ОТНОСТНО ТОЗИ ЕПИЗОД
This episode of the Simply Why Podcast explores what it really means for a financial advisory firm to be healthy and growing. Dennis and Katie take listeners behind the numbers of the annual Schwab RIA Benchmarking Study and discuss why growth alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
Using Morton Brown Family Wealth’s results as a starting point, they look at the relationship between growth, staffing, client capacity, profitability, and reinvestment. They also explain why measuring against similar firms can help reveal whether an advisory business has the people and resources needed to support its clients as it grows.
Dennis and Katie reflect on lessons from building Morton Brown over the past eight years, their commitment to independence, and why good planning, whether for a business or a family, is never really finished. It requires looking beyond a single number, measuring what matters, and continuing to adjust along the way.
“How does it show up for the client? Are we delivering on our promises?” – Katie BrownKey Moments
00:00 – Competition, scoreboards, and knowing what you’re measuring
03:00 – An early lesson that still shapes Morton Brown today
04:15 – What the Schwab RIA Benchmarking Study measures
07:25 – Why the size of an advisory firm doesn’t tell the whole story
08:20 – Looking at five-year growth
09:50 – Why client capacity matters alongside growth
11:15 – How growth creates opportunities for learning
12:20 – Profitability, reinvestment, and business health
15:25 – Planning for the long term
17:45 – Why one number shouldn’t define success
19:05 – Mergers, acquisitions, and independent advisory firms
21:05 – Looking ahead to Morton Brown’s next stage of growth
21:55 – Katie shares Morton Brown’s perspective with Schwab
Links & Resources- Explore the Schwab RIA Benchmarking Study: https://advisorservices.schwab.com/resource/ria-benchmarking-study-insights-2026
- Learn more about Morton Brown Family Wealth: https://mortonbrownfw.com
- Schedule a conversation: https://calendly.com/d/5gf-ryf-vq5
- Listen on your favorite podcast app: https://simply-why.captivate.fm/listen
Connect with Katie & Dennis:
- Connect with Katie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-m-brown/
- Connect with Dennis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-morton-jr/
- Subscribe for more: https://www.mortonbrownfw.com/subscribe/
- Give feedback: info@mortonbrownfw.com
Important Disclosures: https://www.mortonbrownfw.com/important-disclosures/
https://youtu.be/2byss_DNgmQ?si=CXZLKdzVOAcAQatU
