Model FA Podcast

Model FA
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Model FA Podcast

Thoughts and interviews from the financial advice industry!

  1. DEC 17

    From Accounting to Entrepreneurship: Gerry Spitzer’s Journey to Building a Thriving Independent Firm

    In this episode we are joined by Gerry Spitzer, a founding partner of Questor Capital Partners. Gerry shares his career journey from Binghamton University to Price Waterhouse, Merrill Lynch, UBS, and finally to independence. He discusses the benefits and challenges of going independent, emphasizing the importance of due diligence and choosing the right platform. Gerry highlights the value of the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation and the success of their team, which now manages $875 million in assets. They also explore the complexities of helping business owners plan for life after their companies, including succession planning and leveraging ESOPs. In this episode: 0:01:10 Gerry Spitzer's career journey - Started in accounting, moved to computer sales, then joined Merrill Lynch training program despite high failure rate. Formed a long-term partnership with a colleague from the training program. 0:04:49 Transitioning to independence - Discussed benefits and challenges of working at large brokerages vs. the independent space. Emphasized the importance of due diligence when choosing an independent platform. 0:13:14 Building a team and client base - Described current business with 7 team members and $875M in assets. Serve a mix of clients including business owners, corporate executives, and those inheriting wealth. 0:15:26 Challenges and opportunities in exit planning - Highlighted importance of succession planning for business owners. Shared examples of different exit planning approaches like ESOP transactions. 0:25:23 Navigating the transition process - Discussed resistance from business owners and strategies to overcome it, including building a strong professional team. 0:35:39 Impact of exit planning on clients - Emphasized the referrals and positive outcomes from successful exit planning engagements. Importance of educating centers of influence. 0:39:11 Final thoughts and future goals - Excited about the independent space and opportunities to continue serving high-quality clients. Connect with Gerry:   Website: www.questarcap.com Email: gerry@questarcap.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerry-spitzer-cpwa%C2%AE-cepa%C2%AE-2472895/   About the Model FA Podcast   The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.    Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you’d love to see covered.    Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle   If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    40 min

  2. DEC 3

    Disrupting the RIA Space: How Ritik Malhotra is Redefining Financial Advice

    In this episode of the ModelFA podcast, host David DeCelle sits down with Ritik Malhotra, the founder and CEO of Savvy Wealth. Ritik shares his impressive entrepreneurial journey, from building internet businesses as a teenager to founding successful startups in cloud storage and fintech. The conversation digs into Ritik's inspiration behind starting Savvy Wealth - his experience working with financial advisors and identifying the industry's need for modernization and technology-driven solutions. Ritik explains how Savvy Wealth's purpose-built AI-powered platform is empowering advisors to increase efficiency, scale their businesses, and spend more time focused on client relationships. Key insights from the discussion include:   How AI is currently impacting the financial advisory industry, from automating compliance and marketing tasks to freeing up advisor time   Examples of advisors seeing 50% time savings on quarterly reviews and 80% reductions in content creation time   Ritik's emphasis on using AI to augment advisors, not replace them, and the importance of the human advisor-client relationship   Savvy Wealth's approach to constantly gathering feedback from advisors to improve their platform and address pain points   Ritik also shares the influential book "Founders at Work" by Jessica Livingston, which inspired him in his entrepreneurial journey. This episode provides valuable insights for financial advisors looking to leverage technology and AI to enhance their practices and better serve their clients. Be sure to visit Savvy Wealth's website and follow them on LinkedIn to learn more about their innovative solutions. Connect with Ritik: Website: https://www.savvywealth.com Email: ritik@savvywealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritikmalhotra/   About the Model FA Podcast   The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.    Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you’d love to see covered.    Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle   If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    45 min

  3. NOV 19

    From Pilot to Financial Advisor Marketer: Jonathan Musgrave’s Story of Adaptation and Innovation

    What does a pilot’s license at 16, a career in journalism, and a passion for financial advisor marketing have in common? They’re all part of Jonathan Musgrave’s remarkable journey. In this episode of The Model FA Podcast, Jonathan, founder and CEO of Steep Digital Marketing, opens up about his unconventional career path and how it shaped his approach to helping financial advisors thrive. Check out these key moments: 0:01:25 - Jonathan describes his goal out of college as becoming "unemployable" 0:02:25 - Early ambition to become a pilot and get his pilot's license at age 16 0:03:25 - Jonathan shifts to journalism after the pilot market becomes flooded post-9/11 0:04:25 - First job out of college was at a wholesale company as their marketing director 0:07:25 - His transition from print to digital marketing and starting Steep Digital in 2017 0:10:25 - Challenges and lessons learned from his wholesale business experience 0:14:25 - How COVID-19 led to a shift from live events to webinars for Steep Digital 0:19:25 - The "Psychology of Retirement" film and its success in attracting audiences 0:27:25 - Effective call to action used at the film events 0:34:25 - Impact of Cameron Herold's book "Vivid Vision" on his approach to leadership and vision setting 0:41:25 - Jonathan provides information on how to connect with Steep Digital and get a free copy of the film Connect with Jonathan:   Website: https://www.steepdigital.com Email: jonathan@steepdigital.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steep-digital-marketing  About the Model FA Podcast The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams. Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you’d love to see covered. Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle   If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    44 min

  4. NOV 5

    Pioneering Fee-Only Wealth Advice with Christopher Tan

    In this episode, Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, Southeast Asia's first and Singapore's sole fee-only comprehensive wealth advisory firm, shares his journey from a humble background to becoming a financial advisor. He tells the story of how he transitioned from engineering to the army, then to pharmaceutical sales and eventually to financial services. Despite initial industry resistance, Providend has grown to manage over $1 billion for 900 households, with a team of 55. Tan emphasized the importance of aligning financial advice with clients' life goals and credited the "hedgehog concept" from Jim Collins' "Good to Great" for guiding Providend's strategy.   Check out these key moments: 0:02:06 Christopher Tan introduces himself as the CEO of Providend, Southeast Asia's first and Singapore's sole fee-only comprehensive wealth advisory firm. 0:07:13 Christopher discusses how his time in the army instilled confidence, discipline, and a sense of pride in his work that he carried into his business career. 0:14:31 He shares how a client's feedback made him realize he was selling products rather than providing true financial planning advice, leading him to leave the insurance industry. 0:22:42 Christopher  recounts the initial industry backlash and personal attacks he faced when launching Providend's fee-only model, including threatening letters. 0:40:02 Christopher  emphasizes Providend's focus on helping clients achieve their life goals, not just managing their money, as a key driver of the firm's success. 0:51:40 Christopher  explains how the "hedgehog concept" from the book "Good to Great" has shaped Providend's corporate strategy and mission. Connect with Christopher:   Website: https://www.providend.com Email: chris_tan@providend.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-tan-19336a/   About the Model FA Podcast   The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.    Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you’d love to see covered.    Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle   If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    54 min

  5. OCT 15

    The Growth Whisperer: Abby Salameh's Secrets for Scaling Advisor Businesses

    In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Abby Salameh, Chief Growth Officer at RFG Advisory. Abby shares her fascinating career journey, from starting in institutional sales at Sanford Bernstein to launching the first financial advisor newspaper, Investment News.    Abby discusses her transition into growing large RIA firms like Fusion Advisor Network and Hightower Advisors, and the key lessons she's learned about advisor growth and operational efficiency.    Check out these key moments: 0:06:35 Abby's early career path and how she "happenstanced" into financial services 0:12:35 Abby's move from publishing into the custodial side at TD Waterhouse 0:15:35 Abby's experience growing Fusion Advisor Network, Private Advisor Group, and Hightower 0:24:04 Abby's approach to helping advisors identify where they spend their time and energy 0:31:07 Abby's focus on culture and selectivity in who RFG brings onto their platform 0:36:32 How RFG balances automated content with custom, advisor-branded content This episode is full of insights for any financial advisor looking to grow their practice in a sustainable way. Tune in to hear Abby's unique perspective from her diverse background in the industry. Connect with Abby:   Website: https://www.rfgadvisory.com Email: asalameh@rfgadvisory.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbysalameh/   About the Model FA Podcast   The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.    Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you’d love to see covered.    Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle   If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Exchange on Skool.com to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    42 min

  6. OCT 1

    From Wirehouse to RIA: Craig Robson's Transformative Journey

    In this episode of the ModelFA podcast, host David sits down with Craig Robson, the Founding Principal and Managing Director of Regent Peak Wealth Advisors. Craig shares his fascinating journey from a 25-year career at Merrill Lynch to launching his own independent RIA firm, Regent Peak Wealth Advisors. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to the independent space, the firm's unique approach to client engagement, and the importance of building a strong culture and team. In this episode: 0:01:20 Craig's experience at Merrill Lynch and the benefits of larger firms for training new advisors 0:04:30 The founding of Regent Peak Wealth Advisors and the firm's focus on serving wealth creators 0:10:51 The importance of having a resource strategy and leveraging external partners in the early stages 0:15:04 Regent Peak's growth strategy, including the consulting agreement model and proactive marketing efforts 0:27:34 The significance of the "10,000 hours" concept and the importance of focusing on core competencies 0:53:28 Craig's recommended book, "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell, and the impact it has had on his perspective Connect with Craig:   Website: https://www.regentpeakwealth.com Email: crobson@regentpeakwealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/regent-peak-wealth-advisors/   About the Model FA Podcast   The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.    Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you’d love to see covered.    Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle   If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    59 min

  7. SEP 17

    Role Reversal! David DeCelle and Dan Allison & Graham Gardner Answering Your Best Questions!

    On this special episode, Graham Gardner hosts the podcast and interviews David DeCelle and Dan Allison to talk strategies for advisors to grow their practices in 2024. They emphasize the importance of identifying one's strengths and niches, leveraging technology for automation, and outsourcing non-core tasks. They advise on creating personalized content to build authority and maintain client relationships. The conversation highlights the need for intentional marketing, such as scheduling follow-up meetings and providing value-added content to prospects and COIs. They stress the importance of simplicity in communication and the value of long-term, consistent efforts over quick fixes. Join the most connected place for advisors online. Check out the Exchange and visit FA.Exchange In this episode: Identify strengths to automate, delegate and hire for weaknesses Scheduling natural follow-up meetings with prospects The art of personalized monthly content for prospects Gathering client feedback, adjust events and communications Connect with Dan:   Website: https://www.fa.exchange Email: dallison@bchlife.com   Connect with Graham:   Website: https://www.fa.exchange Email: graham@modelfa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theonlinemarketer/   About the Model FA Podcast   The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.    Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you’d love to see covered.    Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle   If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    1h 37m

  8. SEP 3

    Mastering the Art of Data Ownership and Predictive Analytics with John O’Connell

    In this episode I am joined by John O'Connell, CEO of the Oasis Group to discuss ownership, data security, and predictive analytics for wealth managers. He emphasized the importance of relatable technology communication and shared real-life case studies, such as integrating technology stacks and enhancing efficiency. John highlighted the significance of data warehouses and data lakes, explaining their roles in storing and analyzing data. He also discussed AI's potential to augment, not replace, advisors, recommending prompt engineering and note-taking AI tools. John recommended "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and "The Magic of Thinking Big" for building relationships and business success.   This week on The Model FA Podcast: 0:00:07 - The role of a CEO is to invest in the business and ensure it remains an ongoing concern. 0:00:28 - Introduction of John O'Connell, founder and CEO of the Oasis Group. 0:01:47 - Oasis Group's four main services: data capture, data security, data ownership, and predictive analytics. 0:04:10 - John O'Connell's background, starting as a programmer at Merrill Lynch and transitioning to sales and consulting roles. 0:07:38 - Importance of making technology relatable to non-technical advisors. 0:20:26 - Considerations for advisors regarding data warehouses and data lakes. 0:30:15 - Practical applications of AI in financial services, including note-taking and prompt engineering. 0:44:45 - Book recommendations: "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie and "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz. 0:51:27 - Closing remarks and information about The Oasis Group's resources.   Connect with John:   Website: https://www.theoasisgrp.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnokoconnell/ Email: john@theoasisgrp.com   About the Model FA Podcast   The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes  to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no “gotchas” or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.    Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you’d love to see covered.    Our Team: President of Model FA, David DeCelle   If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

    52 min
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4.7
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Thoughts and interviews from the financial advice industry!

Information

  • Creator
    Model FA
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Model FA Podcast

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