Nick Davies of 7 Figure Advisor joins David Desel on the Model FA podcast to explore the transformative power of masterminds for financial advisors and the critical importance of relationship-centric client service. Nick shares his journey from 20 years in banking across London, Asia, and Wall Street to becoming a Tony Robbins coach and ultimately specializing in helping financial advisors build seven-figure practices. The conversation dives deep into the three keys to mastermind success—commitment, collaboration, and consistency—and Nick's FOCUS framework for structuring effective peer groups. They discuss optimal mastermind size (4-10 members), meeting cadence (weekly or bi-weekly virtual sessions with quarterly in-person gatherings), and how to avoid the common pitfalls of study groups that feel comfortable but lack transformation. Nick emphasizes that the deepest client relationships create a "guilt layer" that provides grace during mistakes, and technology should augment—not replace—human connection. David shares Model FA's AI tool that prompts advisors weekly with personalized client touchpoints, demonstrating how technology can systematically support relationship building without sacrificing the human element. This episode is essential listening for any advisor looking to scale their practice through peer collaboration while maintaining the deep client relationships that truly differentiate their business.

Chapters:

1. (00:00:00) - The Gap in Advisor Masterminds: Why Growth Officers Need Support
2. (00:01:00) - Setting Audacious Goals: The Power of Thinking Big to Serve More Advisors
3. (00:02:57) - From London Banking to Coaching: Nick's Journey to Serving Financial Advisors
4. (00:06:00) - The Foundation of Masterminds: Why Surrounding Yourself with High Standards Matters
5. (00:09:00) - Peer-Led vs. Facilitator-Led Masterminds: What Actually Works
6. (00:12:00) - The Three Keys to Mastermind Success: Commitment, Collaboration, and Consistency
7. (00:14:00) - The FOCUS Framework: How to Structure Your Mastermind for Maximum Impact
8. (00:17:00) - Creating Your Mastermind Agenda: Moving Beyond "What Should We Talk About?"
9. (00:20:00) - Study Groups vs. Masterminds: Comfortable vs. Transformational
10. (00:23:00) - The Sweet Spot: Why 4-10 Members Is the Optimal Mastermind Size
11. (00:24:00) - Building Relationship-Centric Practices: Why Clients Call You Third
12. (00:26:00) - Using Technology to Augment (Not Replace) Human Connection
13. (00:29:00) - The Guilt Layer: How Deep Relationships Create Grace When Mistakes Happen
14. (00:33:00) - Connect with Nick

Links and Resources

1. Website
2. David DeCelle on

Former Prudential regional director Jay Duffy shares his bold decision to walk away from a near-seven-figure guaranteed income to co-found Frame Wealth, a culture-first advisory firm built on ownership, equity, and strategic leverage. In this conversation, Jay breaks down the leadership principles that guided his transition from managing 53 advisors to building his own practice—including why culture eats strategy for breakfast, how to protect white space for strategic thinking, and the critical shift from working harder to creating systems that scale. He reveals his approach to asking for introductions (not referrals) by treating top clients as advisors, explains the "who not how" framework that keeps him focused on high-impact work, and shares the books and mental models that helped him embrace failure, step out of the fog of business, and design a practice with 70% growth potential. If you're ready to think like a CEO instead of just an advisor, this episode is packed with actionable insights on delegation, leadership development, and building a firm you actually own.

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) - Opening: Clients Become Your Advisors
• (00:01:25) - Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast
• (00:02:42) - Burning the Boats: Walking Away from Guaranteed Income
• (00:04:10) - Control, Equity, and Building Something You Own
• (00:06:00) - Working Hard vs. Creating Leverage
• (00:08:18) - The Science of Scaling: Thinking Beyond Linear Growth
• (00:10:45) - Building Leaders to Scale Your Firm
• (00:14:38) - Protecting White Space and Strategic Time
• (00:18:02) - The Fog of Business: Stepping Out to See Strategy
• (00:21:20) - Who Not How: Finding Experts Instead of Becoming One
• (00:22:45) - Asking for Introductions: Replicating Your Top 10 Clients
• (00:26:35) - Must-Read Books for Advisors and Leaders
• (00:28:00) - Embrace Failure and Keep Moving Forward

Links and Resources

• Website
• Jay Duffy on LinkedIn
• 7 Figure Advisor
• Nick Davies on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to 7-Figure Advisor? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify and leave us a review!

In this episode, Nick introduces the Diamond of Success framework—a powerful lens for building a seven-figure advisory business without sacrificing family and health. He breaks down the four critical areas that shape your life: business, relationships, health, and contribution. Most advisors achieve early success by running hard and doing more than others, but eventually that approach runs out and creates an imbalanced, misshapen diamond. The key isn't static balance—it's dynamic equilibrium, where you're intentionally moving between areas with clear purpose. Nick shares real examples from recent client calls about being present, making intentional trades, and remembering that success isn't just about the money—it's about becoming the person you want to be while living life on your terms.

(00:00:00) - Introduction: Success Through Running Hard Eventually Runs Out

(00:00:23) - Introducing the Diamond of Success Framework

(00:01:17) - The Four Points: Business, Relationships, Health, Contribution

(00:02:28) - Why Early Success Comes From Going Fast

(00:03:12) - When the Diamond Gets Misshapen

(00:03:59) - Business Merit vs. Most Important Relationships

(00:04:37) - Balance Is Not Stationary: Dynamic Equilibrium

(00:06:27) - Making Intentional Trades in Your Life

(00:07:24) - Real Client Examples: Being Present vs. Vacation Mode

(00:08:42) - Living Life on Your Terms with Intention

Links and Resources

• 7 Figure Advisor
• Nick Davies on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to 7-Figure Advisor? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify and leave us a review!

In this episode of 7 Figure Advisor, host Nick sits down with Brant Shrimplin, founder of 626 Financial and author, to explore his journey from getting unexpectedly fired during the 2009 market crash to building a nearly $400M advisory practice. Brant shares the story of how he started his career with a single share of Disney stock as a child, built his business through seminars in his twenties, and eventually expanded into commercial real estate and venture capital. He reveals why he believes advisors should master multiple asset classes to truly serve clients as fiduciaries, discusses his unconventional approach to referrals (hint: stop asking for them), and explains why work-life balance isn't just a nice-to-have—it's the secret to sustained success. Brant also opens up about the importance of friendship, being present, and how turning your values into daily habits can elevate both your happiness and your business results.

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) - Introduction and Getting Fired
• (00:01:00) - The Importance of Friendship in Business and Life
• (00:03:00) - Brant's Early Career and Starting with Disney Stock
• (00:06:00) - Going Independent in 2009
• (00:08:00) - The Day Everything Changed: Getting Fired and Starting 626 Financial
• (00:11:00) - Expanding Beyond Stocks and Bonds: Real Estate and Venture Capital
• (00:13:00) - Current Practice Overview: Nearly $400M Under Management
• (00:17:00) - Advice for New Advisors: Join an Established Team
• (00:20:00) - Breaking Through Ceilings: Learning What You Don't Know
• (00:26:00) - The Right Way to Get Referrals: Stop Pushing
• (00:31:00) - Living with Balance: Turning Values Into Daily Habits

Links and Resources

• Website
• Brant Shrimplin on LinkedIn
• 7 Figure Advisor
• Nick Davies on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to 7-Figure Advisor? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify and leave us a review!

In this inaugural episode of the Seven Figure Advisor podcast, host Nick introduces a show designed specifically for financial advisors who want to break through to seven figures without sacrificing their family and health. Most advisors never reach seven figures—not because they lack talent, but because they're chasing someone else's version of success without clarity, which leads to more stress rather than results. This podcast cuts through the noise to deliver real strategies, frameworks, and leadership tools you can apply immediately. Whether you're at $300K, $500K, or already past a million but seeking less complexity and more freedom, you'll hear from advisors who've been there, learn to think like a business owner instead of just a producer, and discover how to build a practice that works with your life, not against it. No investment recommendations or compliance-required content—just pure strategy, growth, leadership, and systems from someone who coaches advisors every day and has spent two decades in financial services worldwide.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Welcome to the Seven Figure Advisor Podcast
• (00:00:15) - What It Really Takes to Build a Seven Figure Practice
• (00:01:00) - Why Most Advisors Never Hit Seven Figures
• (00:01:30) - What This Podcast Is (And Isn't) About
• (00:02:00) - Who This Podcast Is For
• (00:02:45) - What You'll Hear on This Show
• (00:03:30) - What You'll Get From This Podcast
• (00:04:30) - Nick's Background and Experience
• (00:05:30) - The Goal: Freedom, Ownership, and Building on Your Terms

Links and Resources

• 7 Figure Advisor
• Nick Davies on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to 7-Figure Advisor? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify and leave us a review!

7 Figure Advisor is the go‑to podcast for driven financial advisors on their seven-figure journey who don’t want to compromise their family or their health. Hosted by Nick Davies, each episode explores the essential pillars of sustainable growth: proven strategies for scaling your business, leadership and team‑building best practices, and operational insights. You’ll also gain the mindset shifts that fuel long‑term success. With practical frameworks, real‑world examples, and actionable tactics that can turn you from a great financial advisor into an exceptional business leader - without sacrificing your family, relationships, or health. Go to www.7-FigureAdvisor.com for more info on how to transform your business.