Category Archives: Top Advisors

#83 Charging for Financial Planning Services with Steven Kaplan & Ben Skupp

Client Experience, Client Experience & Loyalty, Creating Advocates, Education, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Practice Management, Prospecting, Speaking, Top Advisors, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What if you could cut through the noise and offer your clients true value beyond just product performance?

In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews co-founders of Holistic Financial Planners Steven Kaplan and Benjamin Skupp about charging for advice. They share their journey into adopting a new financial model that enabled them to work a flexible schedule and still deliver high client value. Throughout the episode, Steven and Ben explain how adopting a fee-based advisory model can foster healthier client relationships and present a sustainable career path for financial advisors.

Ben and Steve discuss: 

  • (03:30) The transition to a fee-based model for financial advice
  • (09:27) The benefits both advisors and clients experience from the fee-for-advice model
  • (13:00) How to propose and execute this model with clients
  • (16:58) How to ensure clients perceive your value beyond product sales
  • (32:03) Tips for advisors interested in shifting their business model and how to find Mindshift financial coaching
  • (36:11) Real-life success stories from advisors who made the switch
  • …And more!

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Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Steven Kaplan and Ben Skupp:

About Steven Kaplan and Ben Skupp:

Steven M. Kaplan, ChFC®, is a Senior Financial Planner.  He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, is series 7, 63, and 66 licensed, and has his Accident and Health Insurance license along with his Property and Casualty Insurance license. At Holistic Financial Planners, Steven is completely dedicated to his client’s financial success.  As a coach and planner, Steven helps clients bring clarity to their current financial picture and holds them accountable to make sure to help them achieve their financial goals.  He is making sure they are living for the present without neglecting the future while being as efficient as possible.

Benjamin Skupp, ChFC® is a Financial Planner. He is a graduate of West Chester University, is Series 7, 63 securities licensed, and has his Life, Accident and Health insurance license. At Holistic Financial Planners, Benjamin is determined to providing his clients comfort and confidence in achieving their lifetime goals through financial coaching and planning. In doing so, his caring and focused approach helps him understand problems from all perspectives and find customized solutions to best serve his clientele.

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#82 Financial Focus for College Athletes: A Winning Game Plan with Jeff Durr

Client Experience, Client Experience & Loyalty, Creating Advocates, Education, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Practice Management, Prospecting, Speaking, Top Advisors, , , , , , , , ,

Ever wondered how financial advisors can truly connect with niche markets? What if we told you the secret lies in a unique combination of athletics, education, and strategic branding?

In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Jeff Durr from RU Financial Athletic Department, revealing how he’s turning the world of financial planning on its head by focusing on college athletes. Jeff explains his unique “Lighthouse Effect” strategy, which leverages student-athlete commonality to foster long-term trusting relationships. A former college athlete himself, Jeff understands the critical importance of financial literacy among young sports enthusiasts and shares how he’s built a brand that resonates deeply with this audience. This episode dives into the art of relationship building and brand growth through speaking engagements, alongside practical insights into successful LinkedIn strategies and social media presence development.

Jeff discusses: 

  • (05:30) The origins of RU Financial Athletic Department and its mission
  • (07:51) Overcoming misconceptions about young athletes lacking financial worth
  • (10:44) The structure of his team and the Lighthouse Effect marketing
  • (17:14) The role of speaking engagements in building brand awareness and client relationships
  • (19:31) Effective LinkedIn networking techniques
  • …And more!

Sponsors:

Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Jeff Durr:

About Jeff Durr:

Jeff Durr brings his passion for athletics into the financial advisory industry, drawing from his experience as a college football player at the University of Maine. As the Senior Partner at RU Financial Athletic Department and Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at MassMutual, he leads the training and development of financial advisors across the country. Since 1988, Jeff has leveraged his extensive experience in financial services to provide personalized coaching and guidance to both current advisors and college athletes transitioning into financial advisor roles.

Jeff is deeply committed to educating and empowering college athletes by equipping them with financial literacy to make informed decisions upon graduation. He designs tailored programs that help athletes create financial game plans, preparing them to “win” in life after sports. For former athletes, Jeff guides them in building long-term financial strategies and actively recruits them to impact athletic departments and alumni networks across universities nationwide.

His core competencies include business development, mentoring, team building, and specialized financial advising, with a focus on retirement, estate planning, and risk management. Jeff emphasizes the transferable skills athletes bring to the profession, helping them secure necessary licenses, gain hands-on experience, and understand the fundamentals of financial advising. His leadership is centered on trust-building, ethical practices, and continuous learning, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes professional growth and client success. Jeff is passionate about creating a supportive network where former athletes can uplift one another while making a meaningful impact in the financial advisory field.

He holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Maine, where he played college football. Jeff has three children: Sophia, a Rutgers University graduate; Olivia, a Kutztown University graduate; and Jeffrey Jr., who attends Kean University.

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#81 Generational Wealth Transfer: The 100 Year Family Strategy with Josh Kanter, JD

Client Experience, Client Experience & Loyalty, Creating Advocates, Education, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Practice Management, Prospecting, Speaking, Top Advisors, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the world of multigenerational wealth management and generational wealth transfer with esteemed guest Josh Kanter, JD, a family office executive, advisor, and founder of leafplanner. 

We explore the groundbreaking “100-Year Family” concept, emphasizing the importance of maintaining family legacy and wealth across generations.

Josh shares invaluable insights on orchestrating effective family meetings to prepare for the $84 trillion generational wealth transfer. 

We’ll also delve into the complexities of family financial ecosystems and how leafplanner revolutionizes holistic family advisory services.

Drawing from his personal journey through a Supreme Court tax case, Josh discusses his motivation in shaping better financial outcomes for families.

In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Josh Kanter, JD, an attorney and founder of Leaf Planner, about managing family wealth. Josh brings a unique perspective gained from his own family’s legal challenges. You’ll learn about the concept of the “100-year family,” how to conduct family meetings that foster communication and involvement, and delve into leafplanner, a tool designed to simplify complex family enterprises.

Bill Cates & Josh Kanter discuss:   

  • The 100-Year Family Concept: Emphasizes multigenerational wealth preservation, legacy building, and aligns with Simon Sinek’s “Infinite Game” philosophy.
  • Family Meetings: Critical for managing generational wealth transfer, though often challenging due to complexity and lack of direct compensation for advisors.
  • Facilitation of Family Meetings: Requires in-depth preparation, individual interviews, travel, meeting facilitation, and detailed follow-up.
  • Leafplanner:  A tool that simplifies complex financial scenarios with tools like the Complexity Calculator and provides a “single family office” perspective for holistic management.
  • Josh Kanter’s Family Consulting: Josh works with select families on a referral basis while maintaining a collaborative, non-competitive approach with existing advisors.
  • The Supreme Court:  How Josh won a case in The United States Supreme Court and how that shaped the mission for his business. 

Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Josh Kanter:

About Josh Kanter:

Josh Kanter is the Founder & CEO at leafplanner & Principal at Josh Kanter Wealth Advisory Services.

Through leafplanner and Josh Kanter Wealth Advisory Services, Josh Kanter’s goal is to share his experience, knowledge, and tools to help the 100-year family survive and thrive by providing thoughtful, personalized family, business, and legal consulting services to his clients.

Following several years in the legal space, he decided to focus on his family business, where he currently serves as President of Chicago Financial, Inc., a single-family office overseeing a complex organization of trusts, investment, and philanthropic entities for a multi-branch and multi-generational family. With experience in areas including hedge fund investments, private equity, real estate, venture capital, and art, he continues to help direct these entities.

In 2011, he founded Alliance for a Better Utah (ABU) to fulfill his passion for giving back. ABU is committed to improving the lives of all Utahns by ensuring balance, transparency, and accountability in Utah politics, policy, and government. In addition, he currently serves as the Chair Emeritus of the International Sculpture Center and is a board member of Action Utah.

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#80 Building Strong Strategic Partnerships with Duncan MacPherson

Client Experience & Loyalty, Creating Advocates, Education, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Practice Management, Prospecting, Speaking, Top Advisors, , , , , , , ,

What would you call a strategic partner if not a center of influence?

Today on the Top Advisor Podcast, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Duncan MacPherson about transforming how financial advisors establish and maintain strategic partnerships. Discover why the phrase “centers of influence” might be holding you back and how strategic partnerships can lead to more seamless client referrals and stronger connections. Learn how to build a comprehensive, value-driven network of partners that enhances your client experience and ultimately, your bottom line.

Duncan discusses: 

  • (08:49) Why “centers of influence” should be replaced by “strategic partnerships”
  • (15:08) The difference between influencers, advocates, and strategic partners
  • (21:01) How to approach and develop valuable strategic partnerships
  • (37:35) Productivity vs. busyness and the importance of building a sustainable business
  • …And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

About Duncan MacPherson:

Duncan MacPherson, driven by a deep passion for unlocking potential, steers Pareto Systems in his role as CEO. Together with financial professionals and visionary firms, he is committed to designing businesses that achieve both profitability and purpose.

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#79 Do You and Your Clients Need a Money Detox? with Tammy Lally

Client Experience & Loyalty, Creating Advocates, Education, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Practice Management, Prospecting, Speaking, Top Advisors, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Are your money beliefs holding you back in your practice?

In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Tammy Lally, CMC®, LUTCF, a certified money coach, financial planner, TED speaker, and author of the book “Money Detox,” about the unproductive and limiting beliefs around money many financial advisors unknowingly harbor. Tammy brings invaluable insights from her years of experience and personal journey, including her TED Talk which has over 2.2 million views, about how to help financial advisors and their clients develop healthier beliefs about money.

You’ll learn how to recognize and address these limiting beliefs, the importance of emotional maturity around finances, how to shift your money mindset to attract more right-fit clients and leverage new opportunities, and practical strategies for creating stronger, healthier financial practices.

Tammy discusses: 

  • Her personal story and how it led to her TED Talk and book, “Money Detox”
  • The concept of money shame and how it affects financial decisions
  • How financial advisors can better understand their clients’ money stories and avoid unconsciously shaming them
  • The importance of curiosity and empathy in enhancing client relationships and financial outcomes
  • …And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Tammy Lally:

About Tammy Lally:

Tammy Lally is a Certified Money Coach, TED Speaker, and Author of Money Detox. She helps others master their finances by stopping the cycle of their money shame to rewrite their financial future. Tammy works with people to first conquer their emotions around money and then through a comprehensive financial plan. Tammy has 20 years of experience in the financial industry and 30 years of study in psychology, addiction, recovery, and spirituality. She brings a distinctive blend of financial industry experience, psychological knowledge, and spiritual consciousness to her work. Tammy offers a compassionate approach to money and money shame, which is truly powerful in helping her clients achieve transformative outcomes. Her signature “Money Detox” process is a seven-step journey that allows anyone to achieve financial freedom and joy. She works with individuals, couples, groups, and businesses and has helped thousands of people.

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#78 Maximize Your Referrals: The Secret to Becoming a Highly Referable Financial Advisor with Jeff Jackel

Client Experience & Loyalty, Creating Advocates, Education, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Practice Management, Prospecting, Speaking, Top Advisors, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Creating a memorable client experience is key to standing out in the competitive world of financial advising.

How can you automate thoughtfulness and build emotional connections to boost referrals?

In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Jeff Jackel, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-founder of Client Giant, to share his expertise on how financial advisors can enhance their referability through personalized client experiences. 

By tuning in, you’ll discover the power of “automated thoughtfulness” and how it can lead to exponential growth in client engagement and referrals.

Bill and Jeff discuss: 

  • The core mission of Client Giant and how it aims to foster personal relationships over transactional ones
  • The principles of creating remarkable and memorable client experiences
  • Success stories of financial advisors who have significantly increased their referrals and revenue by investing in personalized client touches
  • The innovative technology and strategies used by Client Giant to automate thoughtful gestures, leaving a lasting impact on clients
  • …And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Jeff Jackel:

About Jeff Jackel:

Jeff Jackel is Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Client Giant, a tech-enabled client care and concierge service helping business owners and operators in the USA and Canada drive unparalleled repeat and referral business. 

Prior to this, Jeff was Co-Founder and CEO of Chatter Inc., a mobile technology company whose flagship product, BuzzMob (now Appletree) is a leading communication platform in education technology. 

With 15+ years creating and building businesses across a spectrum of competitive industries, Jeff has experience with every aspect from ideation to product development, capitalization, strategic planning, management, content marketing, social media and brand building.

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#77 Using Video to Attract, Engage, and Retain Your Ideal Clients with Katie Braden, CFP®

Client Experience & Loyalty, Creating Advocates, Education, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Practice Management, Prospecting, Speaking, Top Advisors, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Video marketing is a powerful tool for financial advisors to build trust, provide value, and create meaningful connections with clients.

How can you effectively use video to attract clients and maintain strong client relationships?

In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Katie Braden, CFP®, Founder and Chief Video Officer of Advisor Video Marketing, to explore how financial advisors can effectively use video to attract new clients and strengthen current client relationships. 

By listening to this episode, you’ll learn actionable strategies and best practices for integrating video into your marketing and client engagement efforts, drawing from real-world examples and expert advice from Katie. 

Bill and Katie discuss: 

  • Different ways advisors can use video to enhance client experience and drive business growth
  • Overcoming common fears and obstacles in creating authentic and effective video content
  • Practical tips for setting up and optimizing your video environment for professional quality
  • Specific case studies showcasing how top-performing advisors are successfully using video to build trust and deepen client relationships
  • …And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Katie Braden CFP®:

About Katie Braden:

With 18 years in financial services, Katie Braden turned her passion for helping the industry evolve into Advisor Video Marketing. Her mission? To make video marketing accessible and enjoyable for financial advisors. She’s not just another consultant; she’s a pioneer who started one of the first virtual, fee-only financial planning firms. Katie has also consulted for financial professionals in over 35 countries.

She obtained her degree in photography from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, before returning to the U.S. and joining her mother’s RIA in 2006. Her credentials include being a CFP® professional, an InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 alum, and ongoing service on the CFP Board’s Women’s Initiative (WIN) Council. Through her workshops and services, she’s here to help you use video to improve your client experience and expand your reach.

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Episode #76 The Power of Total Client Relationships: Transforming Client Engagement for Exponential Growth with Tyson Ray, CFP®, CExP®, CIMA®

Client Experience & Loyalty, Creating Advocates, Education, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Practice Management, Prospecting, Speaking, Top Advisors, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Building robust client relationships can lead to an increase in referrals, better client retention, and ultimately, a thriving business.

Do you do your financial planning in a vacuum, or do you consider all aspects of your clients’ lives as you work with them? 

In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Tyson Ray, the CEO and founding partner of FORM Wealth Advisors and author of the book The Total Relationship: Four Steps to Breaking the Mold, Transforming the Financial Advisor-Client Partnership and Building True Wealth.

With a nearly $1 billion portfolio, Tyson shares his innovative approach to planning that shifts everyone’s focus from performance metrics to building total relationships with clients. In this insightful discussion, learn how Tyson nurtures a client-centric culture, leverages team expertise, and drives engagement within his client relationships through a comprehensive and caring approach.

Bill and Tyson discuss: 

  • Tyson’s mission to shift the financial advisory industry’s perspective from performance to what he calls The Total Relationship with clients.
  • How Tyson starts all new client relationships using his 4 Key Pillars of The Total Relationship and how that impacts the client experience.
  • How Tyson has created an elite team that helped him capture almost $1 Billion in assets.
  • His decision to only work with clients willing to invest ALL of their assets with his firm and why he believes that’s best for the client.
  • How his practice changed once he realized he need to bring in a COO to manage his team of 17.
  • …And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Tyson Ray:

About Tyson Ray:

Tyson Ray first learned about investing and the stock market during an economics class in his sophomore year at Badger High School, and at 16 years old, he decided to invest $100 into two different mutual funds. This was his first step on a path he continues to traverse today: using financial strategy to help make people’s lives better. He started his career in financial services after graduating from the Honors program at the University of West Florida and returning to Southern Wisconsin, where his family has lived for generations.

Over the past 25+ years, Tyson has sought to expand his knowledge and expertise through Yale School of Management, Investment Management Theory & Practice, CIMA Certification Registration Education Program, including obtaining the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) Certification and through the College for Financial Planning for the CFP® Certification, including obtaining CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certification. Tyson received his Certification in Business Exit Planning to better help entrepreneurs and business owners make the transition of selling their life’s work.

Tyson has been named a 2018-2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor, 2021-2024 Barron’s Top 1200, and a 2005-2024 Chairman’s Council Advisor. He’s also a member of the Financial Planning Association of Wisconsin, and has been recognized for his many philanthropic endeavors in the community, including the Invest in Others Global Community Impact Award and REP. Magazine’s Advisor with a Heart Award for Sustainable Charity for his ongoing work with the Ray’s non-profit, Children’s World Impact.

Tyson is devoted to his wife Jenny and their three children, Nelson, Austin, and Carson. When he has the opportunity, he enjoys spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, and playing golf.

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Episode #75 Harnessing Financial Advisor Philanthropy: A Lucrative Avenue for Attracting Right-Fit Clients with Special Guest, Barron Damon

Education, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Prospecting, Speaking, Top Advisors, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Philanthropists!  That’s where the money is!

In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates and Barron Damon, a Certified Philanthropic Coach, dive into the world of strategic financial advisor philanthropy and meaningful giving. 

Barron and Bill discuss how financial firms can integrate philanthropy into their brand for a quadruple win:

  1. Attracting significant assets.
  2. Benefiting the community.
  3. Engaging employees, and
  4. Enhancing the company’s image. 

Barron’s insights on the “3 P’s of Philanthropy” and his expertise in creating a strategic plan for their financial advisor philanthropy are truly inspiring.

If you want to elevate your brand through purpose-driven giving, this episode is a must-listen.

Bill and Barron discuss: 

  • How Barron went from being a victim of a violent crime to becoming a CEO of a nonprofit organization and a philanthropic coach.  
  • How to develop a strategy for financial advisor philanthropy using the three Ps: Philosophy, People, and Process.
  • The role of Donor-Advised Funds in strategic giving.
  • How financial advisors can better serve philanthropically inclined clients.
  • Building employee engagement through community-oriented programs.
  • Working with advisory firms and other businesses to enhance their brand and community engagement through strategic giving.
  • …And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Barron Damon:

About Barron Damon:

Barron Damon is a Certified Nonprofit Consultant and Philanthropic Coach with over 20 years of experience working as an Executive for a National Non-Profit Organization. He holds coaching certifications from the Center for Congregational Health, an Associate Coaching Certification (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Psychology from the University of South Carolina, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Webster University. Barron also serves on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce and for the Morrisville Rotary Club, has co-created an award-winning Giving Circle, and helped many communities around the USA create their own Giving Circles.

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Episode #74 How Target Markets and Work-Life Balance Drive Client Growth with Chad Hufford

Education, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Prospecting, Speaking, Top Advisors, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you think work-life balance is hard to achieve, you’re probably right.

With that said, THIS advisor has done it. His path to success is amazing!

The strategic decisions he made early in his career have allowed him to build a practice and a life that many aspire to.

In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Chad Hufford, owner of Veritas Wealth Management and bestselling author of “Forging Financial Freedom,” to discover how he built a successful financial practice that prioritizes both high achievement and personal freedom through work-life balance.

Chad reveals the critical early decisions that shaped his business, the importance of having a specific target market, and his unique approach to client responsiveness.

Bill and Chad discuss: 

  • How Chad established work-life balance as a priority at the beginning of his career and made some hard choices to fully live out his vision.
  • The importance of a well-defined target market for achieving exponential growth.
  • Chad’s unique perspective on being responsive to clients without being constantly available. (You will probably envy what he’s created here.)
  • The role of podcasting in Chad’s marketing strategy, and his plans for future growth.
  • …And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Chad Hufford:

About Chad Hufford:

Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Chad grew up in the financial industry, learning under his father, Steve. Chad graduated from the University of Alaska, and seeing the great need for holistic financial advice and coaching, he opened his own financial service practice in 2007 in Anchorage, Alaska, and now serves clients and their families across the US.

He founded Veritas in 2014 as he continued to expand his team and services. Soon after Veritas opened its doors, Chad began his relationship with Ramsey Solutions as Dave Ramsey’s SmartVestor Pro and is the longest-tenured Ramsey SVP in Alaska.

With a strong background in athletics, Chad brings a coaching mindset and the heart of a teacher to financial planning and investing as he strives to both empower and educate his clients on their journeys to financial freedom and independence.

Chad and his wife, Tiffany (also a life-long Alaskan), have been blessed with six wonderful children. Tiffany stays busy homeschooling the kids, and the whole family is very involved in their church and local community.

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