Why Edward Jones Was Great — Until It Wasn't

With Ryan Guth, Founder, Goldfin Group

Overview

Jason Diamond speaks with Ryan Guth, Founder of Goldfin Group, on moving beyond Edward Jones to build a business defined by control, differentiation, and entrepreneurial alignment. It’s a thoughtful conversation about independence, and what it really means to build a business that fits your clients, your strengths, and your long-term vision.

Listen in…

> Download a transcript of this episode…

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation.

Watch…

https://youtu.be/SRQSjRbtRzY

About this episode…

Advisors usually don’t set out seeking change.

In fact, the opposite is usually true. They build within a system, take advantage of the opportunities in front of them, and grow something meaningful over time. And for a while, that alignment works.

But over time, priorities evolve.

What once felt like the right environment can start to feel limiting: whether it’s how you serve clients, how you present yourself in the market, or how much control you really have over the direction of your business.

And that’s where things begin to shift.

In this episode, Ryan Guth, Founder of Goldfin Group, talks through that evolution in a very real and practical way. Ryan started his career at Edward Jones – an experience he still speaks very highly of – but ultimately decided to go independent to build a business that better reflected how he wanted to serve his entrepreneurial clients and express his entrepreneurial instincts.

What makes Ryan’s perspective especially interesting is his background. Before wealth management, he was a musical conductor. And that lens carries through into how he thinks about the advisor’s role today—not as someone focused on products or portfolios, but as the person coordinating all the moving parts of a client’s financial life.

Ryan unpacks it all with Jason Diamond, including:

• The decision to leave Edward Jones—and what he was looking to gain in independence.
• The importance of marketing—and how “differentiation” plays a major role in Goldfin’s success.
• The inside view of a transition—and what other advisors can learn both operationally and strategically.
• The alignment of his values and mindset with those of his clients—and how being an entrepreneur became more important over time.
• The impact of acquisitions—and Ryan’s firsthand perspective on the acquisition of his broker dealer, Atria.

It’s a thoughtful conversation about independence, but more importantly, it’s about what it really means to build a business that fits your clients, your strengths, and your long-term vision.

Want to learn more about where, why, and how advisors like you are moving? Click to contact us or call 908-879-1002.

Related Resources

Player or Coach? Why Every Advisor Eventually Has to Choose
As advisory firms grow, founders often face a critical inflection point: double down on being a top producer or evolve into a leader who builds lasting enterprise value.

The Annual Report on Recruiting, Deals, and Transitions
A companion to our annual Advisor Transition Report, Jason Diamond and Louis Diamond unpack what’s driving advisor movement in 2025, and what the data reveals about control, growth, and where the industry is heading.

IBD vs. RIA – Which Model Fits Your Future
This guide offers a clear, side-by-side view of the two models—including distinctions between the DIY route of building an RIA from scratch and opting for a supportive independence platform to help align your business goals with greater options and opportunities.

Diamond Consultants Edward Jones Advisor Transition Report 2025
This “firm-focused report” seeks to look under the hood at movement to and from Edward Jones from January to June of 2025.

Have You Outgrown Your IBD or the Model Itself?
Spending years inside the independent broker dealer framework can eventually spark a deeper reckoning. Advisors begin to look beyond the logo on the statement and ask a more fundamental question: does this structure still align with the future they’re building, or has their business outgrown its foundation?

Ryan Guth
Founder​

I lead Goldfin Group from Franklin, TN and Albuquerque, NM, where I combine strategic financial guidance with a deep understanding of entrepreneurs’ pivotal transitions. My leadership reflects a blend of professional insight and personal commitment, guiding clients toward aligning their financial strategies with their God-given purpose and gifts. I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

​I am married to my wife, Amanda, and am the father to three boys. I enjoy all things entrepreneurial and am always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to solve bigger problems for more people, so they can be a greater force for good in the world. I recently became an author in 2024 with my first book Permission to Exit: Prepare to Sell Your Business Without Regret. In my spare time, I enjoy CrossFit, reading/listening to books and podcasts, and finding ways to serve through ministry.