Scaling a solo advisory firm into a thriving team-based business takes more than strong systems—it takes a shared sense of purpose and values that guide every decision. This episode explores how one advisor used a living “Blueprint” to align her team, empower her staff, and create a consistent, values-driven client experience.

Hilary Hendershott is the founder of Hendershott Wealth Management, an RIA based in San Jose, California, overseeing $260 million in AUM for 150 client households. Listen in as she shares how her firm’s "Blueprint" (anchored by individual callings, an ultimate intent, and a firm-wide promise to create safety and openness) shapes internal culture and client communication alike. You'll learn how this document differs from a traditional mission statement, how it evolves with team input, and how it supports key business decisions.

For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/456

Executive pay packages are complicated—which often leads to these individuals leaving money on the table. From equity negotiations to non-compete clauses, the right financial advisor can help clients fight for what they’re worth. In this episode, we dig into how advisors can create real value for their clients during career transitions.

Emily Shacklett is a Managing Director at Fairport Wealth, a practice within Hightower Advisors that manages $4.8 billion in AUM for 2,000 households. Listen in as Emily shares how she guides executives through every aspect of their compensation package, from salary and bonuses to stock options and workplace flexibility. We also talk about how she also offers value by determining when these clients would benefit from coordinating with an attorney (and having a list of vetted partners ready when they do), how she conducts educational events targeted at individuals who fit her ideal client profile, and her own path to leadership in her practice.

For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/455

Behavioral finance is often viewed as abstract but it can be a powerful, practical tool for helping clients make better decisions and build lives that align with what matters most. This episode explores how applying behavioral insights and positive psychology can deepen client relationships and drive more meaningful planning conversations.

Dr. Daniel Crosby is the Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion, a technology platform serving financial advisors.

Listen in as Daniel shares how he’s turned complex behavioral concepts into usable advisor tools, including a “money personality” framework and a flourishing goals assessment. We talk about why understanding where clients fall on five key money dimensions - like communication style or spending vs. saving - can help reduce judgment and improve client outcomes, and how identifying gaps between what clients value and how they feel they’re doing in life can spark more relevant financial goals. Daniel also reflects on why advisors must examine their own money beliefs and blind spots, and how practicing nonjudgmental listening may be the most powerful behavioral tool of all.

For show notes and more visit: https://www.kitces.com/454