Ep. 67: Powering Growth Through Collaboration

Is your current firm still a good fit for the financial advisory practice you want to build? Before changing firms, starting an RIA, or pursuing independence, it helps to clarify your goals, responsibilities, and support needs. In this episode, Alanah Phillips talks with Eric Negron, CEO of Forefront Advisor Network and Forefront Wealth Partners, about evaluating your next move as a financial advisor. Eric shares how checking his head, heart, and gut helped him prepare for a firm change without rushing the decision. He explains why advisors should define their personal brand, ask clients what they value, and document their onboarding process before making a move. Eric also explores supported independence, mentorship, and why consistent execution across a few focused priorities can support practice growth. Alanah and Eric discuss: How to recognize when your current firm is limiting how you work with clients Why client feedback can prevent costly assumptions about your office, brand, and service experience What to establish before changing firms, starting an RIA, or pursuing supported independence How a documented client onboarding process can set clear expectations during a transition Why mentorship, focused priorities, and consistent follow-up can help advisors grow And more! Connect with Catalyst: Catalyst LinkedIn: Alanah Phillips LinkedIn: Iyana Harris LinkedIn: Lindsey Lewis Connect with Eric Negron: Forefront Wealth Partners LinkedIn: Eric Negron Instagram: Eric Negron Facebook: Eric Negron Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-617-1984 About Our Guest: Eric Negron, CEPA, AWMA, is the CEO and Managing Partner of Forefront Wealth Partners and CEO of Forefront Advisor Network. Before launching Forefront Wealth Partners in 2016, he served as president of a billion-dollar bank’s wealth management group. Today, he mentors financial advisors and shares practical systems, processes, and guidance to help them strengthen their practices without trying to figure everything out alone.

Are you questioning whether you’re on the right path as a new financial advisor? Honest feedback, supportive mentors, and a clear business plan can help you keep moving when your confidence hasn’t caught up with your potential. In this episode, Alanah Phillips speaks with Gibran Le, CFP®, CRPC®, a financial planner with Acord & Fong Wealth Strategies. Gibran shares how he stumbled into wealth management, received a memorable wake-up call as an intern, and began taking greater ownership of his career as a financial advisor. He reflects on starting his advisory practice shortly before the pandemic and supporting worried clients while managing his own uncertainty. Gibran also explains how mentorship, the DOME business-planning framework, and a structured weekly schedule helped him grow from a new advisor into a business owner managing clients, processes, team responsibilities, and competing priorities.  Alanah and Gibran discuss: How a Taco Bell application prompted Gibran to reconsider how he was showing up Why honest feedback and financial advisor mentorship shaped his career development What starting an advisory practice before the pandemic taught him about preparation and purpose How the DOME framework connects annual business goals with weekly actions and accountability And more! Connect with Catalyst: Catalyst LinkedIn: Alanah Phillips LinkedIn: Iyana Harris LinkedIn: Lindsey Lewis Connect with Gibran Le: Website: Ask Gibran LinkedIn: Gibran Le Instagram: @AskGibran About Our Guest: Gibran Le, CFP®, CRPC®, works with high-earning professionals and business owners on financial decisions involving equity compensation, investments, taxes, and long-term planning. He entered wealth management through an internship after exploring several possible career paths. Since then, mentorship, candid coaching, business planning, and a commitment to helping clients have shaped his approach to his work. Gibran shares financial planning insights and educational video content through Ask Gibran.

What skills will help financial advisors build trust as AI becomes more common? For newer advisors, the answer starts with communication, curiosity, and the ability to connect with clients across generations. In this episode, Alanah Phillips and Lindsey Lewis welcome Ross Riskin, Founder of VisiWealth and Advisory Council Member for the American Institute of Certified College Financial Consultants. Ross explains why being a NextGen advisor is about how you think, learn, and adapt, regardless of your age or career stage. They explore how AI is affecting financial services, why technology can’t replace professional accountability, and how advisors can make financial planning easier to understand. Ross also shares practical guidance on education, mentorship, client communication, and building a well-rounded career without rushing the process. Alanah, Lindsey, and Ross discuss:  Why being a NextGen advisor is about mindset rather than age or years of experience How human connection can help financial advisors build trust across generations Why advisors should focus on being interested in clients rather than trying to impress them How clear visuals and focused education can reduce confusion during financial planning And more! Connect with Catalyst: Catalyst LinkedIn: Alanah Phillips LinkedIn: Iyana Harris LinkedIn: Lindsey Lewis Connect with Ross Riskin: visiWealth LinkedIn: Ross Riskin LinkedIn: visiWealth About Our Guest: Ross Riskin is the Founder of VisiWealth and an Advisory Council Member for the American Institute of Certified College Financial Consultants. He helped create the NextGen in 10 podcast and previously led the NextGen Task Force at The American College. As an advisor and educator, Ross focuses on education planning and develops visual resources to help financial professionals explain complex topics clearly.  His work supports advisors who want to deepen their knowledge, improve client conversations, and serve individuals and families across generations.

What credentials do you need to become a financial advisor? Before choosing a designation, it helps to understand the profession, the sales process, and where you want to serve. In this episode, Alanah Phillips talks with George Nichols III, CAP®, President and CEO of The American College of Financial Services, about what new advisors and career changers should learn before pursuing credentials. George shares how his path through public service, insurance regulation, corporate leadership, and education prepared him to lead. He explains why industry knowledge, sales fundamentals, practical experience, and patience come first. They also explore mentorship, representation, scholarships, advisor retention, and how financial professionals can make a lasting difference in people’s lives. George discusses: How listening and service shaped George Nichols’ approach to leadership, financial advice, and working with people Why new financial advisors should learn the profession and sales fundamentals before choosing credentials How patience, practical experience, and continuous learning create a stronger foundation for career growth And more! Listen to the full episode to learn what to build first as you begin or grow your financial services career. Connect with Catalyst: Catalyst LinkedIn: Alanah Phillips LinkedIn: Iyana Harris LinkedIn: Lindsey Lewis Connect with George Nichols: The American College of Financial Services LinkedIn: George Nichols About Our Guest: George Nichols III, CAP®, currently serves as the 10th president and CEO in the storied history of The American College of Financial Services. Nichols joined The College after a 17-year stint at New York Life, where he held principal roles in sales, P&L, strategic initiatives, and public policy. In 2007, Nichols was named to the company’s executive management committee. He also served as executive vice president in the Office of Governmental Affairs.

Alanah concludes her discussion with Chia-Li Chien, PHD, CFP®, PMP®, CPBC, an associate provost and associate professor of succession planning at The American College of Financial Services, with a look at how financial professionals need to seek out opportunities to grow and refine their skills as they move through their careers – and the best ways to do it.

Alanah continues her conversation with Chia-Li Chien, PHD, CFP®, PMP®, CPBC, an associate provost and associate professor of succession planning at The American College of Financial Services, on how financial professionals can find a business niche they excel in and other opportunities when breaking into the field.

Alanah introduces Chia-Li Chien, PHD, CFP®, PMP®, CPBC, an associate provost and associate professor of succession planning at The American College of Financial Services, and begins a discussion on how those from outside the financial services field can meet the challenges of joining the industry – especially women.

Alanah wraps up her conversation with John Stadtmueller of Good Advisors Finish First with a look at how approaching financial services from an abundance mindset and sharing information and strategies with peers can benefit the industry and society.

Alanah continues her conversation with John Stadtmueller of Good Advisors Finish First by talking about issues of corporate compliance, transparency when doing business with clients, and how to use radical honesty as a basis for good business.

Alanah introduces us to John Stadtmueller, founder of the organization Good Advisors Finish First, for a conversation on why financial services doesn’t have to be a stuffy, impersonal industry and how you can best serve clients by being yourself.