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132: Devin Choules - The Overlooked Hiring Secret That 4X’d This Advisor’s Firm
Episode 132
Scaling a financial advisory firm can come at a cost—endless travel, long hours, and precious time away from family. That’s where Triad Member Devin Choules found himself a few years ago: 60,000 miles a year on the road, burned out, and questioning the life and business he had built.
Everything shifted when Devin stopped trying to do it all himself. For years he had stayed understaffed and tried to get by keeping payroll as one of his lowest expense. But when he finally switched his mindset to "invest" in A-players, everything changed.
His director of operations freed him from the grind, a second hire pushed the firm to $19M in total assets, and bringing on a seasoned lead advisor elevated the planning far beyond what Devin could have delivered alone. Each step proved the same point: hire great people, and get the hell out of their way if you want to scale!
Today, Devin has rebuilt his firm around freedom—for himself, his team, and his clients. He shows how estate planning tools like the Yes Portal give families peace of mind, how asking emotional questions helps retirees spend without regret, and why true legacy isn’t measured in money but in the memories we leave behind.
3 of the biggest insights from Devin Choules…
#1.) Growth Comes From Hiring A-Players
Devin’s firm jumped from $5M to $19M in just three years—without adding more marketing or seminars. The breakthrough came when he stopped trying to do it all himself and hired A-players. By building a team he could trust, Devin cut out 60,000 miles of travel a year, reclaimed time with his family, and gave clients a better experience. He shares why elite talent pays for itself, and why most advisors stay stuck by hiring cheap or being understaffed.
#2.) Estate Planning That Actually Serves Families
Most clients have never seen their full net worth on one page. Devin shows how his firm’s Yes Portal changes that—one login where clients (and their heirs) can see every account, every document, and every detail of their estate. By documenting everything and making it accessible in one place, advisors can give clients peace of mind now—and prevent chaos for their families later.
#3.) Legacy Is About Memories, Not Money
People don’t just want to live longer, they want to live more. Devin shares how asking the right emotional questions helps retirees spend without regret, create meaningful experiences (like “cousin time”), and build a legacy their families will remember long after the money is gone.
SHOW NOTES
https://bradleyjohnson.com/132
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