#140 - We stopped undercharging and the business worked - Sean Gillespie

How does a fee-only firm grow without losing its purpose? In this episode, we talk with Sean Gillespie, president of Redeployment Wealth Strategies, about the lessons behind raising fees, building the right team, and serving military families with care and consistency.Sean explains why their first-year planning fee reflects the real work of sorting through insurance, TSP choices, and transition planning, and how they keep ongoing service affordable for younger service members.One story sums it up well: a client calls mid-PCS, asking if they can buy a beach house near family. Within a minute, Sean knows the answer and the funding source. That’s the value of clear planning—fast decisions, managed risks, and confidence in the next step.We also discuss why “hire us for returns” is a losing pitch, how RWS uses a passive, factor-based approach, and what it takes to hire and train through SkillBridge. Sean shares how their firm grew by focusing on character over titles and why their biggest competitor isn’t another advisor—it’s Google.Finally, he explains how they simplified compliance by co-founding Apforia, an SEC-registered umbrella that helps independent firms keep their brand while easing regulatory headaches.If you care about fair pricing, meaningful planning, and building a business that lasts, this conversation is full of practical lessons you can use.Episode #44 with Sean:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1943910/episodes/12637266Website: https://www.redeploymentwealth.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-gillespie-1801316/