--- title: "How Independent Advisors Can Thrive in A World of Mega Firms with Eric Amar" description: "This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Eric Amar, Founder & CEO of Accelerated Wealth Partners, about the shifting dynamics between massive corporate firms and…" url: https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/how-independent-advisors-can-thrive-in-a-world-of-mega-firms-with-eric-amar updated: 2026-06-30 --- [Now playing](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast) [Podcast**Next Mile**](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast) [Episodes](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast)[Guests](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/guests) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc) [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-connected-advisor/id1691759257) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) Episode 151 · Jun 30, 2026 · 42 min # How Independent Advisors Can Thrive in A World of Mega Firms with Eric Amar [**Eric Amar***Founder & CEO, Accelerated Wealth Partners*](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/guests/eric-amar) [Apple Podcasts ↗](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-connected-advisor/id1691759257) [Spotify ↗](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) ## About this episode This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Eric Amar, Founder & CEO of Accelerated Wealth Partners, about the shifting dynamics between massive corporate firms and independent boutique RIAs. He discusses the balance between scale and personalization, the rise of mega RIAs, and the trade-offs advisors face when choosing independence. From his front-row seat at Focus Financial Partners during its explosive growth to launching his own firm, Eric shares his unfiltered perspective on what's really driving industry consolidation, why EQ beats IQ in this business, and where the real opportunity lies for entrepreneurial advisors. In this episode: - (00:00) - Intro - (01:00) - Eric's money moment - (04:44) - The EQ vs. IQ debate: Why emotional intelligence matters - (06:45) - Why Eric founded Accelerated Wealth Partners - (12:25) - The client's dilemma: Choosing between independent RIAs vs. big brands - (16:23) - Are RIAs becoming the new wirehouses? - (23:09) - The "breakaway of the breakaways" trend: Why advisors are leaving - (26:49) - What sets Accelerated Wealth Partners apart from other firms - (33:24) - Eric's outlook on the future of the wealth management industry - (38:20) - Eric's Milemarker Minute **Key Takeaways** - Don't underestimate the power of EQ in business. Technical expertise might get you in the room, but emotional intelligence is what builds trust, influences decisions, and drives long-term success. - People don't choose advisors based on credentials. They choose based on trust. Even with access to top-tier platforms and resources, clients often make decisions based on personal connection and confidence in the advisor. - Technology is leveling the playing field. Smaller independents today can access capabilities that once required the resources of a major institution. The infrastructure gap is closing fast, and the firms that move quickly will compete at a level that wasn't possible before. - Know what you're building before you build it. Growth requires intentional design. At every stage, leaders must decide what they're building, who they serve, and how they want to operate. **Quotes** "Advisors have to understand their clients' motivations and really get them to agree and to get on board with the program. You can give the best advice. But if they don't listen to you, it doesn't matter." ~ Eric Amar "RIAs never won on size. They never won by being bigger, by having more resources. They won by saying, 'I'm like you, I'm here, I'm in your community, I'm in your industry, or I know how you think.'" ~ Eric Amar "The beauty of the independent space for smaller firms right now is that the technology is going to get them there much faster. The ability to leverage these tools gives you a lot more resources today as a smaller independent than you ever had before." ~ Eric Amar **Links** - [Eric Amar on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-amar-31513b2/) - [Accelerated Wealth Partners](https://accelerated-wp.com/) - [Focus Financial Partners](https://corporate.focuspartners.com/) - [Morgan Stanley](https://www.morganstanley.com/) - [Future Proof](https://futureproofhq.com/) - [Joshua Brown](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dtjb/) **Connect with our hosts** - [Milemarker.co](https://www.milemarker.co/) - [Kyle on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevanpelt/) - [Jud on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/judmackrill/) **Subscribe and stay in touch** - [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connected/id1691759257) - [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@milemarkerinc) **Produce game-changing content with Turncast** Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at [Turncast.com](https://www.turncast.com/). ## The write-up [Listen to this week’s episode](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4TPpDT99jVKBa8Bm6p57yo) ## Episode 151 On this week’s episode of *Next Mile*, I sit down with [Eric Amar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-amar-31513b2/), Founder & CEO of [Accelerated Wealth Partners](https://accelerated-wp.com/), to discuss the shifting dynamics between massive corporate firms and independent boutique RIAs. Eric explores the balance between scale and personalization, the rise of mega RIAs, and the trade-offs advisors face when choosing independence. From his front-row seat at Focus Financial Partners during its explosive growth to launching his own firm, Eric shares his unfiltered perspective on what’s really driving industry consolidation, why EQ beats IQ in this business, and where the real opportunity lies for entrepreneurial advisors. #### **Key Takeaways** - Don’t underestimate the power of EQ in business. Technical expertise might get you in the room, but emotional intelligence is what builds trust, influences decisions, and drives long-term success. - People don’t choose advisors based on credentials. They choose based on trust. Even with access to top-tier platforms and resources, clients often make decisions based on personal connection and confidence in the advisor. - Technology is leveling the playing field. Smaller independents today can access capabilities that once required the resources of a major institution. The infrastructure gap is closing fast, and the firms that move quickly will compete at a level that wasn’t possible before. #### **Quotes** “Advisors have to understand their clients’ motivations and really get them to agree and to get on board with the program. You can give the best advice. But if they don’t listen to you, it doesn’t matter.” ~ [Eric Amar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-amar-31513b2/) “RIAs never won on size. They never won by being bigger, by having more resources. They won by saying, ‘I’m like you, I’m here, I’m in your community, I’m in your industry, or I know how you think.’” ~ [Eric Amar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-amar-31513b2/) “The beauty of the independent space for smaller firms right now is that the technology is going to get them there much faster. The ability to leverage these tools gives you a lot more resources today as a smaller independent than you ever had before.” ~ [Eric Amar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-amar-31513b2/) #### **Links** - [Eric Amar on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-amar-31513b2/) - [Accelerated Wealth Partners](https://accelerated-wp.com/) - [Focus Financial Partners](https://corporate.focuspartners.com/) - [Morgan Stanley](https://www.morganstanley.com/) - [Future Proof](https://futureproofhq.com/) - [Joshua Brown](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dtjb/) #### **Connect with our hosts** - [Milemarker.co](https://www.milemarker.co/) - [Kyle on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylevanpelt/) - [Jud on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/judmackrill/) #### **Subscribe and stay in touch** - [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connected/id1691759257) - [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) - [YouTube](https://youtu.be/bgdBd30sJnk) 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](https://www.milemarker.co/), [click here for 15 minutes](https://meetings.hubspot.com/kyle-van-pelt). Kyle Van Pelt [**Eric Amar***Founder & CEO, Accelerated Wealth Partners*](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/guests/eric-amar) Next Mile Conversations with the people building the next era of wealth management, hosted by Kyle Van Pelt. New episodes every Tuesday. [Get the newsletter →](https://www.milemarker.co/resources/newsletter) [Talk to Milemarker →](https://www.milemarker.co/contact) ## Keep listening Ep. 170 · Nov 10, 2026 · 27 min ### [Building a Boutique at Scale with Leah Sciabarrasi](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/building-a-boutique-at-scale-with-leah-sciabarrasi) Leah Sciabarrasi, Crestwood Advisors Ep. 168 · Oct 27, 2026 · 32 min ### [The Difference Between a Family Office and an RIA with More Services with Matt Celenza](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/the-difference-between-a-family-office-and-an-ria-with-more-services-with-matt-celenza) Matt Celenza, Americana Partners Ep. 164 · Sep 29, 2026 · 40 min ### [Why Expertise Alone Isn't Enough for Ultra-High-Net-Worth Families with Kristina Baron](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/why-expertise-alone-isnt-enough-for-ultra-high-net-worth-families-with-kristina-baron) Kristina Baron, Oxford Financial Group