Top Advisor Podcast

Bill Cates
  • 4.6 (39)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to the Top Advisor Podcast, brought to you by ProudMouth’s Influence Accelerator Academy, with your host, Bill Cates, CSP, CPAE. Bill interviews the financial service industry’s top performers to learn their secrets to sustained success. These short interviews will get right to the heart of what each top advisor is doing to acquire more right-fit clients. You’ll be reminded, renewed, and inspired to take powerful action. You’ll impact more lives and increase your income at the same time.

  1. 6h ago

    #111 – The Ideal Week for Financial Advisors with Brian Margolis

    Are you running your week, or is your week running you? Brian Margolis, founder of Productivity Giant explains why most advisors spend too much time reacting to emails, distractions, and day-to-day chaos, and how you can reverse that trend. Key Takeaways: Pillar System: Identify 5-7 weekly “pillars” – the most high-leverage activities that, done consistently, drive your long-term results. Success lies in consistency, even if the payoff isn’t immediately obvious. Pro Time (Protected, Proactive Time): Schedule focused, undisturbed blocks in your calendar – ideally in the morning – to work on your business, not just in it. Mold & Batch: Treat your Pro Time as your most important client. Mold your calendar around it, and batch similar tasks together to avoid the productivity-killing cost of context switching. Plan Your Day: Don’t start your morning until it’s finished on paper. Brian Margolis shares his “four column” legal pad system to organize priority projects, tasks, and even personal to-dos.   Quick Implementation Tips  Set Recurring Pro Time: Make it a standing appointment with yourself on your calendar – before meetings or client work fills the space. Try a Reverse Timer: When tackling email, set a 10–15-minute timer to process as much as you can, saving longer items for later. Batch for Focus: Group similar tasks. For example, process prospecting emails together, handle admin tasks in one block, and reserve creative work for your freshest hours. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you work smarter, protect your pro time, and achieve the results you want. Don’t forget to check out the show notes for free resources and get ready to turn great ideas into meaningful action! Sponsor:  EPISODE SPONSORS: Nexruto www.Nexruto.comThe Cates Academy for Relationship Marketing www.TheCatesAcademy.com  Connect with Brian Margolis: Website:  www.ProductivityGiant.com LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/margolisbrian/ Book:  The Index Card Business Plan Email:  brian@productivitygiant.com  Resources:  RapidFire Referrals Get a copy of “The Language of Referrals” Get a copy of “Radical Relevance” Grab your copy of The Hidden Heist today! Connect With Bill Cates: BillCates@referralcoach.com Referral Coach Homepage Hire Bill for Coaching Enroll in The Cates Academy About Brian Margolis Brian Margolis is a former environmental scientist who turned entrepreneur. He is the founder of ProductivityGiant.com and author of the book The Index Card Business Plan for Sales Pros and Entrepreneurs. Brian’s Pillar System helps sales pros and entrepreneurs create a strategy so simple, it fits on an index card…but so powerful it’s helped create 7-figure earners and has been licensed by some of the largest companies in the world to train their teams. Brian has been a partner or consultant in multiple ventures ranging from startups to national brands. He has worked with everyone from SharkTank entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. Both his accomplishments and failures span a variety of industries. In addition to his above work, and appearances on some of the largest business and sales podcasts in the world, he is still in the trenches having done thousands of individual coaching sessions with sales pros and entrepreneurs.

    46 min

  2. Jun 10

    #110 – Cultivating Community and Challenging Retirement Myths with Derek Coburn

    Thrilled to have interviewed Derek Coburn on the latest episode of the Top Advisor Podcast! Derek built and sold a thriving financial practice, created the renowned networking community Cadre, and is a bestselling author challenging the conventional views on retirement. Whether you’re a financial advisor or a growth-minded professional, his journey and perspectives are a must-listen. Here are 3 key takeaways for you: Curated Networking Beats Cold Outreach: Derek found greater success – and deeper relationships – by moving away from mass networking events and instead hosting highly curated, small-group gatherings that create meaningful connections.Tired of large, impersonal networking events? Derek shares how hosting smaller, curated roundtable lunches led to deeper connections and eventually grew into Cadre, a thriving community for entrepreneurs and business leaders Redefining Retirement: Question the traditional model of retirement. The story of Derek’s Dad and his book Let’s Retire Retirement shows that maintaining purpose beyond 65 can not only improve well-being but also offer financial flexibility.Derek challenges traditional thinking about retirement, asking: Should we be steering clients toward a destination they may not truly want? It’s About Being Present, Not Just Planning:True wealth is about maximizing meaningful moments with family and friends throughout life—not deferring them until “someday.” Don’t underestimate the value of $50,000 moments.Check out this episode for practical ideas on building your network, challenging outdated industry advice, and living life more fully now and later! Episode Sponsors:  Nexruto The Cates Academy for Relationship Marketing . Connect with Derek Coburn: www.DerekCoburn.com https://www.cadredc.com/ linkedin.com/in/derekcoburn Book:  Let’s Retire Retirement Resources: RapidFire Referrals Get a copy of “The Language of Referrals” Get a copy of “Radical Relevance” Grab your copy of The Hidden Heist today! Connect With Bill Cates: BillCates@referralcoach.com Referral Coach Homepage Hire Bill for Coaching Enroll in The Cates Academy

    50 min

  3. May 20

    #109 – How Financial Advisors Win & Keep Business Owner Assets with Scott Bushkie

    Did you know? 96% of business owners are open to switching advisors right before, during, or after the sale of their business. That’s a staggering stat from a recent study discussed on the Top Advisor Podcast with Scott Bushkie – highlighting both a threat and a huge opportunity for financial advisors. If you’re working with business owners or want to attract more, here are three actionable takeaways from the episode: Start the Conversation Early: Don’t wait for your clients approach you for a conversation about selling their business. Proactively discuss their exit plans and the value of their business before someone else does. Build a Trusted Team: Business owners expect their advisor to have a team of experts (including tax, M&A, and legal professionals) ready to help maximize their value and minimize taxes during this critical transition. Never Accept the First Offer: The study revealed that business owners almost always net a significantly higher sale price (sometimes 60–100% more) when they run a competitive sale process rather than accepting unsolicited offers. Case in Point: The Danger of Waiting Hear what happens when a trusted advisor “waits for the call” after a client sells – only to lose out on tens of millions in new assets because they weren’t proactive. Or discover how partnering with experts and running a competitive sale process turned an initial $31M offer into a $51M payday for both the business owner and their advisor. Advisors: This is an immediate opportunity to be the hero your business owner clients need or risk losing them at the most pivotal moment of their financial lives. Episode Sponsor:       Connect with Scott Bushkie – Cornerstone Business Services: Cornerstone Website Financial Advisor AUM Study FINISH STRONG:  Book & Workbook Scott’s LinkedIn Profile Cornerstone YouTube Video Resources: RapidFire Referrals Get a copy of “The Language of Referrals” Get a copy of “Radical Relevance” Grab your copy of The Hidden Heist today! Connect With Bill Cates: BillCates@referralcoach.com Referral Coach Homepage Hire Bill for Coaching Enroll in The Cates Academy About Scott Bushkie Scott Bushkie is the Managing Partner and Founder of Cornerstone Business Services. With more than 25 years in mergers & acquisitions, Scott is a recognized leader in the lower middle market, helping business owners sell their companies, grow through acquisition, and understand the realistic value of their businesses in today’s market. Over the years, Scott has successfully executed hundreds of transactions, domestically and internationally. He has the trust and respect of CPA and financial advisor alliances, investment banks, and other professional service firms within the M&A marketplace. A leading authority on lower middle market M&A, Scott’s expertise is sought after by major media outlets including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, CBS, and iHeart Media. The best-selling author of Finish Strong: Sell Your Business on Your Terms, he also guest authors content for numerous newspapers, magazines, and trade publications. As a keynote speaker, Scott engages diverse audiences from national organizations to regional trade groups and international delegations. He focuses on empowering business owners to maximize the single largest transaction of their life: the sale of their business. Additionally, he equips financial advisors with strategies to better serve these owners and, in turn, significantly grow their AUM. Scott is the founder and past chair of the Wisconsin chapter of Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries (MBBI), past chair of the International Business Broker Association (IBBA), past chair of the M&A Source, and the founding president of the Wisconsin chapter of EO. Scott has been named Fellow of IBBA, Fellow of M&A Source, and was a 2025 inductee into the IBBA Hall of Fame—in each instance the youngest person in the world to receive these prestigious lifetime designations, recognizing industry expertise and contributions to the profession. In 2018, Scott launched the Cornerstone International Alliance (CIA), providing member firms with enhanced buyer reach, access to industry experts, resources, and structured best practice sharing. In 2025, CIA had approximately 30 partner firms worldwide and facilitated the transition of $2 billion in enterprise value. Scott also partnered with a third-party research firm to produce the 2025 National Study on Selling Your Business. The first of its kind, the study provides groundbreaking research into business owner attitudes, trends, and expectations about selling their business. Scott holds designations as a Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary (M&AMI), a Certified M&A Professional (CM&AP), and a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI). He is a registered representative of the broker dealer Ceiba Financial with the Series 62 & 63 securities licenses. Scott’s diverse background includes entrepreneurial endeavors, management, finance, and marketing. He has operated small startups and worked with international corporations. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Scott and his wife Cassie live in Green Bay with their three children.

    51 min

  4. Apr 29

    #108 – Maximizing Client & Advisor Outcomes Through Cash Flow Management with David Mozeika

    The national average savings rate in the U.S. is a dismal 4%.  If you could help your clients raise that rate as high as 20%, what would that mean to your clients and to your business? Our featured guest, David Mozeika, is a top-performing financial advisor with over two decades of experience and Forbes recognition, who has revolutionized the way advisors and clients think about money movement. Rather than relying on traditional budgeting or chasing higher rates of return, David Mozeika advocates for a proactive approach he calls “Income Under Management.” By rethinking the flow of funds and intercepting income before it hits spending accounts, he’s helped clients and advisors unlock higher rates of saving and investing, leading to long-term financial confidence. David Mozeika also co-founded Currence, a tool designed to support this innovative method and foster a more collaborative, transformative relationship between advisors and their clients. This is a game-changing approach to holistic financial planning that creates a huge win for your clients and for you! Here are 3 key takeaways: Flip the Savings Script: David introduces the concept of “Income Under Management,” emphasizing that traditional budgeting is backward-looking and often ineffective. Instead, by redirecting income into a separate reservoir account before it hits the spending account, clients automatically become better savers; often without conscious effort. Create Transformative Client Value: Structuring cash flow in this way not only delivers better client results but can also transform relationships. Clients frequently report a sense of confidence and clarity, with some even saying, “You have transformed my life.” This leads to stronger engagement and higher referability. Business Impact: By helping clients increase their rate of saving and investing (from the national average of ~4% to 20%+), advisors can dramatically grow their own businesses. More client savings translates into more assets to manage. A true win-win!   Sponsor:  EPISODE SPONSOR:  Nexruto www.Nexruto.com   Connect with David Mozeika & Currence WebsitesCurrence:  www.LiveCurrence.comIncome Under Management Summit (Save $600) https://livecurrence.com/ium-2026/promo-redemption/cates/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmozeika/   Resources:  RapidFire Referrals Get a copy of “The Language of Referrals” Get a copy of “Radical Relevance” Grab your copy of The Hidden Heist today!   Connect With Bill Cates: BillCates@referralcoach.com Referral Coach Homepage Hire Bill for Coaching Enroll in The Cates Academy   About David Mozeika David Mozeika has dedicated over 20 years to the financial services industry, consistently ranking in the top 1% of his peers. Recognized as a top advisor by Forbes, David has a proven track record of helping clients manage their cash flow to achieve their financial goals. His innovative approach led to the creation of Currence, a platform designed to change the direction of cash flow and introduce a “speed bump” between income and spending.

    39 min

  5. Apr 8

    #107 – 3 Top Advisor Growth Strategies – Part 1 with Bill Cates, CSP, CPAE

    Welcome to a special solo edition of the Top Advisor Podcast! In this episode, host Bill Cates pulls from decades of coaching, interviewing, and his own experience to deliver a powerful session on best practices for bringing in new clients and creating real advocates for your business. Unlike typical interview-driven episodes, today’s focus is on actionable principles, strategies, and tactics that top advisors are using right now. Bill dives deep into what it means to be truly referable and remarkable, i.e., “worthy of remark” – exploring the vital difference between simply keeping clients happy and elevating your relationships to the level where clients enthusiastically introduce you to others. You’ll hear real examples from standout advisors, learn about the game-changing 3 Rs of relationship marketing, and discover how targeting the right markets, building strong personal connections, and embracing your clients’ money beliefs can transform the growth and reputation of your practice. Packed with concrete examples, episode references, and tested tools, this solo session is your roadmap to moving from incremental to exponential growth, cultivating a culture of introductions, and becoming the advisor everyone talks about. Tune in for inspiration, insights, and practical steps you can start using today. 3 Top Takeaways Being Referable Means Going Beyond Good Service: Bill Cates emphasizes that referability is about creating deeper engagement and trust with clients. It’s not just about solid financial planning; it’s about forming value connections and personal connections that turn clients into advocates. Build a Clear Target Market and Reputation: Many top advisors cited in the episode have a well-defined target market, which makes their messaging more relevant, strengthens their reputation, and leads to more introductions. As Bill Cates points out, “vague intentions produce vague results; clear intentions produce clear results.” Leverage Empathy & Money Stories: Helping clients explore and reframe their beliefs about money builds lasting relationships and positions you as a trusted advisor. Bill Cates shares how unpacking “broken money stories” brings a rich value to your clients that few advisors leverage. This strategy creates advocates and unsolicited referrals. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, just starting out, or somewhere in between, these principles, strategies, and tactics are game changers for client acquisition and building a thriving practice.

    1h 2m

  6. Mar 11

    #106 – Unlocking Profitability for You & Your Clients with Mike Michalowicz

    “I actually call myself – lovingly – the angel of death because I was not an angel investor. Yeah, I destroyed businesses and, in the process, wiped myself out financially.” – Mike Michalowicz I believe that the message in Mike Michalowicz’ book, Profit First is both elegantly simple and powerful I’ve adopted most of these strategies over the past 6 months and my business has already become more profitable, and my cash-flow management is clearer and smoother than ever before. This interview of Mike is going to follow two parallel paths.  As a financial advisor YOU are a business owner AND you probably serve a lot of business owner clients. This interview will give you ideas to bring more value to your clients, and at the same time help you reflect on the profitability of your own business. Bill and Mike discuss: Profit First Mentality: Mike shared his personal story of financial reset, revealing how shifting your approach to “profit first” can change everything. Instead of waiting for profit at year-end, set it aside from every transaction – just like you pay yourself first in personal finance. Behavioral Hacks for Profitability: Discover the “small plates” strategy. Just as smaller dinner plates lead to smaller portions, breaking your income into dedicated accounts (profit, owner’s compensation, taxes, OpEx) naturally guides prudent spending. Why Most Business Owners Struggle: Did you know 83% of small businesses are living paycheck to paycheck? The traditional formula – sales minus expenses equals profit – actually sets most up for failure. With Profit First, sales minus profit equals expenses, forcing you to run your business sustainably. Debt & Profit: Think you need to pay off debt before saving profit? Think again – profit is the muscle you need to build to sustainably pay down debt over time. Owner’s Compensation vs. Profit: Mike Michalowicz clarified the crucial distinction: Owner’s compensation is your salary for running the business. Profit is a bonus for taking the risk. Don’t confuse or commingle these! Holistic Advising: Advisors, there’s a massive opportunity in linking business and personal finances for your clients. Don’t leave the business side to the accountant – address both for true financial independence. Commitment Devices: ! This is Powerful ! Setting up systems (like hiding your profit in a different bank account) creates “commitment devices” – behavioral nudges that help you stick to your plan, just like leaving your gym shoes on the toilet lid to get moving in the morning. Whether you’re a solo advisor, own a small business, or even part of a larger firm, Profit First adapts. The sooner you start, the greater the impact.

    37 min

  7. Feb 18

    #105 – Your Road Map to Ideal Clients, Ideal Business, and Ideal Life with Bill Bachrach, CSP, CPAE

    “Most financial advisors work too many hours for too little money for too many of the wrong clients.” – Bill Bachrach, CSP, CPAE . If you’re a financial advisor looking to grow your ideal practice, this session is a must-listen. We unpacked the power of building high-trust relationships and how just 50 ideal clients paying $20,000 a year can transform your business and your life. NOT LOOKING for this exact model?  Keep listening.  The principles, strategies, and tactics discussed can apply to any advisory model. It’s all about asking great questions, truly listening, and focusing on quality over quantity. Plus, we discuss practical strategies to transition from a busy, overwhelming practice to your dream client base. Unlock the roadmap to results and become the trusted advisor your clients deserve! Bill C. and Bill B. Discuss: Most advisors work too many hours for too little money and too many of the wrong clients. Want real change? Focus on fewer, ideal clients – quality over quantity. Build a business that funds your ideal life. Trust isn’t a sales tactic. It’s the foundation. Skip the features and benefits. Ask real questions and listen deeply. Human connection still trumps everything in the financial advisory world. “What’s important about money to you?” That simple question opens up a valuable conversation. Listen without rushing. Silence is powerful. Remember that sometimes people just need extra time to think before revealing what matters most. Referrals aren’t automatic. Clients need to trust you at the highest level before risking their relationships for you. Consistent follow-through and genuine care make the difference. Earn that bridge. AI is here, but human-to-human connection is what sets trusted advisors apart. Use technology for efficiency, but double down on listening and empathy. Be as analog and human as possible with your clients.

    1h 4m

  8. Jan 19

    Rewriting Your Money Story: How Beliefs Shape Your Wealth

    Most financial challenges aren’t math problems—they’re belief problems. In my recent podcast conversation with Corey Mosley, we talked about money stories: the beliefs people absorb early in life that quietly shape how they save, invest, earn, and even value themselves. Clients don’t always resist your advice because they “don’t get it.” Often, they resist because the advice conflicts with a story they’ve carried for decades. The same is true for advisors. Your beliefs influence how you price, position your value, and show up in conversations. When you help clients (and yourself) rewrite the story beneath the numbers, everything changes—clarity, confidence, and follow-through. Listen to the conversation and explore how money stories shape financial outcomes.

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4.6
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About

Welcome to the Top Advisor Podcast, brought to you by ProudMouth’s Influence Accelerator Academy, with your host, Bill Cates, CSP, CPAE. Bill interviews the financial service industry’s top performers to learn their secrets to sustained success. These short interviews will get right to the heart of what each top advisor is doing to acquire more right-fit clients. You’ll be reminded, renewed, and inspired to take powerful action. You’ll impact more lives and increase your income at the same time.

Information

  • Creator
    Bill Cates
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright 2021 Top Advisor Podcast© All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Top Advisor Podcast

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