“I like you.”* And just like that, I had a new mentor – one who would be my champion and an inspiration. Whether formally or informally, mentors have played a pivotal role for me – not just in my career, but in my life. I’m relationship-minded by nature, so I will admit that I always have a mentor, if not mentors (plural). Oftentimes, people wait to find a mentor. Wait for a program. Wait to be assigned. Wait for the perfect leader or the perfect advisor. Mentoring happens at all levels, and it happens spontaneously, regardless of an official program. Of course, there is mentoring from leaders ..read more

Your practice’s success hinges not only on your expertise but also on the strength of your team. As your client base grows and your business evolves, expanding your team becomes essential to meet increasing demands and ensure sustainable growth. Here are ten key strategies to consider when expanding your team: 1. Identify Areas of Need: Take stock of your current workload and identify areas where additional support could enhance efficiency and effectiveness. This might include client service, portfolio management, marketing, or administrative tasks. 2. Define Roles and Responsibilities: Clearl ..read more

There is something exciting about spring! The days are getting longer, the sun is shining warmer, and people are coming out to play. Spring is about new beginnings – watching the flowers bloom, the vegetable garden you planted in the fall pop up through the dirt, and the leaves growing back on the trees. What is your new beginning this spring? Do you want to get fit? Eat healthier? Learn a new sport? Pick up a new hobby? Do more networking? Start a list of what you can do to achieve your new beginning. The simple task of putting it in writing will help you get excited about what you can acco ..read more

This time of year, as tax day approaches, many of us are preoccupied with meeting with our tax preparers, or digging out our passwords to a do-it-yourself tax website. But while our thoughts revolve around simply filing our taxes, it’s prudent to be aware of a growing financial risk: tax-related identity theft. What is Tax-Related Identity Theft? The IRS defines tax-related identity theft as someone using your personal information to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. It first surfaced around 2005 and has become a major concern of the IRS. Originally, the crime was perpetrated by ..read more

What is scarier than riding in a car with a 15-year-old who is behind the wheel for the first time? Maybe nothing. Probably nothing. If anything is more fear-inducing, I’d say it’s the realization that every single kid you’ve watched grow up alongside your own is ALSO 15 years old now. The kid that somehow trapped themself in their locker just two years ago? Yep, driving now. The one that went to the emergency room because a LEGO was stuck in their nose? That’s right… They, too, are potentially operating a motor vehicle right now on a highway near you! Those first few drives are not for the fa ..read more

The day of love is just around the corner. You may be anti-Valentine’s Day or you may love this heart-shaped holiday. Whichever camp you’re in, it doesn’t make Valentine’s Day any less of a bona fide tradition for many. Take this as an opportunity to connect with clients on a more personal level while promoting financial well-being. Below are some quick ideas to incorporate Valentine’s Day in your communication plan with your clients or leads: Put on a “Love Your Finances” Event: Host a special event or webinar around Valentine’s Day focused on financial well-being. Encourage clients to asses ..read more

At our CONNECT conference, we asked our Chairman’s Club advisors (top ten) what the secret was to their success. While there were many factors, the below were their most common thoughts: Be Process Driven Having a process for onboarding new clients, managing existing clients, managing investment strategies, and operating as a business is the key to an efficient and effective practice. One comment was, “Once we developed a process, our client service associate freed up 25% of her time, allowing us to grow in capacity and service.” Build a Great TeamThe key to building a highly successful busine ..read more

Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing. Oh my! Criminals are constantly attempting to steal personal data through deceptive emails, fake websites, phone calls, text messages, and ever-expanding sophisticated methods. These tactics aim to coerce individuals into revealing sensitive information like social security numbers and bank account details or defraud a target to obtain funds via gift cards or other electronic currency. An increasingly alarming trend has been the “long scam” in which individuals are groomed over an extended period with the end goal of maintaining a continued state of exploitatio ..read more

Firm’s Integrations with FinTech Innovators in the Alternative Investment Platform, Client Portal and Reporting and Qualified Retirement Plan Space Support Evolving Advisor and Client Needs DALLAS, Dec. 19, 2023 — Prospera Financial Services, Inc. (“Prospera”), a boutique wealth management firm supporting a nationwide network of independent advisors, today announced the newest additions to their technology offerings for its financial advisors. These integrations are the latest in a series of partnerships with tech firms that offer best-in-class software that better enables advisors to serve cl ..read more

As we head into a new year, we hear a lot about goals. Did we accomplish our goals this year? What are our goals for next year? Having goals is important, but focusing on creating systems will have a profound impact on our ability to achieve goals. As author James Clear says in the book Atomic Habits, “Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress.” [1] Here are some ways in which systems influence our goal attainment: Consistent Progress: Systems provide the framework for consistent progress toward our goals. When we establish systems that align with our obj ..read more