A Shift from Recruitment to Development

Traditionally, wealth management firms have focused on recruiting experienced advisors who bring a book of business with them. But JC Abusaid and the team at Halbert Hargrove are changing the narrative. Instead of depending on external hires, they've invested in building a robust internship and mentorship program to grow talent from the ground up.

Creating a Culture That Sticks

When advisors are trained internally, they absorb the firm's values, processes, and expectations from day one. This alignment leads to a stronger, more cohesive firm culture—one where everyone shares a unified vision of service and success.

Boosting Retention Through Career Development

Homegrown advisors aren't just employees—they're long-term team members. With a clear path for growth and support from mentors, these individuals are far more likely to stay, evolve, and eventually become leaders within the firm.

Enhancing the Client Experience

Clients benefit from consistency. When the same advisor builds and maintains the relationship over years—rather than being handed off or replaced—trust deepens. That level of continuity is difficult to achieve when hiring externally but becomes a natural outcome of developing in-house talent.

The Bottom Line

The firms that will lead the future of wealth management won't just be the ones who recruit top talent—they'll be the ones who build it. Internships, mentorship, and intentional development aren't just HR tactics—they're strategic growth drivers that shape firm longevity and client loyalty.

These insights are inspired by Next Mile podcast featuring JC Abusaid, CEO and President at Halbert Hargrove. Listen to the full episode here and explore more articles in this series.