A conversation with Michael Nathanson, CEO and Chair, The Colony Group
Overview
Michael Nathanson of The Colony Group discusses how “interdependence” helped to foster the growth of the RIA; the real value of equity partner Focus Financial; and their unique culture, curated services, and acquisition strategy, and more.
Listen in…
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:25 — 94.0MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Podchaser | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS
> Download a transcript of this episode…
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation.
About this episode…
“Interdependence” is an interesting word—particularly when used in the context of the independent space.
Because for many, the thought of starting an independent practice conjures visuals of being more solitary and self-dependent.
Yet for Michael Nathanson, the notion of interdependence is one that fostered the growth of RIA The Colony Group.
It’s a philosophy that revolves around embracing partnerships and the merging of ideas, experiences, and expertise. And it extends to providing anything and everything their clients need in a multi-family office construct.
And it’s that very philosophy that fueled the firm’s growth from $1.2B to some $20B in assets under management in just over a decade.
In his previous life, Michael was a Senior Partner at the international law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP when he was first introduced to The Colony Group. In 2004, he resigned his role at the law firm to “take a chance to do something different,” as he put it, opting to become The Colony Group’s CFO and General Counsel. Michael quickly advanced to President and CEO of the firm, and now serves as Chair and CEO.
So how does a former attorney become such a driving force behind the culture and vision of an independent wealth management firm?
In this episode, Michael shares his journey with Mindy Diamond, including:
- The Colony Group’s extraordinary growth—and how the concept of “interdependence” turns their mission into a reality.
- The real value of equity partners—and why they chose Focus Financial over others.
- Key aspects of the firm’s acquisition strategy—and how their unique culture and family office services are attractive selling points.
- The “curated” services they offer high net worth clients—and how “democratizing” access to services once available to only ultra-high net worth clients is a cornerstone of their success.
Michael offers a unique perspective on a changing landscape and why “focusing on what made our industry great in the first place, which is independence and being fiduciaries in putting our clients first,” is the key to success. There’s a lot to learn in this episode, for employee advisors and business owners alike.
Related Resources
MaxCeV™: How to Maximize Your Career Enterprise Value
How can financial advisors who are NOT independent business owners maximize that value regardless of industry channel affiliation? This formula seeks to provide a process by which an advisor can “calculate” the sum total of 4 key factors—to conceptualize what their career enterprise value really is and how to achieve it. Download->
Everything You Need to Know About Independence: An Industry Update
Jason Diamond joins the show for a quick yet thorough education on the continually evolving independent space answering the questions that many of our advisor-clients ask us during due diligence. Listen->
What’s the ‘Real’ Value of a Financial Advisor’s Business?
Headline-making M&A deals in the independent space have many employee advisors wondering what their business could be worth on the open market. Here are 3 valuation scenarios to address that curiosity. Read->
One-on-One with Rudy Adolf: How Focus Financial Partners Revolutionized RIA M&A—and Went Public in the Process – A conversation with the firm’s Founder, CEO and Chairman
Industry legend Rudy Adolf describes how the idea of Focus Financial Partners came to be, filling a gap in how independent financial advisors accessed capital, resources and monetized their life’s work, plus the firm’s journey as a public company, their growth, how they are further evolving and more. Listen->
Michael Nathanson
Chair & CEO
Michael Nathanson is the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of The Colony Group, a solutions-oriented, full-service financial advisory company with a team of experienced professionals, including financial planners, investment analysts, portfolio managers, business managers, accountants, and attorneys, who are equipped to address our clients’ financial needs, from asset allocation and investment management to tax, estate, and retirement planning, business management, charitable giving, risk management, and more.
Michael is actively engaged in thought leadership for the financial advisory industry as well as co-author and frequently interviewed for national and local news outlets. He is also passionate about public service and is involved with various organizations and foundations.
He is relentlessly dedicated to bringing meaning and joy to the lives of Colony Group clients and team members by fostering a culture that values lifelong learning, cultivates innovation, and offers opportunities to live lives full of passion and purpose. Michael also hosts The Colony Group’s Podcast, Seeking the Extraordinary™. Learn more about Michael here.
Also available on your favorite podcast app and other media sites