I'm writing a book

The Ultimate AdvisorTech Stack for 2025

Introduction.

It all started with Riskalyze, some 400 basis point fees, and an eMoney subscription that was barely being used.

You see, I had big ideas about the business of financial advising before I actually officially worked in the industry.

When I turned 18, I started trading stocks, eventually found the Rockstar Finance directory of bloggers and inhaled much of Mr. Money Mustache's and Financial Samurai's content.

VTSAX all the way to FIRE, baby!

Or so I thought. I quickly realized most of the industry kind of didn't much like the personal finance bloggers and their love of DIY investing and Vanguard funds.

I had a 50 minute commute to my first job in the industry (a 2nd career of sorts after being a Realtor, contractor, and property manager) and I listened to a LOT of Kitces Financial Advisor Success and XYPN Radio podcasts.

Can you see where this is going?

Yes, I developed some very strong views a little too early.

Low fees, DIY investing, Fee-Only was the way.

And the advisors I heard on Kitces ran some pretty tight operations. I mean like Sir Matt Jarvis at Ep 7.

So I was in for a rather rude awakening.

Also… I was used to opening accounts at Robinhood, Wealthfront, and the like and the shenanigans it took to open an account at Pershing truly SHOCKED me. Truly. I was dumbfounded at the amount of forms, paperwork, signatures, turn-around time… all of it.

After I recovered from my shock, I realized just how powerful some good operations can be for a busy advisor. Simplifying, organizing, using models, using workflows, moving to better tech, using more client-friendly processes.

There was a ton of work to be done.

And I loved it.

This is about when I printed a 3 foot by 4 foot Kitces map and taped it to the wall beside my desk. I was going to learn about all these companies.

And we were going to use the BEST ones.

Because there's loads of "Not best" ones.

Fast forward a couple years, and I found myself working as a virtual CSS for several RIAs, getting to see 6 or so different tech stacks, and working side by side with advisors and operators to get stuff done.

Now I must say, I'm not exactly a model employee. I give a ton of un-asked for advice. And well, sometimes its not always appreciated.

But I trudged on and eventually people started listening to the advice.

And then I struck a bit of luck. "Who" luck as Jim Collins calls it.

I met Kate Guillen on the LinkedIn.

Now Kate was a CRM consultant for advisors, specifically Redtail. I had a lot of experience with Redtail, I had an idea or two about growing a company like this, and I think we hit it off.

I learned a lot from Kate about using the CRM as the hub to run a smooth operation.

Eventually I phased out of working for Kate and started ProAdvisorSuite – marketing advisortech to advisors under the premise that they liked discounts – especially discounts for using more of the tech I was representing. I had a lot of fun doing this, but ultimately, there were some flaws in the idea or the execution… and I moved on to a COO role.

And here is where I find myself now. Getting to actually use the tech I love on a daily basis, and write all about it on Conneqtor Musings.

Yes, I like Substack, we'll get to that in chapter 29 – Email Newsletter.

Hey, if you made it through this intro., appreciate you!

I think we'll have fun together talking all about the "Ultimate AdvisorTech."

Interested in pre-ordering the book?

Well, this is my go at an introduction.

Better get back to writing.

Warmly,

Joe