Building Your G2 Team: From Rainmaker to Caretaker
The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast
Episode Summary In this episode, Adam Figura sits down with advisor and author Tyson Ray to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing advisory firms today: how to build a strong G2 (next-generation) team. Tyson explains why most firms are hiring the wrong way—looking for “mini rainmakers”—and why the real key is to hire and develop caretakers who can serve existing clients exceptionally well. He walks through Form Wealth’s internship-to-advisor pipeline, how they mentor young advisors in the real world (not just in textbooks), and why embracing trends like the RIA model and AI...
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Break the Bottlenecks: Top Constraints Stalling Advisor Growth
The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast
Adam Figura welcomes Jon Randall of XFA to discuss why marketing isn’t the real obstacle to scaling an advisory business—capacity is. They unpack the top constraints that stall growth, how to optimize your client mix, boost revenue per client, leverage team capacity, and create a more scalable, profitable practice. Jon also shares real benchmarks, industry data, and practical strategies that top-performing Barron’s 100 firms use to grow smarter. Timestamps & Chapters 00:01 – Welcome & Set-up Adam frames the episode: the biggest scaling issue isn’t leads—it’s...
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The Power of Process: Why Advisors Need a Repeatable Risk Management Framework
The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast
Episode Summary Adam sits down with Vincent Randazzo, CMT, to unpack why every advisor needs a repeatable, rules-based risk management framework—and how Vincent’s Defender Program helps advisors dial exposure up or down through full market cycles. They cover common mistakes during drawdowns, the “smart buy-and-hold” approach, preserving client (and advisor) psychological capital, and what century-long market breadth data really says about major tops. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Guest Intro Adam introduces Vincent Randazzo, CMT, his technical research background, and the...
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PopEnomics with Jesse Hurst
The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast
In this episode of The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast, host Adam Figura welcomes Jesse Hurst, Senior Wealth Manager and CEO of Impel Wealth Management of Cetera Advisors, to share insights from his new book PopEnomics. With more than 30 years of experience helping clients navigate retirement, investment, and estate planning, Jesse combines technical expertise with relatable stories drawn from movies, music, and pop culture. What started as weekly blog posts in 2010 evolved into hundreds of bite-sized lessons during the pandemic. Those lessons, often illustrated with memorable cultural...
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Breaking Up With Your Broker Dealer: A New Path
The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast
In this episode of The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast, host Adam Figura sits down with Alanah Phillips, a dynamic advocate for Next Generation Advisors and author of the forthcoming book Breaking Up with Your Broker Dealer: A Clear Path to Independence for Financial Advisors. Alanah shares her career journey, the inspiration for writing the book, and offers powerful insights into the advisor experience—especially those navigating firm transitions. From recognizing red flags to understanding firm culture and defining independence, this conversation delivers valuable takeaways for...
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From Practice to Purpose: Colleen Bowler’s Journey to Coaching Advisors
The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast
In this inspiring episode, Adam Figura welcomes Colleen Bowler, a seasoned financial advisor turned coach and innovator. Colleen recounts her unconventional entry into the financial services industry during a personally challenging time, and how she built a successful, client-centered practice by asking meaningful questions, collaborating with experts, and charging for her planning expertise. She discusses her transition to coaching and the creation of the Passport Package—an innovative tool that helps advisors connect more deeply with clients through mindset assessments. The conversation...
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The Art of Charging For Advice
The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast
🔍 Episode Summary: In this powerful episode, Adam Figura sits down with Erin Botsford—a 31-year career financial advisor, Barron’s Top 100 alum, and founder of the Elite Advisor Success System—to explore how financial advisors can confidently charge for their expertise. Erin shares her journey from working with mass affluent clients to serving high net worth individuals, offering actionable insights on pricing strategy, uncovering client vulnerabilities, and positioning yourself as a true expert. From “disturbing tracks” to annual fee renewals, this episode is packed with...
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Navigating Exit Planning with CEPA
The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast
In this episode of The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast, Adam Figura is joined by Pete Bush and Brian Toma to dive deep into the value of the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation. They explore how this credential equips financial professionals to better serve business owners navigating complex exit strategies. Topics include the wealth gap, M&A challenges, personal planning, and the importance of building a dream team. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how advisors can lead meaningful transition conversations and prepare clients—and their own businesses—for...
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Succession Planning and M&A with Dan Mayes
The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast
In this episode, host Adam Figura welcomes Dan Mayes to discuss succession planning, mergers, and acquisitions for financial advisors. They explore the importance of planning ahead, the great wealth transfer, practice valuations, and common misconceptions about the value of advisory businesses. Dan provides actionable steps advisors can take to maximize their firm's value and ensure a smooth transition. Chapters & Timestamps ⏱ 00:00 – Introduction to Succession Planning Adam Figura introduces the topic of succession planning and M&A in financial advisory. Guest...
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The Power of the Ensemble
The Confident Advisor Practice Podcast
Episode Summary In this episode, Adam Figura and Pete Bush explore the power of ensemble practices in the financial advisory industry. They discuss the differences between solo, silo, and ensemble practice structures, breaking down the benefits and challenges of each. Pete shares his journey transitioning to an ensemble model, highlighting the importance of teamwork, a clear vision, and entrepreneurial adaptability. They also discuss the evolving landscape of financial advisory firms, focusing on how collaborative environments enhance client relationships, build long-term firm value, and...
info_outlineEpisode Summary
In this episode, Adam Figura and Pete Bush explore the power of ensemble practices in the financial advisory industry. They discuss the differences between solo, silo, and ensemble practice structures, breaking down the benefits and challenges of each. Pete shares his journey transitioning to an ensemble model, highlighting the importance of teamwork, a clear vision, and entrepreneurial adaptability.
They also discuss the evolving landscape of financial advisory firms, focusing on how collaborative environments enhance client relationships, build long-term firm value, and create sustainable business models.
Key Takeaways
✅ Ensemble practices foster collaboration among advisors.
✅ Each practice structure (solo, silo, ensemble) has unique pros and cons.
✅ A clear vision is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent.
✅ Team dynamics significantly impact success.
✅ Recurring revenue models provide financial stability and career growth.
✅ Understanding entrepreneurial styles helps build strong advisory firms.
✅ Firm value extends beyond revenue generation to long-term sustainability.
✅ The ensemble model strengthens client relationships.
✅ Creating a supportive workplace improves retention.
✅ The advisory industry is constantly evolving—adaptability is key.
Episode Chapters & Timestamps
⏳ 00:00 - Introduction to Ensemble Practices
- Overview of different financial advisory practice models.
- What defines an ensemble practice?
⏳ 05:56 - The Evolution of Entrepreneurial Models
- How advisors’ mindsets have shifted over time.
- Pete’s personal experience transitioning to an ensemble structure.
⏳ 11:58 - Building a Vision for the Future
- The importance of defining a long-term vision for a financial practice.
- How a shared vision attracts the right talent and clients.
⏳ 18:03 - Challenges and Opportunities in Ensemble Practices
- The biggest hurdles firms face when adopting an ensemble model.
- How to overcome obstacles and capitalize on opportunities.
Notable Quotes
💬 "An ensemble practice isn’t just about working together—it’s about building something bigger than yourself." — Pete Bush
💬 "A clear vision isn’t just important; it’s essential for attracting the right people and keeping them engaged." — Adam Figura
💬 "Sustainable success comes from collaboration, not just individual effort." — Pete Bush
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📩 Have a question or topic suggestion? Email us at afigura@horizonfg.com