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The Advice Business Podcast
Hosted by Zach Conway, CEO and Founder of Seeds, and Kelsey McKenna, Chief Operating Officer, The Advice Business Podcast invites you into candid conversations about what it really takes to build a thriving, independent advisory firm. This is where personal stories from the start-up world meet practical insights for financial advisors looking to grow with purpose.
Each episode shares behind-the-scenes lessons, honest reflections, and powerful moments of clarity that come from building a business designed to make a difference. Zach and Kelsey are joined by industry guests, financial advisors, and the Seeds team to explore how the right mindset, tools, and vision can turn advisors into a force for good.
Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, The Advice Business Podcast offers a fresh perspective, a few laughs, and the kind of support that makes you feel like you're not building alone.
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This podcast and the resources shared are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation to engage advisory services. For more information about our services and to view our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), visit useseeds.com and tinyurl.com/SeedsFormCRS25.
The Advice Business Podcast
Is Your Firm Built For What 2026 Will Demand?
It’s been a busy year. Zach Conway and Kelsey McKenna sit down to look back on everything that happened inside Seeds and across the advisory space. They talk about what they learned while growing the team, what surprised them, and what changed as more firms started using the platform.
They also look ahead to 2026. Not with predictions meant to sound bold, but with real questions they’re already hearing from advisors: hiring, team structure, client expectations, and how tech will shape the advisor-client relationship next year. It’s an honest conversation about what they’ve seen, what they’re still figuring out, and how Seeds plans to support advisors through all of it.
If you’re thinking about scaling your firm, improving your process, or building a team that feels aligned with your vision, this episode gives you a clear, grounded look at where the industry is heading and how you can prepare.
Here are the top three takeaways from the episode:
- We believe client experience is the competitive edge in 2026. Advisors need to step into their own client journey and see what it actually feels like. The firms that do this will deliver an experience clients remember and talk about.
- Operational excellence is no longer optional. One of the best ways to create consistent experiences is to fix the operational foundation. Rules-based frameworks will help advisors scale, reduce inconsistencies, and communicate more clearly with clients.
- AI is powerful, but intentional adoption matters more. 2025 was full of AI noise. Next year will reward firms that stay focused on clarity, humanity, and fast but thoughtful decision making. The right tools matter, but the strategy behind them matters even more.
Episode Chapters:
03:37 Reflecting on a Year of Growth and Change
10:30 Rebranding and Its Impact on the Business
17:33 Why the Future of Investing is Human
24:37 How Seeds Streamlines Operations for Advisors
27:15 Predictions for 2026: Experience Over Technology
27:42 Operational Excellence in Advisory Firms
31:06 The Chaos of Account-Level Management
33:53 Next-Gen Investor Expectations
36:07 The Competitive Landscape for Advisors
39:34 The Role of Technology in Client Experience
41:01 Strategic Decision-Making for 2026
Connect with us:
Zach Conway on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-conway
Kelsey McKenna on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kelseymckenna3
Seeds: www.useseeds.com
Our Blog: https://useseeds.com/blog/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seeds-investor
Disclosures: https://useseeds.com/terms/
Ready to scale the human side of advice with Seeds? Schedule your personalized demo today at www.useseeds.com/demo