Tag Archives: Legacy Planning

How to Win Liquidity Events with Roger Silk (Ep. 89)

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

In this episode of the “Always On Podcast,” host Duncan McPherson sits down with Roger Silk, the CEO and co-founder of Sterling Foundation Management. They discuss the evolving role of financial advisors and the increasingly complex needs of high-net-worth clients. As financial landscapes shift, advisors must adapt to new challenges and opportunities, particularly when it comes to managing significant liquidity events.

Roger Silk shares his expertise on asset diversification trusts, a powerful tool that allows clients to sell appreciated assets without incurring capital gains tax. This episode highlights the importance of proactive planning and the strategic value of long-term partnerships between financial advisors and their clients.

Key highlights include:

  • The role of asset diversification trusts in tax-efficient asset management.
  • The necessity of early planning for liquidity events to maximize client benefits.
  • Strategies for financial advisors to strengthen client relationships through collaboration.
  • Insights into leveraging philanthropic solutions for wealth preservation and growth.

Tune in and discover the insights needed to become trusted partners in their clients’ financial journeys, ensuring both immediate and long-term success.

Promotions:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Roger Silk, Ph.D.:

About Our Guest:

Roger D. Silk, Ph.D. , is the CEO of Sterling Foundation Management, LLC and President of Lifetime Perspectives, Inc. Dr. Silk is widely recognized as a leading expert and innovator in the emerging field at the intersection of finance and philanthropy.

Dr. Silk has more than three decades of experience working with and advising wealthy clients, high net worth families, and the advisors who work with them on a variety of issues ranging from the use of private foundations to the integration of sophisticated charitable planning into multi-generational estate plans. He has worked with numerous investment, accounting, financial planning, and legal professionals to educate them, their firms, and their clients about the benefits and characteristics of a full suite of solutions, entities and planning tools.

Dr. Silk is the author of several books, including The Investor’s Dilemma Decoded (Wiley, 2024), Managing Foundations and Charitable Trusts (Bloomberg Press, 2011), Creating a Private Foundation (Bloomberg Press, 2003), and Politicians Spend, We Pay (Sterling Lifetime Press, 2022). He has published dozens of articles that have appeared in periodicals such as Estate Planning, Philanthropy, the Journal of Financial Planning and Trusts & Estates. He has spoken to audiences around the country on the types and uses of charitable entities, and he frequently conducts educational seminars for financial professionals focusing on integrating the full suite of charitable entities into the financial planning process.

Prior to co-founding Sterling, Dr. Silk was a Treasury officer at the World Bank, where he was responsible for a multi-billion-dollar repo portfolio.

Dr. Silk holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Applied Economics from Stanford University, as well as a B.A. in Economics (with distinction). He earned his CFA in 1990.

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The Financial Advisor’s Blind Spot with Natasha Kennedy

The Financial Advisor’s Blind Spot with Natasha Kennedy (Ep. 88)

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

In this episode of the Always On Podcast, Duncan MacPherson speaks with Natasha Kennedy, Pareto-certified coach and family legacy specialist, for a timely conversation on the greatest risk facing financial advisors during the great wealth transfer.

Natasha breaks down why most heirs ultimately leave their parents’ advisor, how silence and avoidance around legacy planning erode trust, and why preparing heirs has become a critical differentiator in today’s advisory landscape.

Together, they unpack how advisors can embed continuity, succession, and family investment legacy into their value proposition in a way that deepens relationships, strengthens referability, and positions them as indispensable stewards of multi-generational wealth.

Key takeaways:

  • Why nearly 90% of heirs don’t stay with their parents’ advisor
  • How legacy and succession conversations increase advisor retention and fee worthiness
  • Practical ways to engage heirs without creating entitlement
  • How continuity planning protects relationships through generational transitions

Tune into now to unlock the secrets to keeping clients for generations by addressing the blind spot most advisors overlook.

Promotions:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Natasha Kennedy:

About Our Guest:

Natasha Kennedy, who brings more than a decade of financial services experience, beginning her career on Wall Street and then working with First Trust Advisors, and now focused on psychology and counselling.

Today, Natasha is a consultant with Pareto Systems helping advisors to strengthen client relationships, and build purposeful businesses. With her background in both finance and psychology, Natasha is the ideal person to guide us through the human side of this great wealth transfer, specifically on adding Intergenerational Planning & Family Meetings into your process.

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Built to Sell: The Advisor’s M&A Playbook with Scott Danner Ep. 87

Built to Sell: The Financial Advisor’s M&A Playbook with Scott Danner (Ep. 87)

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

In this episode of the Always On podcast, Duncan speaks with Scott Danner, CEO, author, and advisor to enterprise-level leaders, for a fast-paced conversation on what every financial professional needs to know about the accelerating wave of M&A activity.

Scott breaks down why enterprise value has become the ultimate scorecard in today’s advisory landscape, how top Financial Advisory teams are preparing years in advance for transitions, and the mindset shift required to move from being the indispensable advisor to the architect of a scalable, transferable business.

Together, they unpack the leadership habits, team structure, and client experience strategies that determine whether you survive the industry’s consolidation or thrive in it.

Key takeaways:

  • How to position your advisory business for maximum value in M&A transactions
  • Leadership habits that make your team attractive to buyers
  • The client experience strategies that preserve relationships through a sale
  • Steps to future-proof your business and succession plan

If you are a Financial Advisor looking to strengthen your succession strategy, understand premium valuations, or future-proof your business, this episode is a must-listen.

Promotions:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Scott Danner:


About Our Guest:

Scott Danner is the Host of The High Performance LIFE Podcast and Executive VP, Head of Legacy at Steward Partners

Scott Danner is a dynamic entrepreneur, performance coach, and speaker who believes success means nothing without alignment in all areas of life- health, relationships, purpose, and legacy. As host of The High Performance LIFE podcast, he sits down with world-class leaders in business, sports, and personal development to explore the habits, mindset, and values that drive true fulfillment.

Professionally, Scott is a powerhouse in the financial services industry. He currently leads the M&A Division at Steward Partners and is the former founder and CEO of Freedom Street Partners, which he scaled into a firm managing nearly $3.5 billion in AUM and spanning seven states. His reputation as an M&A strategist and advisor advocate is grounded in a passion for building your legacy, not just building wealth, but building people.

Beyond business, Scott’s life is rooted in faith, family, and service. He’s a devoted husband and father, a man who understands that achievement means little without deep, personal purpose. His commitment to giving back is reflected in the wine festival he co-founded, which has donated over $2.7 million for local charities over the past 15 years.

Scott is also the author of Freedom Street and a recognized voice on topics including leadership, succession, and personal growth. Through his podcast, he helps listeners uncover what it means to live a High Performance LIFE, where success isn’t just measured by accomplishments, but by alignment, impact, and legacy.

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Moving Upstream: Scaling Up Your Business with Robert Montella (Ep. 86)

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

Join host Duncan MacPherson and his guest Rob Montella of First Trust as they discuss moving upstream in client engagement, emphasizing the need to understand client needs and enhance services through advisory councils. Rob shares insights from his time at Goldman Sachs and First Trust, highlighting the importance of adapting strategies for high-net-worth clients.

Rob introduces “higher and fire” criteria, explaining how advisors can differentiate themselves with specialized services. The conversation also covers AI’s role in refining advisory approaches to better serve clients.

They also focus on legacy planning and engaging the next generation. Rob stresses the importance of documenting legacy wishes and adapting services based on client feedback.

Key Points:

  • Moving upstream in client engagement.
  • Enhancing services through advisory councils.
  • Differentiation with specialized services.
  • AI’s role in refining advisory approaches.
  • Legacy planning and multi-generational wealth management.

Tune in to discover how to elevate your advisory practice, leverage AI, and create lasting client relationships. This conversation is packed with insights that will inspire you to take your financial advising to the next level!

Resources Mentioned: Pareto Systems AI Whitepaper: paretosystems.com/ai-strategies-for-financial-professionals

Promotions:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Robert Montella:

About Our Guest:

Rob Montella is a Vice President and Performance Coach at First Trust. For nearly 30 years, he has assisted financial professionals, business leaders, and institutions in maximizing efficiency and business growth. Rob’s objective for every client relationship is to become so essential to their success that he becomes their “first call” for anything related to the “business of running the business.” While any topic of conversation is within scope, Rob specializes in:

  • Developing emotional intelligence
  • Attracting, serving, and retaining wealthier clients
  • Acquiring, developing and retaining top talent
  • Personal and business branding
  • Behavioral Finance

Rob spent 15 years at Goldman Sachs as a Senior Strategist in their global consulting business, where he has captured and documented the practices of the elite around the world. His groundbreaking work in emotional intelligence in the financial services industry was featured in the book Educating People to be Emotionally Intelligent.

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Always On with Duncan MacPherson

Be a Business Owner, Not Just a Financial Advisor with Frank LaRosa (Ep. 85)

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

In this episode, Duncan MacPherson sits down with Frank LaRosa, CEO of Elite Consulting Partners and host of Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa Podcast, for a powerful conversation about navigating transitions in the financial services space.

Frank shares his experience helping financial advisors make meaningful and measurable moves, whether scaling up, going independent, or rethinking their next chapter. Together, Duncan and Frank explore how to:

  • Prime and prepare for any professional transition
  • Launch with clarity, confidence, and the right messaging to clients
  • Maximize long-term success once the dust settles

They also dig into the mindset behind real growth, balancing what you’re getting with who you’re becoming, and how financial advisors can think bigger about enterprise value, leadership, and personal fulfillment.

If you’re considering your next move, this episode will help you make it the right one.

Resources Mentioned:

Promotions:

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Connect With Frank LaRosa:

About Our Guest:

Frank LaRosa is the Chief Executive Officer of Elite Consulting Partners, a nationally recognized leader in financial advisor recruiting, transition consulting, and M&A advisory. With more than 25 years of experience in the wealth management industry, Frank brings a unique perspective rooted in his early career as a financial advisor and branch manager at major firms including Morgan Stanley, Smith Barney, and Prudential Securities.

Since founding Elite Consulting Partners in 2011, Frank has led the firm to complete thousands of advisor transitions, helping practices grow, scale, and realize their enterprise value. Under his leadership, Elite has become a trusted resource for financial professionals navigating the complexities of independence, firm movement, and succession planning.

Frank is also the host of the popular industry podcast Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa, where he shares unfiltered insights on trends shaping financial services, advisor success stories, and interviews with top leaders in the space. He is a member of the Forbes Business Council and author of the book Counterpunch: How to Fight Back and Win as an Advisor, offering guidance for advisors looking to build resilient and impactful practices.

Recognized for his “advisor-first” philosophy and strategic vision, Frank continues to serve as a sought-after voice in wealth management driving meaningful conversations around growth, innovation, and the future of the advisory profession.

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Navigating Transitions: The Advisor Flight Plan

Navigating Transitions: The Financial Advisor Flight Plan with Jeff Ambrose (Ep. 84)

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

In this episode of the Always On Podcast, host Duncan McPherson sits down with Jeff Ambrose to discuss the “advisor flight plan.” This strategic framework is designed to help financial advisors transition smoothly to new environments. Jeff shares his expertise on the evolving financial landscape and the importance of aligning professional settings with personal and client goals.

Discover the key elements of the “advisor flight plan” for a seamless transition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Conduct effective due diligence and make informed decisions.
  • Understand the role of client advisory councils in strengthening client relationships.
  • Explore the benefits of focusing on future opportunities rather than past limitations.

Tune in to gain insights on navigating professional transitions with confidence and clarity.

Resources:

Connect With Duncan MacPherson:

Connect With Jeff Ambrose:

About Our Guest:

Jeff Ambrose has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry working with successful advisory teams through his wholesale relationships. He has consistently met and exceeded goals in every aspect of his career; growing revenue with existing clients, attracting new clients, and turning around failing territories resulting in consistent promotions leading up to Senior Vice President and, most recently, Partner.

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

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

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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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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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)

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

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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