What does independence actually look like for a financial advisor today? For many advisors, the answer is more complicated than simply “starting your own RIA.”

In this episode, Andrew Evans takes a look at what it really means to build an independent advisory business, and why many advisors are rethinking the traditional path. Instead of focusing so heavily on industry trends or one-size-fits-all models, Andrew breaks down the operational realities advisors face when leaving captive environments, transitioning to fee-only planning, or trying to scale sustainably without losing flexibility.

Andrew discusses:

• Why starting an RIA from scratch can become operationally overwhelming
• How Rossby Financial approaches independence differently from large aggregators
• The importance of separating compliance, operations, and advisor autonomy
• What advisors should focus on before making a transition
• And more!

Connect with Rossby Financial:

• (321) 209-0111
• Website: Rossby Financial
• Website: R Office
• LinkedIn: Rossby Financial
• Instagram: @rossby_wealth

Connect with Andrew Evans:

• LinkedIn: Andrew Evans
• Email: aevans@rossbyfinancial.com

Most financial advisors think they need better marketing. What they may actually need is better storytelling.

In this episode, Andrew Evans sits down with Alexandra Zendrian, founder of A to Z Communications, to talk about the real difference between marketing and public relations, and why so many advisors misunderstand both. Allie shares how she accidentally became an entrepreneur after a layoff, how to build strong media relationships, and why getting press coverage is about much more than promoting your firm.

Andrew and Allie also dive into some of the biggest conversations in the financial services industry right now, including AI, mergers and acquisitions, advisor succession planning, and why flexibility and culture remain major challenges for women in finance.

Andrew and Allie discuss:

• The difference between marketing and public relations
• What reporters actually look for in financial stories
• Why relationship-building matters in PR
• How AI is changing financial media conversations
• The reality behind advisor succession and M&A trends
• And more!

Connect with Rossby Financial:

• (321) 209-0111
• Website: Rossby Financial
• Website: R Office
• LinkedIn: Rossby Financial
• Instagram: @rossby_wealth

Connect with Andrew Evans:

• LinkedIn: Andrew Evans
• Email: aevans@rossbyfinancial.com

Connect with Alexandra Zendrian:

• LinkedIn: Alexandra Zendrian
• Website: A to Z Communications
• Email: allie@atozcommunicationspr.com

About our Guest:

Alexandra Zendrian is the founder of A to Z Communications, a public relations firm focused on helping financial professionals and organizations strengthen their media presence and industry visibility. With a background in journalism and financial services communications, Allie works closely with advisors, firms, and industry leaders to craft meaningful stories, build reporter relationships, and create authentic visibility in a crowded marketplace.

Online reviews can shape whether a prospect reaches out or keeps scrolling. But for financial advisors, testimonials come with compliance concerns, disclosure requirements, and questions about where reviews should live.

In this episode, Andrew Evans speaks with Brian Thorp, Founder and CEO of Wealthtender and Editor-in-Chief, about how advisors can use client testimonials while staying aligned with SEC marketing rules. They break down disclosure requirements, common compliance mistakes with Google reviews, and why many advisors still hesitate to ask for feedback.

Brian also explains how SEO, AI search visibility, and review platforms are changing how advisors get found online.

Key takeaways:

• Why advisors still hesitate to ask clients for reviews despite strong client relationships
• The 3 disclosure requirements tied to publishing client testimonials online today
• How review policies can help filter out non-client or outdated public feedback issues
• Why Google reviews can create compliance concerns for financial advisory firms
• How SEO and AI visibility can help advisors appear more often in online searches
• And more!

Connect with Rossby Financial:

• (321) 209-0111
• Website: Rossby Financial
• Website: R Office
• LinkedIn: Rossby Financial
• Instagram: @rossby_wealth

Connect with Andrew Evans:

• LinkedIn: Andrew Evans
• Email: aevans@rossbyfinancial.com

Connect with Brian Thorp:

• LinkedIn: Brian Thorp
• Website: Wealthtender
• brian@wealthtender.com

About our Guest:

Brian Thorp is the founder and CEO of Wealthtender and Editor-in-Chief.

Brian believes everyone deserves help with money matters from someone they can trust, no matter their income or stage of life.

Brian is a member of the National Society of Compliance Professionals (NSCP) and its SEC Marketing Rule Working Group. Brian authored an article on the topic of advisor testimonials published by the NSCP in the February 28th, 2022, issue of Currents, the industry’s premier publication for 2,000+ compliance professionals.

Brian was recognized by WealthManagement.com as one of its top 10 innovators and influencers set to change the wealth management industry in 2024.

Brian has positioned Wealthtender as the first financial advisor review platform designed to be compliant with the SEC Marketing Rule. Brian has also published a testimonial marketing playbook to help advisors and wealth management firms succeed with online reviews and has been featured on multiple podcasts and quoted in major publications discussing the topic.

Prior to founding Wealthtender, Brian spent nearly 22 years in multiple leadership roles at Invesco. In his most recent role, Brian served as Head of Financial Advisor Platforms with oversight for Invesco’s largest strategic partnerships with wealth management firms representing over $100 Billion in assets under management.

With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Brian is applying his experience and passion at Wealthtender to help more people enjoy life with less money stress.