Financial Advisor Success · 2026-08-04 · 1h 30m
You can take all the 'right' steps for succession planning… and it still might not go according to plan. After building an RIA managing approximately $300 million in assets for 130 client households, today's guest discovered that even the most carefully considered succession plans can unravel, forcing firm owners to adapt and rethink their future. Rick Kahler is the founder of Kahler Financial Group in Rapid City, South Dakota, and he joins the show to share the candid story of his decade-long succession journey. Listen in to learn why succession planning should begin years before an anticipated transition, how to structure partnership discussions to prepare for unexpected outcomes, and what Rick learned after multiple succession attempts before ultimately completing a successful sale to an external buyer. Whether you're years away from stepping back or just beginning to think about your firm's future, this conversation offers practical lessons on preparing your business and protecting your legacy. For show notes and more visit:
Ep 502: Managing $240M As A 3-Person Team Through A Structured Meeting Approach with Wendy Ciehanski80 / 100
Ep 497: Growing From Solo To Siloed Partnership To A $3.3B Enterprise Ensemble (Without Taking Outside Capital) with Shane Morrow88 / 100
Ep 500: Amplifying Business Growth By Constantly Honing Your Time Towards Its Highest-And-Best Use with Michael Kitces
Ep 499: 4Xing To $200M AUM In 4 Years While Staying Lean By Leveraging AI, Technology, And Outsourcing All You Can Let Go Of with Ryan Townsley
Ep 498: Hiring A COO And Creating Partnership Paths Early To Drive Enterprise Value On The Path To $3B AUM with Christine DeMao