Zero to $1B: How a Lincoln Financial Ensemble Found a New Independent Path with SagePoint

A conversation with Shane Morrow Managing Partner & CEO IronBridge Wealth Counsel

Mindset can be a powerful driver.

For Shane Morrow, it served as a motivational force behind building a billion-dollar business.

Having come from the institutional world, Shane started out in the financial planning business at Lincoln Financial with zero—no clients, no assets under management.

That was in 2016. Today Shane’s the CEO and managing partner of billion-dollar independent firm IronBridge Wealth Counsel.

It’s extraordinary growth that Shane credits to having an optimistic attitude and a growth mindset with an eye on the long-term—as well as teaming up with the right group of experienced partners.

An ensemble practice with offices across the country, the core team started working together in 2004, motivated by filling gaps that they saw in the financial services industry.?

With that in mind, their vision was to serve as advocates for their clients—what they call “champions of their financial well-being.”

Yet it was a vision they were unable to fully realize while?at the insurance-based independent broker-dealer, Lincoln?Financial, that propelled them into exploration. That process resulted in the team, which was managing some $800 million at the time,?moving?their independent firm IronBridge Wealth Counsel?to?SagePoint Financial, an IBD?under the?Advisor Group umbrella of?firms.?

That was in June of 2022. And IronBridge kicked off 2023 with over $1B in assets under management.

Sure, you’re likely saying that mindset alone can’t power that kind of growth. And no doubt you’re right. But it does power the vision and execution path that one takes to achieve their goals. And that’s what Shane talks about in this conversation with Louis Diamond. They discuss:

• Entering the world of financial advice without a book of business—and what Shane feels were the critical steps that led to his growth.
• The choice to leave Lincoln Financial as one of the most significant groups within the firm—and what prompted them to explore their options.
• The due diligence process—and why they opted to stay in the independent broker dealer model with SagePoint.?
• The value of building an ensemble practice—and how they plan to create a place where other advisors can grow and thrive.

It’s a powerful episode that reminds advisors and business owners alike that being honest with yourself about your “why” and ensuring you’re running “to something” and not “from something” is essential to success. Listen in for actionable advice on growth and how to ensure your mindset matches your ultimate mission.

Related Resources

How CPA Referrals Drove a Former Lincoln Financial Independent Group to $12B in Just 5 Years - A conversation with Paul Saganey, Founder and President of Integrated Partners. Listen->

How to Optimize Your Business for Growth and Success: 8 Questions Advisors Need to Ask Themselves - Rising above the day-to-day tasks of your “job” to invest time in thoughtful strategizing and planning can be the gamechanger you’ve been looking for. Read->

Why Advisors in “Growth Mode” Are Sacrificing Momentum to Change Firms or Models - It seems to be counter-intuitive for an advisor or team who may be riding the wave of their “best year ever” to change jerseys or break for independence. Yet it’s happening in record numbers. Read->

You can also listen to the full episode on our?website , as well as on?Apple Podcasts ,?Google Podcasts ,?Stitcher ?or?Spotify .