Tag: Financial Planning
Why Client Experience Breaks Down with Zach Conway & Kelsey McKenna (Part 2) (Ep. 16)

Why Client Experience Breaks Down with Zach Conway & Kelsey McKenna (Part 2) (Ep. 16)

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Great financial advice is not just about what you recommend. It’s about how clients experience every step along the way.

What if the biggest gap in financial advice is not knowledge, but how that knowledge is delivered, explained, and felt by the client?

In this episode, Andrew Evans continues his conversation with Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna of Seeds, exploring why financial advisors struggle to connect client discovery with actual portfolio outcomes. They break down how poor onboarding experiences can shape client perceptions for years, the importance of understanding client feelings, and why scalable frameworks matter. The discussion also highlights how firms can turn internal processes into repeatable systems that enhance both client experience and business value.

Key takeaways:

  • Why many advisors fail to connect discovery insights with portfolio decisions, creating long-term client disconnect
  • How early onboarding experiences can shape client trust and perception for years after the first interaction
  • The importance of understanding client feelings and feedback to improve the overall advisory experience
  • Why scaling a firm requires turning personal insight into repeatable systems and documented processes
  • How firms can increase valuation by proving consistent, repeatable client outcomes beyond market-driven growth
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Rossby Financial: 

Connect with Andrew Evans: 

Connect with Zach Conway & Kelsey McKenna: 

About Zach Conway: 

Zach Conway is the Founder and CEO of Seeds, an investment management platform designed to improve both the advisor and client experience. With over a decade of experience as a financial advisor, Zach built his career inside an advisory firm, where he identified gaps in how investment management and client engagement were delivered. His work today centers on helping advisors streamline operations, enhance personalization, and build businesses that can grow without losing the human element.

About Kelsey McKenna:

Kelsey McKenna is the Chief Operating Officer at Seeds, where she focuses on helping financial advisory firms build scalable, client-centered businesses. With a background in advisor technology and early-stage startups, including her time at eMoney, she brings a deep understanding of how advisors can connect service, experience, and operations into a cohesive model. Kelsey is passionate about improving how firms deliver value to clients while creating systems that support sustainable growth.

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How Visual Planning Completely Transforms Client Conversations with H. Adam Holt, CFP®, ChFC® (Ep. 15)

How Visual Planning Completely Transforms Client Conversations with H. Adam Holt, CFP®, ChFC® (Ep. 15)

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Most people don’t struggle because they lack information; they struggle because they can’t clearly see what they already have.

What if the real issue isn’t strategy, but how it’s communicated and understood?

In this episode, Andrew Evans interviews H. Adam Holt, CEO & Founder of Asset-Map, about his journey from financial advisor to building a platform used by thousands of advisors. He shares how simplifying financial conversations through visualization helped him grow rapidly, why the industry often overwhelms clients, and how advisors can create stronger engagement by showing instead of telling.

Adam also introduces the concept of financial fire drills and explains how purpose, not money, drives long-term fulfillment.

They discuss:

  • How visual financial mapping replaced complex reports and helped clients understand their full financial picture
  • Why many advisors lose client engagement by relying on overwhelming data and analysis instead of clarity
  • The six financial fire drills every client should plan for to avoid major disruptions in their lives
  • How shifting from telling to showing improves trust, communication, and decision-making with clients
  • Why purpose and relationships matter more than financial outcomes in both business and personal life
  • And more!

Connect with Rossby Financial: 

Connect with Andrew Evans: 

Connect with H. Adam Holt: 

About our Guest: 

Adam Holt is the Founder of Asset-Map, a widely adopted financial planning platform that helps advisors simplify complex client situations through visual mapping. With nearly three decades of experience in financial services, he began his career in insurance and evolved into a holistic financial planner, eventually building one of the top practices in his broker-dealer. His work focuses on improving client engagement by making financial information easier to understand and act on. Beyond Asset-Map, Adam is also passionate about purpose-driven initiatives, including building communities like Rebel Dads, which supports entrepreneurial fathers in balancing leadership at home and work.

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Fixing the Broken Advisor Experience with Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna (Part 1) (Ep. 13)

Fixing the Broken Advisor Experience with Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna (Part 1) (Ep. 13)

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Advisors are working harder than ever, yet many still feel stuck delivering inconsistent client experiences.

What if the issue is not effort, but how services, operations, and investment management are structured in the first place?

In this episode, Andrew Evans speaks with Zach Conway, Founder and CEO of Seeds, and Kelsey McKenna, COO of Seeds, about why many advisory firms struggle to scale their services. They explore how fragmented processes, unclear positioning, and disconnected technology stacks create friction for both advisors and clients. Zach and Kelsey also explain how redefining the client experience and automating operational tasks can help firms grow without sacrificing quality.

Key takeaways:

  • Why many advisors avoid building new service models due to fear of disrupting current revenue streams
  • How fragmented systems and siloed thinking create inconsistent client experiences and limit scalability
  • The importance of defining a clear niche to simplify offerings and improve operational efficiency
  • Why advisors should focus on client relationships while automating trading and portfolio mechanics
  • How aligning service, experience, and operations creates a repeatable and scalable business model
  • And more!

Connect with Rossby Financial: 

Connect with Andrew Evans: 

Connect with Zach Conway & Kelsey McKenna: 

About Zach Conway: 

Zach Conway is the Founder and CEO of Seeds, an investment management platform designed to improve both the advisor and client experience. With over a decade of experience as a financial advisor, Zach built his career inside an advisory firm, where he identified gaps in how investment management and client engagement were delivered. His work today centers on helping advisors streamline operations, enhance personalization, and build businesses that can grow without losing the human element.

About Kelsey McKenna:

Kelsey McKenna is the Chief Operating Officer at Seeds, where she focuses on helping financial advisory firms build scalable, client-centered businesses. With a background in advisor technology and early-stage startups, including her time at eMoney, she brings a deep understanding of how advisors can connect service, experience, and operations into a cohesive model. Kelsey is passionate about improving how firms deliver value to clients while creating systems that support sustainable growth.

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Staying Relevant in the Age of AI with David Evans and RJ Malyk (Ep. 9)

Staying Relevant in the Age of AI with David Evans and RJ Malyk (Ep. 9)

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Technology is advancing at lightning speed, leaving many professionals wondering how to adapt and thrive.

In this episode, Andrew Evans is joined by his brother David Evans and producer RJ Malyk for a candid discussion on AI, resilience, and finding new ways to stay relevant in rapidly changing industries.

RJ shares how his background in radio shaped his approach to AI, why embracing change matters, and how financial services can draw lessons from other fields facing disruption.

Key takeaways:

  • How RJ transitioned from radio to voiceover work and why AI pushed him to expand his skillset
  • The mindset shift needed to embrace change instead of resisting it
  • Parallels between AI’s disruption and past technological shifts like TurboTax and big-box retail
  • The importance of human interaction and personalization in industries threatened by automation
  • Why the 80/20 rule explains the balance between technology and human expertise across fields
  • And more!

Previous Episodes of Interest: 

Connect with Rossby Financial: 

Connect with Andrew Evans: 

Connect with David Evans: 

Connect with RJ Malyk: 

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From WealthTech Chaos to Clarity with Larry Shumbres (Ep. 6)

From WealthTech Chaos to Clarity with Larry Shumbres (Ep. 6)

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The WealthTech space is bursting with options, but more choices don’t always mean better solutions.

Why are so many firms building one-off tools without considering the full advisor experience? And how can entrepreneurs design, grow, and even sell companies in this crowded market?

In this episode of The Outstanding Shift, Andrew Evans talks with Larry Shumbres, CEO and Founder of Archive Intel, about the state of WealthTech, the power of user stories, and the steps to successfully grow and exit a tech company. Larry also shares insights on AI adoption and the importance of iterative product development.

Larry discusses:

  • The evolution of WealthTech and why too many disconnected tools frustrate advisors and firms
  • How the lack of user stories and persona mapping leads to gaps in product functionality
  • The importance of building for smaller firms first, iterating, and scaling up to enterprise clients
  • Why advisory firms risk falling behind if they avoid AI and how to integrate it effectively
  • Key metrics, processes, and readiness steps for selling a tech company at a strong valuation
  • And more!

Connect with Rossby Financial: 

Connect with Andrew Evans: 

Connect with Larry Shumbres: 

About our Guest: 

Larry Shumbres is a seasoned entrepreneur and prominent figure in the FinTech sector, is dedicated to elevating the investment journey for both advisors and institutions through innovative and regulatory-compliant technology. With a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years and affiliations with industry giants like Charles Schwab, Morningstar, and New York Life Investments, Larry’s expertise is widely acknowledged. He recently founded, developed, and successfully exited Totum Risk, a pioneering risk tolerance platform, to TIFIN. Prior achievements include building SmartVision by eVestment, acquired by Nasdaq, and leading the sales team at eMoney, culminating in their acquisition by Fidelity. A sought-after advisor, Larry sits on multiple corporate boards, contributes to NASDAQ as a writer, publishes articles in industry journals, and has been featured in interviews on Bloomberg.

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Building a Future-Ready Firm and Living with Curiosity with Frances Toler (Ep. 3)

Building a Future-Ready Firm and Living with Curiosity with Frances Toler (Ep. 3)

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What does it take to build a financial practice that thrives beyond your own career and still leaves you time to pursue passions?

In this episode of The Outstanding Shift, Andrew Evans sits down with Frances Toler of Toler Financial to discuss intentional business structuring, succession planning, and the balance between personal identity and professional life. 

Fran also shares her deep love for birding, how nature fuels her curiosity, and why exploring outside the office matters just as much as growth within it.

Fran discusses:

  • The challenges seasoned advisors face in retiring and why many avoid it
  • Strategies for creating a multi-owner, department-led firm for long-term continuity
  • How to maintain personal identity without letting your practice completely define you
  • The value of curiosity and nature exploration as personal and professional inspiration
  • Birding as a gateway to understanding the interconnectedness of the natural world
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Rossby Financial: 

Connect with Andrew Evans: 

Connect with Frances Toler: 

About our Guest: 

Frances Toler, CEO of Toler Financial Group, provides fee-based financial planning and investment management for a diverse clientele. Fran celebrates over 23 years of experience in helping people, families, and businesses discover, plan, and implement strategies to achieve the security and prosperity they value. Many of her clients seek out her experience with sustainable investment options, income strategies, and a “planning first” approach.

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