What does it take to leave the corporate world and build a financial planning firm rooted in relationships, persistence, and long-term client care? In this episode, Wes Littlejohn of Marathon Financial Strategies in Atlanta, Georgia, shares how his background in accounting, tax preparation, audit, and corporate finance eventually led him to the advisory profession.

Wes reflects on earning his CPA, working in corporate roles, and realizing that he wanted the smaller, more relationship-driven environment he had seen in his father’s entrepreneurial career. He also shares how his practice evolved from investment-focused work into comprehensive financial planning, why tax planning has become an important part of his value to clients, and how working with his wife, Sally, helped bring more structure, process, and consistency to the business.

What does it look like to build an advisory business with a clear identity, a strong partnership, and a client experience rooted in planning? In this episode, Alyson Burkett of 21 Goats Financial Planning in Roswell, Georgia, shares how she entered the financial services industry after studying economics and finance at Auburn, built her early career at Waddell & Reed, and eventually navigated a major transition to LPL while balancing a growing family and a growing practice.

Alyson also shares the story behind the 21 Goats name, why she and her husband Brian decided to work together, and how their complementary strengths shape the business today. She discusses the systems, technology, client process, referral strategy, and planning approach that help the firm stay organized, memorable, and relationship-driven. From spouse partnerships and office ownership to MyRepChat, Redtail workflows, financial planning fees, and intentional growth, this conversation offers a practical look at what it takes to build a modern advisory firm with personality and purpose.

What does it look like to grow into the financial advisory business while honoring the legacy of a successful family practice? In this episode, Daniel Lee of Karen Lee and Associates in Atlanta, Georgia, shares how he found his way into financial planning after first discovering what he did not want from a career. He reflects on his early exposure to the profession through his mother, Karen Lee, and how taking CFP coursework helped him realize that financial planning checked the boxes he was looking for in meaningful work.

Daniel discusses what it was like to join a family business, the boundaries and shared values that helped make the transition work, and how he developed from learning operations and paperwork to becoming a lead advisor. He also shares how Karen Lee and Associates presents itself as a team, how they onboard new clients through a planning-first process, and why client relationships, networking, technology, and thoughtful succession planning all play a role in building a durable advisory firm for the future.

What does it take to build a financial advisory firm that can grow beyond its founders while staying deeply focused on client relationships? In this episode, Kim DeProspero and Hank Cleare, partners at Financial Strategies Group in Sunrise, Florida, share the story behind their careers, their partnership, and the evolution of FSG into a planning-first advisory practice.

Kim reflects on her early start in the insurance business, her transition into financial planning, and the lessons she learned from rebuilding her practice from the ground up. Hank shares how his background with the Federal Reserve and bank consulting eventually led him into financial planning and IFG. Together, they discuss how they successfully merged their practices, built a strong team, created a succession path for the next generation, and developed processes that allow the firm to serve clients consistently, whether they are in Florida, Atlanta, the Keys, or Italy.

What does it really take to build a successful financial advisory business while staying grounded in your values and your clients’ best interests? In this episode, Brett Bringuel of Cast Ahead Wealth Management shares his journey from cold-calling early in his career to building an independent advisory firm centered on financial planning, relationships, and long-term client success. He reflects on lessons learned at major firms like Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo, and how those experiences shaped his approach to advice, growth, and client care.

You’ll learn why Brett believes financial planning is where real value is created, how he transitioned into independence during a period of major uncertainty, and why he’s focused on helping business owners understand and grow their financial lives. He also breaks down his CARE client service model, the role of technology in simplifying his practice, and how resilience, referrals, and continuous learning have helped him evolve as an advisor and business owner.

What if the secret to exceptional financial planning isn't better investment management, but understanding people on a deeper level? In this episode, Morris and Morgan Shank reveal the systems, philosophy, and personal approach that have helped them build a highly personalized advisory practice. You'll learn why they believe financial planning extends far beyond numbers, and how proactive service creates stronger client relationships. They also discuss their evolving succession plan and the emotional realities of preparing a business for the future.

Morris and Morgan share how they structure discovery meetings, identify clients' most important priorities, and create customized planning experiences that adapt to each family's needs. They also explore the technology, processes, and communication strategies that support their high-touch service model, offering valuable lessons for advisors, business owners, and anyone interested in building deeper relationships through exceptional client service.

What does it take to build a long-term career in financial planning when life doesn’t go according to plan? In this episode, Steve Reents, Senior Financial Advisor at Gaynes Financial Services, opens up about his journey from growing up in Illinois to building a career in Atlanta’s financial services industry—while navigating major life transitions along the way.

Listen in as Steve shares how he moved through roles in banking, paraplanning, and financial advisory work, as well as how those experiences shaped his approach to clients today. You'll hear about the personal challenges that redefined his perspective on life, resilience, and what truly matters when it comes to money, planning, and family. This conversation explores not just the technical side of financial planning, but also the human side that sits behind every decision.

What happens when two engineers walk away from decades in 24/7 manufacturing environments and apply that same discipline to financial planning? In this episode, Thomas Barnes and Derek Keeney of Nida Financial Group share how they transformed their careers from paper mills, breweries, and industrial engineering roles into building a highly structured, systems-driven advisory firm. Their story reveals how operational thinking, not traditional finance backgrounds, became the foundation for how they run and scale their business.

Listen in to learn how manufacturing principles like continuous improvement, KPIs, and succession planning can completely reshape a financial advisory practice. Thomas and Derek break down how they grew a firm managing millions in assets, built a recurring revenue model, and created repeatable systems for decision-making, client service, and team development. You'll also hear about partnership structure, leadership alignment, and why treating a financial business like an engineered system leads to more predictable and scalable outcomes.