Financial Advisors: Not All Independence Is Created Equal

When advisors start exploring independence, most think they’re chasing freedom. In reality, they’re usually chasing control—and not all models deliver that in the same way.

In this discussion, Carmine Corino is joined by Jay Coulter, CEO of Titleist Asset Management, to break down how different advisory models actually operate—and where advisors often get it wrong when evaluating their options. This isn’t a surface-level overview of independence. It’s a practical conversation about structure, tradeoffs, and how decisions play out over time.

In this discussion, we cover:

• What “independence” actually means—and why it’s different for every advisor

• Why most advisors aren’t chasing independence—they’re chasing control

• The real differences between broker-dealers, RIAs, and platform models

• What looks good upfront vs. what shows up after you’ve made the move

• The tradeoffs between larger firms and smaller, more nimble environments

• How speed, access, and decision-making change depending on the model

• The difference between starting your own firm vs. tucking into an existing platform

• How to think about the three roles every advisor plays: advisor, business owner, and entrepreneur

If you’re considering a move—or even just trying to better understand your options—this conversation will help you think more clearly about what you’re optimizing for and how to avoid common mistakes.

Resources

• Connect with Jay Coulter on LinkedIn:   / jaycoulter

• Resilient Advisor Podcast: https://resilientadvisor.com/

• Titleist Asset Management: https://www.tamgmt.com/

• Connect with Carmine Corino on LinkedIn:  / carminecorino 

• Broken Dealer Podcast

• Cornerstone Planning Group - https://www.cornerstoneplanninggroup.com/

• Learn more about Carmine: https://www.carminecorino.com/