Beacon 1% Better Everyday

AI may be the biggest operational shift wealth management has seen in years, but its real value is not just speed. It is what that speed unlocks: better advisor capacity and time, stronger documentation, and more room for human connection where it matters most. In this episode of Beacon: 1% Better Every Day, Chip Kispert sits down with Parker Ence, CEO and co-founder of Jump, to explore how AI is reshaping the wealth management industry in real time. What started as a simple idea to eliminate CRM data entry has quickly evolved into a broader AI-driven system helping advisors streamline meeting prep, automate follow-ups, and improve documentation. Parker shares how advisors are reclaiming hours in their day and reinvesting that time into deeper client relationships and business growth. The conversation also highlights a shift happening across the industry, where compliance teams are beginning to support AI adoption due to stronger, more consistent documentation. As the pace of technology accelerates, this episode challenges advisors to rethink how they operate, adapt, and stay relevant in a world where speed, personalization, and human connection all matter more than ever. Talking points: AI’s role in reducing administrative workload for advisors How Jump evolved from a CRM tool to an AI operating system Why compliance teams are starting to embrace AI tools How advisors are using saved time to drive growth and focus on client relationships The rise of AI in detecting new client opportunities and referrals What the future of advisor-client relationships may look like Why firms need to act now instead of waiting for AI adoption And more! Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert [email protected] Connect with Parker Ence Jump Advisor AI LinkedIn: Jump Advisor AI LinkedIn: Parker Ence About Our Guest: Parker Ence is the CEO and Co-Founder of Jump, the leading AI-powered operating system designed to support financial advisors by automating meeting workflows, improving documentation, and helping identify growth opportunities. With a background in fintech and experience working with AI at scale, Parker and Jump are focused on helping advisors combine technology with human connection to better serve clients.

It rarely starts with a bold decision; it starts with a quiet realization. In this episode of Beacon 1% Better Every Day, Chip Kispert sits down with Brian Hamburger, founder and CEO of MarketCounsel and Chief Counsel of the Hamburger Law Firm, who discusses the complexities financial advisors face when considering transitioning from a wirehouse to an independent firm. Brian and Chip unpack one of the most defining moments in an advisor’s career, the shift from building within a firm to questioning what you truly own. What unfolds is not a playbook, but a deeper look at the mindset, patterns, and decision-making frameworks that shape successful transitions.  You’ll hear how advisors move from curiosity to action, why independence is not for everyone, and how clarity, not speed, often determines long-term success. This conversation challenges assumptions and brings a grounded perspective to what it really means and takes to build something of your own. What to expect: Why most advisors don’t experience a single “aha” moment, but a slow build of discomfort The critical shift from “should I” to “how would I” and why it changes everything Common mistakes advisors make when considering independence How clarity and disciplined execution separate good from exceptional Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert [email protected] Connect with Brian Hamburger: MarketCounsel Hamburger Law Firm LinkedIn: Brian Hamburger About Our Guest: Brian Hamburger is the founder and CEO of MarketCounsel and Chief Counsel of the Hamburger Law Firm, a leading business and regulatory consulting firm serving independent financial advisors. With more than 25 years of experience, Brian has been at the forefront of helping advisors navigate complex transitions, including breaking away from traditional wirehouses to build independent firms. Through his work with MarketCounsel and the Hamburger Law Firm, he has guided some of the industry’s most significant and successful advisor transitions, providing strategic insight on business structure, regulatory considerations, and long-term enterprise value. Brian is widely recognized for his deep understanding of the evolving wealth management landscape and his ability to help advisors make thoughtful, well-informed decisions about ownership, independence, and growth.

What if the real ROI of technology isn’t efficiency, but time? In this conversation, Chip Kispert sits down with Rich Whalen, VP of Technology Strategy and Execution at Equity Services, Inc., to unpack how the right technology strategy can give advisors something far more valuable than speed: space to focus on clients. From his early days as an advisor to leading technology strategy at Equity Services, Rich shares how a single shift in workflow changed everything, and why most firms still get this wrong today. You’ll hear how ESI approaches innovation differently, starting with data and process before tools, why advisor choice drives stronger adoption, and how AI should be approached with intention, not urgency. This episode is a grounded look at what actually works when building technology that supports real growth. What to expect: Why “return on time” matters more than traditional ROI How better workflows can unlock 20+ hours per month The real reason most tech adoption fails in wealth management A practical framework for evaluating AI without risking trust And more! Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert [email protected] Connect with Rich Whalen: LinkedIn: Rich Whalen LinkedIn: Equity Services Inc. Equity Services Inc. About Our Guest: Rich Whalen is the VP of Technology Strategy and Execution at Equity Services, Inc., where he leads platform development focused on improving advisor efficiency and client experience. With a background as a financial advisor, Rich brings a practical, user-first perspective to building technology that actually gets adopted and delivers meaningful impact.

What does AI actually look like inside a modern wealth management firm, and where is it creating real impact today?  In this conversation, Chip Kispert sits down with Brad Goodman, COO of Apollon Wealth Management, to unpack how fast-growing firms are using AI to streamline operations, improve advisor efficiency, and scale without losing what matters most: the client relationship. Brad shares a behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful infrastructure, not just new tools, is shaping the future of advisory firms. If you’re thinking about growth, technology, or how to give time back to your advisors, this episode offers a clear, practical lens into what’s working right now. What to expect: How AI is reducing meeting prep time and increasing advisor capacity Why owning your data and workflows matters more than chasing new tools The shift from fragmented tech stacks to integrated ecosystems How culture and technology must evolve together to support growth And more! Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert [email protected] Connect with Brad Goodman Apollon Wealth Management LinkedIn: Apollon Wealth Management LinkedIn: Brad Goodman About Our Guest: Brad Goodman is the Chief Operating Officer at Apollon Wealth Management, one of the fastest-growing RIA firms in the country. With a background that spans leadership roles at William Blair and early-stage growth at Hightower Advisors, Brad brings deep experience in building infrastructure, scaling operations, and supporting advisor growth. He is particularly focused on how firms can use AI and technology to streamline workflows, improve client experience, and give advisors more time to focus on what matters most: meaningful client relationships.

Progress often starts with a hard look at what is actually working, not what looks good on a vendor slide. Wealth firms keep buying more technology, yet advisors still juggle too many logins, duplicate data entry, and workflows held together by workarounds. In this episode, Chip Kispert sits down with Ryan George, CMO of Docupace, to unpack the tech stack myth in wealth management. They talk about why tech sprawl is creating friction instead of freedom, how AI can support operations and compliance without putting client data at risk, and why unstructured data has become a hidden liability that can hurt valuation, regulatory readiness, and M&A outcomes. Ryan also shares why the industry is closer to the “wealth transfer wave” than most people think, and what advisory firms may need to rethink as servicing models evolve. Ryan discusses: Why does more software rarely fix a broken process, and how simplification becomes a real competitive advantage How AI is shifting from standalone tools to embedded capability, and why many firms are still hesitant to adopt What “data health” looks like in practice, and how unstructured archives can create real compliance and operational risk Why poor data hygiene can drag M&A timelines and impact valuation, and what acquirers are starting to pay for How the advisor role may change as automation reduces admin work, and why human connection becomes even more valuable Why marketing works best when it connects emotionally, not when it adds more noise to the inbox And more! Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast Docupace Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert Connect with Ryan George: Docupace LinkedIn: Docupace LinkedIn: Ryan George [email protected] About Our Guest: Ryan George is the Chief Marketing Officer at Docupace, a firm that supports broker-dealers, RIAs, and hybrid firms with workflow, operations, and compliance technology. He brings a sharp, practical perspective on how firms can reduce friction, improve data quality, and build systems that support both advisors and enterprise leaders. Ryan is known for his candid take on industry trends and his focus on what actually moves the business forward.

Progress often begins with understanding how people think and how their choices take shape. Firms today face more noise, more channels, and more competition than ever. How do you reach people in a way that feels clear and genuine? How do you adapt to longer research paths and shifting expectations? In this episode, Chip Kispert speaks with Nick Ilev, CEO of ProperExpression, about the changing buyer journey, the value of authentic content, and how structured marketing gives firms a steadier path forward. Nick also explains how AI supports efficiency without replacing human judgment and why a consistent framework helps lift both visibility and growth. Nick discusses: Building authentic content strategies that connect with audiences where they are, not where you want them to be Why traditional SEO still matters alongside AI search optimization and how the two work together for visibility Using LinkedIn ads effectively for advisor acquisition and the importance of communicating cultural fit through content Implementing closed-loop marketing systems that track results and feed insights into future campaign planning How AI serves as a tool to accelerate efficiency without replacing human connection and inherent marketing value And more! Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast Advisor Marketing Made Simple podcast The Compound – YouTube Connect with Chip Kispert: Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert Connect with Nick Ilev: LinkedIn: Nick Ilev Website: ProperExpression About Our Guest: Nick helps RIAs and WealthTech firms turn marketing into a measurable revenue engine. His background includes time as an in-house CMO guiding growth at a successful startup and experience as an agency founder leading marketing transformation across multiple sectors. His mission is straightforward: to generate short-term ROI while building the foundation for long-lasting growth. He believes in alignment where strategy, execution, and analytics work together to accelerate results. At ProperExpression, Nick and his team focus on building and optimizing the full funnel for wealth management organizations, covering strategic planning, content creation, digital advertising, conversion, and CRM enablement.

The wealth management industry is at a crossroads, and those who fail to adapt will get left behind. In this episode, Chip Kispert welcomes back Michelle Feinstein, General Manager of Financial Services at Salesforce. With three decades of experience across Pershing, BNY Mellon, and Salesforce, Michelle offers an insider’s look at how firms can modernize, scale, and lead through disruption. Together, they explore what it means to move from “builder” to “steward,” why AI and data strategy now define success, and how to break down silos between technology and talent. What to expect: How firms can unify people, process, and technology to scale smarter The game-changing impact of AI, data, and MCP integration Why firms must choose strategic partners over endless integrations Practical ways to embrace innovation without losing human touch And so much more! Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert Connect with Michelle Feinstein: LinkedIn: Michelle Feinstein Salesforce About Our Guest: Michelle Feinstein is general manager and vice president, Global Wealth and Asset Management Solutions and Strategy for Salesforce Industries. Her expertise is in digital transformation for wealth management. This process of digitization is complex; it requires firms to accelerate plans to harness data, digitize advisor-client experiences, and modernize service to scale and support growth.

Marketing in wealth management is evolving faster than ever, with new technology, client expectations, and competitive pressures reshaping how firms grow. In this episode of Beacon 1% Better Every Day, Chip Kispert speaks with Robert Sofia, CEO of Snappy Kraken, about the state of marketing in wealth management and how firms can accelerate growth. Robert shares insights on authentic client engagement, systematic nurturing, and the role of AI in speeding up and personalizing marketing strategies. Key takeaways: The increasing competition from private equity-backed firms and the challenges advisors face in standing out Why authentic, quality messaging is harder to find and more important than ever How nurturing leads systematically can increase conversion rates by 200–300% The balance between referrals, digital channels, and social media for sustainable growth How AI is transforming speed, precision, and personalization in advisor marketing strategies And more! Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert Connect with Robert Sofia: Snappy Kraken LinkedIn: Robert Sofia About Our Guest: Robert Sofia is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Snappy Kraken, a digital marketing strategy company built specifically “for financial advisers who care about meaningful connections.” Over the years, Snappy Kraken has earned awards such as Best Overall Content Marketing Company from Martech Breakthrough Awards and has been recognized five times as an honoree of the Inc 500/5000. Over the past decade, Robert has supported thousands of companies across the financial services spectrum, including solo advisers, ensembles, family offices, broker-dealers, custodians, TAMPs, insurance firms, and more.

Artificial intelligence is shaking up wealth management, but how do you separate hype from what’s actually useful?  In this episode, Chip Kispert sits down with Geoff Moore, Chief Information Officer at ValMark Securities, to talk about how his firm is weaving AI into real processes without losing sight of what matters most: people.  From early wins with AI-powered document extraction to advisors reclaiming hours of family time and personal time thanks to AI note-taking tools, Geoff shares both the breakthroughs and the challenges of moving from proof of concept to production. What to expect: Early wins and cautionary lessons with AI adoption How Compliance leaders can embrace, not fear, new tech Why context management is the next big frontier Real stories of efficiency translating into quality of life And more! Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast AI for Advisors with Mark Heymen and James Cantwell Boxworks.box.com Blueshirt.ai Slant.app BarnDoor.ai Camelai.com Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert Connect with Geoff Moore: LinkedIn: Geoff Moore Valmark Financial Group About Our Guests: Geoff Moore is the Chief Information Officer at Valmark Financial Group, where he leads technology strategy and innovation across the firm’s RIA, insurance, and broker-dealer businesses. With a focus on practical, people-first AI adoption, Geoff has guided Valmark through early wins in automation and data management, earning recognition as Box.com’s Small Business AI Disruptor Award winner. He serves on the CIO Inspire Chapter Board in Northeast Ohio and shares his insights as a panelist at industry events like the Advise AI Conference. Geoff is passionate about using technology to enhance both efficiency and advisor quality of life, helping professionals spend less time on manual work and more time with clients and family.

What happens when IRS tax data meets AI in the middle of an advisor shortage? In this episode of Beacon: 1% Better Every Day, host Chip Kispert sits down with Kevin Knull, CFP®, and Browning Mank of TaxStatus to explore how their platform is reshaping advisor growth strategies and client service models. Kevin shares his journey from the U.S. Coast Guard to fintech leadership, highlighting how solving big problems with technology and helping people has always been part of his DNA. Browning offers an unexpected but relatable story about dating that ties directly into why having better data leads to better outcomes. Together, they reveal how TaxStatus helps advisors uncover held-away assets, prepare for wealth transfer, and scale fiduciary advice in a future where both financial advisors and CPAs will be in short supply. What you’ll learn: Why incomplete data puts advisors at risk of giving partial advice How firms can discover hidden assets and unlock organic growth The staggering advisor and CPA shortage ahead, and the opportunity it creates Real-world use cases of how tax data transforms client reviews and prospecting Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert Connect with Kevin Knull TaxStatus LinkedIn: TaxStatus LinkedIn: Kevin Knull Connect with Browning Mank TaxStatus LinkedIn: TaxStatus LinkedIn: Browning Mank Email: [email protected] About Our Guests: Kevin Knull is the Chief Executive Officer at Tax Status, where he is focused on building strong teams and creating innovative strategies that drive growth and performance in the fintech and financial services industries. Over the course of his career, Kevin has led teams and driven transformation at leading firms including MoneyGuide Pro, PIEtech (MoneyGuide’s Truth platform), YCharts, and Symetra Investment Management. With a background that began at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and included three tours of duty, Kevin brings a service-first mindset to every role. His passion lies in solving big problems, leveraging technology, and helping advisors deliver better outcomes for their clients. Browning Mank is the Senior Vice President and Enterprise Account Executive at Tax Status. She brings decades of experience across wealth management, insurance, and asset management, with a career that spans corporate, entrepreneurial, RIA, CPA, and fintech sectors. Browning spent 18 years in leadership roles at Fidelity Investments, where she oversaw sales strategy and execution across retail branches, regional centers, and institutional RIA/Broker-Dealer channels. Following her time at Fidelity, she founded a successful executive recruiting and consulting firm, and later held strategic roles with Ackerman Capital Management, ForwardLane Inc., and other prominent RIAs and fintechs. She joined Tax Status in 2024, where she focuses on helping wealth firms harness IRS data to improve client outcomes and drive organic growth. Known for her collaborative approach and creative problem-solving, Browning is dedicated to elevating client and employee experiences and unlocking new opportunities for the professionals she serves.

When Derek Notman, CFP®, launched Couplr AI, it wasn’t just about building a better lead gen platform; it was about bringing human connection back to the center of financial advice. In this episode, Chip Kispert talks with Derek, a former top-producing advisor turned fintech founder, about what’s broken in traditional lead generation and how his team is reimagining it through the lens of empathy, personalization, and behavioral science. Drawing on experience from both the advisor seat and startup trenches, Derek explains how cold outreach erodes trust and why flipping the script to empower consumers, not chase them, could transform advisor growth. The conversation also explores orphan accounts, ethical leadership, and Derek’s unexpected path to masterminding with Richard Branson. What to expect: Why legacy lead gen misses the mark on human connection How Couplr uses behavioral data to match clients and advisors The orphan account crisis no one wants to talk about What Richard Branson taught Derek about fatherhood and business Resources: Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert Connect with Derek Notman Couplr AI LinkedIn: Couplr AI LinkedIn: Derek Notman About Our Guest: Derek Notman, CFP®, is the founder of Couplr AI and a former financial advisor with over 20 years of experience. After building a successful advisor practice and RIA, Derek turned his focus to solving one of the industry’s biggest friction points: helping clients find the right advisor at the right time. Couplr blends behavioral psychology, AI, and a dating app-like experience to deliver more meaningful advisor-client human connections. Derek is also the creator of the Dadpreneur experience, a leadership mastermind hosted on Richard Branson’s Necker Island.

When Dave Goes made the leap from Morningstar to Advyzon, it wasn’t just about technology. It was about joining a winning team. In this episode, Chip Kispert sits down with Dave, President of Enterprise Solutions at Advyzon, to explore what makes  winning teams and great platforms in today’s wealth management space. With nearly three decades of experience, Dave shares why Advyzon’s single-source-code platform and culture of execution stands out to him, and how the firm is redefining enterprise partnerships. It’s not about selling solutions; it’s about solving real enterprise challenges. Dave also opens up about his leadership philosophy, his love for baseball, and why servant leadership and follow-through are at the heart of real client success. What to expect: How to spot and build championship-caliber teams Advyzon’s tech edge in a crowded platform market The leadership mindset that drives enterprise growth Why partnership is more than a buzzword Resources: T3 Technology Tools for Today Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert Connect with Dave Goes: Advyzon LinkedIn: Dave Goes [email protected] About Our Guest: Dave Goes is President of Enterprise Sales at Advyzon, and is instrumental in expanding the company’s reach into larger-scale wealth enterprises, including regional broker-dealers, banks, and insurance BDs. Dave’s expertise is pivotal to Advyzon’s mission to provide exceptional technology and unmatched service in the financial advisory sector. Dave is a seasoned executive with over 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Advyzon, Dave held several transformational senior leadership roles at Morningstar, where he significantly contributed to the growth of the firm’s large enterprise client base. Dave earned a BS in Psychology from St Joseph’s. In his spare time, Dave enjoys spending time with his three teenage children, working out, playing baseball, and traveling.

The explosion of wealth tech tools has left many advisory firms buried under layers of disconnected systems, and the resulting tech fatigue is real. In this episode, Chip Kispert sits down with Mike Overdorf, President of The Sycamore Company, to discuss how firms can regain control over their data and tech stacks. From legacy system challenges to the next evolution in AI-powered reporting, Mike shares what firms need to know to stay competitive and deliver better advisor and client experiences. What to expect in this episode: Why data silos and legacy systems are holding wealth firms back and how to fix them How to build a data-first foundation before adding new tools Real-world examples of where firms gain traction (comp, reporting, and account opening) A look at how AI may change advisor technology over the next 3 years If technology frustration is keeping you up at night or if you’re ready to build a more responsive and integrated tech stack, this conversation is for you. Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert Connect with Mike Overdorf: Sycamore Company LinkedIn: Mike Overdorf About Our Guest: Mike Overdorf is the President of The Sycamore Company, dedicated to providing a best practices solutions philosophy to the financial services industry. They are committed to the current Web technology environment using “cloud computing” to offer clients on-demand, integrated, state of the art software applications. The Sycamore product line has been designed as an easy to use application that can manage the day to day needs of both the front and back offices of Broker Dealers, OSJs, RIAs or the Independent Advisor.

What if the secret to long-term success wasn’t disruption, but translation? In this episode of Beacon: 1% Better Every Day, Chip Kispert takes us behind the scenes of Beacon Strategies, sharing the story of why he built a consultancy that prioritizes listening, independence, and deep partnership with wealth firms and providers. Chip reflects on 19 years of running Beacon Strategies, the power of independence, and what it really means to help a client, sometimes by walking away, and sometimes by diving back in. This isn’t about selling services. It’s about solving problems. What to expect: Why translating between wealth firms and providers still matters How culture shapes every client engagement Lessons from Beacon’s early wins—and quiet exits The hidden cost of tech fatigue and how Beacon helps firms cut through the noise Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert

Some people build firms. Others build trust. Chip Kispert does both, and in doing so, he’s changing how wealth firms and fintechs grow together. In this episode, Chip shares how early lessons from a Lehman Brothers mentor, a love for problem-solving, and an obsession with listening shaped both his leadership and the Beacon Strategies business he’s built. You’ll also hear how Chip reimagined industry events through his Beacon Roundtables, creating a space where competitors become collaborators and ideas flow like family dinner conversations. What to expect: The story behind Beacon Strategies (founding) mission and values How Chip’s background shaped his leadership mindset Why curiosity and listening fuel innovation What the Beacon Roundtables are really like — and (why they matter) the impact they have on all that attend Listen in to meet the heart behind Beacon Strategies and the mission to help wealth firms and providers get 1% better every day. Connect with Chip Kispert Beacon Strategies, LLC LinkedIn: Beacon Strategies LinkedIn: Chip Kispert

Welcome to Beacon 1% Better Every Day, hosted by Chip Kispert founder of Beacon Strategies. This podcast is for wealth management professionals who are curious, ready to break free from outdated methods and drive meaningful progress in their business. Chip is on a mission to partner with you to challenge the status quo, create more collaborative practices, and help you evolve your firm in a rapidly changing industry. Each episode feels like a seat at a Beacon Roundtable – real talk, fresh and current perspectives, and powerful stories of growth and empowerment. Tune in as Chip shares his professional insights and invites industry leaders to help you become 1% better every day, unlocking new opportunities and pushing for lasting change.