Managing Millions for Indiana Families | John Wortman, Valeo Financial Advisors

On today's show I sat down with John Wortman, co-founder and CEO of Valeo Financial Advisors, a firm founded in 2003 that has grown to over 100 certified financial planners managing over $12 billion.

Wortman traces his early interest in markets from Evansville, explains disillusionment with cold-calling brokerage sales, and describes learning comprehensive financial planning at Oxford before leaving, paying a non-compete, and being sued at age 27 as Valeo launched into the dot-com bust and the 2008 crisis. He emphasizes transparent fees, limiting client loads, and building talent through an apprenticeship model.

Our conversation also covers innovation and AI-enabled product building, Valeo's "GIVE" program, involvement with Brackets for Good and Gleaners Food Bank, and why Indiana's family ties and community keep him rooted.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - Markets in the 2000s vs. Now - Valeo's Founding and Growth Over the Last 20+ Years - Brackets for Good and "GIVE" Program

Thank you to our partners: Hope Plumbing Indy Grills

Check out these great clips from the show: 01:30 Guest Introduction: John Wortman, Valeo Financial Advisors 02:18 Evansville Origins 04:44 First Stock Obsession 05:37 Markets Then and Now 06:39 Cold Calling Reality 10:11 Advisor Value Test 13:30 Oxford Lessons 14:31 Radical Fee Transparency 15:35 Apprentice Model Culture 16:43 Noncompete Lawsuit 18:22 Imposter Syndrome Advice 20:32 Networking Deflections 21:39 Early Valeo Hustle 28:00 Leadership Listening 30:33 Brackets For Good Story 33:01 "GIVE" Program Generosity 34:33 Gleaners Food Network 37:41 Choosing Gleaners Impact 39:16 Authentic Giving Networks 42:21 Volunteering Over Taxes 44:01 Valeo Traction Intern Wall 47:29 AI Dreaming Innovation 50:10 Career Vines Founder Drive 53:42 Next Decade Vision 59:20 Evansville Weekend Pitch 01:01:12 Why Indiana Home 01:02:09 Rapid Fire Reflections 01:06:40 Indiana Real Estate Talent

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