Most advisors know women will control the majority of wealth by 2030—so why aren’t more of them preparing now? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Cary Carbonaro, CFP®, Managing Wealth Advisor and the Women and Wealth Ambassador at Ashton Thomas. Cary explains how the financial industry has historically overlooked female clients and what needs to change to better serve and retain them. She also outlines actionable ways advisors can create more inclusive, client-centered practic...
Aug 08, 2025•38 min
Are you building a business you love — or one that’s wearing you down? In this episode of Top Advisor Podcast, I interview David DeCelle, CEO of Model FA, whose passion is helping advisors fall in love with their practice – either “again” or for “the first time.” David shares actionable insights on scaling your business while maintaining passion and enthusiasm. David said, “Success in financial advising is about more than strategies; it’s about loving your business and creating genuine connectio...
Jul 31, 2025•42 min
Selling a business is a monumental decision, filled with considerations that can significantly impact the owner’s future. How can advisors provide real value beyond investment advice during this crucial transition? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Scott Bushkie, CBI, M&AMI, CM&AP, founder of Cornerstone Business Services, about the key steps and considerations involved in selling a business. Scott shares findings from a national study on business owners’ perspectives...
Jul 16, 2025•39 min
Building strong financial foundations isn’t just about numbers, it’s about nurturing relationships and leaving a legacy. How can financial advisors inspire trust and empower the next generation? What role does education play in creating lasting client relationships? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Jeff Panik, CFP®, MSFS, CRPS, Principal of Balanced Wealth Partners, about his journey from military service to financial advising. Jeff shares his strategies for fostering financ...
Jul 02, 2025•30 min
In a crowded market, how can financial advisors truly stand out and attract their ideal clients? What’s the key difference between a target market and a niche, and why does it matter? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Kristen Luke, marketing strategist and author of: Uncomparable: The Financial Advisor’s Guide to Standing Out through Niche Marketing. Kristen shares her insights on the power of niche marketing for financial advisors and RIAs. She also discusses how to define a...
Jun 19, 2025•37 min
In this episode of Top Advisor Podcast , I sat down with one of the most recognized and influential names in the financial services industry: Ric Edelman . From starting as a new advisor to building the largest RIA in the country , (over $300 Billion in assets managed) Ric’s journey is filled with insights, strategies, and bold thinking that every advisor can learn from. We dive into what it took to grow a billion-dollar firm, what’s coming with the great generational wealth transfer (his answer...
Jun 05, 2025•33 min
Referrals have always been the fastest and most predominant way that advisors have grown their business. But… it’s not the only way. Abby Salameh, Chief Growth Officer at RFG Advisory, dives deep into what’s working right now when it comes to client acquisition for top-performing financial advisors. Abby shares insights into four primary strategies her firm is using to drive growth: referrals, paid social events, and digital marketing. You’ll hear how RFG equips advisors with toolkits and system...
May 14, 2025•37 min
When it comes to generational wealth, it’s not just about money; it’s about relationships. Don’t believe me? Listen to this interview!!! In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates sits down with Barry Banther, CMC, CSP, CPAE, a seasoned family business advisor with over 30 years of experience helping families navigate the complexities of wealth transfer. Barry shares powerful stories and real-world examples that highlight how advisors can successfully guide clients through the transfer of wealth...
Apr 30, 2025•50 min
What does it mean to truly scale your advisory team without sacrificing quality or culture? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Steve Perry, founder and president of Well Recruiting Solutions, as they delve into the art of building teams with top talent. Discover the innovative approaches Steve uses to overcome the biggest hurdles financial advisors face in recruiting the right people. From leveraging technology to crafting a compelling value proposition, Steve shares his uniqu...
Apr 16, 2025•43 min
Are you ready to become a million-dollar advisor, or are you already there wanting to push your success further? Discover the core strategies that separate high-performing financial advisors from the rest in our latest episode. In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Dave Mullen, a veteran in developing top financial advisors, for an engaging discussion. With over 44 years of experience, Dave unravels insights backed by his bestselling books, such as “The Million Dollar Financial A...
Apr 02, 2025•42 min
Does financial security keep you up at night? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Pamela Sams, founder of Jackson Sams Wealth Strategies. Discover how Pamela has harnessed the power of having a clear mission and target market to build a thriving community of advocates. With a focus on helping professional women secure their … Continue reading #85 Helping Clients Sleep Well at Night with Financial Planning with Pamela Sams →...
Mar 19, 2025•37 min
“My book is titled Exactly What to Say, but maybe I should have called it, Exactly What to Ask.” In this enlightening episode of the Top Advisor Podcast, host Bill Cates sits down with Phil M. Jones, CSP, CPAE, the renowned expert and author of the bestselling book – Exactly What to Say: The Magic … Continue reading #84 EXACTLY What to Say (And Ask) with Phil M. Jones, CSP, CPAE →...
Mar 05, 2025•54 min
What if you could cut through the noise and offer your clients true value beyond just product performance? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews co-founders of Holistic Financial Planners Steven Kaplan and Benjamin Skupp about charging for advice. They share their journey into adopting a new financial model that enabled them to work … Continue reading #83 Charging for Financial Planning Services with Steven Kaplan & Ben Skupp →...
Feb 19, 2025•44 min
Ever wondered how financial advisors can truly connect with niche markets? What if we told you the secret lies in a unique combination of athletics, education, and strategic branding? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Jeff Durr from RU Financial Athletic Department, revealing how he’s turning the world of financial planning on its … Continue reading #82 Financial Focus for College Athletes: A Winning Game Plan with Jeff Durr →...
Feb 05, 2025•24 min
In today’s episode, we dive deep into the world of multigenerational wealth management and generational wealth transfer with esteemed guest Josh Kanter, JD, a family office executive, advisor, and founder of leafplanner. We explore the groundbreaking “100-Year Family” concept, emphasizing the importance of maintaining family legacy and wealth across generations. Josh shares invaluable insights on … Continue reading #81 Generational Wealth Transfer: The 100 Year Family Strategy with Josh Kanter, ...
Jan 22, 2025•36 min
What would you call a strategic partner if not a center of influence? Today on the Top Advisor Podcast, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Duncan MacPherson about transforming how financial advisors establish and maintain strategic partnerships. Discover why the phrase “centers of influence” might be holding you back and how strategic partnerships can lead to … Continue reading #80 Building Strong Strategic Partnerships with Duncan MacPherson →...
Jan 08, 2025•43 min
Are your money beliefs holding you back in your practice? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Tammy Lally, CMC®, LUTCF, a certified money coach, financial planner, TED speaker, and author of the book “Money Detox,” about the unproductive and limiting beliefs around money many financial advisors unknowingly harbor. Tammy brings invaluable insights from … Continue reading #79 Do You and Your Clients Need a Money Detox? with Tammy Lally →...
Dec 18, 2024•40 min
Creating a memorable client experience is key to standing out in the competitive world of financial advising. How can you automate thoughtfulness and build emotional connections to boost referrals? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Jeff Jackel, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-founder of Client Giant, to share his expertise on how financial advisors … Continue reading #78 Maximize Your Referrals: The Secret to Becoming a Highly Referable Financial Advisor with Jeff Jackel →...
Dec 04, 2024•40 min
Video marketing is a powerful tool for financial advisors to build trust, provide value, and create meaningful connections with clients. How can you effectively use video to attract clients and maintain strong client relationships? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Katie Braden, CFP®, Founder and Chief Video Officer of Advisor Video Marketing, to … Continue reading #77 Using Video to Attract, Engage, and Retain Your Ideal Clients with Katie Braden, CFP® →...
Nov 13, 2024•41 min
Building robust client relationships can lead to an increase in referrals, better client retention, and ultimately, a thriving business. Do you do your financial planning in a vacuum, or do you consider all aspects of your clients’ lives as you work with them? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Tyson Ray, the CEO … Continue reading Episode #76 The Power of Total Client Relationships: Transforming Client Engagement for Exponential Growth with Tyson Ray, CFP®, CExP®, CIMA® →...
Oct 30, 2024•44 min
Philanthropists! That’s where the money is! In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates and Barron Damon, a Certified Philanthropic Coach, dive into the world of strategic financial advisor philanthropy and meaningful giving. Barron and Bill discuss how financial firms can integrate philanthropy into their brand for a quadruple win: Attracting significant assets. Benefiting the community. … Continue reading Episode #75 Harnessing Financial Advisor Philanthropy: A Lucrative Avenue for Attracting R...
Oct 16, 2024•30 min
If you think work-life balance is hard to achieve, you’re probably right. With that said, THIS advisor has done it. His path to success is amazing! The strategic decisions he made early in his career have allowed him to build a practice and a life that many aspire to. In this episode, Referral Coach Bill … Continue reading Episode #74 How Target Markets and Work-Life Balance Drive Client Growth with Chad Hufford →...
Oct 02, 2024•36 min
Yohance Harrison has hit the trifecta for success. He’s focused on a clear and profitable target market. He’s getting a ton of right-fit referrals. And he’s identified and nurturing his advocates in a fun way. He’s also become a master at bringing financial education to clients who think they already know it all. In this … Continue reading Episode #73 3 Strategies for Success: Referrals, Target Marketing, and Celebrating Advocates with Yohance Harrison BFA™, CRPC® →...
Sep 18, 2024•40 min
Client events can be a game-changer for financial advisors, offering a unique and personal way to build client relationships and grow your business. Are you leveraging client events to their full potential? In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Angela York and Elyse Stoner from Event Advisors to share real-life examples of how client … Continue reading Episode #72 Boost Client Loyalty and Revenue with Client Events for Financial Advisors with Angela York & Elyse Stoner →...
Sep 04, 2024•47 min
Are you looking for the secret to unlocking your client’s financial potential and taking your advisory business to the next level? Of course you are! In this episode of Top Advisor Podcast, Bill Cates and guest Reese Harper – founder of Dentist Advisors – take a deep dive into the strategic benefits of niche marketing … Continue reading Episode #71 The Future of Niche Marketing for Financial Advisors – Proper Diagnosis and Targeting with Reese Harper, CFP® →...
Aug 21, 2024•42 min
Is email marketing for financial advisors dead? Not by a long shot! Are there productive and unproductive ways to use email in your marketing process? You bet! Email is still an effective and affordable marketing/prospecting tool that – if used correctly – can contribute significantly to your new-client growth. Discover the secret to leveraging the … Continue reading Episode #70 Strategic Email Marketing for Financial Advisors with James Pollard →...
Aug 07, 2024•39 min
When it comes to financial advisor target markets, one proven strategy to create extraordinary success in your business is to be crystal clear and laser focused on your Right-Fit Clients™. That’s exactly what our guest has done to build his successful advisory practice. And one tool he uses to demonstrate his focus, credibility, and wisdom … Continue reading Episode #69 Growth Through Books and Financial Advisor Target Markets with Michael Budnick →...
Jul 24, 2024•29 min
Do you have an “origin story”? Are you using it to attract more Right-Fit Clients™ and become more referable? Have you figured out how to find your niche market – specifically one that’s clearly defined and profitable? Have you moved away from prospecting to attracting people to you? In this episode of Top Advisor Podcast, … Continue reading Episode #68 Crafting Your Origin Story to Build Trust and Finding Your Niche Market with Dan Brothers, CFP® →...
Jul 10, 2024•30 min
What would your business (and life) look like if you started working with ultra-wealthy clients ranging from $40 to $100 million? Working with ultra-wealthy clients can be more complex than “merely” high-net-worth clients. These individuals have distinct needs, expectations, and concerns that require a specialized approach from financial advisors, planners, and wealth managers. In this … Continue reading Episode #67 The Keys to Courting Ultra High Net Worth Wealth Management Clients with David K...
Jun 19, 2024•40 min
Tired of blending into the crowd? Discover the strategies that will help you forge solid client relationships and become a standout financial advisor. In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Tony Maree Torrey, author of Your Million Dollar Accelerator: Six Proven Strategies to Grow a 7-Figure Financial Practice, and Business Coach for Financial Professionals, … Continue reading Episode #66 Strategies for Attracting, Converting, and Accelerating Client Relationships with Tony Maree ...
Jun 05, 2024•36 min
