The RARE Advisor

Hosted by Mike Walters

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100

Latest episode

Nov 2026

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About the show

The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With more than thirty years working with and coaching successful advisors, host Mike Walters, along with other leaders in the industry, discuss what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, Mike Walters shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. For more videos from The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial1/ Powered by USA Financial

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60 recent

November 5, 202619 min

Stop Treating Your Best Services Like Extras

Many advisors deliver exceptional value-added services, but few deliver them intentionally. In this episode of The Rare Advisor , Aaron Grady explores why some firms create memorable client experiences while others leave valuable services hidden in the background. Learn how to transform value-added services from occasional perks into a core pillar of your value proposition, create repeatable delivery processes, reinforce their value over time, and help clients fully understand the breadth of support your firm provides. If you've ever wondered why clients don't always recognize everything you do for them, this episode is for you. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

October 8, 202616 min

The Cost of Hiring the Wrong Role

Knowing when to hire is important. Knowing who to hire may be even more important. In this episode of The Rare Advisor , Aaron Grady explores one of the most common hiring mistakes growing advisory firms make: hiring for the wrong constraint. Learn how to identify whether your firm truly needs another advisor, additional support staff, a servicing advisor, or a business development professional. Discover a practical framework for evaluating capacity, removing bottlenecks, and making hiring decisions that unlock growth instead of simply adding payroll. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

September 24, 202613 min

The Hiring Mistake That Can Stall Your Growth

When is the right time to make your next hire? Most advisors wait until they're overwhelmed, client service starts slipping, and their team is already operating at full capacity. In this episode of The Rare Advisor , Aaron Grady explores the difference between reactive hiring and intentional hiring, breaks down the key capacity signals advisors should watch for, and shares a practical framework for evaluating when hiring can unlock growth rather than simply relieve pressure. Learn how to identify bottlenecks, evaluate capacity, understand the economics of hiring, and position your firm for sustainable growth before a staffing crisis occurs. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is also a podcast! Subscribe today via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcast listening service for easier on-the-go listening. The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

August 27, 20269 min

Stop Solving Every Problem for Your Team

Many financial advisors become the default answer machine inside their firms without even realizing it. In this episode of The RARE Advisor , Aaron Grady introduces the 1-3-1 Exercise, a simple leadership framework designed to help advisors develop stronger problem-solvers, better decision-makers, and more independent team members. Learn how one problem, three possible solutions, and one recommendation can transform everyday challenges into opportunities for leadership development, ownership, and long-term team growth. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

August 13, 202630 min

Make Your Invisible Value Tangible

Most financial advisors provide far more value than their clients realize. The challenge isn't delivering value, it's communicating it. In this episode of The Rare Advisor , Aaron Grady breaks down the thinking behind the Legacy Package and reveals how advisors can transform invisible value into an unforgettable client story. Learn how to identify the services you're already providing, organize them around meaningful client outcomes, and create a memorable experience that strengthens relationships, builds advocacy, and reinforces your value over time. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

July 30, 202625 min

Financial Advisors: Will Your Clients' Children Keep You?

Most advisors recognize the importance of multi-generational planning, but very few have a repeatable process to build relationships with clients' children and grandchildren before a major life event occurs. In this episode of The Rare Advisor , Aaron Grady breaks down the Family Phone Call process step-by-step, including how to introduce the idea, schedule the call, involve next-generation advisors, follow up effectively, and track success over time. Learn how this simple but powerful framework can strengthen client relationships, reduce retention risk, support succession planning, and create long-term enterprise value for your firm. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

July 9, 20261 hr 26 min

Are You Building Leaders, or Just Better Followers?

How do you move from building a successful financial advisory practice to building a sustainable firm that thrives beyond you? In this episode of The Rare Advisor , Aaron Grady is joined by Steve Phillips and Allan Oehrlein to explore the leadership shifts required to develop future leaders inside your organization. Learn why leadership doesn't emerge by accident, how to identify true leadership potential, and a practical framework to develop ownership, influence, decision-making, and growth within your team. This conversation will challenge you to rethink how you build capacity, continuity, and long-term value in your practice. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

June 18, 202618 min

The Leadership Mistake Most Advisors Don't Realize They're Making

What separates advisors who stay stuck in the day-to-day from those who build scalable, high-performing teams? In this episode of The Rare Advisor , Aaron Grady breaks down the critical leadership shifts advisors must make as their businesses grow. Learn why technical expertise eventually stops being your differentiator, how advisors unintentionally create team dependency, and what it takes to build an environment where ownership thrives. This conversation delivers practical frameworks to help you move from problem-solver to leader—and ultimately build a team that can succeed without constant oversight. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

June 4, 202626 min

The Most Overlooked Retention Strategy in Wealth Management

What happens to your client relationships when wealth transfers to the next generation? In this episode of The Rare Advisor , Aaron Grady and Allan Oehrlein explore one of the biggest blind spots in wealth management: failing to build meaningful relationships with clients' children and grandchildren before a transition occurs. Learn how tools like the family phone call and legacy package can help you create continuity, strengthen relationships, and reduce natural attrition— all while positioning your role as a long-term guide for the entire family. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor

May 14, 20267 min

Why Your Ideal Client Events Feel Flat… and How to Fix Them

What separates a good client event from one that truly drives engagement, relationship depth, and client advocacy? In this episode of The Rare Advisor , Aaron Grady breaks down the most common mistake advisors make when hosting ideal client events—and how to fix it. By combining a compelling experiential theme with a clear strategic purpose, advisors can create events that not only attract their best clients but also inspire meaningful conversations and organic advocacy. Learn a simple, repeatable framework to design events that elevate your client experience and strengthen your overall practice. Consider subscribing for continued insights from USA Financial: https://www.youtube.com/@USA-Financial For more of The RARE Advisor: https://www.usafinancial.com/insights/rare The RARE Advisor is a business model supercharged by Recurring And Repeatable Events. With decades of experience coaching successful advisors, your host, along with other leaders in the industry, discusses what it takes to grow a successful practice. With the aim of helping financial professionals and financial advisors take their business to the next level, this podcast shares insights and success stories that will make a real impact. Regardless of the stage of your practice, The RARE Advisor will provide thoughtful guidance, suggestions for developing systems and processes that work, and ideas for creating an authentic experience for your clients. Contact us: Phone (888) 444-0125 https://www.usafinancial.com/ https://www.facebook.com/usafinancial/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/usafinancial Powered by USA Financial #usafinancial #advisoradvancement #therareadvisor #rareadvisor