Next Mile Podcast

How to Build a Firm That Outlasts You

Kyle Van Pelt

January 20, 2026


Listen to this week's episode

Episode 128

On this week’s episode of Next Mile, I sit down with Tyson Ray, CEO, Founding Partner, and Senior Wealth Advisor at FORM Wealth Advisors. Tyson helps financial advisors exit their businesses with clarity, confidence, and no regrets. He's been recognized as a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor, AdvisorHub Advisors to Watch, and Barron's Top 1200 Advisor.

Tyson discusses what it takes to build a successful wealth advisory practice that balances growth, client care, and community impact. He shares the strategies, leadership mindset, and values that have guided his career to success. Tyson also introduces his SPACE framework (See, Prepare, Act, Commit, Exit) which reveals how advisors can exit their practices confidently and fully compensated, while keeping their clients' interests first and foremost.

Key Takeaways

  • Great leadership begins with humility. The best leaders don't pretend to have all the answers. They listen, learn, and grow alongside their teams.

  • Don't let fear define your future. If you know a change is necessary for growth, don't let fear hold you back from what is ultimately the right thing for your firm's long-term health and your own personal well-being.

  • Invest in the next generation of advisors. Intentionally recruit and mentor younger team members to build a truly multi-generational firm—one where clients feel confident their advisor won’t retire before they do, and where modern, responsive service comes naturally.

  • Make space for succession. You cannot effectively plan for your future or your firm without intentionally creating the time and mental room to do it. The succession process is not just about selling or retiring; it's about seeing a vision, committing to the necessary actions, and exiting with confidence and purpose.

Quotes

"You can't let fear prevent you from doing what's right." ~ Tyson Ray

"The reason most of us don't do planning for ourselves is that we don't create the space to do it." ~ Tyson Ray

"How to build your business is to hire caretakers of what you've built to free you up, because most likely, you are the rainmaker." ~ Tyson Ray

Links

Connect with our hosts

Subscribe and stay in touch

While there, please don’t forget to Download, Like, and Subscribe.

If you’d like to schedule a time to talk with me about anything we cover on our podcast or Milemarker, click here for 15 minutes.

Kyle Van Pelt

Next Mile Podcast

How to Build a Firm That Outlasts You

Kyle Van Pelt

January 20, 2026


Listen to this week's episode

Episode 128

On this week’s episode of Next Mile, I sit down with Tyson Ray, CEO, Founding Partner, and Senior Wealth Advisor at FORM Wealth Advisors. Tyson helps financial advisors exit their businesses with clarity, confidence, and no regrets. He's been recognized as a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor, AdvisorHub Advisors to Watch, and Barron's Top 1200 Advisor.

Tyson discusses what it takes to build a successful wealth advisory practice that balances growth, client care, and community impact. He shares the strategies, leadership mindset, and values that have guided his career to success. Tyson also introduces his SPACE framework (See, Prepare, Act, Commit, Exit) which reveals how advisors can exit their practices confidently and fully compensated, while keeping their clients' interests first and foremost.

Key Takeaways

  • Great leadership begins with humility. The best leaders don't pretend to have all the answers. They listen, learn, and grow alongside their teams.

  • Don't let fear define your future. If you know a change is necessary for growth, don't let fear hold you back from what is ultimately the right thing for your firm's long-term health and your own personal well-being.

  • Invest in the next generation of advisors. Intentionally recruit and mentor younger team members to build a truly multi-generational firm—one where clients feel confident their advisor won’t retire before they do, and where modern, responsive service comes naturally.

  • Make space for succession. You cannot effectively plan for your future or your firm without intentionally creating the time and mental room to do it. The succession process is not just about selling or retiring; it's about seeing a vision, committing to the necessary actions, and exiting with confidence and purpose.

Quotes

"You can't let fear prevent you from doing what's right." ~ Tyson Ray

"The reason most of us don't do planning for ourselves is that we don't create the space to do it." ~ Tyson Ray

"How to build your business is to hire caretakers of what you've built to free you up, because most likely, you are the rainmaker." ~ Tyson Ray

Links

Connect with our hosts

Subscribe and stay in touch

While there, please don’t forget to Download, Like, and Subscribe.

If you’d like to schedule a time to talk with me about anything we cover on our podcast or Milemarker, click here for 15 minutes.

Kyle Van Pelt

© 2026 Milemarker Inc. All rights reserved
DISCLAIMER: All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners in the U.S. and other countries, and are used for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply affiliation or endorsement.
© 2026 Milemarker Inc. All rights reserved
DISCLAIMER: All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners in the U.S. and other countries, and are used for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply affiliation or endorsement.
© 2026 Milemarker Inc. All rights reserved
DISCLAIMER: All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners in the U.S. and other countries, and are used for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply affiliation or endorsement.
© 2026 Milemarker Inc. All rights reserved
DISCLAIMER: All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners in the U.S. and other countries, and are used for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply affiliation or endorsement.