. Each episode dives into how advisors got started, how they attracted their first clients, the systems they use today, and the best practices that help them grow. We also open the doors to the other side of the table: interviewing high-net-worth investors, family offices, and entrepreneurs about the investments they love, the strategies they use, and the legacy they’re trying to build. Whether you're just launching your RIA, growing your practice, or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.

  8. Jul 27

    From Investment Banker to Fintech CEO: Solving the Cash Arbitrage

    “Max is very much an accidental company. I was not looking to start a company at all. I was very happy as a banker” (15:09)“I created a synthetic approach. Open many accounts, keep each below the FDIC limit.” (22:43)“Those online banks change rates all the time... I started moving money to always earn the highest yield.” (24:03–24:31)“We decided to sell to advisors first... clients always ask their advisor about new tools.” (37:24)“We never touch client money, we’re a software provider; advisors remain the fiduciaries.” (35:59)“We empower advisors to do their best work by removing friction and giving full visibility.” (41:45) I sat down with Gary Zimmerman, founder and CEO of Max — an “accidental” fintech built to solve a personal cash problem after 2008. Gary spent years manually managing dozens of bank accounts to keep cash safe, liquid, and earning better rates. That DIY solution became Max, now used by 3,100+ wealth firms to uncover hidden client cash, boost risk‑free returns, and automate what used to be manual and brittle. This conversation covers the path from investment banker to founder, why product-market fit often starts with your own pain, and how technology should empower advisors (not replace them). If you care about better cash management, advisor tools, or building product from real problems, listen in. ------------------ Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money. Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Conner Young⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who launched his own independent RIA firm in 2021, the show shares real stories from advisors who’ve broken away, built their books from scratch, and refined their client service models through experience. Each episode dives into how advisors got started, how they attracted their first clients, the systems they use today, and the best practices that help them grow. We also open the doors to the other side of the table: interviewing high-net-worth investors, family offices, and entrepreneurs about the investments they love, the strategies they use, and the legacy they’re trying to build. Whether you're just launching your RIA, growing your practice, or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money. Hosted by Conner Young, this show shares real stories from advisors who are serving clients and sharing their best practices for growing and planning for their clients! Whether you're growing your practice or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.

You Might Also Like