Why Independent?
As an independent advisor, I work directly for my clients and thus am able to consistently provide conflict-free and objective advice that’s in my clients’ best interest.
Independent advisors don’t represent brokerage companies, banks, insurance companies, or other financial corporations or institutions. Because independent advisors don’t answer to the aforementioned, the client’s interest can come first instead of being an afterthought or second to those companies.
When an advisor represents a larger institution, there’s often a tension for the advisor to operate in a way that maximizes company profits to appease management, public shareholders, a board of directors, and company leadership. This can lead to advice that conflicts with your best interest.
Benefits of Working With an Independent Advisor
Client focused, not corporate focused
Independent financial advisors serve and work solely for their clients rather than a company. My loyalty and fiduciary duty is to my clients and my clients only.
Because I don’t represent anyone but my clients, I’m free from the pressures and tension to put someone else’s interests before my clients’.
Access to a Wide Range of Solutions
Since I’m not affiliated with corporate entities, I’m not limited to a specific list of investments. Large corporate entities tend to limit available solutions because they maintain their own list of company-branded proprietary products that are expensive and encouraged.
I’m free to recommend from a wider range of solutions since I’m independent. This means I’m able to give better, and more objective, advice to my clients AND my clients receive a better experience.
Dedicated Service with Less Turnover
By working with an independent advisor, you can rest assured that you will have dedicated service BY THEM. Many large financial companies frequently rotate advisors or advisors they simply leave for one reason or another (i.e. burnout).
Working with an independent advisor doesn’t mean that they won’t leave the industry at some point in their life but it does mean that you’ll most likely get a more consistent experience because you’ll be working directly with the same advisor (and team). This is a win for both advisor and client because a deeper level of trust leads to a deeper relationship which leads to a better client experience.
Creativity and Flexibility
Financial advisors that belong to large corporate firms tend to be limited from the technology they use to their systems and processes they have. This is because the company has to ensure that:
all of their advisors are acting compliantly
the processes could generally be applied to everyone
everything works together “nicely”
Unfortunately, this typically means a sub-par client experience and a less customized solution.
As an independent advisor, I have to ability to be more creative and flexible in how I serve my clients. Because most independent advisors tend to have a “niche”, or a clearly defined ideal client, they’re able to create their entire business around how to provide world-class service to that niche.
Rest assured that the technology, processes, meetings, communication, and financial planning will largely be customized because of the nature of being independent. Not only that but independent advisors are able to communicate, implement, and adapt quicker because of fewer barriers and resistances.
Long-term Relationships
As an independent advisor, I am the one implementing all client requests, requirements, and recommendations and not distant and corporate service teams.
Because of this, I naturally develop deeper relationships with my clients that tend to be longer-term. This allows for me to continually work with my clients in developing the life want to live and implementing a financial plan that will do just that.