• Home: Leading Financial Advisor Recruiting Firm
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Testimonials
    • Case Studies
    • Representative Deals
  • Services
    • For Financial Advisors
    • For Independent Business Owners
  • FAQs
  • Articles
  • Podcast
    • Industry Update
    • Independence 101 Series
  • In the News
    • Moves in the News
  • Tools for Advisors
  • Diamond Consultants Advisor Transition Report 2022
  • NEW – Edward Jones Advisor Transition Report 2022 edition
  • NEW – Merrill Advisor Transition Report 2022 edition
  • NEW – UBS Transition Report 2022 edition
  • Merrill Information Hub
  • UBS Information Hub
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe for Updates

Questions? Call us: 908-879-1002

Contact us...
Diamond Consultants: Financial Advisor Recruiting FirmDiamond Consultants: Financial Advisor Recruiting Firm
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet the Team
      • Mindy Diamond
      • Louis Diamond
      • Howard Diamond
      • Jason Diamond
      • Barbara Herman
      • Deborah Aronson
      • Wendy Leung
      • Cathy Nichols
      • Debbie Wallen
      • Allison Brunwasser
      • Joshua Tomolak
      • Shelley Muzio
      • Caryl Felicetta
      • Donna Riopel
      • Kelly Griffiths
    • Testimonials
    • Case Studies
    • Representative Deals
  • Services
    • For Financial Advisors
    • For Independent Business Owners
      • Sell-Side M&A Advisory
      • Consulting
  • FAQs
  • Articles
    • Subscribe for Updates
  • Podcast
    • Industry Update
    • Independence 101 Series
    • Subscribe for Updates
  • In the News
    • Moves in the News
    • Transition Announcements
  • Tools for Advisors
    • NEW – Diamond Consultants Advisor Transition Report 2022
    • NEW – Edward Jones Advisor Transition Report 2022 edition
    • NEW – Merrill Advisor Transition Report 2022 edition
    • NEW – UBS Transition Report 2022 edition
    • Merrill Information Hub
    • UBS Information Hub
    • Other Tools
    • Subscribe to e-Newsletter

Podcast

For Financial Advisors

From Product-Driven to Client-Driven: An Independent Advisor’s 3x Revenue Growth Story

Posted by Mindy Diamond

A conversation with Matt Blocki, Founder and CEO, Equilibrium Wealth Advisors

Overview

Matt Blocki left the insurance broker dealer world to build independent firm Equilibrium Wealth, allowing him to step away from being “product-driven” and focus instead on being “client-driven.” Hear how he tripled his revenue as a result.

Listen in…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:48 — 69.8MB) | 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…

It’s amazing how many of the industry’s top advisors got their start building a book of business from scratch with one of the major insurance-based brokerages. Similar to wirehouse training programs, there may be no better place to learn the ropes of the profession—including critical sales and technical skills.

But in many cases, those who have their sights on the longer term and building a business with a lasting legacy and maximum enterprise value, often find themselves limited in the environment—especially those who morph their business beyond life insurance to a focus on investments and comprehensive wealth management.

That was the case for Matt Blocki, who started at Northwestern Mutual more than a dozen years ago and built the practice to $120mm of assets under management.

After getting educated on the industry landscape, he realized he could build the business beyond where it was and have greater freedom to market and introduce new services to his clients.

That is, to step away from being “product-driven” and focus instead on being “client-driven.” And in Matt’s mind, the only way to do that was to go fully independent—without a service provider, but rather build an RIA firm himself.

And so he did—and amid a pandemic to boot.

In June of 2020, he launched RIA Equilibrium Wealth with Fidelity as custodian—a move that resulted in tripling his revenue to $3mm and more than doubling his assets under management.

In this episode, Matt shares his story with Mindy Diamond, including:

  • Opting to build an RIA from scratch—and why that path was chosen over supported independence and other models.
  • The key things he could do outside of the insurance broker dealer model—and how each helped to foster Equilibrium’s growth.
  • The “head trash” that held Matt back—and how he was able to move beyond it.
  • The “product-driven” environment of the broker dealer—and why he felt it was incongruent with his goal to be client-driven.

Listen in as Matt shares a relatable journey for any advisor considering their business life—whether to make the leap to independence or to bolster growth for their business.

Related Resources

13 Tips for New Financial Advisors…
Did you know that only 3% of advisors who enter the field make it long term? CEO Matt Blocki is among this small percentage of success stories and now he shares his top 13 tips for advisors. Listen, implement and we guarantee you will join him! Listen->

What Really Makes Financial Advisors Happy?
In a world driven by the bottom line, the root of contentment often lies behind less “easily measured” criteria. Read->

The Path to Independence: 6 Key Elements to Consider Before Starting Your Journey
With so many options to choose from, how does an advisor decide which path to independence to take? Read->

From Blinders to Binoculars: Why the Shift to a Longer-Term “Business Owner” Mentality is Driving Movement
There was a time when many advisors would never have considered a move. Why would they? In the short term, there was nothing to solve for. But now they’re thinking differently. Read-> 

What’s in it for Clients? 7 Ways They Can Benefit from an Advisor’s Transition
Many advisors cite “improving client service” as the catalyst for a move—but knowing what the real impact will be is critical. Read->

Wealth Management Landscape At A Glance: Focus on Independence
UPDATED FOR 2023 – In a greatly evolved industry landscape, the independent space has expanded to offer a variety of models with varying levels of freedom and flexibility. Which one might be right for you? Our newly updated “Landscape at a Glance” focuses on independence, providing the key features of each model. Download->

Matthew Blocki
Founder and CEO

Matt Blocki is the founder and CEO of Equilibrium Wealth Advisors, a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. He and his team provide comprehensive financial planning, wealth management, retirement planning, asset protection, and guidance to all complex financial decisions to clients nationwide. EWA’s top priority is helping clients balance competing goals and ensuring their only non-renewable resource is protected: time.

In addition to his work at EWA, Matt is a co-founder of Wealth Advisor Training, LLC – a company founded in 2022 dedicated to building a community and resources for top advisors around the country to provide their clients with proactive advice and systems to scale their business.

Also available on your favorite podcast app and other media sites

                            

WealthManagement.com            Feedspot Top 35 Podcasts for Financial Advisors

 

Browse other episodes in this podcast series…

You may also be interested in...

Share
0

About Mindy Diamond

CEO – By counseling advisors on how to ask the right questions and “dig deep”, she helps them look at all of the opportunities available to find the one that allows them to reach their full potential. That is, to best serve their clients and live a life that is in sync with their own beliefs and values. Learn more...

    Subscribe to the Series

    Get updated by email when a new episode is added.


     

    WHAT OUR LISTENERS ARE SAYING…

    • I listened to every episode before making my transition. Hearing the mindset and tactics of the industry’s best advisors was amazing. Perspective is so important and that is what you consistently bring to your audience.

      Matt Blocki
      CEO, Equilibrium Wealth Advisors
    • Your podcast helped me a ton during my due diligence. There is no replacement for hearing from others who were successful leaving the wires. You are doing great things for the industry.

      Rory O’Hara
      Founder, Senior Managing Partner – Ausperity Private Wealth
    • A fantastic bundle of wisdom from one of the very best Curators of all things Wealth Management.

      Jim Dickson
      Founder - Sanctuary Wealth
    • I love the fact that you are talking to a diverse group of people in our industry and educating us all. We are all doing our own thing, so it’s helpful listening to other interviews and hearing about different approaches to the business.

      Brock Moseley
      Founder, Miracle Mile Advisors
    • I didn’t realize what I could do until I heard what other advisors were doing. Then week after week, it was like the gaps were filled in. Without it, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go independent. Even after transitioning, I still can’t wait for Thursday mornings to hear the latest interview.

      Jerry Davidse
      CEO, Presilium Private Wealth
    • Best new resource I have come across in a long while.

      Daniel Gude
      Senior VP at LPL Financial
    • I would say one of the best things I ever did was listen to your podcast. I listened to it a thousand times. There are so many aspects to explore. You’re driving blind until you actually engage a professional.

      Michael Henley
      Founder & CEO, Brandywine Oak Private Wealth
    • This is outstanding. Every team considering independence should listen.

      Chris Cooke
      Managing Partner, Cooke Financial Group
    • Every advisor at a brokerage firm should listen to this podcast. I’m convinced that most advisors don’t realize their real value. Do your research. You deserve your true value and going out on your terms. It’s your life’s work. Even if you don’t transition to independence, know your value and options in order to make an educated decision.

      Robert Harris
      Senior Wealth Advisor, Avidian Wealth Solutions

     

    Other Recent Episodes

    • Growth Through Media and Innovative Solutions: How Ross Gerber’s $2.2B Firm Found a Resounding Voice in Independence
    • Considering a Move? Here’s What You Need to Know: A Special Industry Update
    • Questions Every Advisor Should Ask Before Considering a Move: A Special Industry Update
    Independence 101 The Basics for Advisors
    Feedspot Top 35 Podcasts for Financial Advisors
    We're available to answer your questions. Contact us

    Connect with us

    Search

    © 2023 · Diamond Financial Consultants, LLC t/a Diamond Consultants. All rights reserved.*

    • Leading Financial Advisor Recruiting Firm:
    • About
    • Services
    • FAQs
    • Articles
    • Podcast
    • News/Media
    • Tools/Resources
    • Contact
    • Our Locations
    • Privacy Policy
    • Site Map