Bob Rall: Growing a rewarding business

Being an RIA isn’t just about forming relationships—it’s about forming friendships. To me, every client is a friend. I’m always straightforward and honest in my interactions with them, just as I would be with any other friend. These are values that I hold dear, and I run my firm accordingly.

I urge you to keep your values a priority, too. Don’t let the hustle and bustle of running a business get in the way. Find resources to help take a load off your shoulders and allow you to focus on what matters most. For example, I lean on TD Ameritrade Institutional to help me integrate my financial planning, portfolio management, CRM, and document management technologies so I can run an efficient firm that gives me more time with my clients.

There are many other support systems available for RIAs, like third-party vendors who help with hiring, education, hardware, compliance, and more. Ask your custodian to help you find the ones that are the best fit for your firm.