What's the Secret to a Successful Acquisition Strategy? Relationships.

01/03/25 • 38 min

What happens when the next generation takes the reins of a financial practice? For Stephanie “Stevie” Green, President of Spencer Financial, the transition wasn’t just about continuing her father’s legacy—it was about expanding and evolving it.

In this episode of Kick It Open, Stevie shares how she and her husband acquired her father’s practice in 2020, growing it from a small, family-run office to a thriving firm with a team of 17. She opens up about the challenges of taking over amid her father’s battle with pancreatic cancer, the lessons she’s learned from navigating advisor transitions, and how she’s strategically used acquisitions to fuel growth.

We dive into what it takes to successfully integrate new advisors, maintain strong client relationships, and build a business that thrives while also raising a family. Stevie also shares her approach to hiring, why complimentary financial planning has been a game-changer, and the power of client referrals in driving organic growth.

If you’re an advisor looking for inspiration on scaling a business, balancing family and leadership, or making M&A work for you, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Schedule a discovery call with Shelby Nicholl: Zoom Scheduler

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

If you’re an advisor looking for inspiration on scaling a business, balancing family and leadership, or making M&A work for you, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Schedule a discovery call with Shelby Nicholl: Zoom Scheduler

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

Previous Episode

How Can You Set Yourself Up for Crushing Your 2025 Goals?

Big goals require more than good intentions—they need a strategy. In this episode of Kick It Open, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Kristin Burke, goal achievement coach and host of the Elite Achievement podcast, to break down exactly how to set yourself up for success in 2025.

Kristin shares the two key questions that shape goal setting: “What do you want more of?” and “What do you want less of?” She also dives into her 4 Cs framework—clarity, confidence, courage, and consistency—and how each plays a role in turning ambitious goals into reality.

From overcoming fear and limiting beliefs to creating an actionable plan with built-in accountability, this conversation is packed with practical insights to help you set and stick to your biggest goals.

🎯 Exclusive Offer: Get 50% off Kristin’s Goal Setting Course at KristinBurke.com with promo code PODCAST50

Kirstin Burke is also host of the Elite Achievement podcast which can be found wherever you stream podcasts.
www.kristinburke.com/podcast

Schedule a discovery call with Shelby Nicholl: Zoom Scheduler

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU

Next Episode

How do you future-proof the legacy of a $7B RIA?

Scaling a wealth management firm is one thing—ensuring it thrives for generations is another. Chris Kerckhoff, President and CEO of Plancorp, knows exactly what it takes. During his tenure and leadership, Plancorp has grown from a small advisory firm to a $7 billion powerhouse while successfully transitioning its ownership from its founding generation to the next while also creating durability in the ownership approach.

In this episode of Kick It Open, Chris breaks down the key pillars of future-proofing a firm’s legacy. He shares how Plancorp built a durable succession plan, developed strong governance structures, and invested in leadership training to ensure long-term success. We also explore how technology plays a role in maintaining efficiency at scale and why a client-first approach remains the foundation of any thriving RIA.

Chris also opens up about his own leadership evolution, the role of external coaching, and the lessons he’s learned from navigating complex ownership transitions. If you’re an advisor thinking about succession planning, firm growth, or how to build a lasting legacy, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Schedule a discovery call with Shelby Nicholl: Zoom Scheduler

Produced by Shelby Nicholl.
Edited by Aaron Sherman.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU