Why does a successful and happy independent advisor make a move?
(And it’s not about the money)

Roger has been a financial advisor for more than 20 years, the past 12 of which he has spent as an independent business owner with a broker dealer. In that time, he has built a thriving business as a sole practitioner with over $180mm in AUM. “I love what I do, my clients are happy, and I’m adding assets at a healthy rate of 25% per year,” Roger shared. When he attended his BD’s most recent national conference, he was reminded how much he likes and respects the leadership team and how good it feels to be one of the top advisors under their umbrella.

Yet amidst the success and positivity, Roger, at heart an entrepreneur, wanted more. Last year, he began to see potential to grow through the acquisition of other practices.   When he approached his BD about what they could do to support these aspirations, he quickly realized that they didn’t have the expertise or the experience to guide him, nor were they likely to develop it any time soon. It simply wasn’t in their wheelhouse. “I would be on my own if I chose to go down this path.”

Roger’s strong entrepreneurial spirit won out over his feelings of contentment, and he began to evaluate the idea of launching an independent RIA. He briefly considered looking at another IBD but realized his business had outgrown that model, and the pool of potential sellers would be limited. His research revealed the advantages of joining a community of like-minded, entrepreneurial peers. “I discovered I could access the best wealth management and technology resources the industry has to offer, and gain the practice management and acquisition support I need to build a true enterprise with optimal value in the future. “ After months of due diligence and, at times, soul searching about what mattered most for clients and for his future, and about leaving a good thing, he made the leap. Roger’s only regret? “That I didn’t do it sooner.“