Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa

Elite Consulting Partners
  • 4.8 (90)
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Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa offers unfiltered guidance and advice for financial advisors, wealth management professionals, and entrepreneurs alike who are interested in maximizing both their business and personal potential. Informed by Frank's unique insights and his personal conversations with industry leaders, the dynamic discussion topics of Advisor Talk include business ownership, leadership, practice management, transition and recruiting, marketing and branding, as well as a host of financial services related topics related to wirehouse, regional, and RIA advisors, firms, and teams. Frank’s goal, and the goal of his team at Elite Consulting Partners, is now as ever to be the go-to resource for actionable information and trusted guidance to elevate you and your career at whatever stage you may be.

  1. Greatest Hits: Cetera CEO Mike Durbin on the Future of Independent Financial Advisors

    10M AGO

    Greatest Hits: Cetera CEO Mike Durbin on the Future of Independent Financial Advisors

    In this Greatest Hits episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa sits down with Cetera CEO Mike Durbin for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about ownership structure, affiliation flexibility, M&A strategy, custody decisions, and what it really means to build a “forever home” for advisors. From private equity misconceptions to succession solutions, this episode explores how advisors can think strategically - not reactively - about their long-term growth. Mike shares insights from his 35-year career working directly with financial advisors, including leadership roles at Morgan Stanley and Fidelity, and explains why he returned to the independent space to help shape the next decade of advisor evolution   You’ll hear discussion around: • Why multi-custody and multi-clearing can be a strategic advantage. • How private equity ownership can create stability instead of short-term pressure. • The importance of affiliation flexibility as careers evolve. • Why succession solutions should exist inside a firm - not outside it. • How large firms can still create community and localized support. • What “growth support” really looks like beyond recruiting deals. • Why diversification of revenue matters in a changing rate environment. Rather than focusing solely on headline recruiting deals or advisor headcount, this episode centers on a more important theme: Are you aligned with a partner that helps you play offense - not just react to change? As Mike states, it has never been a better time to be in the wealth management business - but it is changing quickly.   If you’re a financial advisor evaluating independence, succession, M&A, or long-term firm alignment, this Greatest Hits conversation offers perspective on how to think about scale, ownership, and growth in a dynamic industry. Chapters: 01:03 – Episode Intro 04:10 – Mike’s Background 09:16 – Private Equity & Ownership 14:35 – Affiliation Flexibility 26:24 – Multi-Custody Strategy 32:30 – M&A & Consolidation 37:31 – Scale vs Community 40:06 – Recruiting Economics 44:00 – Growth & Marketing Support 50:26 – Playing Offense Learn more about Elite and our resources: Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions https://eliteconsultingpartners.com Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors https://elitemarketingconcepts.com Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers & Acquisitions https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors https://jedidatabasesolutions.com Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

    54 min
  2. Minority Stakes in Advisory Practices: Opportunity or Trap?

    FEB 19

    Minority Stakes in Advisory Practices: Opportunity or Trap?

    In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa and Stacey Frank break down the realities behind minority equity deals in advisory practices - including what advisors often misunderstand about control, exit clauses, valuation multiples, and long-term implications. Frank explains why even a 10–20% minority stake effectively creates a partner in your business - whether you think of it that way or not - and why advisors must think beyond the upfront check and consider the unwind scenario before signing anything. They also explain the difference between taking a transition loan versus selling equity - and why one is far easier to reverse if things don’t go as planned. Key questions explored in this episode: What does selling a minority stake actually mean for control? Even at 10–20%, you now have a financial partner whose incentives may influence hiring, spending, technology, and growth strategy. Is there usually an exit clause? In many cases, especially with smaller RIAs, there may be little to no unwind option. Larger firms may offer buyback terms — but often at a higher multiple if you’ve grown. Why are broker-dealers offering these deals now? Firms are looking to accelerate growth beyond the industry’s typical 5% net new asset growth rate and to retain advisors long term. If you’re a financial advisor considering selling 10–30% of your practice - or being approached with a “sell and stay” offer - this episode will help you think through the long-term consequences before you sign. Chapters: 01:06 – Episode Intro 03:12 – Advisor Concerns 04:45 – Revenue vs Profit Share 06:02 – You Now Have a Partner 06:59 – Exit Clauses Explained 10:16 – Control & Fees 14:09 – Growth Expectations 18:25 – Why Firms Invest 25:28 – Don’t Decide on Money Learn more about Elite and our resources: Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions https://eliteconsultingpartners.com Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors https://elitemarketingconcepts.com Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers & Acquisitions https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors https://jedidatabasesolutions.com Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

    28 min
  3. How Financial Advisors Should Actually Be Using AI

    FEB 12

    How Financial Advisors Should Actually Be Using AI

    In this episode of Advisor Talk, Frank LaRosa and Stacey Frank take a grounded, advisor-first look at how AI is actually changing the profession - and why the future of advice is still fundamentally human. Rather than fearing AI, Frank explains why this moment closely mirrors the rise of online trading in the early 2000s - a shift that many believed would eliminate advisors, but ultimately made great advisors even more valuable. This conversation centers on a critical idea: Technology can provide data. Only humans can provide wisdom. Frank and Stacey break down how AI can enhance efficiency, buy back time, and improve service - while also exposing advisors who rely solely on technology without building real client relationships. They also introduce the concept of co-intelligence - where advisors use AI as a tool, not a replacement  and explain why empathy, clarity, and human judgment remain the true differentiators in financial advice. Key questions explored in this episode: Will AI put financial advisors out of business? No. But it will challenge advisors who lack a strong service model or meaningful client relationships. Why doesn’t AI replace the advisor-client relationship? Because clients don’t hire advisors for calculations - they hire them for clarity, reassurance, and guidance through uncertainty. How should advisors be using AI today? As a way to remove friction, automate tasks, and free up time to focus on deeper client conversations and better service. What is “co-intelligence”? A mindset where AI delivers information, while advisors provide judgment, empathy, and leadership. What happens to advisors who ignore AI altogether? They risk falling behind firms that use technology to become more efficient - and more human - at the same time. If you’re a financial advisor wondering how AI fits into your practice - or worried about what it means for your future - this episode offers perspective, clarity, and a practical way forward. Chapters: 00:49 – Intro 02:55 – Online Trading Parallel 04:40 – AI Fear 05:30 – Human Advice 08:47 – Co-Intelligence 10:46 – Clarity vs Calculators 12:58 – Human Advantage 16:25 – Service Wins Learn more about Elite and our resources: Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions https://eliteconsultingpartners.com Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors https://elitemarketingconcepts.com Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers & Acquisitions https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors https://jedidatabasesolutions.com Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

    27 min
  4. Should Financial Advisors Stay or Switch Firms? The Cost of Not Deciding

    FEB 5

    Should Financial Advisors Stay or Switch Firms? The Cost of Not Deciding

    Key questions answered in this episode: What does it mean when financial advisors choose not to decide? Choosing to stay put - without evaluating alternatives - is still an active decision, often driven by comfort, fear, or overwhelm rather than strategy. Why do advisors delay firm transitions even when they’re unhappy? Two major factors show up repeatedly: the path of least resistance and paralysis by analysis. Both create inertia that keeps advisors stuck. Is transitioning firms as risky as advisors think? Modern transitions are more automated, efficient, and client-friendly than ever. The perceived risk is often outdated. How does too much information stop advisors from moving forward? Without a filter, advisors get overwhelmed by competing offers, recruiters, and platforms - leading many to shut down instead of decide. Why should advisors evaluate their firm regularly - even if they’re not planning to move? Because you can’t know what you’re saying no to unless you understand what options actually exist. If you’re a financial advisor who feels frustrated, stuck, or unsure whether staying put is truly the right move, this episode offers clarity - not pressure - to help you think through your next step. For many advisors, simply understanding what’s available is enough to break decision fatigue and regain momentum. Learn more about Elite and our resources: Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions https://eliteconsultingpartners.com Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors https://elitemarketingconcepts.com Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers & Acquisitions https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors https://jedidatabasesolutions.com Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

    22 min
  5. Why Do the Most Successful Financial Advisors Focus on Purpose Instead of Payout?

    JAN 29

    Why Do the Most Successful Financial Advisors Focus on Purpose Instead of Payout?

    Frank and Stacey break down the critical difference between goals and purpose, why confusing the two leads to burnout, and how advisors who reconnect to their “why” build stronger client relationships, make better transition decisions, and enjoy their careers longer. Key questions answered in this episode: What is the difference between a financial advisor’s goals and their purpose? Goals define outcomes; purpose defines motivation. Advisors who mistake goals for purpose often feel lost after achieving success. Why do advisors feel unfulfilled after hitting major milestones? Reaching AUM targets, exit valuations, or retirement dates doesn’t replace the deeper fulfillment that comes from meaningful client impact. How does purpose improve advisor-client relationships? Advisors who understand a client’s underlying purpose - not just financial objectives - build deeper trust and longer-lasting relationships. Why do many advisors think they want to retire when they really want a better environment? Burnout is often driven by firm constraints, not a loss of passion for clients. What conversations should advisors be having with clients that most never do? Purpose-driven conversations lead to better outcomes for both advisors and clients. If you’re a financial advisor questioning your next move, feeling disconnected from your work, or considering a transition, this episode provides a framework to rethink success - and reconnect with why you started in the first place. For many advisors, rediscovering purpose is also what clarifies whether a firm transition is necessary - or whether the real issue is the environment they’re in. Learn more about Elite and our resources: Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions https://eliteconsultingpartners.com Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors https://elitemarketingconcepts.com Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers & Acquisitions https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors https://jedidatabasesolutions.com Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

    30 min
  6. Are You Making a Transactional or Transformational Career Move?

    JAN 22

    Are You Making a Transactional or Transformational Career Move?

    Show highlights include:   -Why focusing only on upfront payouts can leave money on the table. -How growth-minded advisors evaluate leadership, technology, and firm culture. -What truly separates firms that say they help you grow from those that actually do. -Why due diligence matters more than most advisors realize. -The importance of viewing your firm as a long-term partner, not a temporary stop. If you’re considering a move - or even thinking about your future trajectory - this episode will challenge you to rethink what success really looks like and how to avoid costly mistakes along the way. Learn more about our companies and resources: -Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com -Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com -Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com -JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com   Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

    37 min
  7. Don’t Just Grow… Grow the Right Way

    JAN 15

    Don’t Just Grow… Grow the Right Way

    Show highlights include: -The difference between being a practitioner vs. a true business owner. -Why growing too fast can break your systems, operations, and culture. -How to scale without sacrificing your core values. -Why “making the right move” matters more than making the next move. -How to define your ideal client avatar beyond just AUM. -Why more RIAs are exploring M&A - and what’s driving the trend. If you’re thinking about growth, transitions, acquisitions, or simply want to build a business that still feels like you, this episode is packed with real-world insights you won’t want to miss. Learn more about our companies and resources: -Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com -Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com -Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com -JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com   Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

    47 min
  8. Greatest Hits: Inside the Transition - What Really Happens When Advisors Move

    JAN 8 · BONUS

    Greatest Hits: Inside the Transition - What Really Happens When Advisors Move

    Key Highlights: -How long it really takes to prepare and execute a successful move. -What you can - and can't - say to clients during a transition. -The emotional cost of waiting too long to leave. -Why your assistant should be part of the due diligence process. -Using the transition conversation to grow your book of business. -Legal tips for navigating non-protocol firms. -The value of having a transition project manager on your team. Whether you're planning a move next month or just starting to consider your options, this episode provides actionable insights and firsthand advice from industry veterans who have seen it all. Ready to talk? Reach out to Stacey at Stacey@EliteConsultingPartners.com. Learn more about our companies and resources: -Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com -Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors: https://elitemarketingconcepts.com -Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions: https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com -JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors: https://jedidatabasesolutions.com   Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes: https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

    54 min
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4.8
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90 Ratings

About

Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa offers unfiltered guidance and advice for financial advisors, wealth management professionals, and entrepreneurs alike who are interested in maximizing both their business and personal potential. Informed by Frank's unique insights and his personal conversations with industry leaders, the dynamic discussion topics of Advisor Talk include business ownership, leadership, practice management, transition and recruiting, marketing and branding, as well as a host of financial services related topics related to wirehouse, regional, and RIA advisors, firms, and teams. Frank’s goal, and the goal of his team at Elite Consulting Partners, is now as ever to be the go-to resource for actionable information and trusted guidance to elevate you and your career at whatever stage you may be.

Information

  • Creator
    Elite Consulting Partners
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    327
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Elite Consulting Partners
  • Show Website
    Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa

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