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Ep 95: Navigating Consolidation, RIAs, and Advisor Control
Ep 95: Navigating Consolidation, RIAs, and Advisor Control
Welcome to the Financial Advisors Want to Know Podcast! I’m Catherine Tindall, CPA with Dominion Enterprise Services, where we help financial advisors navigate income tax planning and compliance.In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Shelby Nicholl to unpack what’s driving advisor movement right now. From accelerating industry consolidation to growing interest in the RIA model, we take a practical look at the operational and emotional realities of breaking away—and what it actually takes to do it well.Shelby shares what she’s seeing on the ground, common transition missteps, and why clarity around structure, messaging, and roles matters more than ever for advisors evaluating independence.
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Episode 95: Navigating Consolidation, RIAs, and Advisor Control
Guest: Shelby Nicholl
Overview
Welcome to the Financial Advisors Want to Know Podcast! I’m Catherine Tindall, CPA with Dominion Enterprise Services, where we help financial advisors navigate income tax planning and compliance.
In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Shelby Nicholl to unpack what’s driving advisor movement right now. From accelerating industry consolidation to growing interest in the RIA model, we take a practical look at the operational and emotional realities of breaking away—and what it actually takes to do it well.
Shelby shares what she’s seeing on the ground, common transition missteps, and why clarity around structure, messaging, and roles matters more than ever for advisors evaluating independence.
Key Takeaways
✅ Consolidation Is Accelerating Advisor Movement
Large acquisitions are prompting advisors to rethink control, client ownership, and long-term fit.
✅ The Shift to RIAs Is About Freedom—Not Just Economics
Advisors want flexibility in technology, custodians, services, and how they run their firms.
✅ Transitions Fail When Branding and Messaging Are an Afterthought
Clear, consistent communication is critical to maintaining client confidence during a move.
✅ Multi-Partner Breakaways Require an Equity Mindset
Moving from income splits to shared ownership introduces complexity that must be addressed early.
✅ Going Independent Isn’t Always the Right Answer
Build vs. join decisions should be driven by team size, personality, risk tolerance, and which “buttons” an advisor actually wants to push.
Links & Resources
🔹 Connect with Shelby Nicholl
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbynicholl/
🌐 Website: https://www.murielconsulting.com/
🔹 Connect with Catherine Tindall
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctindallcpa/
📩 Sign up for the Dominion newsletter
https://dominion-enterprise-services.kit.com/9944b047d9
📧 Contact Catherine’s Team
admin@dominiones.com
