Next Mile

The Hidden Infrastructure Powering Modern Advisory Firms with Aaron Wormus

Episode 145: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Aaron Wormus, Chief Technology Officer at SMArtX Advisory Solutions. Aaron has spent years building technology infrastructure for the financial services industry, from hedge fund platforms to enterprise-grade advisory systems. At SMArtX, he focuses on solving the operational and data challenges that prevent advisory firms from scaling efficiently while helping advisors access institutional-quality tools once reserved for large enterprises. Kyle and Aaron explore the growing shift from fragmented advisory technology toward unified enterprise infrastructure. Aaron breaks down how UMA architecture changes the advisor experience, why portfolio accounting engines power real-time innovation, and how firms can build modern “advisor-built enterprise platforms” using best-of-breed technology. They also discuss AI, data orchestration, operational toil, and why the firms most open to technology and experimentation will have a major advantage in the years ahead. In this episode: * (00:00) - Intro * (01:13) - Aaron’s money moment and the early days of SMArtX * (03:15) - Is SMArtX a TAMP, a fintech platform, or something else entirely? * (04:37) - What actually makes technology “enterprise-grade” * (06:24) - Why UMA architecture changes everything * (09:26) - The hidden infrastructure powering modern advisory platforms * (12:20) - The rise of the advisor-built enterprise platform * (15:15) - Why portfolio accounting engines matter so much * (19:05) - How SMArtX and Milemarker fit together * (21:00) - Why the entire industry is moving toward unified infrastructure * (22:24) - AI, orchestration layers, and the future of connected systems * (25:51) - Turning hand-drawn ideas into live AI-powered workflows * (27:31) - AI guardrails, security, and enterprise data protection * (28:34) - Aaron’s predictions for the next three years of wealth tech * (30:27) - Eliminating “toil” inside advisory firms * (32:13) - Aaron’s Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways * The next generation of advisory firms will behave more like technology companies. Advisors increasingly want flexible infrastructure that lets them combine best-of-breed tools into a unified client experience instead of operating inside rigid “walled garden” ecosystems. * Real-time experiences depend on invisible infrastructure. Portfolio accounting, reconciliation, trading order sequencing, and data normalization may not sound exciting, but they are the foundational systems that make modern advisory experiences possible. * AI’s biggest impact may be removing operational friction rather than replacing advisors. Aaron repeatedly returns to the idea of eliminating “toil”—the repetitive operational work that slows firms down and distracts advisors from relationships and growth. * Clean, secure, accessible data is becoming the real competitive advantage. AI tools are only as useful as the infrastructure and guardrails surrounding them. Firms with reconciled data and strong architecture will be positioned to move significantly faster than firms still trapped in disconnected systems. Quotes "We're in a new space where the people who are open to technology, open to building, really are the ones who win." ~ Aaron Wormus "Most advisors want to become advisors so they can help people. They want to go out and solve problems. They don't want to spend all their time rebalancing stuff or using spreadsheets." ~ Aaron Wormus "Being able to have that reconciled data, being able to know that the data is good, being able to provide that data into different systems, that's really where that key component is." ~ Aaron Wormus Links  * Aaron Wormus on LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/aaron] * SMArtX Advisory Solutions [https://www.smartxadvisory.com/] * Fidelity Investments [http://www.fidelity.com/]  * Charles Schwab [http://www.schwab.com/]  * Goldman Sachs [https://www.goldmansachs.com/]  * Claude [https://claude.ai/] * Red Notice [https://www.amazon.com/Red-Notice-Finance-Murder-Justice/dp/1476755744] Connect with our hosts * Milemarker.co [https://milemarker.co/] * Kyle on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevanpelt/] * Jud on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judmackrill/] Subscribe and stay in touch * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connected/id1691759257] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc] Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com [https://www.turncast.com/].

The Difference Between Growing Fast and Growing Well with Tim Gavin

Episode 144: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Tim Gavin, Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Compliance Officer at MCF. Tim helps lead the firm’s long-term strategic direction across operations, compliance, advisor support, technology, and growth initiatives. Kyle and Tim discuss what sustainable growth actually looks like inside a modern advisory firm. Tim explains why organic growth creates stronger long-term enterprise value, how firms should think about operational capacity before scaling, and why successful change management starts with team buy-in—not software purchases. They also explore AI adoption, technology fatigue, client experience design, and the growing divide between firms that strategically invest in technology and firms that fall behind. In this episode: * (00:00) - Intro * (01:26) - Tim’s money moment * (02:51) - Why compliance can become a strategic advantage * (03:56) - MCF’s acquisition of Wealth Planning Corporation * (05:37) - Defining intentional growth * (07:31) - Measuring operational efficiency and capacity * (09:53) - Organic growth vs. inorganic growth * (12:41) - The hidden operational risks of scaling too quickly * (14:41) - Why change management is harder than buying technology * (17:30) - Building a tech stack that actually supports growth * (21:38) - AI adoption, due diligence, and compliance concerns * (23:33) - Responsible AI use and protecting client trust * (26:34) - Tim’s outlook on the future of financial services * (28:31) - Why client experience is the real product * (29:42) - Tim’s Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways * Organic growth compounds differently than acquisition growth. Firms that build referral systems, operational consistency, and advisor enablement create more durable enterprise value over time. * Scaling exposes operational weaknesses. Growth only works when firms proactively manage advisor capacity, workflows, onboarding systems, and internal communication. * Technology should reinforce strategy—not dictate it. Tim emphasizes evaluating tools through the lens of client impact, operational fit, and long-term scalability rather than reacting to hype cycles. * Great client experience extends beyond meetings. The real question is how clients feel between interactions—whether they trust the plan, understand what’s happening, and feel connected to the firm even when they’re not actively engaging. Quotes "We don't want to grow just to grow. It's about how many clients we can impact and provide real value to them." ~ Tim Gavin "Everybody wants to talk about acquiring a firm. But at the end of the day, to really say you have scale, it means having systems in place that can generate organic growth." ~ Tim Gavin "You have to revisit your processes very frequently because technology changes constantly." ~ Tim Gavin Links  * Tim Gavin on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timgavin/] * MCF Advisors [https://mcfadvisors.com/] * Salesforce [https://www.salesforce.com/ap/]  * Power BI [https://app.powerbi.com/] * Think and Grow Rich [https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331] Connect with our hosts * Milemarker.co [https://milemarker.co/] * Kyle on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevanpelt/] * Jud on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judmackrill/] Subscribe and stay in touch * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connected/id1691759257] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc] Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com [https://www.turncast.com/].

Growth, Alignment, and the Future of Advisor-Led Wealth Firms with Scott Schwartz

Episode 143: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Scott Schwartz. Scott is one of the Managing Partners and a Wealth Management Advisor at OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners. With more than 40 years of experience in helping clients achieve their financial planning goals, Scott has created tailored financial plans that empower clients to make informed decisions. Scott talks with Kyle about what it takes to build a modern, scalable wealth management firm. He shares how his team thinks about growth, why alignment and shared equity matter more than titles, and what it looks like to create a firm designed for long-term impact rather than short-term recognition. Scott also explores the realities of scaling firms to a national level and the role of technology and AI as powerful force multipliers for efficiency and better client experience, not as replacements for advisors. In this episode: * (00:00) - Intro * (02:21) - Scott's money moment * (07:59) - The history and evolution of the Bleakley Financial Group * (10:40) - Rebranding Bleakley Financial Group to OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners * (13:37) - The turning point at which Scott began building a scalable firm  * (18:19) - Transitioning from a 1099 model to a W-2 firm  * (24:57) - OnePoint's growth goals and expansion strategies * (30:55) - What it takes to become a national firm * (33:42) - The role of technology in OnePoint's growth * (38:25) - Scott's outlook on the future of the financial services industry * (41:39) - Scott's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways * Never underestimate the power of relationships. At the end of the day, trust and consistency drive long-term success more than any strategy or product ever will.  * Don't just build income, build infrastructure. Scaling a business requires moving beyond individual production. Invest in systems, people, and processes that support growth. * Build with legacy in mind. Short-term wins matter, but the real impact comes from building something sustainable and meaningful over time. * AI is an efficiency engine, not a relationship substitute. It can streamline processes and reduce operational burden, but it can't replace trust, empathy, or meaningful conversations. Quotes "We want to grow your business much faster than you could on your own." ~ Scott Schwartz "My clients work with me because they feel trust and they feel comfort. They know they don't have to follow what's going on every day. They just know that they trust me and they know that we're going to do our level best to make sure they have the outcome they want." ~ Scott Schwartz "We're here to take the anxiety out of money for our clients. Our clients are busy, good people. They don't want to worry about money." ~ Scott Schwartz Links  * Scott Schwartz on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-schwartz-4713a713b/] * OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners [https://www.onepointbfg.com/] * Northwestern Mutual [https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-insurance/] * Joe Duran [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-duran-711167/]  * Rise Growth Partners [https://risegrowth.com/] * Kyle Wesley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-wesley-6966abaa/] * Practifi [https://www.practifi.com/] * The Psychology of Money [https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Money-Timeless-lessons-happiness/dp/0857197681] Connect with our hosts * Milemarker.co [https://milemarker.co/] * Kyle on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevanpelt/] * Jud on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judmackrill/] Subscribe and stay in touch * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connected/id1691759257] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc] Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com [https://www.turncast.com/].

From Scale to Impact: Purpose-Driven Growth in Wealth Management with Nate Angelo

Episode 142: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Nate Angelo, CEO of Composition Wealth. Nate brings a diverse background spanning institutional investing and advisory leadership, with a focus on building firms that balance growth, culture, and client experience. His career reflects a commitment to thoughtful leadership and long-term value creation in the RIA space. Nate talks with Kyle about how to grow with purpose in today's wealth management landscape. He shares how leaders can build purpose-driven careers, lead with conviction and humility, and navigate transformational change without losing cultural integrity. Nate also discusses how data, AI, and integrated technology can enhance client experience while reinforcing that real success still comes down to human connection, trust, and empathy. In this episode: * (00:00) - Intro * (01:36) - Nate's money moment * (04:38) - Nate's early career development at Russell Investments * (07:44) - Why personal context should come before financial strategy  * (09:53) - Nate's transition from institutional investing to advising  * (13:05) - Foundational leadership skills: mindset, mentors, and risk * (19:40) - Building a brand with meaning and resonance  * (24:27) - Defining growth beyond traditional metrics * (30:33) - Maintaining consistency in inorganic growth * (35:19) - How accountability and rigor shape better acquisition decisions  * (38:37) - Differentiating through technology and client experience * (43:32) - Integrating tax services for seamless advice  * (47:46) - The move toward holistic client relationships * (51:19) - Using frameworks to manage uncertainty and client emotions  * (54:32) - Nate's outlook on the future of wealth management * (57:41) - Nate's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways * Growth only matters when it's tied to purpose. Growth for the sake of growth is empty. The real question leaders should ask is: Are we growing in a way that actually improves the lives of the people we serve? Growth becomes meaningful when it's intentional, disciplined, and tied directly to impact. * Start with the person, not the spreadsheet. Data and optimization matter, but they should never come first. The most effective decisions result from understanding values, emotions, and behaviors before applying financial frameworks.  * Holistic advice is no longer optional. Clients today want a single, trusted relationship, not a fragmented network of professionals. Integrating services like tax and estate planning is becoming table stakes. * The future is AI-powered, but human-led. AI will handle more of the repetitive, operational work. But empathy, trust, and human understanding will become even more valuable and more differentiating. Quotes "If I can leave a little mark in this space, it's really to help financial advisors never lose sight of the intimate relationship they have with clients and the ability to impact their lives." ~ Nate Angelo "We're in the business of managing human psychology and helping people stay engaged and invested. And there's a real strategic decision in doing nothing with your portfolio and just bringing your emotional level back to a rational state." ~ Nate Angelo "We as humans long to be seen, heard, and known. And technology is going to power the advisor and that relationship and interaction in unique and dynamic ways." ~ Nate Angelo Links  * Nate Angelo on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-angelo-b7a4307/] * Composition Wealth [https://www.composition.com/] * Russell Investments [https://russellinvestments.com/] * RBC Wealth Management [https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/] * Brock Moseley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brockmoseley/] * Corsair Capital [https://corsair-capital.com/] * The Go-Giver [https://www.amazon.com/Go-Giver-Expanded-Little-Powerful-Business/dp/1591848288] Connect with our hosts * Milemarker.co [https://milemarker.co/] * Kyle on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevanpelt/] * Jud on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judmackrill/] Subscribe and stay in touch * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connected/id1691759257] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc] Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com [https://www.turncast.com/].

How Advisors Can Beat the Biggest Retirement Risk with Erik Brenner

Episode 141: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Erik Brenner, CEO, President, and Founding Partner at Hilltop Wealth and Tax Solutions. With more than 30 years of experience, Erik has assisted thousands of individuals in integrating retirement, tax, and estate strategies. At Hilltop, he blends leadership and client advisory responsibilities, shaping the firm's future vision and strategies while providing personalized financial guidance to select clients. Erik talks with Kyle about what happens when advisory firms stop treating tax and wealth management as separate conversations and start thinking holistically. He discusses the strategic decisions that helped transform Hilltop, including integrating in-house tax services, rethinking the client experience, and doubling down on education-driven growth. Erik also shares how to run great seminars and use technology to keep up with business complexities. In this episode: * (00:00) - Intro * (01:06) - Erik's money moment * (03:30) - Hilltop's one-stop model: Integration of tax and wealth management * (07:13) - How Hilltop manages large wealth with tax problems * (09:35) - How the SECURE 2.0 Act impacts generational wealth * (16:37) - Using seminars as a modern growth engine * (20:28) - What makes a 5-star seminar experience * (23:39) - Managing tech across multiple business lines * (25:29) - Navigating the transition from being an advisor to a CEO * (27:33) - Erik's outlook on the future of the financial industry * (29:03) - Erik's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways * Don't outsource critical expertise that directly affects client outcomes. If a core part of your value—like tax strategy—is outside your control, alignment becomes difficult. * Integrate tax and wealth management to deliver truly holistic advice. When strategy and execution live under one roof, decisions become more coordinated, proactive, and impactful for clients. * For many retirees, taxes are their biggest expense. Plan accordingly. Investment returns matter, but unmanaged tax exposure can quietly erode wealth faster than most clients realize. * Education builds trust faster than selling ever will. Whether it's seminars or client meetings, people lean in when they feel informed, not when they feel pitched. Teach first, and the business follows. Quotes "For most of our clients who are into retirement, taxes are their number one expense." ~ Erik Brenner "If you don't know the right questions to ask about how laws are changing, even the most powerful AI won't be able to help you." ~ Erik Brenner "Marketing is about getting the ball rolling. You want to get that ball rolling, but you do not want the snowball to melt." ~ Eric Brenner Links  * Erik Brenner on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbrenner/] * Hilltop Wealth and Tax Solutions [https://hilltopwealthtax.com/] * Holistiplan [https://www.holistiplan.com/] * The Personal CFO Revolution [https://www.amazon.com/Personal-CFO-Revolution-Comprehensive-Navigating/dp/B0F6M6WSNY] Connect with our hosts * Milemarker.co [https://milemarker.co/] * Kyle on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevanpelt/] * Jud on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judmackrill/] Subscribe and stay in touch * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connected/id1691759257] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc] Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com [https://www.turncast.com/].