Episode summary
Build an Independent Enterprise Your Way
Summary
The conversation centers on how Nest Capital has grown inside the independent channel and why Eric and Lisa see independence as a way to build a durable enterprise, not just a change in affiliation. Eric says the firm’s growth accelerated once it was able to sit on the same side of the table as client business owners, moving from organic household-by-household growth to something meant to last beyond the founders and their clients’ families.
Lisa argues that sustainable growth depends on infrastructure, and credits Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, or FiNet, with helping the firm solve operational needs that a smaller platform could not easily handle. She cites support for cybersecurity, tools, and complex client needs such as real estate liquidity, concentrated stock positions, and buyer searches for business owners.
The discussion also emphasizes how the firm thinks about recruiting and succession. Lisa says they use job shadowing, micro-internships, college relationships, and support for SIE or CFP credits to identify next-gen talent, while pairing younger candidates with senior advisors. Eric closes by telling advisors that independence should be done once, in the right place, with a platform that can support full balance sheet wealth management.
Key takeaways
- Eric says independence helped Nest Capital move from household-by-household growth to a true enterprise meant to outlast the founders.
- Lisa says FiNet’s balance sheet and resources help the firm handle complex client needs like real estate, concentrated stock, and business-sale planning.
- Lisa says the firm now uses job shadowing and micro-internships as extended interviews to build a next-gen advisor pipeline.
- Eric argues advisors should choose the right independent platform once, rather than treat independence as a temporary step.
- The hosts frame full balance sheet wealth management as the future of the industry and the core of Nest Capital’s model.
Notable quotes
“growth is maybe should be our middle name, but it's uh it's it's fun to make happen”
“If we were distracted by building the best cybersecurity system or um not having tools in our toolbox that we deeply needed, we wouldn't be here this long”
“let's figure out what the easy button is and help you, Mr. or Mrs. FA at the wirehouse or wherever you are that want to live in the independent world”
“we do everything now from job shadowing um that we allow from high school all the way through the collegiate level”
“You don't want to have to make that decision twice. No FA we've ever met wants to say, "Oh, this is a temporary solution to my ultimate solution”
How the episode opens
Hi everyone and welcome to this wealth management fast chat. I'm Shane Rossic, director of content solutions and I'm so excited to be joined by Lisa Howe and Eric Habert, owners of Nest Capital. And we're going to be talking about what growth can look like inside of the independent channel.
So from building a practice and attracting experienced advisors to next gen talent and finding the right cultural fit along the way. Lisa and Eric are bringing a great perspective on how Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, also known as FiNet, has supported their growth journey and how they're helping other advisors think through independence. So I want to go ahead and dive in.
Lisa, Eric, thanks so much for joining me.
Yeah, thanks for having us. — Honored to be here. Thank you. — Absolutely. So Eric, I I want to start with you and specifically start with the growth story because independence can mean different things to different advisors, but for your team, it's clearly been a major driver. So talk to us about how your practice has grown as an independent.
Yeah, it's a a great question. I mean, we love talking about this. It's one of these things we hold near and dear to our heart.
I mean, growth is one that everybody wants to grow. We want to grow too. We want to grow for the right reasons.
I mean, independence has let us do that. Coming from the wirehouse world 22 years ago, coming from growing a book of business one household at a time and now to a enterprise that we hope lives well beyond us and well beyond our own clients and their kids and grandkids. Uh that's really what it's what growth means to us.
And independence has let us do that.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- independent channel growth
- advisor independence
- next gen talent
- cultural fit
- practice building
Companies and tickers mentioned
- WFC
- Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network
- Nest Capital
Watch the episode
Watch “Build an Independent Enterprise Your Way” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
More from WealthManagement.com
-
401(k) Real Talk Episode 216: November 11, 2026 -
The Planning Opportunities Hidden in High-Net-Worth Conversations -
Wealth Management Invest: Expanding Access to Private Markets with Blackstone’s Farhad Karim -
401(k) Real Talk Episode 215: November 4, 2026 -
How Advisors Can Use AI Without Losing the Human Relationship with Rron Rexha -
Celebrity Estates: Dolly Parton and Estate Planning Without Children
WealthManagement.com, this episode and its artwork belong to their owners. Octagon is not affiliated with the show; this page is an independent summary.
