--- title: "The Human Side of Scaling Great Advisory Firms" description: "In this special compilation episode, Kyle Van Pelt and Jessica Perez revisit four conversations centered on one of the biggest challenges facing advisory firms…" url: https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/the-human-side-of-scaling-great-advisory-firms updated: 2026-07-07 --- [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 152 · Jul 7, 2026 · 21 min # The Human Side of Scaling Great Advisory Firms [Apple Podcasts ↗](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-connected-advisor/id1691759257) [Spotify ↗](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Lw8kHGnS1JJBMZLPYxc9S) ## About this episode In this special compilation episode, Kyle Van Pelt and Jessica Perez revisit four conversations centered on one of the biggest challenges facing advisory firms today: scaling while maintaining exceptional client service. Anne McPhail shares why intentional leadership and culture create lasting organizations. Michael Vedders explains how thoughtful planning and advisor development lead to stronger firms. Tim Gavin explores the operational mindset required to build sustainable growth. And Sarah Simmer reveals how world-class client experience can be delivered consistently, even as firms expand. Together, these conversations highlight that sustainable growth isn’t driven by technology alone—it’s built on people, process, and purpose. In this episode: - (00:00) – Intro - (00:51) – Anne McPhail on building a culture that scales with the firm - (04:33) – Michael Vedders on developing advisors for long-term growth - (07:22) – Tim Gavin on creating operational excellence that supports scale - (10:34) – Sarah Simmer on delivering white-glove client experiences at scale **Links** - [Anne McPhail on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/annejmcphail/) - [Novare Capital Management](https://novarecapital.com/) - [Michael Vedders on LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/michael-vedders) - [NorthRock Partners](https://northrockpartners.com/) - [Tim Gavin on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/timgavin/) - [MCF Advisors](https://mcfadvisors.com/) - [Sarah Simmer on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-simmer-47707536/) - [Heritage Wealth Advisors](https://www.heritagewealth.net/) **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/) - [Jessica on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-perez-4b84a365/) **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/4xdOYzJIPrmPPT6eIj9sMB) ## Episode 152 On this week’s episode of *Next Mile*, In this special compilation episode, we revisit four standout conversations, centered on one of the biggest challenges facing advisory firms today: how to scale while maintaining exceptional client service. [Anne McPhail](https://www.linkedin.com/in/annejmcphail/) shares why intentional leadership and culture create lasting organizations. [Michael Vedders](https://linkedin.com/in/michael-vedders) explains how thoughtful planning and advisor development build stronger firms. [Tim Gavin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/timgavin/) explores the operational mindset required for sustainable growth. And [Sarah Simmer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-simmer-47707536/) reveals how world-class client experiences can be delivered consistently—even as firms expand. Together, these conversations reinforce a simple idea: sustainable growth isn’t driven by technology alone. It’s built on people, process, and purpose. #### **Links** - [Anne McPhail on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/annejmcphail/) - [Novare Capital Management](https://novarecapital.com/) - [Michael Vedders on LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/michael-vedders) - [NorthRock Partners](https://northrockpartners.com/) - [Tim Gavin on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/timgavin/) - [MCF Advisors](https://mcfadvisors.com/) - [Sarah Simmer on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-simmer-47707536/) - [Heritage Wealth Advisors](https://www.heritagewealth.net/) #### **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/watch?v=SHvxhq5lJYk) **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 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. 165 · Oct 6, 2026 · 27 min ### [Scaling with Soul: Growing an Advisory Firm Without Losing What Matters with Grace Balestrieri](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/scaling-with-soul-growing-an-advisory-firm-without-losing-what-matters-with-grace-balestrieri) Grace Balestrieri, Brighton Jones Ep. 162 · Sep 15, 2026 · 35 min ### [Preparing Your Firm for Its Next Stage of Growth with Brian Fernandez](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/preparing-your-firm-for-its-next-stage-of-growth-with-brian-fernandez) Brian Fernandez, Krilogy Ep. 155 · Jul 28, 2026 · 32 min ### [How Behavioral Data Creates Better Client Relationships with Julie Littlechild](https://www.milemarker.co/podcast/how-behavioral-data-creates-better-client-relationships-with-julie-littlechild) Julie Littlechild, Absolute Engagement