Join Mindy and Louis Diamond on a journey to explore this evolving industry landscape. Along with guests including industry leaders and breakaway advisors, they discuss various models from the wirehouses, regional firms, broker dealers on through to independence. Plus they offer comparisons between different types of independent models including supported independence, independent broker dealers (IBDs), registered investment advisors (RIAs), and hybrid RIAs. And share some practice management advice along the way.
The goal of this series remains: To dispel some myths, share some facts, and help advisors get better educated on the options available without any concern over confidentiality or obligation. Be sure to subscribe and stay up-to-date.
After 12 years at Goldman Sachs and building his business to over $1B in assets under management, Gary Hirschberg began to question whether he was able to act as a true fiduciary to his clients. Plus, he had the nagging desire to build a brand of his own; one that would be associated with him and not the firm he worked for. So in 2018, he left to launch Aaron Wealth Advisors with Dynasty Financial Partners. Gary shares his story, the decision to leave Goldman, the choice to go independent, why autonomy was important in how he served his clients and grew his business, and more. 
Listen…
Steve Dimitriou started in wealth management selling insurance at New York Life. Intrigued by the investment and planning side of the business, he continued down that path, building his book in firms like MFS, Alex.Brown, AdVest and later FiNet. Over time, he and his team grew the business to $1.3B in AUM. Yet the call for greater independence became the motivation to leave FiNet in 2020 and build their own RIA from scratch which today manages over $1.7B with Steve at the helm as CEO. Steve’s story is an instructive one that demonstrates how a business evolves over time motivated by shifting client needs and punctuates the positive impact that changing firms and models can have on growth. Listen…
On his 25th anniversary with Merrill, Craig Robson resigned to launch RIA Regent Peak Wealth in Atlanta, GA. It was a bold move designed to “liberate and empower” him and his team to serve their clients completely and with objectivity. Craig talks about the drivers that led to his decision to leave Merrill and launch an independent firm, instead of opting for a transition from another firm. Plus, he details what they are able to do differently in independence that improves their ability to serve clients and grow the business, and much more. Listen…
In this annual digest of some of our best interviews of the year, we take a step back to glean the key lessons candidly shared by advisors who demonstrated unstoppable determination and whose stories contained valuable and relatable lessons for all. These recent breakaway advisors and independent business owners share their motivations to consider change; why they chose independence; their ability to serve clients and grow their businesses; and much more. It’s a “best of the best” show—a single episode that offers key insights from the 2021 season of one of the top podcasts for financial advisors. Listen…
