Skip to content
Scaling Up to CEO Discover How Katie Transformed Her Family Business and Her Leadership
The Point
Katie and Jeff set their newly acquired family business on a path to exponential growth by partnering with Advisors Excel.
Struggling with growing your family financial advisory business? Interested in acquisitions but worried about logistics or coaching up a new team? See how Katie B. took her family’s business to the next level.
THE CHALLENGE:
Navigating an Uncharted Path
In 2017, Katie and Jeff B.’s firm was experiencing a stasis of change. Katie and Jeff had just purchased the business from Jeff’s father. The second-generation business had a solid foundation with a decent regional presence. However, Katie and Jeff weren’t willing to rest on their laurels.
“We knew we wanted to grow as a company,” said Katie, “but we really didn’t know how to do that. We didn’t have any of the resources, coaching and development we needed at that time to really change the look and feel of the company.”
“ Year after year, Advisors Excel shows up with new value-add propositions for us.
THE SOLUTION:
Personalized Coaching and Tools
When they came on board with Advisors Excel in late 2017, Katie and Jeff immediately began receiving personalized sales process coaching to address their challenges with growing their business.
“When we put the marketing and sales ideas we got from our AE team to work in our business, we were able to go from two funnels to a 10-funnel lead machine,” Katie said. “That was huge for us. Having the Advisors Excel team work with us first as financial advisors, and then as coaches, helping us guide our own team of advisors — that was truly valuable and a big part of our growth.”
Tech Talk
Advisors Excel also introduced the company to more efficient technology, including the Advisors Command — AE’s proprietary customization of Salesforce, a CRM created specifically with financial advisors in mind — which revolutionized how they managed their business. This technology allowed for better client relationship management, streamlined operations and provided analytics that drove strategic decision-making. Salesforce enabled Katie’s team to handle the increasing complexity of their expanding business without sacrificing the quality of client service.
“The technology support is not just first class — it’s a class of its own,” Katie said. “The ability to develop the technology to our unique business needs created the opportunity for us to really scale.”
Along with technology and sales process coaching, Advisors Excel helped Katie further develop her team.
“I can’t even tell you how many people from the Advisors Excel community helped me pick the right executives for my team,” Katie said. “They’ve done interviews with me. They review the personality tests with me. When I’m prepping for my employee reviews, they’ve sat down and coached me through how I can be a better coach to them. That’s pretty phenomenal, to be able to know that it’s not just the formal programs but the informal opportunities that also grow us as leaders. You really invest in us.”
“ We're now doing in 15 days the same production we were doing in a year.
THE RESULTS:
A Whole New Trajectory
Growing more than 12X from 2017 to 2023 — and on track to eclipse that at 25X in 2024 — it’s safe to say their business has experienced phenomenal growth over the last few years. They’ve expanded from a single office in Hawaii to 15 offices in five regions with a staff of 75, including 30 advisors.
“We’re now doing in 15 days what we were doing in a year,” said Katie. “That has only happened through the development of our business and us as leaders — and ultimately, our continued partnership with Advisors Excel.”
From private coaching opportunities with industry thought leaders like Vern Harnish and John Maxell, Katie and Jeff’s leadership journey has been as inspiring as their growth. Clearly, the right partnership can turn challenges into opportunities for remarkable success. The right community has made all the difference for them.
“I’m just amazed,” Katie said. “Year after year, Advisors Excel shows up with new value and propositions for us.”
Take Action: Transform Your Practice Today
Ready to find your own path to uncharted growth in a generational business? Don’t wait. Join the Advisors Excel community today and unlock your leadership potential.
The unique experiences and relative success of the producers referenced herein may not be representative of the experience of other financial professionals and are no guarantee of future success. The testimonials were not paid for.
E.A. Buck Financial Services is an independent financial services firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of investment and insurance products to custom suit their needs and objectives. Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Buck Wealth Strategies, a Registered Investment Adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. MAS and E.A. Buck Financial Services are not affiliated entities. Buck Wealth Strategies and MAS are not affiliated entities. E.A. Buck Financial Services and Buck Wealth Strategies are affiliated by common ownership. In California, we are known only as E.A. Buck Insurance in all solicitations of insurance. CMP-36719 – 7/24