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The Advice Business Podcast
<p>Hosted by Zach Conway, CEO and Founder of Seeds, and Kelsey McKenna, Chief Operating Officer, The Advice Business Podcast invites you into candid conversations about what it really takes to build a thriving, independent advisory firm. This is where personal stories from the start-up world meet practical insights for financial advisors looking to grow with purpose.</p><p><br></p><p>Each episode shares behind-the-scenes lessons, honest reflections, and powerful moments of clarity that come from building a business designed to make a difference. Zach and Kelsey are joined by industry guests, financial advisors, and the Seeds team to explore how the right mindset, tools, and...
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Is Your Firm Built For What 2026 Will Demand?
<p>It’s been a busy year. Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down to look back on everything that happened inside Seeds and across the advisory space. They talk about what they learned while growing the team, what surprised them, and what changed as more firms started using the platform.</p> <p>They also look ahead to 2026. Not with predictions meant to sound bold, but with real questions they’re already hearing from advisors: hiring, team structure, client expectations, and how tech will shape the advisor-client relationship next year. It’s an honest conversation about what they’ve seen, what they’re still figuring out, and how Seeds plans to support advisors through all of it.</p> <p>If you’re thinking about scaling your firm, improving your process, or building a team that feels aligned with your vision, this episode gives you a clear, grounded look at where the industry is heading and how you can prepare.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Here are the top three takeaways from the episode:</p> <ul> <li>We believe client experience is the competitive edge in 2026. Advisors need to step into their own client journey and see what it actually feels like. The firms that do this will deliver an experience clients remember and talk about.</li> <li>Operational excellence is no longer optional. One of the best ways to create consistent experiences is to fix the operational foundation. Rules-based frameworks will help advisors scale, reduce inconsistencies, and communicate more clearly with clients.</li> <li>AI is powerful, but intentional adoption matters more. 2025 was full of AI noise. Next year will reward firms that stay focused on clarity, humanity, and fast but thoughtful decision making. The right tools matter, but the strategy behind them matters even more.</li> </ul> <p><br></p> <p><b>Episode Chapters:</b></p> <p>03:37 Reflecting on a Year of Growth and Change</p> <p>10:30 Rebranding and Its Impact on the Business</p> <p>17:33 Why the Future of Investing is Human</p> <p>24:37 How Seeds Streamlines Operations for Advisors</p> <p>27:15 Predictions for 2026: Experience Over Technology</p> <p>27:42 Operational Excellence in Advisory Firms</p> <p>31:06 The Chaos of Account-Level Management</p> <p>33:53 Next-Gen Investor Expectations</p> <p>36:07 The Competitive Landscape for Advisors</p> <p>39:34 The Role of Technology in Client Experience</p> <p>41:01 Strategic Decision-Making for 2026</p> <p><br></p> <p><b>Connect with us:</b></p> <p>Zach Conway on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-conway</p> <p>Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kelseymckenna3</p> <p>Seeds: www.useseeds.com</p> <p>Our Blog: https://useseeds.com/blog/</p> <p>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seeds-investor</p> <p>Disclosures: https://useseeds.com/terms/</p> <p>Ready to scale the human side of advice with Seeds? Schedule your personalized demo today at www.useseeds.com/demo</p> <p><br><br><br></p> <p><br></p> <p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297669/fan_mail/new" rel="nofollow">Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!</a></p>The Real Talent Challenge: Why Hiring NextGen Advisors Is More Nuanced Than We Think with Natalie Taylor
<p>If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to hire the right people or frustrated by how hard it is to bring more women and diverse talent into your firm, this episode gives you the roadmap you’ve been missing.</p> <p>Natalie Taylor, founder and CEO of The Goodland Group and a 20-year industry veteran, joins Zach and Kelsey in the latest episode of <em>The Advice Business Podcast </em>to break down what is actually holding advisory firms back from building a healthier, more diverse talent pipeline.</p> <p>Spoiler alert: it may not be a lack of candidates. It is oft en the structures, habits, and cultural blind spots that unintentionally push great people away.</p> <p>In this conversation, Natalie reveals:</p> <ul> <li>Why the industry has a pipeline problem (and why lack of leadership representation problem could be to blame)</li> <li>How to write job descriptions that genuinely attract diverse candidates and avoid unintentional tokenism</li> <li>Simple cultural shifts that immediately make your firm a safer, more supportive place for young and underrepresented advisors</li> <li>The foundational elements firms must offer to retain talent, such as transparent compensation, clear career paths, and learning-first development</li> <li>Why moving away from sales-first roles can help position new entrants for success, especially women</li> <li>How diversity directly enhances client experience and relationship quality</li> <li>A tactical, step-by-step hiring process you can implement tomorrow, from job boards to screening to candidate evaluation</li> </ul> <p>If you are building a firm for the future, this episode gives you the practical tools and the mindset shift to hire better, support people better, and grow a team that reflects the clients you serve.</p> <p>Episode Chapters:</p> <p>06:16: The “pipeline problem” & lack of women leadership in the wealth management industry</p> <p>07:44: Inclusive hiring: avoid tokenization</p> <p>10:00: Embedding diversity into firm culture</p> <p>14:08: Career paths & compensation transparency</p> <p>16:00: Reducing sales pressure for new advisors</p> <p>17:46: Women in leadership visibility</p> <p>19:50: Diverse advisors serving diverse clients</p> <p>21:35: Women’s strengths in planning & relationships</p> <p>30:30: Hiring steps: niche job boards & Loom screening</p> <p>32:06: Interview process: case studies & feedback skills</p> <p>34:28: Finding diverse talent without lowering standards</p> <p>Relevant Resources:<br>[Article] What Does “Good” Investment Management Look Like?<br>https://useseeds.com/investment-management-standards/</p> <p>[Article] How to Start Asking Advisors Deeper Questions<br>https://useseeds.com/asking-deeper-questions/</p> <p>[Podcast] The Foundation of Advisor Value = Humanity + Expertise<br>https://useseeds.com/podcast/where-humanity-expertise-meet-the-true-foundation-of-advisor-value/</p> <p><br>[Podcast] Advisors: Are You Confident in Your 1% Fee?<br>https://useseeds.com/podcast/are-you-confident-in-your-1-percent-fee/</p> <p><br></p> <p>Connect with us:<br>Zach Conway on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-conway<br>Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kelseymckenna3<br>Website: www.useseeds.com<br>Our Blog: https://useseeds.com/blog/<br>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seeds-investor<br>Disclosures: https://useseeds.com/terms/</p> <p><br>Ready to scale the human side of advice with Seeds? Schedule your personalized<br>demo today at www.useseeds.com/demo</p> <p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297669/fan_mail/new" rel="nofollow">Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!</a></p>When’s the Last Time You Audited Your Portfolio Construction Process?
<p>Most advisors think they’re personalizing portfolios. But what does that actually look like in practice?</p> <p><br>In this episode, Kelsey McKenna and Zach Conway talk about how to turn investment expertise into a repeatable process that still feels personal. They walk through what true personalization looks like, how to communicate trade-offs clearly, and why efficient systems actually make client relationships stronger.<br>If you’ve ever struggled to scale your approach without losing the human touch, this conversation will help you create consistency, clarity, and trust across every client relationship.</p> <p><br>Key Takeaways:</p> <ul> <li>Personalization isn’t binary — it’s a spectrum.</li> <li>Scalable personalization = consistency, not conformity.</li> <li>True tailoring starts with understanding client preferences and having meaningful trade-off discussions.</li> <li>Transparency and clarity are the fastest paths to trust.</li> <li>Efficiency doesn’t kill personalization — it enables it.</li> <li>Advisors who define their framework can delegate with confidence and focus on growth.</li> <li>The future of advisory work belongs to firms that are flexible, curious, and client-centered.</li> </ul> <p><br>Episode Chapters:<br>3:55: You've reached an inflection point in your practice growth, so what's next?<br>6:35: What is "personalization" in investment management?<br>12:35: The future standard of strong investing experiences<br>14:00: Clarity is underrated in the wealth management industry<br>18:09: Why tradeoffs are under-discussed in client conversations<br>20:04: Real-world example: how to connect portfolios to client stories<br>27:54: How advisors will have to adapt to remain relevant in the future</p> <p><br>Relevant Resources:<br>[Article] What Does “Good” Investment Management Look Like?<br>https://useseeds.com/investment-management-standards/</p> <p>[Article] How to Start Asking Advisors Deeper Questions<br>https://useseeds.com/asking-deeper-questions/</p> <p>[Podcast] The Foundation of Advisor Value = Humanity + Expertise<br>https://useseeds.com/podcast/where-humanity-expertise-meet-the-true-foundation-of-advisor-value/</p> <p><br>[Podcast] Advisors: Are You Confident in Your 1% Fee?<br>https://useseeds.com/podcast/are-you-confident-in-your-1-percent-fee/</p> <p><br></p> <p>Connect with us:<br>Zach Conway on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-conway<br>Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kelseymckenna3<br>Website: www.useseeds.com<br>Our Blog: https://useseeds.com/blog/<br>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seeds-investor<br>Disclosures: https://useseeds.com/terms/</p> <p><br>Ready to scale the human side of advice with Seeds? Schedule your personalized<br>demo today at www.useseeds.com/demo</p> <p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297669/fan_mail/new" rel="nofollow">Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!</a></p>Do Your Clients Think You're As Empathetic As You Think You Are?
<p>Is your communication building trust, or just checking boxes?<br><br>In the newest episode, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna explore a skill that separates good advisors from great ones: understanding the balance between expertise and empathy.<br><br>It’s not enough to know your stuff. Clients need to feel your value. From the first conversation to ongoing reviews, every touchpoint shapes how clients experience trust, confidence, and connection. Zach and Kelsey break down what it takes to communicate with impact, showing that the best advisors don’t just talk about value, they help clients feel it in every interaction.<br><br>They also share how scalable systems can help you deliver personalized,<br>human-first service at every stage of your client journey, without burning out or losing authenticity.<br><br>Here are 5 key highlights from the episode:<br>- How to align expertise and empathy to strengthen long-term client<br>relationships.<br>- Why communication should focus on how clients feel, not just what you<br>say.<br>- Simple ways to show value through actions and presence instead of<br>explanation.<br>-The power of curiosity, active listening, and emotional awareness in<br>every client meeting.<br>- How systematizing routine tasks frees you to focus on “magic moments that matter most.<br><br>If you’re ready to elevate your client experience by connecting on a deeper<br>level, this episode will help you rethink the way you communicate, lead, and grow your firm.<br><br>Thanks for listening!</p> <p><br>Connect with us: </p> <ul> <li>Zach Conway on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-conway?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn</a> </li> <li>Kelsey McKenna on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseymckenna3?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn</a> </li> </ul> <p>Want to learn more about how Seeds Investor can assess investors’ true investing preferences, personalize portfolios, and present engaging insights–all in one digital solution? Then be sure to click on the links below!</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.seedsinvestor.com/" rel="nofollow">Seeds Investor Website</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.seedsinvestor.com/blog" rel="nofollow">Our Blog</a></li> </ul> <p><br>This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit: https://useseeds.com/terms/ and https://tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25</p> <p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297669/fan_mail/new" rel="nofollow">Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!</a></p>