It rarely starts with a bold decision; it starts with a quiet realization.

In this episode of Beacon 1% Better Every Day, Chip Kispert sits down with Brian Hamburger, founder and CEO of MarketCounsel and Chief Counsel of the Hamburger Law Firm, who discusses the complexities financial advisors face when considering transitioning from a wirehouse to an independent firm. Brian and Chip unpack one of the most defining moments in an advisor’s career, the shift from building within a firm to questioning what you truly own. What unfolds is not a playbook, but a deeper look at the mindset, patterns, and decision-making frameworks that shape successful transitions.

You’ll hear how advisors move from curiosity to action, why independence is not for everyone, and how clarity, not speed, often determines long-term success. This conversation challenges assumptions and brings a grounded perspective to what it really means and takes to build something of your own.

What to expect:

• Why most advisors don’t experience a single “aha” moment, but a slow build of discomfort
• The critical shift from “should I” to “how would I” and why it changes everything
• Common mistakes advisors make when considering independence
• How clarity and disciplined execution separate good from exceptional

Resources:

• Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast

Connect with Chip Kispert

• Beacon Strategies, LLC
• LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies
• LinkedIn: Chip Kispert
• chipkispert@beaconstrategiesllc.com

Connect with Brian Hamburger:

• MarketCounsel
• Hamburger Law Firm
• LinkedIn: Brian Hamburger

About Our Guest:

Brian Hamburger is the founder and CEO of MarketCounsel and Chief Counsel of the Hamburger Law Firm, a leading business and regulatory consulting firm serving independent financial advisors. With more than 25 years of experience, Brian has been at the forefront of helping advisors navigate complex transitions, including breaking away from traditional wirehouses to build independent firms.

Through his work with MarketCounsel and the Hamburger Law Firm, he has guided some of the industry’s most significant and successful advisor transitions, providing strategic insight on business structure, regulatory considerations, and long-term enterprise value.

Brian is widely recognized for his deep understanding of the evolving wealth management landscape and his ability to help advisors make thoughtful, well-informed decisions about ownership, independence, and growth.

What if the real ROI of technology isn’t efficiency, but time?

In this conversation, Chip Kispert sits down with Rich Whalen, VP of Technology Strategy and Execution at Equity Services, Inc., to unpack how the right technology strategy can give advisors something far more valuable than speed: space to focus on clients. From his early days as an advisor to leading technology strategy at Equity Services, Rich shares how a single shift in workflow changed everything, and why most firms still get this wrong today.

You’ll hear how ESI approaches innovation differently, starting with data and process before tools, why advisor choice drives stronger adoption, and how AI should be approached with intention, not urgency. This episode is a grounded look at what actually works when building technology that supports real growth.

What to expect:

• Why “return on time” matters more than traditional ROI
• How better workflows can unlock 20+ hours per month
• The real reason most tech adoption fails in wealth management
• A practical framework for evaluating AI without risking trust
• And more!

Resources:

• Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast

Connect with Chip Kispert

• Beacon Strategies, LLC
• LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies
• LinkedIn: Chip Kispert
• chipkispert@beaconstrategiesllc.com

Connect with Rich Whalen:

• LinkedIn: Rich Whalen
• LinkedIn: Equity Services Inc.
• Equity Services Inc.

About Our Guest:

Rich Whalen is the VP of Technology Strategy and Execution at Equity Services, Inc., where he leads platform development focused on improving advisor efficiency and client experience. With a background as a financial advisor, Rich brings a practical, user-first perspective to building technology that actually gets adopted and delivers meaningful impact.

What does AI actually look like inside a modern wealth management firm, and where is it creating real impact today?

In this conversation, Chip Kispert sits down with Brad Goodman, COO of Apollon Wealth Management, to unpack how fast-growing firms are using AI to streamline operations, improve advisor efficiency, and scale without losing what matters most: the client relationship. Brad shares a behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful infrastructure, not just new tools, is shaping the future of advisory firms. If you’re thinking about growth, technology, or how to give time back to your advisors, this episode offers a clear, practical lens into what’s working right now.

What to expect:

• How AI is reducing meeting prep time and increasing advisor capacity
• Why owning your data and workflows matters more than chasing new tools
• The shift from fragmented tech stacks to integrated ecosystems
• How culture and technology must evolve together to support growth
• And more!

Resources:

• Beacon Strategies, LLC Podcast

Connect with Chip Kispert

• Beacon Strategies, LLC
• LinkedIn: BeaconStrategies
• LinkedIn: Chip Kispert
• chipkispert@beaconstrategiesllc.com

Connect with Brad Goodman

• Apollon Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Apollon Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Brad Goodman

About Our Guest:

Brad Goodman is the Chief Operating Officer at Apollon Wealth Management, one of the fastest-growing RIA firms in the country. With a background that spans leadership roles at William Blair and early-stage growth at Hightower Advisors, Brad brings deep experience in building infrastructure, scaling operations, and supporting advisor growth. He is particularly focused on how firms can use AI and technology to streamline workflows, improve client experience, and give advisors more time to focus on what matters most: meaningful client relationships.