The Advice Business Podcast

It’s been a busy year. Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down to look back on everything that happened inside Seeds and across the advisory space. They talk about what they learned while growing the team, what surprised them, and what changed as more firms started using the platform. They also look ahead to 2026. Not with predictions meant to sound bold, but with real questions they’re already he...

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to hire the right people or frustrated by how hard it is to bring more women and diverse talent into your firm, this episode gives you the roadmap you’ve been missing. Natalie Taylor, founder and CEO of The Goodland Group and a 20-year industry veteran, joins Zach and Kelsey in the latest episode of The Advice Business Podcast to break down what is actually holding...

Most advisors think they’re personalizing portfolios. But what does that actually look like in practice? In this episode, Kelsey McKenna and Zach Conway talk about how to turn investment expertise into a repeatable process that still feels personal. They walk through what true personalization looks like, how to communicate trade-offs clearly, and why efficient systems actually make client relation...

Is your communication building trust, or just checking boxes? In the newest episode, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna explore a skill that separates good advisors from great ones: understanding the balance between expertise and empathy. It’s not enough to know your stuff. Clients need to feel your value. From the first conversation to ongoing reviews, every touchpoint shapes how clients experience t...

Are you selling alpha...or underselling yourself?   Most advisors still lead with investment returns. But clients aren’t just buying “performance.” They’re buying you.  So why do so many think advisors “just manage money?” In this episode of The Advice Business Podcast, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna confront one of the industry’s most frustrating realities: advisors deliver significant value, but...

What does it really take to be a great financial advisor today? Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna mark nearly two years behind the mic by tackling this question every advisor should be asking themselves. In a time dominated by conversations of DIY investing and AI, empathy and presence matter just as much as advisor expertise in client conversations. The kicker? Empathy can’t happen without presence,...

At this year’s Future Proof Festival, one theme stole the spotlight: AI. Everywhere you turned, someone was pitching an AI-driven solution.  But what is all this efficiency really serving? Because no matter how powerful the tech, it can’t replace the fundamentals of delivering clarity, confidence, and genuine value to clients. In this episode, we take you inside the buzz of the Future Proof, unpac...

From aspiring surgeon to founder of a thriving client-first advisory firm, Adam Koós has always approached challenges with a “financial surgeon’s” precision. In this episode of The Advice Business Podcast, hosts Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down with Adam to explore his journey to wealth management and the lessons he’s learned about building a client-first advisory practice. Adam shares the...

Is your tech making your client experience better or just busier? In this episode of The Advice Business Podcast, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down with Laura Holt, CFP®, founder & CEO of WealthTech Matchmaker, to tackle one of wealth management’s toughest challenges: scaling a personalized, human-first client experience with the right technology. Laura shares her journey from advisor to...

Feeling stuck in the weeds of your advisory firm’s operations? You’re not alone. In this episode, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down with Charesse Spiller, founder of Level Best and the FinOps Co-Op, to unpack why most firms think they have an operations problem—when really, they have a leadership and structure problem. Charesse shares what she’s learned from helping RIAs scale without burnin...

Think you’ve mastered the risk conversation? Think again. In the newest episode of The Advice Business Podcast, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna take on one of the most misunderstood yet mission-critical pieces of asset allocation: risk tolerance. Here are three surprising facts they uncover: 1️⃣ Most risk tolerance scores do little to keep clients invested when markets get rough. 2️⃣ Risk tolerance...

Want to grow your advisory firm without burnout and finally attract clients who actually feel like a perfect fit? In this episode, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down with Dan and Natalie Slagle , the powerhouse duo behind Fyooz Financial Planning, to share how they built a thriving, human-centered firm by staying hyper-focused on one audience: young couples and families. After years in tradit...

Think your brand is just a logo and a color palette? Think again. We talk through what branding really means for financial advisors — and why it’s the secret growth engine most firms are overlooking. Co-hosts Kelsey McKenna and Zach Conway sit down with John Scianna, founder of Objective Brand and former Head of Design at Altruist, to unpack the good, the bad, and the transformational when it come...

A lot has changed — and we’re ready to talk about it. In this special episode of The Advice Business Podcast, Kelsey McKenna and Zach Conway sit down to unpack a transformative chapter in our story. From closing our Series A round to unveiling a new brand and dropping “Investor” from our name, we're sharing what these changes mean — and why they matter. So, why the shift? Because it was time...

Are you the bottleneck in your own firm? 🚨 In this episode, Kelsey McKenna and Zach Conway announce a brand-new growth diagnostic framework that every financial advisor and firm founder needs to hear about. If you’re feeling stretched thin, unsure where to focus, or stuck in “fix-everything-at-once” mode — this is your chance to get unstuck. Kelsey drew on years of experience advising firm leader...

Financial advisors — if you’ve ever wondered how to grow your business without cold calls or pushy sales tactics, this episode is for you.🎙️ On this week’s From The Ground Up, we’re sitting down with Melissa Reaktenwalt, Founder & CEO of EViE Financial, to unpack how she turned library workshops and wedding expos into a 300-household firm with 80% of new business coming from direct referrals....

Advisor Growth Stories Begins! 🔥 What does it really take to build a thriving, values-driven advisory firm from the ground up? In our newest episode of From The Ground Up, we're launching a fresh series—Advisor Growth Stories—where we spotlight real advisors who are scaling their firms, breaking norms, and doing it on their own terms. First up: Leighann Miko , founder of Equalis and co-found...

What happens when the brightest minds in wealth management gather in Miami? Big ideas, game-changing strategies, and a glimpse into the industry's future. On this episode of From The Ground Up, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna break down their biggest takeaways from the Future Proof conference—from the latest tech innovations to the real challenges firms need to solve now. 💡 Key insights for f...

Growing a financial advisory firm is tough. Hiring the right people, maintaining culture, and scaling strategically—it’s a delicate balance. In this episode, we're throwing it back to a conversation between Kelsey McKenna, Zach Conway, and Michael Batnick on the fundamentals of business-building in wealth management. They reflect on how Michael’s insights from Ritholtz Wealth Management have...

The financial industry is at a turning point. According to McKinsey & Company, the U.S. will face a shortage of 100,000 financial advisors by 2034, leaving countless families struggling to find the guidance they need. With demand for human advisors growing, firms that optimize their operating systems now will be best positioned for success. In this episode, Kelsey McKenna and Zach Conway break...

Is your marketing strategy stuck in the past? It’s time to ditch the funnel and embrace the flywheel. 🔄 In this episode, we welcome Kelly Forst, Seeds' new Director of Marketing, as she joins Kelsey McKenna to break down what the traditional funnel model lacks and why thinking linearly could be a detriment to your long-term growth. Here’s what you’ll learn: 🔄 Funnel vs. Flywheel: Why shifti...

Is your value proposition really delivering what clients want? 🤔 In our latest episode, Zach Conway, Kelsey McKenna sit down with Tom Riemann , CEO of Practice Intel, to explore the gap between what advisors think they provide and what clients actually value. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot more to it than just great advice. Here’s what you’ll learn: 🍽️ Think like a top-tier restaurant: It’s not jus...

Financial Advisors & Business Owners – It’s time to wrap up 2024 on a high note and set the stage for an incredible 2025! In this episode, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna share their insights on how to reflect, refine, and recharge your business strategies. Don’t let another year slip by without optimizing your growth potential! Here’s what you’ll learn: The Power of Focus: Prioritize tasks tha...

In this episode of From The Ground Up Podcast, Zach Conway, Kelsey McKenna, and guest Adam Holt explore how financial advisors can enhance client relationships through clear communication and innovative tools like Asset-Map. They discuss simplifying complex financial concepts, fostering transparency, and adopting a client-centric approach to meet the needs of next-generation investors. By emphasiz...

In this episode, we dive into the key transformations advisory firms need to create a service offering that drives organic growth. Zach and Kelsey discuss how entrepreneurial advisors can apply strategies used by start-ups bringing a new product to market to improve upon their service offering. They emphasize starting with a clear understanding of client needs before optimizing processes, ensuring...