Knowing Me, Knowing You

55. Steven Tenney on Building RIAs That Thrive Beyond the Founder

• Marla Sofer

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0:00 | 35:37

If you’re an advisor trying to grow your firm while still buried in the day-to-day of clients and operations, this episode will hit home. Steven Tenney has spent over three decades in wealth management, from building his own RIA to advising leaders on how to grow, scale, and create firms that last.

In this conversation, Marla and Steven break down the shift most advisors never fully make: moving from technician to owner. They explore why succession planning gets ignored, and what it takes to build real, transferable value. They also unpack what actually drives durable growth: trust, team alignment, and client relationships that extend beyond a single advisor. Most firms are more fragile than they think, especially with massive generational wealth transfer and rising pressure to differentiate.

This is a conversation about building something that endures.

  • Why most advisors never build a business that outlives them
  • The risks in how firms handle client relationships and succession
  • How to scale without creating operational drag
  • The mindset shift from revenue to enterprise value


Tune in, grab a copy of Steven’s new book, Succession Alpha, and connect with us!