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RIA Collective
Are you a financial advisor stuck with a firm that no longer serves your needs, fits your ideals, or gives you the flexibility to serve your clients as a true fiduciary? That is a tricky place to be, but rest assured, you’re not alone. RIA Collective Podcast is created with you in mind. We interview leaders at Registered Investment Advisory firms to learn from their wisdom and experience. It is our goal to take the fear and mystery out of going independent.Most of the industry leaders we talk with were in the exact same place you find yourself today. They too saw themselves as entrepreneurs. They became an advisor to create flexibility in their lives and help many others create financial security and peace of mind. Like you, those professionals become stifled by their captive environment. Sales quotas, proprietary products and services, the firm’s agenda, compliance, and other factors can make it difficult to grow and to act as a true fiduciary to your clients. RIA Collective podcast is hosted by Charlie Van Derven, an industry veteran who has been serving the advisor community for almost 25 years. During his time working in Financial Services, Charlie has seen trends come and go. One trend that continues with no end in sight, is the migration of advisors from the captive wire-house space to independence.The move to independence can go smoothly, or it can be a battle. Tune in to RIA Collective podcast to learn from industry leaders how to set your practice up for a smooth transition. Learn important things to consider and actions to take 3, 6, 12, or 18 months ahead of your move. Learn how to solidify key client relationships so you can retain the assets you’ve built.If you are an advisor considering a change or an industry leader who is building their firm and has wisdom to share, we would love to talk to you.Visit RIAcollective.com for more information or reach out to Charlie directly on LinkedIn. Thanks for being here.If you'd like to be a guest or connect directly with Charlie, visit https://www.riacollective.com.
RIA Collective
RIA Collective: Chris Price | Why Process Beats Talent in Building an Advisory Firm
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What separates a successful advisory firm from one that struggles to scale?
According to Chris Price, it comes down to process.
In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Chris Price of Wealth Solutions Partners to discuss his journey from the insurance world into a more independent, hybrid advisory model and the lessons he's learned about building a scalable business.
Chris shares how earning professional designations changed the way he viewed financial advice, why systems become more important as firms grow, and how AI is reshaping advisor efficiency without replacing relationships.
Together, Charlie and Chris discuss:
- The transition from a large insurance firm to a hybrid independent model
- Why professional education changes the way advisors serve clients
- How documented processes create consistency and scalability
- The importance of hiring for personality, not just experience
- Why advisors need to think like business owners, not just practitioners
- How AI is making advisory firms more efficient while strengthening client relationships
- Lessons from building and leading a growing advisory team
Chris also explains why every advisory firm should have a repeatable process that serves the vast majority of its clients, creating a better experience for both clients and team members.
This episode is especially valuable for:
- Advisors considering independence
- Hybrid advisors looking to grow
- RIAs building their first team
- Firm owners focused on scaling through systems
🎧 Watch now and subscribe to RIA Collective for conversations that help independent advisors build stronger businesses and better client experiences.
Connect with Chris Price
📧 Email: christopherprice@financialguide.com
Connect with Charlie Van Derven
🌐 Social Advisors: https://www.social-advisors.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlievanderven/
Chapters
00:00 – Chris's path into financial services
03:45 – Why education changed his career
07:30 – The move to a hybrid model
11:15 – Building a business with processes
15:20 – Hiring the right people
19:00 – Leading a growing team
22:00 – How AI is changing advisory firms
25:00 – Final advice for advisors
