In this episode, Rob Brown sits down with Adam Obrecht, founder of AO Wealth Advisory—a quietly confident leader who’s built a special firm grounded in systems, purpose, and faith… all while serving a client base many advisors overlook.

From day one, Adam was told his strategy wouldn’t work. You can’t build a firm around 30- and 40-year-olds. Faith and business don’t mix. You need older, wealthier clients to grow.

He ignored all of it.

Adam launched AO Wealth with a baby on the way and no backup plan. Fifteen years later, he leads a thriving firm serving 300+ households with remarkable efficiency.

This is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership every advisor should hear.

Key Takeaways:

• Serve with Strategy (05:26) – Building a practice around 30- to 40-year-olds works when you're intentional about your time, messaging, and service model.
• Purpose Starts Early (14:40) – A mission trip—and a now-lost book on Christian business leaders—sparked the vision for a firm grounded in faith and values.
• Faith in the Volatility (19:33) – When markets shake confidence, Adam blends sound math with spiritual grounding to help clients stay steady.
• Legacy in Motion (21:23) – For Adam, growth means more than numbers. It’s about deepening team capacity, preparing for succession, and staying true to the mission.

Adam Obrecht: “The numbers tell one story, but how you live out your life tells a whole different story.”

Rob Brown: “It wasn’t just a niche—it was a calling. And you built the kind of practice most advisors are afraid to even imagine.”

About Adam Obrecht: Adam is the owner of AO Wealth Advisory, a financial planning firm in Urbandale, Iowa. Adam's career started in agricultural and commercial lending, but quickly shifted to investments. Adam started AO Wealth Advisory in 2010 after time spent as a product specialist for a regional broker-dealer and five years in a CPA firm. Adam is married with two sons.

Connect with Adam Obrecht:

Website: http://aowealthadvisory.com/

Email: aobrecht@aowealthadvisory.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamobrecht/

Episode References:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Weekly Newsletter
• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Mastermind
• Executive Coaching with Rob Brown

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

What happens when a former financial journalist brings deep curiosity and compassion into the world of financial planning? In this episode, Rob Brown sits down with Ryan Derousseau, a CFP® who made the leap from writing for Money, Fortune, and Forbes to serving therapists, career changers, and the self-employed. Ryan shares how his path has been shaped by listening more, asking better questions, and putting purpose before products. His work reveals a powerful truth: trust, emotion, and vulnerability are just as vital to planning as any spreadsheet. We’re reminded of how powerful it is when advisors focus on people…not just portfolios.

Key Takeaways:

• Lessons from Journalism (20:09) – Discover how Ryan’s past as a journalist sharpened his ability to ask deeper questions and truly hear what clients are saying.
• The Strategic Pause (24:28) – Silence isn’t awkward, it’s powerful. Ryan shows how waiting just a little longer often uncovers the most honest, meaningful client insights.
• Trust the Journey (26:09) – For new advisors, Ryan offers hard-won wisdom: growth takes time, and the best results come from consistent, purpose-driven effort.
• Niche with Intention (09:46) – Ryan reveals how focusing on therapists helped him refine his message, connect more deeply, and serve self-employed professionals with greater impact.

Ryan Derousseau: "When advisors lead with curiosity and just sit in the discomfort a little longer, that’s where the real trust is built and that’s when the real work begins."

Rob Brown: "It’s not just about the numbers you uncover, it’s about the life you help your clients live because of the planning you guide them through."

About Ryan Derousseau: Ryan Derousseau, CFP®, enables employees, the self-employed, therapists, and career changers to thrive financially so they can focus on what matters most. A former financial writer for Fortune, Money, and Forbes, Ryan blends deep industry insight with a practical, goal-first approach. He helps clients align their business and finances with their values, building stronger practices, better balance, and long-term wealth.

Connect with Ryan Derousseau:

Website: http://www.thinkingcapfinancial.com/ & http://www.unitedfpg.com/

Email: ryan@unitedfpg.com & ryan.derousseau@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanderousseau/

Episode References:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Weekly Newdletter
• The Purposed-Focused Advisor Mastermind
• Executive Coaching with Rob Brown

Connect with Rob Brown:

Website: http://truestfan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/truestfan/

If you’re growing a successful practice but feel disconnected, frustrated, or unsure what’s next… this episode is for you.

This week, Rob Brown shares the story of an advisor with 25+ years of experience who avoided coaching—and even distanced himself from his business partner—because he believed he had nothing left to learn. But one honest conversation about purpose and partnership changed everything. It reignited his passion and gave him a fresh vision for the work he once loved.

Too many advisors feel stuck, not because they’ve run out of skill, but because they’ve stopped asking why they do what they do. They isolate, overthink, and overprotect what they’ve built… while missing the multipliers that are right in front of them.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why years of experience can quietly lead to resistance and isolation
• How fear of being “coached” often masks a deeper desire for clarity
• The mindset shift that reignited one advisor’s energy and vision
• Why partnership isn’t a threat to your independence—it’s a multiplier
• How purpose-driven conversations open the door to new growth at any stage

Closing Thought:

"Your next breakthrough isn’t about doing more, it’s about remembering why you started, and being open enough to grow again."

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Mastermind — A high-level experience for Christian men ready to lead with clarity, faith, and conviction
• Truest Fan: Live, Love, and Lead with Purpose and Impact — Rob’s book on discovering the purpose behind your leadership
• The Purpose-Focused Advisor Newsletter — Weekly encouragement and insights for advisors who want more than just business success
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Connect with Rob Brown:

🌐 Website: truestfan.com

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/truestfan

📅 Schedule a Call: robbrown.as.me/quick-call