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Becoming an independent fee-only financial advisor can seem overwhelming, lonely, and stressful. Add to that the burdens of everyday life—or, heaven forbid, a major life-changing event—that can almost make you feel like your dream career is unattainable.
Fortunately, with XYPN membership, you not only benefit from our end-to-end tech, compliance, and support solutions as well as resource, education, and coaching assistance, but you also have the support of what's been ranked our top benefit 3 to 1 in surveys: community.
In celebration of our 10th Anniversary, we’re launching a new XYPN member spotlight series: “XYPN Member Benefits, You Can’t Put a Price On." We're excited to lead off with a powerful story about how community became a critical success factor for XYPN Member Leland Gross CFP®, the founder of PeaceLink Financial Planning.
Leland Gross leaned fully into the XYPN community with radical honesty and vulnerability shortly after launching his firm when a life-changing event pulled his focus from building his fledgling business. In return, fellow mastermind group members met him with empathy, quickly stepping in to help where they could and walking him through the process.
This approach has enabled Leland to consistently enhance client satisfaction and further solidify his standing as a respected advisor in the financial services sector.
Navigating Challenges with Community Support
In December 2021, Leland received devastating news: his newborn would need to receive open-heart surgery. Having just launched PeaceLink Financial Planning, Leland Gross fell into a vulnerable spot, balancing both starting a brand new firm and the gut-wrenching stress of navigating his newborn’s health complications.
At that moment, Leland made a choice: He would be radically honest with those around him and become vulnerable enough to let others in and ask for help.
He approached his mastermind group with XYPN, and instead of responding with the usual ‘I’m fine’ or ‘I’m okay’ when asked how he was doing, he responded transparently, “I’m going through something challenging, and I’m not sure how to go forward with my business.”
Because of this, many members stepped forward and began to discuss different ways they could jump in, including talking to XYPN compliance about what they could and couldn’t do.
Below are some examples of how Leland’s mastermind group jumped into action:
- Advice about how to run a company that is just starting to take off
- Advised Leland on being transparent and setting expectations with clients surrounding life-changing events
- Trusted group members helped field client questions and emails
- Worked with XYPN Invest to ensure clients' accounts were still ongoing
Seeing the immediate and real support, Leland realized how being radically honest would open up a whole world of possibilities and put people in front of him who wanted him to succeed and were willing to help in any way they could. He had been searching for this when he left to become a fee-only advisor.
Transition from Sales to Fee-Only Planning
Before starting PeaceLink Financial Planning, Leland had worked in the insurance and broker-dealer worlds and felt that client relationships were becoming increasingly transactional.
It felt like his hands were tied to a process to ensure the product's sale. A few years later, Leland realized that most of the time, his clients weren’t looking for the product but rather the advice that came with it.
He had always felt that his client relationships were worth more than the product. They were his clients' finances and security, and he wanted to create a relationship that allowed them to have faith in him as an advisor who was radically honest and had their best interests in mind.
Thus came PeaceLink Financial Planning, where he could untie his hands and be allowed the freedom to give the clients value he felt they deserved. A fee-only firm that allowed him to be transparent with his clients, he went at their pace and dived deep without facing the consequences.
It also allowed him to focus on what’s essential, even during unexpected life-changing events.
Leveraging Social Media and Podcasts for Client Acquisition
In just under 18 months, Leland has built a thriving client base of 45 households—a testament to his innovative approach in the financial advisory realm and the assistance he has received from those in the XYPN community and his community.
Leveraging the power of social media and podcasts, Leland has crafted a unique presence that resonates deeply with his audience. By sharing his authentic leadership thoughts and embracing his true self, he distinguishes himself in an industry often perceived as impersonal. Through his platforms, Leland doesn't just provide financial advice; he cultivates meaningful relationships founded on trust and genuine connection.
His commitment to authenticity attracts clients and fosters long-term loyalty, making him a standout figure in the financial advisory community. His journey exemplifies how personal integrity and digital engagement can redefine success in client-centric professions.
To learn more about how Leland built his audiences on YouTube and social media platforms, check out his XYPN Radio Episode here.
4 Key Lessons and Practices for Sustainable Business Growth
Over the past few years, Leland has gleaned invaluable lessons that have profoundly influenced his approach to running his financial advisory practice and supporting his clients today.
1. Recognizing the inherent emotional aspect of finance
Leland has honed his ability to connect deeply with clients on an emotional level, understanding that financial decisions are often intertwined with personal narratives and aspirations.
2. Emphasizing the importance of win-together, lose-together
Leland adopts a client-centric approach where he views himself not as the hero but rather empowers his clients to be the protagonists of their financial journeys. This shift in perspective allows him to provide tailored guidance that aligns with each client's unique goals and values.
3. Implementing practical strategies
Time blocking for business development and client service has enabled Leland to maintain a structured and efficient workflow, ensuring he consistently delivers high value to his clients.
4. Collective intelligence
Through forums, VIP groups, and mastermind sessions, he recognized the immense benefit of collaborative insights in enhancing his service delivery and business strategy.
By integrating these lessons into his practice, Leland continues to elevate client satisfaction and strengthen his reputation as a trusted advisor in the financial services industry.
Advice for Financial Planners Facing Personal Challenges
Reflecting on his journey, Leland offers invaluable advice to fellow financial planners, especially those navigating personal challenges while building their businesses.
- The importance of community and resources, noting that despite working solo, one is never truly alone in this profession. Leland highlights the support he received from his XYPN community, including attending XYPN LIVE and his mastermind group members, which proved instrumental during overwhelming times when the weight of responsibilities seemed insurmountable.
- He encourages aspiring planners to take things one day at a time and to lean on empathy. He recognizes that everyone faces challenges and that vulnerability can foster stronger connections.
- Leland stresses the willingness of others to help when asked, underscoring that seeking assistance is not a sign of weakness but a necessary part of growth and resilience in both personal and professional realms.
His experience underscores the power of collaboration and human connection in overcoming obstacles and achieving sustainable success in financial planning.
Future Goals for PeaceLink Financial Planning
Looking forward, Leland envisions ambitious goals for PeaceLink Financial Planning in the coming years, which will be marked by significant growth and evolution.
With the recent rollout of PeaceLink Accounting, offering comprehensive tax services, and the recent additions of a service advisor, the firm is poised for transformative change. Despite the discomfort with growth, Leland is excited to develop PeaceLink into a boutique advisory firm known for its personalized, in-depth financial planning services.
Maintaining a focus on quality over quantity, Leland is steadfast in his commitment to preserving the close-knit, collaborative atmosphere that defines his practice. He cherishes the dynamic of working closely with his team, ensuring their well-being and that of their clients.
By incorporating these insights into his work, Leland consistently enhances client satisfaction, further solidifying his standing as a respected advisor in the financial services sector.
As he looks ahead, Leland aims to balance business expansion with maintaining the core values that drive PeaceLink, ensuring sustainable growth while delivering exceptional service tailored to the unique needs of each client and team member.
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