Ep 431: Successfully Navigating Money Conflicts Within Client Couples with Nick Rodkin
Release Date: 04/01/2025
Ep 443: Going Deep With Business Owners And Real Estate Investors To Grow $200M Of AUM In 5 Years with Griffin Kirsch
Financial Advisor Success
Griffin Kirsch built a $200 million AUM firm in just five years—while maintaining a 70% profit margin. Delivering high-touch planning to business owners and real estate investors without charging fees on those assets, Griffin's focus on providing hard-dollar value to his clients (especially around tax strategy and real estate decisions) has fueled deep trust and strong referral-driven growth. Griffin is the owner of GK Wealth Management, an RIA based out of Nevada that oversees $200 million in assets under management for 450 households. In this episode, he shares how his unconventional model...
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Ep 442: Attracting $100M Per Month Of Like-Minded Clients By Being Vocal About (Divisive) Issues You’re Passionate About with David Bahnsen
Financial Advisor Success
David Bahnsen has built a reputation for speaking his mind, not only on issues related to financial markets, but also on topics many advisors shy away from, like religion and politics. Which has paid off for him in the form of attracting $100 million of new client assets to his firm per month as his content has built his credibility, deepened audience engagement, and drawn in both like-minded clients and those who respect his authenticity. David is the Founder of the Bahnsen Group, an RIA based out of California that oversees approximately $7.5 billion in assets under management for 1,800...
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Ep 441: What It Really Takes To Implement And Scale Compliance As An Independent RIA Grows with Leila Shaver
Financial Advisor Success
As advisory firms grow, so does the complexity of compliance—and Leila Shaver has built a business dedicated to helping them scale without costly missteps. She provides strategic guidance that keeps firms aligned with regulatory expectations as their teams, client bases, and responsibilities expand. Leila is the founder of My RIA Lawyer, a Georgia-based legal and compliance firm serving RIAs, broker-dealers, and other financial services companies. In this episode, she shares insights into when firms typically seek outsourced compliance support, the key differences between broker-dealer...
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Ep 440: Making Client Meetings More Consistent Across Multiple Advisors By Utilizing A “Money Personality” Assessment with Nina Hajjar
Financial Advisor Success
What if you could decode a client’s financial behavior before the first meeting? Nina Hajjar has done just that by creating a custom “money personality” assessment. This innovative tool helps her advisory team better understand client behavior, tailor communication styles, and deliver more personalized, consistent service across their $500-million practice. Nina is a partner at Stratos CA in Los Angeles, and she joins the show today to share how her framework transforms the planning process, complements traditional risk analysis, and even shapes advisor training through what she calls...
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Ep 439: Scaling Financial Planning With Monday.com As A Project Management Hub In Lieu Of Wealthbox CRM with Alvin Carlos
Financial Advisor Success
Alvin Carlos made a strategic decision to build internal efficiency and client accountability into the heart of his planning process—a move that not only streamlined how his team manages financial plans and client tasks, but also helped him scale. Turning Monday.com into the operational core of his firm, he has carved out a niche in serving younger clients profitably, while keeping his tech stack lean and highly functional. Alvin is the CEO of District Capital Management, an RIA based out of Washington, D.C., that generates $850,000 of annual, primarily retainer-based, revenue serving 155...
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Ep 438: Boosting Client Retention And Satisfaction By Asking Better Questions As Your Authentic Self with Nikki Savage
Financial Advisor Success
In this episode, financial advisor Nikki Savage discusses her approach to enhancing client retention and satsifaction by engaging in thoughtful, intentional relationship-building—specifically asking deep questions that uncover her clients’ true needs and using that insight to create highly personalized experiences. Listen in as Nikki reflects on filtering feedback to stay true to her values and how building her practice authentically has been at the center of her success. She also explains why a strong advisor-client fit is essential, how she addresses client misconceptions to maintain...
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Ep 437: Becoming An IRA Expert To Differentiate By Charging The Highest Fee Instead Of The Lowest with Ed Slott
Financial Advisor Success
After the 1986 Tax Reform Act, Ed Slott made a strategic decision to specialize in IRAs—a move that not only set him apart in a niche field, but also helped him build a nationally recognized reputation as a leading expert. By leaning into his niche, he intentionally set himself apart from generalists by charging more to reflect the unique value he delivers. Today, Ed is the President of Ed Slott and Company, a financial education firm based in Rockville Centre, New York, offering seminars and newsletters for both financial advisors and consumers, with a particular focus on IRAs. In this...
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Ep 436: Hiring A Branding Firm To Figure Out The Best Way To Connect With Your Ideal Clients with Nicole Gopoian Wirick
Financial Advisor Success
Nicole Gopoian Wirick is the President of Prosperity Wealth Strategies, an RIA based out of Michigan that oversees $70 million in assets under management for 40 households. What’s unique about Nicole is how she hired a branding consultant early on to develop a clear brand identity that reflects her financial planning philosophy and resonates with her ideal clients. This brand now acts as a filter for deciding which marketing opportunities are worth pursuing, helping her stay focused and aligned. Listen in as Nicole shares how she developed a distinct brand identity by first exploring her...
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Ep 435: When The Next-Gen “Wealth Builder” Offering Becomes The Main Driver Of Growth For A $1B+ Advisory Firm with Gideon Drucker
Financial Advisor Success
Gideon Drucker is the CEO of Drucker Wealth, a hybrid advisory firm based out of New York City that oversees approximately $1 billion in assets under management for 800 client households. What’s unique about Gideon is how he launched a “Wealth Builder” service model to support high-income next-gen clients—within a firm traditionally focused on retirees. In just five years, the offering has added 275 client households and become the primary engine of growth for Drucker Wealth. Listen in as Gideon shares how he structured his firm’s Wealth Builder division with a high...
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Ep 434: Attracting HNW Clients By Focusing Not On Estate But Legacy Planning Instead with Vanessa N. Martinez
Financial Advisor Success
Vanessa N. Martinez is the CEO of Expressive Wealth, an RIA based out of Chicago that oversees $135 million in assets under management for approximately 70 client households, including 10 ‘core’ ultra-high-net-worth families. What’s unique about Vanessa is how her firm goes beyond traditional estate planning to help high-net-worth clients engage in in-depth legacy planning. This approach ensures clients pass down not just their assets, but also the values and principles that helped them build their wealth. Listen in as Vanessa shares how she guides clients through a multi-meeting...
info_outlineNick Rodkin is the managing partner of Stoic Financial, an LPL-affiliated advisory firm based in Florida that oversees $107 million in assets under management for 70 client households. What’s unique about Nick is that after nearly 15 years as a financial advisor, he pursued a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy to enhance his ability to help couples resolve financial conflicts. This additional expertise allows him to address relationship dynamics that may hinder financial decision-making and the implementation of his financial planning recommendations.
Listen in as Nick shares how he helps client couples navigate their financial relationships by using structured conversations to uncover money mindsets, encouraging them to become “budget buddies” rather than “expense enemies.” He explains how his service model allows for AUM-based financial planning, flat-fee coaching, and hourly therapy sessions, enabling him to serve a diverse client base. Nick also reflects on how his own therapy journey reshaped his approach to financial planning, shifting from a product-focused mindset to a more human-centered practice that emphasizes actionable advice and meaningful client conversations.
For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/431