Ep 101: Supercharging self-licensed firms - Kon Costas
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
Release Date: 07/07/2025
Ep 102: Simplifying technology and processes to scale firms-Danni Le Grande
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
Matt Heine chats with Danni Le Grande, Head of IFA Consulting at Finura Group, one of Australia’s leading technology consultants for advice firms. With a career spanning licensees, funds management, advice practices, and tech consulting, Danni explains why tech fatigue is real, and how firms can simplify processes to drive better outcomes for clients and teams. They unpack why most tech change fails, the importance of people-first adoption, and how firms can turn technology from a cost into a strategic enabler. Danni also shares insights on data governance, AI in advice, and how the best...
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Ep 101: Supercharging self-licensed firms - Kon Costas
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
Matt Heine welcomes Kon Costas, Managing Director of The Principals' Community, for a wide-ranging chat on the future of financial advice. With decades of leadership experience across Westpac, BT and now a national self-licensed adviser network, Kon offers powerful insights on what makes businesses grow, merge successfully, and remain resilient. They discuss trusted leadership, why self-licensing is rising, and how cultural alignment is key to any successful M&A deal. Kon also shares how his team supports 135 advice firms and 1,300+ advisers through governance, CPD and peer-driven growth....
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Ep 100: Crafting a 25-year overnight success - Michael Heine
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
In our milestone 100th episode, Matt Heine interviews his father and founder of Netwealth, Michael Heine, in a rare and wide-ranging conversation spanning decades of business lessons and life experience. Michael recounts how his father arrived in Australia as a stateless prisoner of war with nothing and built a global trading empire. From trading and media to funds management and eventually founding Netwealth, Michael’s journey is packed with high-risk plays, hard-won insights, and moments of extraordinary resilience. This is a deeply personal and professional story about legacy, timing,...
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Ep 99: Scaling advice with AI and avatars - Dan Solin
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
Listen to Dan Solin, President at Solin Strategic LLC and Evidence Based Advisor Marketing, as he shares his journey from law to financial advice, revealing how his legal background shaped a preventative, client-first mindset. In this episode, Dan unpacks the power of simplicity in investing, advocating for low-cost, transparent strategies that cut through industry complexity. He introduces the neuroscience-informed “Solin process” to build trust and engagement and explains why listening—not talking—is the true competitive edge for advisers. He explores how AI and avatars can scale...
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Ep 98: Decoding wealth with data - Andrew Inwood
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
Join Matt Heine as he sits down with Andrew Inwood, Global CEO of CoreData, to explore the dynamic world of financial services. In this episode, Andrew delves into the critical role of financial literacy and the profound impact of intergenerational wealth transfer. He discusses the evolving responsibilities of financial planners and how technology and data are reshaping the industry. Andrew provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing financial services today, emphasising the importance of scalable solutions and strong client relationships. Listen in order to gain a...
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Ep 97: Building a thriving community of advice professionals - Clayton Daniel
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
Hear Clayton Daniel, CEO of Ensombl, as he discusses the remarkable evolution of Ensombl from a small team to a thriving community of over 10,000 advice professionals. Clayton shares valuable insights on how Ensombl has grown in size and sophistication, the challenges and successes they've faced, and their unwavering mission to drive the positive evolution of financial advice. He delves into the importance of creating an agile workplace, leveraging AI to enhance efficiency, and the pivotal role of community in professional development. Clayton also talks about the significance of...
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Ep 96: Engaging the next generation on their finances - Brett Joffe & Justin Joffe
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
Listen to Brett Joffe and Justin Joffe, co-founders of Flux Finance, a platform revolutionising financial literacy for young adults in Australia, relate their journey from struggling with their initial podcast episodes to building a community of over 450,000 members. Brett and Justin share how Flux combines education, gamification, and money tools to make financial topics engaging and accessible to the next generation and the Emerging Affluent (young professionals). They discuss their unique approach to creating financial content that is culturally relevant, co-branding opportunities for...
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Ep 95: The 2024 roundup episode
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
This episode looks back at some of the most incisive moments from Matt’s conversations in 2024, with an array of impressive guests from diverse fields who share their experiences, insights, and key learnings for financial advisers. Listen to the full episodes from which these clips are taken:
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Ep 94: Embracing play at work to innovate and collaborate – Tane Hunter & Dara Simkin
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
Hear Tane Hunter and Dara Simkin discuss their unique career paths and collaboration on Future Crunch, a thought-leadership and research company that explores the frontiers of science and technology, and shares stories of human progress. Tane, a scientist with expertise in biology and technology, and Dara, a marketing and executive coaching professional, share their insights on the importance of play and storytelling in business. They explore the balance between technology and human interaction, emphasizing intelligent augmentation over artificial intelligence. The conversation delves into...
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Ep 93: Keeping wealth and succession in the family - Philip Pryor
Between Meetings with Matt Heine
Listen to Philip Pryor, Founder & CEO at Family Business Central, talk through his career transition from psychology and large corporates to family businesses, finding greater fulfilment and leading to the founding of Family Business Central. Phil notes that the family enterprise market in Australia is less mature than the US and Europe, with fewer multi-generational families and a lack of understanding about family offices. He provides insights and examples of the emotional and logistical challenges families face when selling a business and highlights why fairness in family...
info_outlineMatt Heine welcomes Kon Costas, Managing Director of The Principals' Community, for a wide-ranging chat on the future of financial advice. With decades of leadership experience across Westpac, BT and now a national self-licensed adviser network, Kon offers powerful insights on what makes businesses grow, merge successfully, and remain resilient. They discuss trusted leadership, why self-licensing is rising, and how cultural alignment is key to any successful M&A deal. Kon also shares how his team supports 135 advice firms and 1,300+ advisers through governance, CPD and peer-driven growth. A must-listen for anyone navigating change or thinking about the next evolution of advice.
00:01:12 – Entering financial services
Kon Costas shares how his career began in banking with Westpac in 1989, eventually transitioning into financial advice and later leadership and licensee roles.
00:03:13 – Reflecting on industry change
Kon discusses the evolution of financial planning, the Royal Commission, and the ongoing challenge of adviser shortages despite increased professionalism.
00:05:07 – Lessons in change management
Kon reflects on his experience navigating industry change, emphasising transparency, trust, and leading from the front during both tough and growth periods.
00:07:06 – The Principals' Community
Now Managing Director of The Principals' Community, Kon explains its mission to support successful self-licensed practices through governance, education, and scale.
00:11:38 – The rise of self-licensing
Kon explores trends in self-licensing, highlighting flexibility, control, and the importance of capability—while cautioning that cost should not be the primary driver.
00:21:45 – Business performance and growth
He shares key data points from member firms, such as average client load (105 per adviser), profitability benchmarks, and the push for greater efficiency and organic growth.
00:23:47 – M&A trends and traps
Kon unpacks the current M&A landscape, warning against rushed deals and stressing the need for cultural alignment, thorough due diligence, and clear expectations.
00:32:38 – Building the future of advice
He calls for industry-wide collaboration to attract and train the next generation of advisers, boost the profession’s reputation, and increase the reach of quality advice.
00:36:24 – Looking ahead
Kon closes with optimism, encouraging advisers to embrace the abundant opportunities ahead, especially with technology enabling broader client reach.