A smooth 12-step process uncovered and discovered, over a 35+ year journey, that generates a predictable practice with automated revenue and lifetime reward.

There is no single silver-bullet to become an elite advisor or to run an elite practice. However, there is a chain-of-secrets. These steps (aka, the secrets) effectively string together in a chain that allows for small hinges to swing big, heavy doors – making massive improvements in your overall growth, the value of your business, and the lifestyle you enjoy.
#1 - Push the Buttons, Pull the Levers (must needed systems & processes)
#2 - The Family Doctor Retains the Patients (gathering 100% of the assets with the ACP system)
#3 - Focus on What You're Most Highly Paid to Do (kill your RPM and other distracting activities)
#4 - Base Transactions to Magnetically Gather Assets (foundational accounts free up equity investing)
#5 - Create a Perennial Recurring Revenue Stream (targeting AUM/AUA and other systematic fees)
#6 - Make Your Customers' Decisions Easy (keeping in the public eye with a proprietary formula)
#7 - Duplicate your Best Clients without Referrals (regenerate ideal clients over and over again)
#8 - Stop Trying to Find Your Mini-Me (start building around the rainmaker)
#9 - Abandon What You're Not Wired For (stop doing paperwork and other BS)
#10 - Increase Your Worth by 20% Instantly (how to track your private stock price)
#11 - Biz Owned by Family Smokes a Family-Owned Biz (a job is worthless; a business is valuable)
#12 - Institutional Combat vs. Collaboration (the partnership that is rocket fuel for success)
BONUS - Protection Against the #1 Loss of Client Assets (winning with the non-financial spouse)
Mike Walters is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of USA Financial, leading the firm since its inception in 1988. Mike is committed to...
Strategic partnerships are often misunderstood in the advisory world, especially when they’re treated as transactional referral arrangements instead of long-term professional relationships. In this episode of The Rare Advisor, host Aaron Grady is joined by practice management consultant Allan Oehrlein to break down what true strategic partnerships really look like and why trust, alignment, and consistency matter more than lead counts. Together, they explore how advisors can identify the right partners through their best clients, evaluate fit using clear criteria, and intentionally design relationships that enhance the client experience.
Mark Mersman sits down with longtime friend and advisor marketing expert Matt Halloran, Chief Evangelist at Zocks, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping financial advisor marketing, client experience, and growth. From freeing up time through smarter systems to using AI-powered insights for better content, niching, and follow-up, Matt shares real-world examples advisors can learn from today. The conversation also covers why advisors still struggle to differentiate themselves, how trust is built in a tech-driven world, and why podcasting, events, and niche marketing remain powerful when done correctly. If you’re thinking about how to grow smarter—not just faster—this episode delivers practical insights worth considering.
Delegation is essential for growth, but many advisory firms unknowingly limit their progress by delegating tasks instead of responsibility. In this episode of The Rare Advisor, host Aaron Grady explores a powerful insight shared by USA Financial CEO Mike Walters: true scale happens when advisors delegate ownership, not just checklists. Aaron breaks down why task-based delegation creates bottlenecks, how responsibility-driven delegation builds stronger teams, and a practical framework advisors can use to start making this shift inside their practice.
Strategic partnerships are often misunderstood in the advisory world, especially when they’re treated as transactional referral arrangements instead of long-term professional relationships. In this episode of The Rare Advisor, host Aaron Grady is joined by practice management consultant Allan Oehrlein to break down what true strategic partnerships really look like and why trust, alignment, and consistency matter more than lead counts. Together, they explore how advisors can identify the right partners through their best clients, evaluate fit using clear criteria, and intentionally design relationships that enhance the client experience.
Mark Mersman sits down with longtime friend and advisor marketing expert Matt Halloran, Chief Evangelist at Zocks, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping financial advisor marketing, client experience, and growth. From freeing up time through smarter systems to using AI-powered insights for better content, niching, and follow-up, Matt shares real-world examples advisors can learn from today. The conversation also covers why advisors still struggle to differentiate themselves, how trust is built in a tech-driven world, and why podcasting, events, and niche marketing remain powerful when done correctly. If you’re thinking about how to grow smarter—not just faster—this episode delivers practical insights worth considering.
Delegation is essential for growth, but many advisory firms unknowingly limit their progress by delegating tasks instead of responsibility. In this episode of The Rare Advisor, host Aaron Grady explores a powerful insight shared by USA Financial CEO Mike Walters: true scale happens when advisors delegate ownership, not just checklists. Aaron breaks down why task-based delegation creates bottlenecks, how responsibility-driven delegation builds stronger teams, and a practical framework advisors can use to start making this shift inside their practice.