In this episode of the Model FA Podcast, David DeCelle sits down with Jeremy Houser, VP & Senior Advisor Development Consultant at Simplicity Group and host of the Advisor Mentorship Podcast.

They break down what actually holds advisors back from scaling—why delegation is the real unlock, how a simple time audit exposes hidden leaks, and what to do right now to stay relevant to the next generation as trillions change hands. You'll also hear practical guidance on building a digital footprint (without sounding like AI), why LinkedIn is still a blue-ocean channel for advisors, and how to keep heirs engaged without turning your calendar into chaos.

✅ What you'll learn:

• 🎯 The #1 scaling problem advisors refuse to face (and how to fix it)

• ⏱️ How to run a time audit that reveals what to delegate first

• 🩺 The "doctor's office" analogy for protecting your time (screening + process)

• 🧬 How to stay relevant to heirs before the wealth transfer happens

• 🌊 Why authenticity wins in a "sea of sameness" content world

🤝 Connect with Jeremy:

• 🎙️ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZqShr9Q246sEh9KH22q3M

• ✉️ Email: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com

• 🌐 Website: https://www.simplicitygroup.com/

• 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyhouser/
  
  

👍 If you want more conversations like this—strategy, systems, growth, and what's actually working—subscribe and drop a question in the comments.

About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team:

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle spoke with Allen Darby, CEO and founder of Allaris Acquisitions, to discuss the evolution of the wealth management M&A landscape. Allen, an industry veteran who completed nine acquisitions as an RIA owner, provided insights on the surge in buyers and the changing mindset of sellers over the last four to five years. He detailed Allaris Acquisitions' shift from a traditional auction model to a compatibility-focused approach designed to save time and ensure a cultural fit for sellers. The conversation also covered the impact of rising interest rates on deal focus, the dynamics of "Franken-firms" created by aggressive aggregators, and a deep-dive on the potential disruptive power of AI on advisory businesses and valuations.

In this episode:

• Wealth Management M&A has fundamentally changed, with a surge of credible buyers and "through the roof" capital availability over the last four years.

• RIA Sellers are more sophisticated, realizing that independence after a sale exists on a "spectrum of autonomy" instead of a binary loss of control.

• Rising rates are forcing M&A Buyers to intensely focus on Organic Growth, with many now filtering out firms below a 5–7% net new asset growth rate.

• The traditional "financial auction" model is being replaced by a compatibility-focused approach that ranks partners by objective factors like fee model and tech stack to ensure a better cultural fit.

• Sellers must weigh "business lift" against autonomy, as highly acquisitive "Franken-firms" often lead to a "bumpier ride" with operational chaos due to less integration.

• AI's Impact on Valuations: AI is predicted to automate many RIA roles—potentially eliminating staff within 6–12 months—which will increase profitability and may make highly scalable, high-margin practices more valuable.

• The Biggest Disruptor is the threat AI poses to the Advisor Moat of "guidance," as the value of "knowledge" approaches zero and LLMs become more empathetic.

• This looming AI disruption and the potential for "uberization" of the industry may encourage RIA owners to accelerate their sale timeline within the next three to five years.

#RIAMergers #FinancialAdvisor #WealthManagement #AllarisAcquisitions #ModelFA #RIAAcquisitions #FinancialPlanning #OrganicGrowth #FinancialServices #AITrends #FinancialTechnology #PrivateEquity #BusinessStrategy #M&A #SuccessionPlanning

Connect with Allen Darby and Allaris Acquisitions:

• Website: AllarisAcquisitions.com

• Email: Allen.Darby@AllarisAcquisitions.com

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.

In this episode of the Model FA podcast, host David DeCelle spoke with Jennifer des Groseilliers, CEO of The Mather Group, to discuss her career journey, the firm's growth strategy, and its distinct business philosophy. Jennifer detailed her transition from practicing law to becoming a financial advisor, moving through the broker-dealer world to ultimately embrace the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) structure. The conversation explored The Mather Group's holistic service platform, which includes in-house tax and investment construction, its two-part M&A integration approach, and how their core value of "Unreasonable Hospitality" drives success metrics like high client retention and referrals.In this episode:

• The RIA Model is a Growth Area: Jennifer des Groseilliers' move from the broker-dealer world highlights the perceived stability and future of the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model.

• Embrace Holistic Wealth Management: The Mather Group's success with $15B in AUM/A is built on a comprehensive platform that integrates financial planning, in-house tax services, investment management, and a family office approach. This "all-in-one" model offers greater efficiency and coordination for clients.

• M&A Success Hinges on Culture: For firms pursuing growth via mergers and acquisitions, the primary focus ("heavy lifting") should be on ensuring cultural alignment, not just operational synergy.

• Define Success by "Unreasonable Hospitality": High client retention and referral rates can be achieved by moving beyond basic service to align a client's financial goals with their personal values, creating a truly exceptional experience.

• Strategic Growth is Dual-Track: The firm demonstrates that expansion can be effectively achieved through both organic client acquisition and strategic M&A.

• Team Structure and Governance Matter: Utilizing a team-based service model and having an advisory council composed of equity owners are effective mechanisms for ensuring service consistency and internal goal alignment.

• Advice for Women in Finance: Aspiring women professionals should seek out firms that demonstrably align with their personal values and provide a genuinely supportive working environment.

#RIAMergers #FinancialAdvisor #WealthManagement #TheMatherGroup #ModelFA #RIAAcquisitions #FinancialPlanning #UnreasonableHospitality #BusinessStrategy #WomenInFinance #SuccessionPlanning #OrganicGrowth #TaxServices

Connect with Jennifer des Groseilliers and The Mather Group:

• Website: TheMatherGroup.com

• Email: info@TheMatherGroup.com

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About the Model FA Podcast

The Model FA podcast is a show for fiduciary financial advisors. In each episode, our host David DeCelle sits down with industry experts, strategic thinkers, and advisors to explore what it takes to build a successful practice — and have an abundant life in the process. We believe in continuous learning, tactical advice, and strategies that work — no "gotchas" or BS. Join us to hear stories from successful financial advisors, get actionable ideas from experts, and re-discover your drive to build the practice of your dreams.

Did you like this conversation? Then leave us a rating and a review in whatever podcast player you use. We would love your feedback, and your ratings help us reach more advisors with ideas for growing their practices, attracting great clients, and achieving a better quality of life. While you are there, feel free to share your ideas about future podcast guests or topics you'd love to see covered.

Our Team

President of Model FA, David DeCelle

If you like this podcast, you will love our community! Join the Model FA Community on Facebook to connect with like-minded advisors and share the day-to-day challenges and wins of running a growing financial services firm.