Scalable by Design: Lessons in Intentional Growth with Jimmy Lee (Ep. 79)

Advisor, Business, Coaching, Consulting, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode of the Always On podcast, Duncan MacPherson explores the intersection of leadership, scalability, and client impact through a compelling conversation with Jimmy Lee, Founder and CEO of The Wealth Consulting Group, and an advisor who operates at both the strategic and client-facing levels of his firm.

Together, they unpack what it takes to build a business that is both transferable and transcendent.

Key takeaways include:

  • The advantages of having both a C-suite and client-facing perspective
  • Why being sale-ready is about structure, not timing
  • How to lead with values while still pursuing growth
  • The difference between running a business for clients and with clients
  • Reflections on intentional leadership, culture, and the long game of legacy

This conversation offers a rare look into how high-performing advisors align their business models with long-term outcomes, without sacrificing the human side of the profession.

Resources Mentioned:

Promotions:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Jimmy Lee

About Our Guest:

Jimmy Lee is the founder and CEO of The Wealth Consulting Group (WCG).   WCG is a hybrid RIA consisting of 43 branch locations and 123 advisors affiliated with the firm with over $8.5 billion in assets under advisement as of 5/31/25.

WCG’s purpose is “Making Life Better” with a mission of helping financial advisors spend 80% of their time in their genius.  The company’s vision is to help 100,000+ lives with an effortless one stop wealth management experience.  WCG is an award winning firm being named as a leader by USA Today, Newsweek, Financial Advisor Magazine, Citywire, Investment News, etc.

Jimmy is a fixture in the tier one financial media as a regular on networks such as CNBC, Fox Business, Bloomberg, Reuters, BBC News, BNN Bloomberg, etc.  He has also been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, quoted by many financial publications, is a regular contributor for Kiplinger, and a Best In State financial advisor by Forbes.  He resides in Las Vegas.

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Engineering a Sale-Ready Business: The Playbook behind Boyce & Associates’ Success with Eric Boyce and Kelly Griggs (Ep.78)

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What if your business could grow, evolve, and even be sold… without being dependent on you?

That’s exactly what Eric Boyce and Kelly Griggs of Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting are building. In this episode, they unpack how they’ve methodically engineered their business for scalability and succession, turning ideas from The Blue Square Method into real-world results.

They’ve gone beyond client service, they’ve built a client experience that’s proprietary, repeatable, and deeply embedded into their culture.

Here’s what we covered:

  • How they transformed best intentions into a living, breathing playbook
  • The steps they took to professionalize their onboarding and service workflows
  • Why process, not personality, is their greatest asset
  • How the P3 Approach (Protect, Plan, Prosper) underpins their entire client journey
  • What advisors can learn about creating transferable value and long-term continuity

If you’re working toward building enterprise value, or just looking to elevate your structure, this episode will give you a clear look at what that progression can look like.

Resources Mentioned:

  • The Blue Square Method: www.paretosystems.com/#the-blue-square-method

Promotions:

  • Pareto Systems Coaching for Financial Advisors: www.paretosystems.com

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Eric Boyce and Kelly Griggs of Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting:

About Our Guests

Eric Boyce is the Founder, President and CEO of Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting, Inc. and Boyce & Associates Business Valuations, LLC. Eric has worked in finance, treasury management, investment research, and portfolio management since 1991 and has served in various leadership capacities during his 30+ year professional career.

Eric earned his B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and his M.S. in Finance from the University of Texas at Dallas. Eric earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute and previously completed the Non-Qualified Plan Adviser (NQPA) program sponsored by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). He also earned the designations of Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC) and Certified Cash Manager (CCM). He is an active member and past President of the CFA Society of Austin. He is a member of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA), the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), and the Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP).

Eric is also very active in his community. He currently serves on the City Council for the City of Cedar Park (TX), having previously served as President of the Cedar Park Economic Development Corporation and as Chairman of the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission. Eric is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Cedar Park Regional Medical Center. He also serves as a senior member of the joint Investment Committee for the Ascension Seton Hospital and Dell Children’s Medical Center Endowment Funds and previously as Treasurer and Investment Committee Chair for the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Austin.

Eric has been married for 32 years to Joanne, and they have two adult children.

Kelly Griggs serves as the Vice President of Financial Planning for Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting.

As a Financial Advisor, she holds multiple advanced licenses including Wealth Management Specialist and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor.

She is especially energized by guiding women on how to plan a secure retirement and truly own their financial footing in life.

Kelly is also the Founder and President of Networking BossBabes, a 501c3 nonprofit for women business owners in the Austin area.

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In this episode of the Always On Podcast, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Whit Lanier, CEO and Co-founder of Amplify Reviews

The Power of Reviews: Unlocking Advocacy and Compliance with Whit Lanier (Ep. 77)

Advisor, Business, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode of the Always On Podcast, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Whit Lanier, CEO and Co-founder of Amplify Reviews, to unpack the growing role of client testimonials in financial services. As trust continues to shift online, reviews have become more than just social proof, they’re a scalable strategy for activating advocacy, attracting ideal clients, and staying compliant.

They discuss how financial professionals can build a review process that’s automated, compliant, and genuinely impactful. Whether you’re just beginning to explore online reviews or looking to refine your current strategy, this episode provides a practical playbook.

Topics covered include:

  • How online reviews act as “referral rehearsals” and support client advocacy
  • The role of testimonials in building professional contrast and client trust
  • What advisors need to know about SEC rules and compliance-friendly language
  • Why reviews are one of the most powerful authority signals for SEO
  • Ways to integrate review requests into onboarding and review meetings
  • The difference between one-off campaigns and long-term, automated strategies

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Whit Lanier:

About Our Guest

Whit Lanier is the CEO and co-founder of Amplify Reviews – a platform focused on helping financial advisors embrace online reviews on their own terms.

A serial entrepreneur, Whit’s previous start-up was the leading healthcare technology vendor for enabling hospitals to publish verified patient ratings and reviews. That company was acquired at the end of 2014, and by 2021 the platform had processed over 60 million patient reviews for 400 of the country’s largest health systems.

Whit’s career spans management consulting, marketing, product marketing, product management, and executive/general management roles. Whit holds a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Outside of Amplify Reviews, Whit plays bass guitar in a local Atlanta rock and roll band (Penny Western) and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is married with three daughters and a mini-goldendoodle

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Volatility, Value, and Vision: How Leading Advisors Are Winning in Changing Times (Ep. 76)

Advisor, Business, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode of Always On, Duncan MacPherson welcomes back Chris Jeppesen, Chief of Advisory Practices at First Trust, for a timely conversation rooted in real-world field experience. As volatility continues to test the industry, the best financial advisors aren’t retreating, they’re leaning in. Duncan and Chris unpack how the most effective teams are embracing this environment as a catalyst for deeper relationships, elevated leadership, and long-term enterprise value.

They explore the mindset and tactical shifts that top performers are making, from transitioning toward advice-centric models and AI adoption, to scaling their practices without diluting the client experience. The conversation also addresses the advisor’s personal evolution, with insights on leadership, strategic planning, and legacy-building.

Key takeaways include:

  • How to “value stack” with proactive communication, personalized planning, and future-focused conversations
  • What advisors must do now to stay ahead of shifting client expectations and emerging competition
  • Why AI isn’t optional, and how to use it to develop IP, scale client acquisition, and enhance team efficiency
  • Leadership, delegation, and building a business that creates both freedom and fulfillment

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Chris:

About Our Guests:

Chris Jeppesen is the head of advisory practices at First Trust, a firm known not only for its robust investment product line which includes UITs, ETFs, SMAs, and VAs (to name a few) but also for its commitment to the growth of financial advisors. First Trust has dedicated many years to finding (and investing in) creative ways to help financial advisors grow their practices. Chris’ goal over the last 18 years has been to give financial advisors the tools to develop an efficient business model focused on building long-term client trust and loyalty. Chris is also the co-author of The Advisor Playbook and The Blue Square Method.

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Bridging Money and Meaning: Dr. Amy D’Aprix on Purpose-Driven Financial Advice (Ep. 75) In this episode, Duncan sits down with Dr. Amy D’Aprix, a certified gerontologist, life transition expert, author, and the founder of LifeBridge Strategies to talk about how financial professionals can go beyond the numbers and deepen their client relationships.

Bridging Money and Meaning: Dr. Amy D’Aprix on Purpose-Driven Financial Advice (Ep. 75)

Advisor, Business, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode, Duncan sits down with Dr. Amy D’Aprix, a certified gerontologist, life transition expert, author, and the founder of LifeBridge Strategies to talk about how financial professionals can go beyond the numbers and deepen their client relationships.

Amy has spent decades helping advisors bring more empathy, purpose, and relevance into their process. Our conversation centered around the “life side” of retirement, how to align money with meaning and position yourself as the advisor of choice, especially in a world where loyalty, longevity, and family dynamics are all evolving.

In this episode, they discuss:

  • How to elevate your conversations beyond financial metrics and into what truly matters to clients
  • A simple framework, Listen, Empathize, Reassure, Act (LERA), to make empathy part of your process
  • Real-world stories of how authentic connection drives client retention and high-quality introductions
  • Why it’s essential to build relationships with the entire family, especially women and the next generation
  • How to help clients (and yourself) avoid burnout by rethinking retirement as a shift toward fulfillment
  • Tangible ways to become indispensable in a time when AI can replace knowledge, but not emotional intelligence

If you’re looking to become more referable, more memorable, and more valuable, this conversation will give you practical ways to do just that.

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Dr. Amy D’Aprix:

About Our Guest

Amy D’Aprix is an internationally respected expert on lifestyle issues relating to retirement, aging, caregiving, and family dynamics. With a Ph.D. in Social Work, “Dr. Amy,” as she is affectionately known, provides down-to-earth, practical, and professionally informed guidance on Life Transitions to individuals, professionals, and organizations.

A compelling and pragmatic speaker, and coach, Dr. Amy, has inspired thousands of Financial Advisors and their clients across North America. She has consulted for the financial industry and trained advisors for over 20 years, providing sound guidance in navigating life’s events and challenges to ensure the success of overall life goals and financial plans.

This passion is reflected in LifeBridge Strategies offerings, such as Trusted Advisor of Choice™, a program for financial professionals to better understand their clients’ concerns and LifeMap™, an exclusive membership site to help advisor’s clients proactively prepare for the life transitions they face.

Amy is a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA). She has authored the book, From Surviving to Thriving: Transforming Your Caregiving Journey and created the Life Memories Journal and Caring Cards to inspire more meaningful conversations between generations. Amy is also a Director of The International Federation on Ageing.

Dr. Amy is regularly featured and interviewed on television, radio, podcasts, and online publications.

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Mastering Referrals, Systems, and Endgame Preparation with Peter Velardi (Ep. 74)

Mastering Referrals, Systems, and Endgame Preparation with Peter Velardi (Ep. 74)

Advisor, Business, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode of The Always On Podcast, host Duncan MacPherson sits down with Peter Velardi, founding partner at JPTD Partners, to discuss the essential systems financial advisors need to scale their businesses, optimize referrals, and maximize enterprise value for a successful exit.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • The three-phase approach to business growth: survival, scaling, and monetization
  • How to automate referrals without looking opportunistic
  • Why financial professionals should start planning their exit strategy earlier than expected
  • The evolving M&A landscape and how private equity is reshaping opportunities for advisors
  • Common blind spots in succession planning and the best ways to mitigate risk

If you’re looking to build a business that’s valuable, sellable, and scalable, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Peter Velardi:

About Our Guest

Peter has spent the last 40+ years helping organizations and individuals grow and monetize in the financial services industry. He spent half that time as a senior leader working for a Fortune 50 Financial Advisory/Wealth Management firm leading a distribution organization of over 5,000 Financial Advisors and leaders. Over recent years, Peter has exercised his entrepreneurial muscles in various roles with 20+ startups as an advisor, board member, C Suite leadership and M & A consultant, investor, owner operator and more. He is grateful for both the learnings and multiple exits that have led to the success he is experiencing now. Most recently, Peter spends most of his time talking with C Suite leaders of Financial Advisory/Wealth Management firms. He helps them grow, scale and exit through his AI based automated referral software company, ReferMe IQ and as a partner in a boutique PE consulting firm, JPTD Partners. Personally, he is married to Janine for 35 years, and has 3 adult children – Peter, Nick and Serena. The Velardi’s enjoy all things health and fitness, water sports (wakesurfing), snow skiing/boarding and travel and adventure.

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Unlocking Growth in Financial Services with Paul Blanco: Small Steps, Big Wins (Ep. 73)

Advisor, Business, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson speaks with Paul Blanco, CEO of Barnum Financial Group and host of the “Small Steps, Big Wins” podcast. Paul shares insights into cultivating a growth mindset, avoiding plateaus, and the importance of working on your business, not just in it. He discusses how his firm has scaled from 9 to 365 advisors, leveraging efficiency tools like Zoom AI and CRM systems to stay ahead in the competitive world of financial services. Paul also reflects on the evolving role of financial advisors, the shift from advisors to CEOs, and the growing importance of embracing technology like AI to stay relevant.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How Barnum Financial Group scaled from 9 to 365 advisors by embracing a growth mindset.
  • Practical tips for staying efficient with tools like Zoom AI and CRM systems.
  • Why financial advisors need to focus on relationships and process, not just products, for long-term success.

Resources:

  • Small Steps, Big Wins Podcast – Paul’s weekly podcast focusing on industry insights and entrepreneurial success.
  • Zoom AI – Explore how Zoom’s AI can help improve client interaction efficiency.
  • AI Whitepaper for Financial Professionals – Join the Waitlist

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Paul Blanco:

About Our Guest

Paul Blanco is the founder and CEO of Barnum Financial Group, an award-winning provider of comprehensive personalized planning, investment and protection solutions, and financial literacy programs to clients across the United States. Throughout his career, Paul has been a tireless advocate for his firm and the communities it serves as well as for the financial services industry.

He hosts a weekly podcast – Small Steps, Big Wins – which focuses on the financial world and more. Paul sits down with a special guest each week to discuss important topics within the financial sector and explore what it takes to be successful in our everyday lives.

CRN202802-8131593 Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC.  6 Corporate Drive, Shelton, CT 06484, Tel: 203-513-6000. CRN202802-8118135

 

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Empowering Financial Advisors: Strategic Tax Planning with Catherine Tindall (Ep. 72)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode Duncan sits down with Catherine Tindall, CPA and founder of Dominion Enterprise Services. Catherine specializes in tax optimization strategies for financial advisors, offering insights into minimizing tax burdens, enhancing practice efficiency, and unlocking enterprise value.

Key takeaways from this conversation include:

  • Tax Efficiency as a Strategic Lever: How optimizing your tax approach can save tens of thousands annually and compound into long-term benefits.
  • Proactive vs. Reactive Tax Planning: Why a forward-thinking strategy outperforms traditional compliance-based approaches.
  • Preparing for Exit: Steps to maximize enterprise value through tidying, optimizing, and proprietary processes.
  • The Power of Niching Down: Catherine’s experience building a CPA firm exclusively for financial professionals.
  • Embracing AI: Practical applications of AI tools to enhance efficiency in financial practices.

Catherine also shares actionable advice for advisors on addressing opportunity leakages, structuring practices for growth, and collaborating with strategic partners like CPAs. This episode is packed with valuable insights for financial professionals looking to future-proof their practices.

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Catherine Tindall:

About Our Guest

Catherine Tindall, CPA, is a strategic tax planner and founder at Dominion Enterprise Services, a CPA firm, specializing in optimizing tax strategies for RIAs (Registered Investment Advisors), IBDs (Independent Broker-Dealers), and 1099 financial advisors with annual revenues between $500k and $10M. Passionate about leading with proactive tax planning, Catherine focuses on collaborating with advisors to reduce their tax burden and strategically plan for growth.

Catherine also hosts the “Financial Advisors Want to Know Podcast,” (link above) where she shares insights and brings practice experts to discuss sustainably growing advisory firms.

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Bridging Wealth and Legacy: Preparing the Next Generation with Dr. Karen Weisgerber (Ep. 71)

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In this episode, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Dr. Karen Weisgerber, a seasoned expert with over 30 years of experience in wealth creation and inheritance. As a faculty member of the Institute for Preparing Heirs and a thought leader in wealth transfer and philanthropy, Dr. Weisgerber dives into the most pressing concerns facing affluent families today.

Key discussion points include:

  1. How financial professionals can integrate legacy planning into their deliverables.
  2. Strategies for effectively communicating wealth transfer processes to clients.
  3. Practical insights for advisors to apply both professionally and personally.

Dr. Weisgerber’s extensive academic background, including a PhD and a postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychology affiliated with Harvard University, lends unique depth to the conversation. This episode is a must-listen for financial advisors aiming to address the nuanced needs of wealth creators and their heirs.

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect with Dr. Karen Weisgerber:

About Our Guest

Karen Weisgerber completed her Ph.D. at Boston College. She furthered her education under the auspices of Harvard Medical School with both a pre- and post-doctoral clinical internship at the Beth Israel Hospital, followed by a postdoctoral internship in neuropsychology at Cambridge Hospital. Subsequent to studies in psychoanalysis at the Psychoanalytic Institute of New England, Karen rounded her educational endeavors with a certificate in Leadership and Performance coaching through Brown University’s School of Professional Studies. As a licensed psychologist, she has provided therapy and consultation through her private practice for over 30 years.

Karen enhanced her research and interview experience as a Senior Advisor at the Boston Center on Wealth and Philanthropy. She was an active participant in the Family Wealth Impact Project, which investigated the risk factors of inherited wealth. She was also the principal interviewer for a Wisdom and Wealth project researching the field of wealth advising, funded by the Templeton Foundation.

As an Integrative Family Wealth Consultant at Cambium Consulting, she engages individuals, couples, and families around the multi-faceted issues that present themselves with having significant resources, as well as concerns that arise with the distribution of wealth among siblings and across generations. She also provides her expertise to financial and legal professionals seeking to deepen the services they offer through speaking engagements, workshops, and other industry events.

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Making the American Dream a Reality: A Conversation with Sathya Chey Patterson (Ep. 70)

Advisor, Education, Finance, Financial, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In this episode of the Always On Podcast, host Duncan MacPherson engages in a profound and inspiring discussion with Sathya Chey Patterson CFP®, Esq., AIF®, Managing Partner at Arise Private Wealth. Recognized as a 2023 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisor and a 2024 AdvisorHub Advisors to Watch, Sathya shares her incredible journey from adversity to achievement, demonstrating the power of resilience and vision.

This conversation is divided into three compelling parts:

  1. Honoring the Past – Sathya’s remarkable personal story, including her family’s survival through the Cambodian genocide, and how those experiences shaped her perspective and purpose.
  2. Thriving in the Present – Insights into the strategies and tools she uses to differentiate herself as a financial advisor, from leveraging cutting-edge technology to building authentic client relationships.
  3. Designing the Future – Sathya’s vision for scaling her impact by empowering advisors and clients alike with a structured, values-driven approach to achieving financial independence.

Whether you’re a financial professional, a leader, or simply seeking inspiration, this episode delivers invaluable lessons on purpose, perseverance, and professionalism.

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Sathya Chey Patterson:

About Our Guest:

Sathya is a trailblazing leader in wealth management, co-founder of Arise Private Wealth, and a dedicated advocate for empowering others through financial clarity and purpose. With nearly two decades of experience, she is renowned as a financial architect, crafting personalized strategies that secure her clients’ futures while helping them live purpose-driven lives. Her name, meaning “truth” in Sanskrit, reflects her commitment to understanding clients’ deepest needs and aspirations, enabling them to navigate complex decisions with confidence.

Born in a Thai refugee camp after her family fled the Cambodian genocide, Sathya’s story is one of resilience and transformation. Her journey fuels her passion for mentoring women and minorities, empowering them to achieve generational success. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CSRIC®, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Sathya holds an MBA from USC and was named a 2024 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisor Best-In-State.

Beyond her practice, she serves on the Long Beach Commission for Women & Girls, the MemorialCare Governing Board, and supports critically ill children through Miracle for Kids. A wife, mother, and mindfulness advocate, Sathya is unwavering in her mission: to inspire others to create not only financial abundance but lives of profound meaning and impact.

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