Today’s episode is a special edition of XYPN Radio as we celebrate 10 years at XYPN with co-founders Alan Moore and Michael Kitces who join me on today's episode. We reminisce about the early days of XYPN, how Alan and Michael first met, and the initial emails exchanged about the untapped opportunities that existed for both financial planners and the underserved NextGen market.

We delve into the early growth and strategic decisions they made— including their first hire, which brought me into the mix. Michael and Alan discuss their complementary strengths and how XYPN and their partnership have both grown and evolved over the years. Unchanged at the core of XYPN's success lies an unwavering commitment to identifying challenges and delivering innovative solutions so that financial planners can live their great lives.

Share our vision for the future as we explore the reasons for our pilot program, XYPN Sapphire, a corporate RIA set to empower a wider spectrum of advisors navigating ever-changing goals and dreams. And join us in celebrating XYPN’s remarkable journey from industry disruptor to proven leader and all that lies ahead.

Tune in for this special episode as we celebrate the last—and next—10 years of making it possible for fee-for-service advisors to build the financial planning firm of their dreams.

I am honored to have Cathy Curtis, CFP ®, founder of Curtis Financial Planning, return to XYPN Radio. It’s been almost three years since Cathy last joined me on Episode 313, (linked below) where she delved into her passion for running a solo practice tailored primarily to women who are single, heads of household, and breadwinners.

We dive into the technological enhancements Cathy has implemented since her last visit, from embracing Holistiplan to integrating Kwanti into her tech arsenal and other software tools that she uses daily. We touch on the importance of using a TAMP for those entering the industry and how many tools are now available to advisors considering opening their own firm.

One of the most compelling parts of our conversation centers around Cathy’s AUM fee model where she describes how simplifying your fee structure is key over the long term. She eloquently discusses setting time boundaries with clients, which both assist your service model and build relationships that can last a lifetime. Cathy's confidence is contagious, and by the end of this episode, you'll feel more equipped to sell your own value.

We are incredibly lucky to have Cathy as part of the XYPN community and to have her return for a second conversation on XYPN Radio to share her sage advice with our members.

Today I am thrilled to welcome Mike Zung, CFP®, founder of Java Wealth Planning, an RIA based in Kansas City, Missouri to XYPN Radio. Mike's path is a testament to the power of perseverance and strategic planning in the financial advising industry. His background in tech architecture influenced his approach to financial planning and led to his creation of Beautiful Financial Plan—a separate online storefront that offers advisors visually appealing plan templates.

Mike shares insights into his journey from launching his firm part-time while still working in software development, to eventually transitioning to a full-time role serving over 30 tech industry clients. He describes the considerations and challenges of balancing home life while changing careers. He emphasizes the importance of networking and how attending XYPN LIVE has shaped his career and created lasting connections in the industry that have sparked new ideas and strategies for his businesses.

Mike and I cover marketing strategies, successfully transitioning from project-based to ongoing planning, and how he defines value for his clients. This episode provides valuable wisdom for advisors who change careers and the opportunities that can be leveraged by leaning into their previous expertise and personality strengths.

We uncover the challenges and triumphs of Mike Zung's journey, underscoring the role of innovation and community in the ever-evolving landscape of financial advising. I am privileged to count Mike among XYPN’s valued members, and we're honored to feature his expertise on today's episode.

What You’ll Learn From this Episode:

● Transitioning clients from project-based planning to an ongoing engagement

● Designing and implementing a tier-based, flat-fee structure

● How and when to raise fees for your clients while providing great value

● Niching down your client base to match your ideal clients with your own values

● The importance of attending in-person networking events and conferences such as XYPN Live

● Using YouTube to create evergreen content that will continue to attract clients

● Leveraging your personality strengths and career background to launch your own firm

● The considerations and challenges of balancing home life while changing careers.