Minimum Size to Go Independent

09/17/24 • 32 min

1 Listener

How big does an Advisor's business have to be to survive as an Independent? Even 10 years ago, the answers to this question were all over the map, and often misunderstood by Advisors. Technology enhancements, competition, and COVID, have drastically reshaped the industry in a short period of time, making it easier and more confusing than ever to take your practice independent.

The average Independent Advisor will net around twice as much income as an average Employee Advisor. But sometimes Advisors forget the reciprocal of this truth: An Independent Advisor needs half as much AUM to make the same amount of money as an Employee Advisor.

There are a lot of sound reasons for an Advisor to stay in an employee relationship, and Advisor Advocates fully supports Firms who offer stability to Advisors who thrive in a team environment. But far too many Advisors stay in difficult situations because they overestimate the challenge of being independent, both economically and practically. In this episode, former Independent Advisor Garrett Layell unpacks the decision to start a small independent practice and helps Advisors outline the decision tree to help them determine if their practice is large enough to survive as an Independent.

If you are an Advisor exploring your options or a Firm hoping to better position yourself to grow your team, feel free to give Garrett a call at 919-561-2436 or send an email to [email protected] if you’d like to chat about any questions you may have.

Garrett’s Calendar Link

Garrett’s Calendar Link

Previous Episode

Focus of the Firm: Part Three

1 Recommendations

As more Firms evolve and grow into more comprehensive practices, Advisors have more choices than ever when deciding how to best achieve their professional goals and provide the best service for their clients. Competitive salaries, all-star teams, and growth super-engines have emerged and created terrific opportunities for Advisors who knows what they are looking for and how to spot the best fit for their skillset and for their practice.

Garrett Layell completes the Focus of the Firm trilogy by discussing Employee Advisor roles and how the culture of a Firm may cultivate and focus on success at the individual Advisor level, on building successful teams, or leveraging the power and scale of the brand, and which types of Advisors might find appeal in each model.

Garrett’s Calendar Link

Next Episode

People are Becoming the Key Differentiator

1 Recommendations

As technology continues to advance and evolve, computers are able to perform objective processes more cost effectively than humans in a variety of ways. But the extension of this puts a premium on the human element of the Advisor/Client relationship. While many Advisors may struggle to keep up with computers, those with a true empathy and compassion for their clients may be able to not only survive a battle with the robots but be able to thrive thanks to reduced competition.

If Advisor Advocates can help you explore the best ways to position your practice for the next phase of your business, feel free to give Garrett a call at 919-561-2436 or send an email to [email protected] if you’d like to chat about any questions you may have.

Garrett’s Calendar Link