by Michele Mandeville | Sep 28, 2026
It’s the question I hear most often, and the honest answer is: it depends less on a single multiple than most advisors expect. Rules of thumb get passed around constantly, like 2-3x revenue, or a…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Sep 17, 2026
Having now met with hundreds of advisors exploring succession strategies, one thing has become increasingly clear: replacing the founder often takes more than one person. That’s especially true in…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Sep 10, 2026
For years, independence was the destination for many advisors. But as the RIA industry has matured, the dynamics of growth are changing. Recent industry research and M&A data suggest: • 83% of RIAs…
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by Michele Mandeville | Sep 3, 2026
As we head into Labor Day weekend, I’ve been thinking about the thousands of financial advisors I’ve had the privilege of working with over my career. Nearly all of them built their businesses one…
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by Michele Mandeville | Aug 27, 2026
A $3 billion advisor team recently engaged me to evaluate their succession and partnership options. Their goal wasn’t simply to find a buyer or successor. It was to create an outcome where every…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Aug 20, 2026
When advisors evaluate a transition, strategic partnership, or sale, they primarily focus on economics. But understanding ownership is just as critical. Who owns the firm? What does the cap table…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Aug 13, 2026
I was speaking with an advisor this week who was at an inflection point in his business. As we talked about succession planning and the future of his practice, he paused and said: “I spend my career…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Aug 6, 2026
Recent industry data indicates that, after an extraordinary run-up, Wealth Management practice valuations have largely leveled off. This reinforces my own observations from consulting on more than…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Jul 30, 2026
One of the most rewarding parts of my career isn’t just helping advisors make important business decisions. It’s hearing how those decisions changed their lives years later. Twelve years ago, I…
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by Michele Mandeville | Jul 29, 2026
Recently, I spoke with a $600 million AUM advisor who had walked away from two separate sell-and-stay opportunities. At first glance, both offers looked attractive. But as he reviewed the agreements,…
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by Michele Mandeville | Jul 12, 2026
As more advisors explore succession, mergers, and acquisitions, some are turning to online marketplaces to generate interest. Technology has undoubtedly expanded access to buyers and opportunities.…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Jun 21, 2026
At 14 years old, I started practicing my signature, dreaming of someday starting my own business. At 22, I did. And I owe that inspiration to my dad. I still vividly remember when Dad started his own…
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by Michele Mandeville | Jun 9, 2026
Last week, I met in person with a $3 billion wealth management team exploring their future options. Could we have done the meeting over Zoom? Sure. But some conversations are simply too important to…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Jun 2, 2026
Recently, I spoke with a $150 million RIA owner preparing for a succession transaction. He told me he had been approached by several “investment bankers” and online marketplaces offering to help sell…
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by Michele Mandeville | May 28, 2026
Increasingly, we’re witnessing wealth management firms rush into M&A without the infrastructure required to support that growth long term. This results in not delivering the experience, resources, or…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | May 21, 2026
One of the clearest signs an advisor may be delaying succession planning is when clients begin asking “What happens to us if something happens to you?” Recently, a highly successful wealth advisor…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | May 14, 2026
One of the most common questions I receive from advisors is: “What is my practice actually worth?” After years spent consulting with advisors and evaluating real-time M&A opportunities across the…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | May 7, 2026
Recently, I consulted with a $1.3B wirehouse team that completed a successful sell/stay full acquisition. After extensive due diligence, the team selected a strategic RIA partnership offering…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | May 5, 2026
For the last 25 years, technology has made independence more accessible in wealth management. Today, what it takes to thrive is evolving. In addition to keeping up with the increasing complexity of…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | May 1, 2026
We’re in the middle of historic levels of M&A activity in the Wealth Management sector. High multiples are being quoted, and advisors are fielding a surge of outreach — often quick, surface‑level…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Apr 20, 2026
When considering M&A options, your role post-transaction, client experience, team retention, and long-term flexibility should matter just as much as the economics. But the reality is the money still…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Apr 14, 2026
You didn’t build your practice by gambling. You built it through discipline – navigating market cycles, compounding trust, reinvesting through volatility, and steadily growing the stack in front of…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Apr 10, 2026
More offers don’t always lead to better M&A outcomes. Many advisors are fielding a wave of inbound M&A interest. And while online marketplaces or brokers promise an auction-style process to maximize…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Mar 18, 2026
“We’re witnessing the largest transfer of wealth management practices in history. Advisors who act strategically now will capture maximum value, while those who wait may find themselves with fewer…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Jan 16, 2026
Selling your practice is a significant undertaking, requiring careful planning and meticulous execution. You can’t simply decide to sell three years from now and expect to be fully exited a few weeks…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Dec 17, 2025
Selling a wealth management practice is about more than AUM — buyers pay premiums for predictable growth, scalable operations, and a clear succession plan. Focus on these factors to maximize buyer…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Nov 10, 2025
Sell & Stay transactions are a strategic bridge between full liquidity and continued professional engagement — a powerful option for advisors who want to monetize equity while preserving client…
read more...by Michele Mandeville | Oct 6, 2025
The Wealth Management M&A market has reached a historic inflection point — strong valuations, active strategic buyers, and unprecedented deal flow. If you’re a W2, Independent, or RIA advisor…
read more...Bring the numbers behind the headlines into a conversation about your practice.