Building Advisory Platforms Beyond AUM: The Michael Kitces Story

The Rainmaker Multiplier On-Demand Podcast

Building Advisory Platforms Beyond AUM: The Michael Kitces Story

In This Episode

Discover how leveraging alternative business models and platform thinking can transform your approach to advisory practice and help you connect with underserved markets more effectively. Join host Jason L Smith as he sits down with Michael Kitces, CFP®, founder of Kitces.com, Head of Planning Strategy at Focus Partners Wealth and co-founder of XY Planning Network and AdvicePay, to explore proven strategies for building scalable advisory businesses.

Michael shares his expertise on developing subscription-based planning models and implementing effective business development strategies, offering practical insights on how advisors can harness these approaches to enhance their impact and revenue generation beyond traditional AUM models.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Career Progression Framework: Understanding the skill-based advancement from operations through technical expertise, relationship management, and business development
  • Subscription Fee Models: How monthly planning fees solve the challenge of serving clients who need complex planning but lack significant assets
  • Platform vs. Practice Building: Strategic decisions about helping other advisors versus focusing solely on direct client service
  • Business Model Innovation: The story behind XY Planning Network’s challenge to conventional wisdom about serving younger demographics
  • Content Marketing Strategies: Building thought leadership through educational content and scaling beyond personal expertise
  • Alternative Business Development: Education-based approaches for advisors who prefer relationship building over traditional prospecting

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Building Advisory Platforms Beyond AUM: The Michael Kitces Story

About the Host:

Jason L Smith is a father, husband, nationally acclaimed speaker, financial planner, best-selling author, coach, and entrepreneur dedicated to simplifying financial planning for families worldwide and supporting advisors everywhere. He is the Founder and CEO of C2P, as well as his own financial services practice, JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management. Jason’s passion and expertise lie in all aspects of holistic financial planning, further evidenced by being Founder and CEO of Prosperity Capital Advisors, a nationally recognized planning-first RIA. As a skilled leader in the financial services industry, Jason truly enjoys helping advisors secure and scale their businesses and better serve clients through C2P’s trusted processes and models. 

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About the Guest:

Michael Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP®, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, CASL serves as Head of Planning Strategy at Focus Partners Wealth and stands as one of financial planning’s most recognized thought leaders. His 25-year career began with an unplanned entry into the insurance industry straight from college, where he discovered financial planning after studying psychology and theater. His passion for continuous learning led him to earn two Master’s degrees and multiple professional designations while building platforms that have reshaped the advisory industry.

As co-founder of XY Planning Network, Michael pioneered subscription-based financial planning models serving over 2,100 independent advisors who work with younger clients outside traditional AUM structures. He also co-founded Advice Pay to solve payment processing challenges for subscription fees. Through Kitces.com, his educational platform reaches over 200,000 monthly visitors and serves more than 20,000 advisors through continuing education content. Michael speaks at 50-70 events annually and operates under his “100x multiplier effect” philosophy – helping one advisor ultimately impacts the hundred clients that advisor serves.

Follow Michael on LinkedIn