RIA Consulting - Frequently Asked Questions

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My Why?

My why is to help move the profession forward in an ethical and honorable way. In a rapidly changing and consolidating marketplace, Independent Advisors struggle for unbiased advice and I want to shorten your learning curve and give you a competitive advantage. 

My How? 

It all started way back in second grade when my older brother agreed to teach me how to multiply and divide (a full year earlier than it was taught in school!) in exchange for me cleaning his room. I combined my aptitude for math with my desire to serve others (thanks to the Girl Scouts). Becoming a financial advisor seemed like a natural career choice, so I borrowed $322 from my folks, passed the NASD (now FINRA) tests, and got licensed before graduating from college. 

I then started as a financial advisor prospecting with friends, family and referrals as an independent contractor. 

My entrepreneurial foundation enables me to truly understand what it's like to walk in your shoes as a Financial Advisor and affords me a great deal of empathy for what you go through each day.   

While the process may vary depending on the project, here is an example for a strategic planning project: 

Much like the process you likely utilize when onboarding new clients to your firm - I use a  discovery, analysis, and report out with recommendations process, I have a 5-step process the majority of clients go through: 

1. When you're ready to get started, I'll send you a consulting agreement outlining the parameters of our work we will do together. 

2. After the agreement is signed, we'll schedule a discovery call so that I can fully understand your perspectives, desires, and firm's current positioning. If your firm has multiple owners, it is recommended to hold discovery calls with each partner to ensure each of their voices are heard. Sometimes, owners even request key personnel to participate in this process. Additional information is also gathered during this stage, such as your financials, employee census, etc.

3. After the discovery call(s) and analyzing your firm's information, I'll provide you with a SWOT analysis to discuss the industry perspective of your firm. SWOT stands for Strengths & Weaknesses that are internal to your firm, and Opportunities & Threats that are external to your firm. 

4. After the SWOT discussion, together, we'll go through a prioritization process to help you identify which areas you want to prioritize and work on first. This is a particularly helpful exercise with multiple partners/owners who may not be aligned at the beginning of our work together. 

5. The next step is to create a project plan to clarify roles, expectations, and provide an at-a- glance assessment map to show progress. I create actionable project plans to accomplish their objectives with milestones using a RACI Matrix: 

          R= Responsible for doing the work

          A = Accountable for the work

          C = Who you Consult with on a task

           I = Who you Inform once the task is done

I have no preconceived objective other than helping you realize the rewards you seek from your business - whether it be: a strategic plan and value (money), less headaches (focus), partner alignment & improved team dynamics (enjoyment), building a legacy (succession planning), etc. 

I love this question and appreciate skepticism, as it is not easy to compare consultants' offerings. 

It is vital to me that you are completely delighted with my guidance, and thus the reason for my pricing model - so that you're not locked in to something in case we're not the right fit. 

We can discuss your specific concerns, if you'd like - kindly schedule an appointment here. 

Additionally, you're welcome to read the online reviews I received from clients over the years here. There are many more testimonials available on my LinkedIn page. 

Ever have that feeling that you know something isn't quite right and yet its hard to put your finger on exactly what the issue is? I can help you uncover blind spots. 

Sometimes, employees aren't fully transparent with owner(s) of a firm/CEO/Partners, due to reaction and retribution fears, disdain for conflict, and simply they do not know how to have crucial conversations. I can be the liaison with your employees and partners to bring out how they are really feeling - if they feel overworked, unappreciated, and have quietly quit. 

Also, we may find that some folks are underutilized, bored, and are seeking more fulfillment. To paraphrase author Jim Collins - "it's about putting the right people on the bus, and then putting them in the right seats." You own the bus. I can be your bus driver. 

Additionally, most of us have blind spots. As your confidante and CEO whisperer, I'll uncover what those blind spots are, discuss the impact they are having on your team and your firm's value, and help you overcome them.   

Whatever it is, we'll find it together, at your pace.

While there are many pricing models out there, I found it is most fair to you (and to me) to charge by the hour. 

Let's take a look at an example: Say there are two offices who both need a strategic plan. One office has two partners, and another office has 5 partners. Often, designing and implementing a strategic plan is more labor intensive with numerous partners, depending on the personalities and relationships. Therefore, I believe it wouldn't be fair to charge those two firms the same amount. And that is an example of just one element of distinction - there are many. IMO, firm desires and dynamics are too complex for spread like peanut butter pricing.   

My hourly rate is $750/hour. Yes, it is a lot - or is it? For that rate, you have access to 30+ years of executive experience in the independent wealth management space covering IBDs, RIAs, custodians, and insurance services, with knowledge of all the business models, compensation and incentive plans for employees, financial advisors, and owners from someone who is highly empathetic, unbiased, and can help you sort out partner issues and better manage your personnel, overcoming conflicts and office dysfunction - all personalized for you and your needs. 

It is important to consider I do not charge any add-on fees, nor office fees, nor success fees, and there won't be any double billing (two people on a call where you are charged for each of their hourly rates), nor percentage of revenue, nor equity stake - just a plain ol' hourly rate. What could be easier? 

With this approach, you can stay within your budget and feel confident that you are getting you money's worth. As with clients when they have advisory accounts, they can leave at any time if they aren't satisfied. As my client, you have that luxury, as well.  

My consulting services are customized to your needs. While there are definitely some norms  for certain business models and templates that I use, I believe that one size doesn't fit all and having unique attributes are a competitive advantage.

I will work with you, with who you are, your personality, your values, and your budget to help you reach your objectives. 

Think about the times you have seen the lightbulb come on when you're working with clients...

I get that same intrinsic reward feeling when I consult with Financial Advisors. I love helping to connect the dots for people. The images are sections of large paintings that I created while on garden leave. They are acrylic on canvas. 

There's two gold (one is small and was my test painting), one black, and one blue that was commissioned for a dear friend and neighbor.