XYPN Radio XY Planning Network

In this episode of XYPN Radio, we sit down with Jamie Lima, CFP®, CDFA®, MBA, an XYPN Ambassador, and the founder of Woodson Wealth Management and Allegiant Divorce Solutions, two virtual firms. Jamie's journey is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, having transitioned from managing 450 households at large wirehouses to founding his firm amid the COVID pandemic of 2020.
Jamie shares his unconventional path to gain marketing momentum, including how posting a profile on Thumbtack outperformed multiple marketing agencies. He also delves into his strategic hiring decisions, from bringing on an Operations Manager as a W2 employee to scaling his firm with 1099 advisors.
Jamie Lima's insights are invaluable for anyone looking to start a firm. Get ready to take notes as we explore Jamie's innovative approach to wealth management and business growth. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge and practical advice in this insightful interview with Jamie Lima.
What You’ll Learn From this Episode:
Making quarterly calls with clients to keep your clients engaged and on track with their plan
Finding and marketing yourself in spaces where other advisors aren’t as present to generate leads and new business
How being a virtual firm can broaden your potential client base nationally
How growing your firm with 1099 advisors provides flexibility and ownership to your advisors
Hiring early before your business is overwhelmed to find the best candidate for your firm
How hiring employees who don’t have previous financial planning experience can be beneficial and trainable
Advice on making the transition from a large broker-dealer to launching your RIA
 

In today’s episode of XYPN Radio I am thrilled to have Ed Smith and Amanda Lique of Valor Wealth Partners on the show. Valor Wealth Partners specializes in serving civilian federal employees and handling their complex financial situations. Ed and Amanda are here to share their journey of building their firm from the ground up.
We dive into the origins of their partnership, their strategic collaboration with ProFed to host workshops for their ideal clients, and the early investments that paved the way for their success. Despite the inherent risks, Ed and Amanda have no regrets in the venture and have grown their client base to over 100 satisfied clients.
They also provide valuable insights on scaling a business, the importance of hiring the right team, and the significance of building efficient systems and processes. One of the highlights is their experience making their first hire—choosing someone with strong business acumen over industry experience—and fostering a supportive community within their client base.
Tune in to be inspired by Ed and Amanda’s story, learn from their experiences, and get motivated to take risks and build meaningful relationships in your own financial planning journey.
 
What You’ll Learn From this Episode:
How Valor produces educational workshops for lead generation and also provides a valuable service for people in their niche
The benefits of working alongside your competitors to grow your niche and elevate both firms in the process
Working remotely with your firm’s team using CRMs and other tech tools
Qualities to look for in new hires when expanding your firm’s team that go beyond industry experience
Navigating the challenges of the first 5 years of being in business
Creating meaningful relationships with your clients and creating a community in your niche
Leaping into the unknown when first venturing out on your own with a new business
 

In today’s episode of XYPN Radio we are joined by John Bovard, CFP®, founder and CEO of Incline Wealth Advisors, a thriving wealth management firm based in Cincinnati. John launched his firm in 2020, just before the pandemic, and has impressively grown it to serve over 75 clients with a dedicated two person team supporting him and the firm’s continued growth.
In this episode, we delve into John's unique "barbell" approach to client management, focusing primarily on his niche work with business owners. John shares his insights on how he successfully guides these clients through the complex financial decisions involved in running their businesses.
With the experience of owning and managing not just Incline Wealth Advisors but also another business, John is exceptionally well-equipped to provide valuable advice. He discusses his flat fee pricing model and comprehensive service approach, offering listeners a transparent view of his strategies. Additionally, John shares a selection of book recommendations that have influenced his journey.
Whether you’re considering starting your own business or looking for ways to improve your financial management firm, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Join us for a compelling conversation with John Bovard that is inspiring and motivating!
 
What You’ll Learn From this Episode:
The importance of clear goals and daily consistency
How becoming a business owner can provide invaluable experience and knowledge when relating to other business owners as clients
The benefits and challenges of using your natural network to build your client base 
The proper messaging and approach to use when asking prospective clients for their business
How getting to know your clients’ CPAs can lead to collaborations that will help meet the goals of your clients
Evaluating the long term potential in prospective clients and building upon opportunities that can arise in the future with them
How joining a business owner roundtable group can provide insights to better run your business and support your team
A list of books recommendations that can serve as foundational reading material for listeners that are considering starting their own firm
 

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

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

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