The Myth of the “Solo Advisor”

There’s a romanticized image floating around in our industry — the lone wolf advisor who breaks free from the captive firm, hangs a shingle, and builds a wildly successful independent practice from scratch. No support. No guidance. Just grit.

Here’s the truth: Going independent doesn’t mean going alone. In fact, it shouldn’t.

I’ve walked that path. I’ve experienced both the weight of unsupported independence and the power of strategic partnership. And I built Cornerstone Planning Group to offer a better way — one that gives advisors the autonomy they crave with the backing they need to thrive.

The Real Reason Advisors Leave Captive Firms

If you’re like most advisors we speak to, it’s not just about commissions or quotas. It’s about control.

  • Control over how you serve your clients
  • Control over what technology you use
  • Control over your time, brand, and future

But let’s be honest — launching on your own brings its own challenges: compliance, operations, marketing, portfolio construction, business development… the list goes on. And when you’re wearing every hat, the client often gets less of your time — and so does your family.

That’s the very problem I set out to solve when I founded Cornerstone Planning Group.

What True Independence Really Looks Like

At Cornerstone, we’ve redefined independence. We believe independence means having full ownership of your practice without isolation. You call the shots, but you don’t carry the burden alone.

Here’s how we support advisors in building the practice they’ve always envisioned:

Compliance, Covered

Our in-house compliance team handles your regulatory needs, audits, and reporting. No third-party headaches. No guessing games. Just proactive, built-in peace of mind so you can focus on clients.

Turnkey Asset Management

You didn’t get into this business to be an asset manager. We’ve built a flexible, institutionally researched investment platform that you can plug into seamlessly — or use as a framework for your own strategies.

Business Development Coaching

Each advisor at CPG gets quarterly business strategy sessions — with me personally. We’ll sit down, review your goals, analyze your pipeline, and adjust your strategy. It’s not just support — it’s mentorship.

Tech That Works for You, Not Against You

You’ll get a complete tech stack that’s actually integrated and efficient. From CRM to financial planning software to marketing automation — we don’t just give you tools, we help you and your team use them effectively with guidance from our internal tech consultant.

Freedom to Brand Your Way

Keep your DBA. Use your logo. Build your brand. You’re not just another name under a wirehouse banner — your independence should reflect your identity, not ours.

Total Ownership of Clients

No non-competes. No clawbacks. No fine print. You built those relationships — they’re yours. Always.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of “DIY” Independence

The biggest mistake advisors make when they leave their firm? Thinking they have to do it all alone.

  • They spend weeks researching tech vendors and never feel confident in their stack.
  • They hire third-party compliance firms that don’t understand their business model.
  • They lose months — sometimes years — spinning their wheels in back-office chaos instead of serving clients.

That’s not independence. That’s isolation.

At Cornerstone, we plug you into a support system that’s already built, already tested, and already working — so your dream practice doesn’t stay a dream.

The Power of Independence with Partnership

The vision you have for your practice — the one that puts clients first, gives you time back, and reflects your values — it is possible. But not if you’re doing it alone.

At Cornerstone Planning Group, our model was built by advisors, for advisors. We’ve lived the same frustrations. We’ve faced the same roadblocks. And we’ve designed a partnership that removes those barriers so you can get back to what matters.

You don’t have to build your dream practice in a vacuum. You just need the right partner.

Let’s talk about what that could look like for you.