Are you the bottleneck in your own firm? 🚨

In this episode, Kelsey McKenna and Zach Conway announce a brand-new growth diagnostic framework that every financial advisor and firm founder needs to hear about. If you’re feeling stretched thin, unsure where to focus, or stuck in “fix-everything-at-once” mode — this is your chance to get unstuck.

Kelsey drew on years of experience advising firm leaders to develop the 'Growth Constraint Diagnostic'— a tool that helps early-stage firms identify the area of their business to optimize first if they want to unlock growth.

In this episode, we cover an overview of the 5 Growth Constraints most common at early-stage RIAs:

— The Founder Bottleneck

— Team Constraint

— Value Prop Confusion

— Broken Growth Engines

— Operational Complexity

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start scaling with purpose, this episode is your roadmap. Plus, soon, you’ll be able to take the quiz, get a custom guide, and clear your path to growth.

📥 Growth Constraint Assessment Wait List

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn

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!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog
• Disclosures

#FromTheGroundUpPodcast #FinancialAdvisors #AdvisorGrowth #RIA #WealthManagement #ScaleYourFirm #BusinessDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #SeedsAdvisor #Leadership #PracticeManagement

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Financial advisors — if you’ve ever wondered how to grow your business without cold calls or pushy sales tactics, this episode is for you.🎙️

On this week’s From The Ground Up, we’re sitting down with Melissa Reaktenwalt, Founder & CEO of EViE Financial, to unpack how she turned library workshops and wedding expos into a 300-household firm with 80% of new business coming from direct referrals. 👏

Melissa gets real about:

👉 Aligning your firm with personal values (spoiler: it matters more than you think)

👉 Attracting high-earning millennials and their parents through education-first strategies

👉 Managing team dynamics and building a culture rooted in clear communication

👉 The power of authenticity in client conversations (ditch the jargon — talk like a human!)

If you’re building an advisory firm, scaling a business, or just figuring out how to stay authentic while growing fast, this episode is packed with lessons you don’t want to miss.

🚀 Advisors — your clients don’t just need a plan, they need a partner. And Melissa’s story proves how powerful that can be.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn

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!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog
• Disclosures

#FromTheGroundUpPodcast #FinancialAdvisors #AdvisorGrowth #WomenInFinance #FinancialEducation #WealthManagement #RIACommunity #AuthenticAdvising

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Advisor Growth Stories Begins! 🔥

What does it really take to build a thriving, values-driven advisory firm from the ground up?

In our newest episode of From The Ground Up, we're launching a fresh series—Advisor Growth Stories—where we spotlight real advisors who are scaling their firms, breaking norms, and doing it on their own terms.

First up: Leighann Miko, founder of Equalis and co-founder of Avise. After a failed succession plan, Leighann didn’t just pivot—she rebuilt the blueprint for what a modern advisory firm could look like. Focused on serving queer folks, creatives, and women, she turned a “sink or swim” moment into a nearly million-dollar business. 💼💥

If you’ve ever struggled with self-confidence, wondered when to hire, or questioned how to serve niche communities at scale—this is the episode for you. Leighann drops real talk on building systems, hiring before you feel ready, and evolving your role as your firm grows.

🎯 Key Takeaways for Advisors & Business Owners:

• You don’t need all the answers—just a willingness to adapt.
• Hiring early = scaling smart.
• Serving a niche isn’t limiting—it’s a growth superpower.
• Mentorship can be your next legacy move.

🚀 Whether you're just starting or scaling, Leanne’s story will leave you inspired to grow your business with intention and impact.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn

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!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog
• Disclosures

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

#FromTheGroundUpPodcast #AdvisorGrowthStories #FinancialAdvisors #BusinessGrowth #NicheMarketing #Leadership #WomenInFinance #QueerFinance #RIA #WealthManagement

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

What happens when the brightest minds in wealth management gather in Miami? Big ideas, game-changing strategies, and a glimpse into the industry's future.

On this episode of From The Ground Up, Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna break down their biggest takeaways from the Future Proof conference—from the latest tech innovations to the real challenges firms need to solve now.

💡 Key insights for financial advisors & business owners:

✅ Tech with Purpose: Innovation is exciting, but does it actually move your firm forward?

✅ Fix Your Constraints: Growth isn’t just about adding more—it’s about solving what’s holding you back.

✅ Industry Collaboration: The firms that win are the ones that build strong, strategic partnerships.

The future of wealth management is here.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn

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!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog
• Disclosures

#WealthManagement #FinancialAdvisors #FutureProof #BusinessGrowth #TechForAdvisors #ScalingSuccess #Podcast

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Growing a financial advisory firm is tough. Hiring the right people, maintaining culture, and scaling strategically—it’s a delicate balance.

In this episode, we're throwing it back to a conversation between Kelsey McKenna, Zach Conway, and Michael Batnick on the fundamentals of business-building in wealth management. They reflect on how Michael’s insights from Ritholtz Wealth Management have shaped their own journey over the past year can be even tougher.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

✅ Strategic Hiring: Why culture fit matters just as much as skill set.

✅ Sustainable Growth: Expanding your reach without sacrificing core values.

✅ Proactive Problem-Solving: How to anticipate challenges before they derail progress.

✅ Empowering Leadership: Building a team that’s trusted, motivated, and set up for success.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn

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!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog
• Disclosures

#FinancialAdvisors #WealthManagement #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #CultureMatters #ScalingSuccess #PodcastAlert

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

The financial industry is at a turning point. According to McKinsey & Company, the U.S. will face a shortage of 100,000 financial advisors by 2034, leaving countless families struggling to find the guidance they need. With demand for human advisors growing, firms that optimize their operating systems now will be best positioned for success.

In this episode, Kelsey McKenna and Zach Conway break down:

• 👥 Teaming: How structuring advisory teams properly and creating clear career paths can enhance efficiency.
• 📈 Lead generation: Why advisors should stop wasting time on DIY marketing and build marketing and sales functions intentionally.
• 🤖 Technology: The right way to leverage AI and automation without losing the personal touch clients value.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn

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!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

#FinancialAdvisors #MarketingStrategy #ClientEngagement #BusinessGrowth #WealthManagement #PodcastAlert

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Is your marketing strategy stuck in the past? It’s time to ditch the funnel and embrace the flywheel. 🔄

In this episode, we welcome Kelly Forst, Seeds' new Director of Marketing, as she joins Kelsey McKenna to break down what the traditional funnel model lacks and why thinking linearly could be a detriment to your long-term growth.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• 🔄 Funnel vs. Flywheel: Why shifting to a client-first, momentum-building model leads to better retention & referrals.
• 🎙️ Stage-Specific Strategies: Kelsey and Kelly share their top marketing ideas for each phase of the flywheel.
• 🎉 Mastering the ‘Delight’ Phase: Why post-sale engagement is the secret weapon for long-term loyalty and advocacy.

Hear how you can shift your marketing mindset from a funnel to a flywheel to drive sustainable, organic growth.

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn

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!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

#FinancialAdvisors #MarketingStrategy #ClientEngagement #BusinessGrowth #WealthManagement #PodcastAlert

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

Is your value proposition really delivering what clients want? 🤔

In our latest episode, Zach Conway, Kelsey McKenna sit down with Tom Riemann, CEO of Practice Intel, to explore the gap between what advisors think they provide and what clients actually value.

Spoiler alert: there’s a lot more to it than just great advice.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• 🍽️ Think like a top-tier restaurant: It’s not just about serving advice—it’s about making sure it’s exactly what your clients crave.
• 📊 Use data to elevate your service: How actionable insights can help bridge performance gaps in fee transparency, engagement, and personalization.
• 🤝 Co-create, don’t just sell: Shift to a collaborative model where clients feel empowered, understood, and involved in their financial journey.

🎧 Stop guessing what clients want—start delivering real, lasting value!

Thanks for listening!

Connect with us:

• Zach Conway on LinkedIn
• Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn

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!

• Seeds Investor Website
• Our Blog

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!

#FinancialAdvisors #BusinessOwners #ClientEngagement #WealthManagement #ValueProposition #PersonalizedAdvice #PodcastAlert

Ask Zach and Kelsey a question!