From 2012 to 2019, if you heard our leadership speak about recruiting, they’d be the first to tell you: the approach back then leaned heavily on quantity. The model prioritized bringing in as many new advisors as possible, with the idea that a larger number of advisors would lead to growth. And to a certain extent, it worked—for that season.
But times change. Companies grow. And as we transitioned into the independent version of our firm, the question wasn’t just how many people we could bring in. It became: are we bringing in the right people?
So, we’ve intentionally reversed the model. The new standard isn’t “more advisors”—it’s “better fits.” That means hiring fewer people, on purpose, so we can devote the time, energy, and resources to developing them into high-quality financial professionals. And this development doesn’t happen in a vacuum. At 49 Financial, our advisors are never expected to go it alone. They’re surrounded by a team of experts—planners, investments, legal, and more—who help them build comprehensive solutions tailored to each client. When a client partners with us, they’re not just getting a single advisor. They’re gaining access to an entire ecosystem of support.
There is no cookie-cutter client—and that means there’s no cookie-cutter advisor, either. We don’t believe in handing out a one-size-fits-all financial product and calling it a day. Instead, we let the plan dictate what’s right for the client. That requires an advisor who can listen well, understand complex situations, and collaborate with clients through life’s ups and downs. And that kind of advisor doesn’t come from a mass pipeline. They come from an intentional development process—a process we’re committed to refining and investing in.
Will it always be perfect? No. There will always be tension between growth and quality. But that’s a tension we’re willing to embrace—because we believe it leads to better outcomes for our advisors and our clients.
We’re proud of where we’ve come from. But we’re even more excited about where we’re going: This is just the beginning of a more thoughtful, more sustainable way to grow.
49 Wealth Management, LLC d/b/a 49 Financial, is an SEC registered investment adviser. All investment advisory activities are performed through 49 Financial. All commissionable product sales are performed through and under the supervision of Oakwood Capital Securities (“Oakwood Capital”). 49 Financial and Oakwood Capital are not affiliated entities.
