In this episode, Michaela Scott, Principal and Founder of Strategic Retirement Benefits Group and RPAG Council Member, shares her inspiring journey of becoming a leading and award-winning retirement plan advisor, emphasizing the importance of clarity, client selection, prioritizing your time, and how to build a strong team. Discover her insights on creating impact, fostering a positive culture, and mentoring the next generation.

More About Michaela Scott:
Michaela is the Founder and Principal of the Strategic Retirement Benefits Group, partnering with businesses on the financial portion of their benefits program – specifically their retirement Plans. She has been recognized as the Top Women Advisors Rising Star and Top Plan Advisors under 40, and their team has earned Top DC Advisory Team.

Michaela earned her Master of Science in Financial Services with a concentration in Retirement Planning from the American College of Financial Services, where she serves as the incoming President of the Advisory Committee. She was awarded their Millennial Advisor of the Year award.

She is a Certified Financial Planner™, Accredited Investment Fiduciary, Retirement Income Certified Professional®, Charted Financial Consultant, and Certified Health Savings Advisor. Michaela earned her Certified 401(k) Professional Designation administered by the Retirement Advisor University in collaboration with UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education. She serves at The Plan Sponsor University as an adjunct professor.

She holds an honors Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Saint Anselm College and is the immediate past President of the St. A’s Alumni Association and current Advisory Council Co-Chair for the Department of Business and Economics. Michaela was selected to serve on the Retirement Plan Advisory Council (RPAC) for Osaic. Osaic is one of the largest networks of independent advisor firms in the country, overseeing approximately $500 billion in assets. RPAC comprises a select group of advisors who specialize in retirement plans, are innovative, and can lead by example with best practices for servicing clients and delivering results for participants.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Gray to Great and Michaela Scott
02:07 Michaela's Origin Story and Career Path
06:44 The Importance of Client Outcomes
08:58 Building a Strong Team
12:45 Clarity as a Differentiator
17:22 Selecting Ideal Clients
21:35 The Role of Mentorship
26:34 Advice to a Younger Self
29:22 Outro to Gray to Great

Disclosures:
Michaela Scott and The Strategic Retirement Benefits Group, LLC are not affiliated with or endorsed by, Great Gray Trust Company, LLC.

Great Gray® and Great Gray Trust Company are service marks used in connection with various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services offered by Great Gray Trust Company, LLC.

In this episode, Dan Dal Degan speaks with Andrew Mirolli, co-founder of buyAUM, about the unique challenges and opportunities faced by financial advisors, particularly in the context of succession planning and retirement. Andrew shares his journey from a financial wholesaler to a business owner focused on helping advisors navigate their transitions. The conversation delves into the emotional aspects of selling a business, the importance of planning for life after work and the need for a structured approach to succession. Andrew emphasizes the significance of finding purpose in the next chapter of life and offers advice for business owners looking to prepare for their future.

More About Andrew Mirolli:

Andrew Mirolli, CEPA®, is Co-Founder and Head of Client Services at buyAUM.com, where he partners with Registered Investment Advisors to grow through acquisition and navigate succession planning with confidence. He works with both buyers and sellers to structure transitions that protect enterprise value, preserve client relationships, and honor the legacy that advisors have built.

Prior to buyAUM.com, Andrew worked directly with advisors in roles across wholesaling, capital markets, and advisory consulting. Early in his career, he worked closely with RIAs and independent advisors, building relationships across the industry and gaining a foundation for how advisory practices are built, scaled, and eventually transitioned.

Andrew is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) and he holds his Series 63 license. His practical focus is on helping advisors think beyond discretionary revenue to the structural and relational elements that drive valuation and continuity. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Real Estate Development and currently resides outside Atlanta.

Follow Great Gray on LinkedIn

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:03 Introduction and Andrew's Journey with BuyAUM
04:29 The Importance of Succession Planning
06:36 Finding Purpose After Retirement
07:38 Creating a Third Act Business Plan
13:02 The Emotional Transition of Selling a Business
15:18 Timing the Transition: When to Start Planning
18:07 Understanding Buyer Perspectives
21:06 The Role of Advisors in Personal Planning
23:57 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs