Grow Organically

What if your daily actions were directly shaping the life you’ll look back on years from now? And what if growth, both personal and professional, could be engineered with clarity and discipline? In this episode, Dan Gilmartin interviews Michael Graham, CFP®, President and Co-Founder of Midwestern Securities, about building a firm rooted in intentionality and disciplined growth. Mike shares how sta...

Growth gets harder when every firm has access to the same tools. What separates strong marketing is not the software itself, but the judgment, structure, and empathy behind how it is used. In this episode, Dan Gilmartin speaks with Michele Welsh, Chief Marketing Officer at Verdence Capital Advisors, about building a practical AI and marketing system inside a wealth firm. She explains how her team...

What actually separates firms that grow organically from those that rely on referrals and market lift? Daniel Gilmartin discusses the launch of Catchlight’s RIA Growth Marketing Proficiency Report with Mary Kate Gulick, Founder of MK Wealth Marketing. Together, they break down what organic growth truly means, how top independent RIAs are structuring their marketing teams, and the patterns that sho...

Sustainable growth does not come from chasing every tactic available. It comes from clarity, consistency, and systems that respect how people actually make decisions. In this replay episode, Dan Gilmartin sits down with Michelle Winkles, MBA, Partner and CMO at Mission Wealth, to revisit a foundational conversation on organic growth through digital marketing. This replay episode explores how firms...

Organic growth sounds straightforward, but for many firms it remains one of the hardest challenges to solve. What happens when client demand slows, marketing feels risky, and internal teams struggle to connect the dots across services? In this replay episode, Dan Gilmartin revisits a timely conversation with Jimmy Zhao, Partner at McKinsey, to examine what truly drives organic growth in wealth man...

Partnerships, referrals, and metrics: three core themes shaping the future of organic growth in wealth management. In this episode of Grow Organically, host Dan Gilmartin sits down with Yelena Melamed, Chief Product Officer at Catchlight, to close out Season Two with a deep dive into how data, trust, and technology are transforming growth strategies. Yelena shares how wealth firms can strengthen p...

Growth in wealth management often comes down to trust, process, and knowing where to focus. How do you build stronger referral partnerships with accountants and custodians? How can predictive analytics and technology enhance client relationships without losing authenticity? In this episode of Grow Organically, host Dan Gilmartin speaks with Chris Thom, CFP®, ChFC, CLU, CWS, Executive Vice Presiden...

Organic growth has become the defining challenge and opportunity for firms in wealth management. Despite resilient demand, many firms struggle to scale sustainably in a market shaped by rising expectations and shifting client demographics.  In this episode, Dan Gilmartin speaks with Jimmy Zhao, CFA, Partner at McKinsey & Company, about what’s driving (and slowing) organic growth in the industr...

Growth does not come from pushing harder. It comes from creating trust, education, and genuine partnership. What happens when a firm shifts from chasing transactions to scaling relationships? How does language shape culture and outcomes in financial services? In this episode, Dan Gilmartin speaks with Sophie Benander, SVP of Growth and Partnerships at SageView, about reframing growth as an outcome...

Organic growth in wealth management requires more than just good marketing. It demands alignment, testing, and a process-driven funnel. In this episode, Dan Gilmartin interviews John Wernz, Partner and Strategic Advisor at Mission Wealth, who shares lessons from helping firms scale from billions to tens of billions in AUM. John breaks down the stages of marketing maturity, the importance of ICP, a...

Speed matters, but connection matters more. In this episode of Grow Organically, Dan Gilmartin speaks with Caleb Stinson, Chief Marketing Officer of Exencial Wealth Advisors, about creating meaningful connections in the lead generation process. Caleb shares how pacing, personalization, and purpose-driven outreach strengthen both client relationships and firm outcomes. Caleb discusses: Why humanizi...

What does it take to grow a $30B wealth management firm in today’s competitive space and sustain it? In this episode of Grow Organically, Dan Gilmartin speaks with Matthew Matrisian, MBA, President of SEIA, to explore the multi-dimensional strategy behind the firm’s double-digit organic growth. Matt shares how SEIA combines personalization, strategic partnerships, and data-driven processes to crea...

What makes wealth management thrive in today’s fast-paced world? Catchlight’s Dan Gilmartin chats with Marissa Fox-Foley, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Choreo, about the art of blending financial strategy with tech-savvy marketing in the wealth management industry. Discover how Choreo fosters rapid growth through strategic partnerships, emphasizes advisor-client connect...

What’s holding your firm back from real, sustainable growth? It might not be what you think. Join Dan Gilmartin as he sits down with Anand Sekhar, a seasoned professional from Fidelity Charitable. With insights from a 20-year career in practice management and consulting, Anand shares how firms can outmaneuver market challenges like over-reliance on referrals and volatile clients. Discover how a fi...

How can financial advisors leverage technology to boost growth? Daniel Gilmartin dives into a tech-forward conversation with industry leader Jim Mocci, Managing Director and Head of Marketing at EP Wealth. With a background at BlackRock and Wells Fargo, Jim shares insightful anecdotes and strategies on optimizing tech stacks, measuring ROI, and the crucial role of data in enhancing lead generation...

What happens when the art of persuasion meets the science of numbers in wealth management?  Dive into a compelling conversation between host Dan Gilmartin and Brad Boekestein, Chief Marketing Officer at Allworth Financial, as they unravel the strategies behind the firm’s impressive growth. Brad takes us through his journey, emphasizing the intersection of analytics and creativity in marketin...

What is the special ingredient to sustainable growth in wealth management? Dan Gilmartin converses with David Canter, a seasoned CEO at Finley Point Strategy who has donned many hats in the finance sector, including roles at McKinsey, Blue Spring Wealth Partners, and Fidelity Investments. They dive deep into the essence of “Organic Growth is Truth” and explore why organic growth is so...

Are you curious about what the future holds for wealth management in 2025? Dive into our season finale as Dan Gilmartin speaks with Wilbur Swan, CEO and Co-founder of Catch Light, about next year’s trends in the financial advisory world. Wilbur shares his top five predictions for the wealth management industry in 2025, focusing on how AI will reshape growth strategies. Tune in to uncover ins...

Creating a digital strategy to drive growth strategy can feel daunting. How do you know you are on the right track? Daniel Gilmartin sits down with Michelle Winkles, Partner and Chief Marketing Officer at Mission Wealth, to delve into the art of organic growth. With a background in tech marketing and a passion for purpose-driven leadership, Michelle dives into the cutting-edge strategies she emplo...

What skyrockets growth in wealth management? Daniel Gilmartin speaks with Todd Cassler, Chief Growth Officer at Cerity. They delve into innovative strategies that can not only drive growth but can redefine it in today’s competitive market landscape. Get insights from Todd’s extensive experience across wealth management, asset management, and retail sectors, offering a treasure trove of knowl...

Are you maximizing your client relationships to their full potential?  Let’s talk about how you can tap into organic growth and enhance your wealth management practice. Dan Gilmartin sits down with Jamie Hopkins, Chief Wealth Officer at WSFS and CEO of Bryn Mawr Trust, to discuss strategies for accelerating organic growth in wealth management. Jamie shares his unique journey, emphasizing the impor...

Are you ready to learn about some of the highest-performing financial advisory firms? Discover innovative organic growth strategies from industry leader Mark Bruno, exploring crucial topics from growth-oriented compensation to data-driven decision-making. In this episode of Grow Organically, Dan Gilmartin hosts Mark Bruno, Managing Director and Head of Strategic Advisory for Emigrant Partners, to...

Are you curious about why organic growth in the wealth management sector is often stagnant and how you can turn the tide? Dan Gilmartin chats with Gary Roth, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Modern Wealth Management, about the complexities of organic growth in today's competitive financial landscape. Gary shares valuable insights drawn from his extensive experience at firms like Goldman Sachs and...

Are you ready to uncover the strategic insights that can transform your wealth management practice? Dan Gilmartin engages in an insightful dialogue with Crystal Mathis, the CMO and Partner at Signature FD, to delve into the intricacies of driving organic growth in highly regulated industries. With a rich background in marketing and communications, Crystal shares her journey and seamlessly intertwi...

Which prospects should you call next to maximize your conversion rates? The answer lies in harnessing the power of AI and data. Dan Gilmartin sits down with Jen Abboud Smith, SVP of Investor Marketing at Carson Wealth, to delve into the strategies and insights that drive sustained growth in wealth management firms. Jen shares her extensive background from Amazon to Vanguard, and now Carson Wealth,...