The Right Way to Start Your RIA Firm
“My grandparents would come over on Saturdays and talk about how their investments performed.” (00:29)
“I didn’t want to just look at spreadsheets—I wanted to work with people.” (03:18)
“Financial planning felt like the perfect mix of numbers and people.” (03:48)
“You can study all you want, but seeing real conversations accelerates everything.” (06:36)
“There was no pressure to sell, just pressure to learn.” (08:32)
“A lot of younger professionals have high-stakes decisions with very little margin for error.” (15:43)
“If I was ever going to take the leap, it had to be before life got more complicated.” (18:09)
“I’m not trying to grow fast, I’m trying to grow right.” (19:39)
“I want clients to walk away feeling less stressed and more in control.” (25:20)
Today’s guest is Chris Arnold [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisarnold20/], founder of Refresh Wealth, and his story starts earlier than most. Not with a job or a degree, but at the kitchen table, listening to his grandparents talk about dividends and investing on Saturdays. That early exposure shaped everything. Chris didn’t rush into production or chase quick wins. He took the long path, from paraplanner to associate advisor, sitting in client meetings from day one and learning how money decisions actually impact real people, without pressure to sell.
Along the way, he worked with business owners on succession and legacy planning before shifting into the world of tech professionals, helping clients navigate equity compensation, career moves, and high-stakes financial decisions. Seeing a gap in how those clients were being served, he took the risk and launched Refresh Wealth. Today, he’s building a firm focused on clarity, intentional growth, and helping clients navigate the moments that actually matter.
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Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money.
Hosted by Conner Young [https://www.linkedin.com/in/conner-young-856553110/], who launched his own independent RIA firm in 2021, the show shares real stories from advisors who’ve broken away, built their books from scratch, and refined their client service models through experience.
Each episode dives into how advisors got started, how they attracted their first clients, the systems they use today, and the best practices that help them grow.
We also open the doors to the other side of the table: interviewing high-net-worth investors, family offices, and entrepreneurs about the investments they love, the strategies they use, and the legacy they’re trying to build.
Whether you're just launching your RIA, growing your practice, or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.