The Perfect RIA

In this episode, Matt and Micah tackle the age-old question: how can advisors transform their practices from good to extraordinary? They reveal why shooting for double-digit client growth isn't just ambitious – it's necessary for a thriving practice in today's competitive landscape. But it's not all about the numbers (though they're pretty important). The episode unpacks the critical role of finan...

In this week's recap, Amber Kuhn highlights the often-overlooked foundation of successful financial advising: genuine client relationships. While industry expertise matters, Matt and Micah shared Monday that empathy trumps technical knowledge when it comes to client retention. Tracking net client flow in 2024 isn't just about celebrating new additions – it's about understanding why clients leave a...

In the latest episode of The Perfect RIA, Matt and Micah discuss what truly makes or breaks client relationships in financial advising - and surprise, it's not your fancy financial jargon or market predictions. They reveal why empathy is the key to transforming good advisors into trusted lifetime partners for their clients. This is a wake-up call for advisors who might be too focused on spreadshee...

In this week's recap, Amber Kuhn highlights the significance of setting intentions for the new year. On Monday, Matt and Micah tackled the delicate balance between the new year's ambitions and business entitlement. While January presents a fresh start for financial advisors, they warned against the dangerous mindset of entitlement that can creep in after achieving success. They emphasized that no...

In this episode, Matt and Micah kick off 2025 with an episode that's less about champagne toasts and more about making your financial advisory practice pop like a cork. They dive into the art of intention-setting, reminding listeners that success in the financial world isn't served on a silver platter – it's earned through good old-fashioned elbow grease. In this candid conversation, they tackle t...

In this week's recap, Amber Kuhn is highlighting the significance of relationship building in client meetings revealing that financial advising is far more about emotional intelligence than technical prowess. In this week's episode she shares how Matt and Micah unpacked the critical soft skills that transform client interactions from transactional to transformative. The key insight? Technical expe...

In this episode, Micah and Matt discuss the importance of relationship-building in client meetings. They reveal a counterintuitive truth that many financial advisors miss: your first client meeting isn't about dazzling them with spreadsheets or complex financial jargon. Instead, it's about creating a genuine human connection that transforms potential clients from mere numbers to trusted partners i...

In this week's recap, Amber Kuhn is highlighting business growth and personal development. On Monday, Matt and Micah shattered the myth of silver bullet solutions, emphasizing that true progress comes from doing the hard, uncomfortable work. The real game-changer isn't a flashy new logo or website but a consistent, meaningful effort that pushes you beyond your comfort zone. On Thursday, Jamie's se...

In this encore episode, Jamie Shilanski dives into how you approach personal and professional growth. Forget wishful thinking – this is about transforming goals from pipe dreams to concrete realities through strategic self-reflection and relentless improvement. Jamie cuts through the noise with her perspective on success, revealing the critical difference between merely looking through a window at...

In the latest episode of The Perfect RIA, hosts Micah Shilanski and Matthew Jarvis share some hard-hitting truths about what really drives success in the financial advisory world. Forget the fantasy of overnight miracles and magical quick fixes. This episode is a no-nonsense dive into the unglamorous—but absolutely essential—reality of building a thriving practice. Spoiler alert: There's no silver...

In this weekly recap, Amber Kuhn highlights financial history and strategic goal achievement. On Monday, Mark Higgins, author of "Investing in US Financial History," joined Matt to offer a profound perspective on understanding market dynamics through historical context. Mark emphasizes that true financial wisdom comes from understanding historical patterns without falling into the trap of believin...

In this episode, Jamie Shilanski demolishes the myth that goals are just wishful thinking. She cuts through the noise with a message that true success isn't about dreaming—it's about doing. Jamie challenges financial advisors to move beyond vague aspirations and craft meticulously designed roadmaps that bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Diving deep into the psycholog...

In this episode of The Perfect RIA podcast, Matthew Jarvis sits down with Mark Higgins, the author of 'Investing in U.S. Financial History.' Mark brings a treasure trove of knowledge, unpacking how understanding the financial past can be your crystal ball for navigating today's economic maze. From the intricate web of national debt to the future of entitlements, the conversation peels back layers...

In this weekly recap, Amber Kuhn highlights fee management and strategic business planning. On Monday, Matthew Jarvis was joined by Lacey Shrum from Smart KX to explore the often-overlooked art of billing and fee collection. They revealed that many advisors underestimate their value, leaving money on the table through inconsistent billing practices and fear of raising fees. On Thursday, Jamie reco...

In this episode, Jamie Shilanski delivers a masterclass in strategic business planning that's sure to resonate with financial advisors looking to transform their practices from good to extraordinary. Diving deep into the art and science of year-end business planning, Jamie unpacks the critical components that separate thriving practices from merely surviving ones. Jamie provides a comprehensive gu...

In financial advising, leaving money on the table isn't just a rookie mistake—it's a potential career killer. Matthew Jarvis and Lacey Shrum from Smart KX dive deep into the treacherous waters of advisor fee billing, exposing the hidden pitfalls that can sink even the most well-intentioned financial professionals. Imagine this: an advisor ends up behind bars, not for financial fraud, but for a sim...

Ever wondered how Edward Jones grew to $2.1 trillion without giving away the keys to the kingdom?  In this recap episode, Amber shares highlights on how you can learn from others' success and how to really plan for the next year. On Monday, Matt and Micah discussed scaling your practice beyond the mythical "150-client ceiling" and challenged the "financial hobby" mindset, proving that success isn'...

In this conversation, Jamie Shilanski pulls back the curtain on the ride of entrepreneurship in the financial advisory world. But it's not all spreadsheets and dollar signs. Jamie gets real about the elephant in the room: imposter syndrome. Her solution? Radical transparency and a healthy dose of authenticity – because even the pros were rookies once. Jamie emphasizes that success in financial pla...

Ever wondered how the big players in financial services got to where they are? Matt and Micah dive deep into the secret behind Edward Jones' remarkable success story – and why independent advisors should be taking notes instead of throwing shade. They challenge the common "David vs. Goliath" mindset that often leads independent advisors to dismiss larger firms' achievements and reveal how Edward J...

Money talks, but sometimes, clients need help finding the right words, and success lies in knowing when to lean in and when to step back. In this recap episode, Amber shares highlights on crypto-curious clients and building your ideal client base. On Monday, Matt and Micah dove into the crypto-elephant in the room: Bitcoin investing. Rather than immediately jumping into a passionate defense (or cr...

What is the number one rule of prospecting? If you serve everyone, then you serve no one! On today's Worlds To Conquer, Jamie dives into prospecting and how to make sure you're working with the right people. She'll also discuss why once you determine who you work best with, you need to share this with your team. Listen in as Jamie shares why if you have a great prospecting strategy, you can grow a...

Ever wondered why some financial advisors seem to have a sixth sense for their clients' needs? In this episode, Matt and Micah reveal why playing "20 Questions" with your clients isn't just a party game – it's the secret to building a rock-solid investment strategy. Listen in as they share their battle-tested wisdom on guiding clients through the investment maze. They emphasize that understanding...

In this recap episode, Amber shares highlights on delegation and personal growth. On Monday, Matt was joined by guest Lisa Seal, Chief Revenue Officer at BELAY, who dove deep into the art of delegation. Lisa shared her personal approach, using her assistant to streamline everything from spreadsheet creation to travel planning, freeing her up to focus on higher-level tasks. The discussion also addr...

In this conversation, Jamie Shilanski underscores the significance of building meaningful relationships and the role of purpose in life, particularly in the context of professional success and emotional intelligence. Jamie delves into the challenges of balancing work and family life, especially during intense 'surge' periods, and reflects on the changes in relationships and social dynamics that ac...

In this episode of the Perfect RIA Podcast, Matthew Jarvis and Lisa Seal from BELAY discuss the critical role of delegation in enhancing productivity and efficiency. The discussion explores the unique needs of financial advisors when hiring virtual assistants, offering practical tips for effective delegation and the importance of empowering team members. Lisa encourages viewing delegation as an op...