Xypn Radio

We're very excited to have Chris Rodriguez of the National Disability Institute with us to teach us about ABLE accounts, a relatively new benefit for people with disabilities and their families.    Chris talks about the core mission of the National Disability Institute, and how he and his colleagues collaborate with other organizations to craft progressive policies that help people with disabilities become more financially independent.    Then we talk in depth about ABLE accounts themselves and what you as an advisor should know about them. We compare ABLE accounts with the Special Needs Trust and discuss the importance of financial literacy, while also touching on how you can get involved with the NDI's great work.  You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/92

Scott and First Ascent are blowing up industry norms on the asset management side of financial planning, freeing the firm from the legacy data that holds others back.  Scott talks about what pushed him to start his own firm after helping get several other small firms off the ground. He shares his thought process about the flat-fee model that First Ascent uses and why there's less incentive today to use an AUM fee structure. We also dig how technology is streamlining so much of the back office work in financial planning. Since Scott's firm can outsource much of the administrative work, they have more time to focus on excellent client service.  You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/91

Fee compression might sound like a strange or complicated term, but it's basically the idea that as the financial planning/asset management space becomes more crowded, advisors with smaller firms will have to reduce their fees and eventually go out of business. Kitces and Alan break down the different versions of fee compression that they do and don't see in the financial advisory marketplace, and they talk about why they think niched advisors are going to continue to succeed. They also touch on the legitimacy that big companies like Vanguard and Schwab are bringing to our profession, making financial advising more familiar and accessible to more people. Alan highlights the benefits these big moves will have for younger advisors, who will be able to get legitimate financial planning experience much earlier in their careers. Long story short: we'll be just fine, and a niche is (almost) always a good idea. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/90

Nancy Bleeke is the founder of Sales Pro Insider and the developer of the Genuine Sales Process. Nancy is a goldmine of great information and has an exciting announcement about her sales course which explores distractions that present as obstacles to our ability to generate sales.  You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/89  

Chloé graduated from the University of Alabama and immediately started studying to become a CFP. After several jobs as an associate planner and manager at various firms throughout the southern U.S., Chloé decided to start her own consulting and advising businesses. Chloé and I talk about the brilliant path she's taken as a financial planner, starting her career by advising high net-worth clients with complex needs. She also talks about some of the challenges she's faced as a young woman of color in a predominantly older and white male industry, how organizations like the Association of African American Financial Advisors are working to support each other, and how we can all contribute to making the industry more diverse. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: www.xyplanningnetwork.com/88  

On today's episode we hear from André Novaes, founder and CEO of Life FP. Life FP is a monthly retainer firm in Brazil with about 3,000 clients, 45 advisors, and a grand vision. If André had his way, 95% (or more) of Brazil's population would have the opportunity to design their lives with great financial planning. In this interview, André talks about his journey to establish Life FP and build the financial planning landscape in Brazil. He discusses why they don't have assets under management at Life FP, just dreams under management, and the tools he uses to build strong rapport with clients. André also shares how he makes the monthly retainer model work for him and his advisors, and how he gets clients to pay 5% of their income for financial planning services.    You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/87

Virtual paraplanning is probably the most requested interview topic from listeners. Jennifer Pritchard has one of the most unique and awesome jobs in financial planning. She's a financial planner who's been mentioned on the podcast before because she's built a virtual paraplanning business working with a number of our XYPN members.   You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/86  

Brian is the owner of Face 2 Face Financial Planning, a fee-only RIA in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He's a second generation planner who was introduced to the industry by his father. In 2007, he started his career in a wirehouse, but found the work unsatisfying after two years. He ultimately learned that he could serve customers in a way that provides value and while he earned a living. His experience is a wonderful case study describing how to establish a new firm, convince clients to join you, and transition from an existing RIA without burning bridges. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/85    

Today we're talking about some topics that don't often get discussed in the financial planning space: how your mental health and business are related, and what happens when you struggle with them both. Dave Grant, now the head of Retirement Matters, shares his journey as a financial planner and entrepreneur, and opens up about his recent experience with depression. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here:  http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/84

Rick Frisbie, the newly minted CEO of Robust Wealth, offers a thoughtful take on the state of technology in the financial services industry and what we can expect in the next 18 - 24 months. Robo-advisors, or automated wealth platforms, are here to stay. However, advisors will appreciate the suggestions Rick to best incorporate these tools in a way that drives growth.   You can find show notes and more information by clicking here:  http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/83    

This week, J.D. Bruce - President of Abacus Wealth Partners - shares his experience of growing a firm from a solo practice to an established business with a professional management, a board of directors, and a governance structure. J.D., a CPA with management experience across a variety of industries, was hired at Abacus to help merge two solo firms into the successful operation that exists today. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/82

We closed 2016 out with 350 members; hitting our 20-year goal in just two years. Whoa! As accidental entrepreneurs who sought the freedom to build a lifestyle on their own terms, we discuss the pros and cons of pursuing an aggressive growth strategy in business. In this episode, we reflect on how we were able to meet this challenge and the tools that made delegating much simpler. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/81  

Inga Chira is the President and Founder of Attainable Wealth, a fee-only RIA based in Los Angeles. She specializes in financial planning services for college professors and teachers. Inga has an awesome story and a very cool career path.  During her first year, she has started working with 23 new clients while maintaining her full-time position as an Assistant Professor of Finance. On this episode, we discuss her time management strategies and a simple, yet effective technique to connect with her ideal client.   You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/80  

Cady North, like most of our guests on the #XYPNRadio podcast, didn't begin her career as a financial planner. She was a political science major and became the leading expert on the Dodd-Frank bill as it was being written. After getting her MBA, she decided to make the leap into fee-only financial planning. She started her firm, North Financial Advisors, to bring independent and affordable financial advice to young professionals with an emphasis on women. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/79

Jim is the President of Financial Planners Assistance Corp. FPAC is a compliance firm that works with independent RIAs and financial planning firms. We talk about quite a few topics from what to expect when being audited to how giving gifts can create unintended consequences. Obviously, all information offered today should be considered general advice. Follow up with your state regulators for more specific information. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/78

Kristin Harad followed a very non-traditional route before landing in the financial planning industry. She initially dreamed of becoming an advertising executive on Madison Avenue in New York City and began her career as a direct marketer. This is where she honed her expertise building brand awareness for various firms and developing customer loyalty programs. Her success led to new opportunities helping financial advisors develop their marketing campaigns. She’s become a noted speaker and sought-after consultant in the financial planning industry. The increased notoriety ultimately led her to choose between running her financial planning firm and nurturing this burgeoning advisor-facing practice. She talks about which path she chose and why selecting one is essential for consistent growth and a balanced lifestyle. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here:  https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/77

In the hustle of this always-busy time of year, we thought it'd be a great idea to answer several of the mailbag questions from our private XYPN network. We start off with an announcement about the wide release of Advice Pay, our payment processor for advisors that follows the rules of all 51 states. Alan and Michael then spend a couple questions discussing the effects of the Department of Labor's new fiduciary laws, and which firms will have to change the most to accommodate them. We also dig into compliance regulations and how to limit risk when you're advising on 401Ks. The co-hosts also cover going solo as an advisor, how you need to market yourself, and how other advisors have transferred clients from a commission-based model to a net-worth retainer model. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here:  https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/76

This week, we're excited to welcome Hui-chin Chen, a Certified Financial Planner and co-owner of Pavlov Financial Planning, a fee-only firm based in Washington D.C. This Taiwanese native received an undergraduate degree in business before relocating to the United States to pursue her master's degree at Carnegie Mellon. Specializing in financial planning for digital nomads, Hui-chin has created a location independent practice that caters to expats with assets in both Taiwan and the United States. As a digital nomad herself, she's been able to build her practice while relocating between various countries with her husband - a professional in the Foreign Service. Hui-chin's experience will shed new light on a world of possibilities for financial planners with a sense of adventure. She lays out the benefits and challenges of operating as an advisor in a global environment. After learning about Hui-chin's location independent lifestyle, you may never look at financial planning the same way again. You can find show

Adele Martin may just be one of the most famous guests ever interviewed on the XYPN Radio podcast. She's a recent recipient of the prestigious Independent Financial Advisor Excellence Award based on the innovative strategies she's using to expand her firm's reach while keeping costs low. This Australian planner is disrupting the industry down under with her fee-only firm, Experience Wealth. Adele provides an international perspective on the evolution of fee-only planning. Australian financial planners have transitioned to a business climate that is heavily regulated by the government. She shares a fascinating glimpse into the business environment as we discuss the impact of the new laws on firms and their customers. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/74

Steve Dunlap is our guest on the XYPN Radio podcast this week. He is the President and COO of FolioDynamix, a firm that employs technology to help advisors improve their business processes. This interview is a break from the norm. Instead of learning directly from a firm owner, Steve provides a unique take on the financial planning industry from a business development and software solutions perspective. He's at the forefront of changes in technology and lends his expertise to help us understand how those changes will impact the financial planning industry. Get full show notes and more information here: http://bit.ly/2eBJQZ7