In this episode, Sten sits down with Angie Herbers to talk about what really causes advisory firms to stall, break, or lose momentum as they grow. Angie shares how her unusual start in the industry led her into consulting, why communication skills matter more than most firms realize, and what separates firms that keep moving from firms that stay stuck in meetings and indecision. They also unpack some of the biggest hidden challenges in advisory businesses today: capacity, leadership bottlenecks, poor training models, over-reliance on support staff, and the fear that keeps founders from hiring advisors who might be just as smart—or smarter—than they are. This is a strong episode for advisors who want to build a business that scales without losing culture, client experience, or momentum.

Angie Herbers: herbersandcompany.com

Takeaways

1. Communication skills should be trained first, not treated as a “natural gift.”
2. Most firms hurt young advisors by hiding them in the back office instead of letting them observe client communication.
3. Growth creates pressure, and that pressure reveals what will eventually break.
4. The easiest hire is often support staff, but the most important hire is usually another advisor.
5. The best leaders solve problems quickly instead of hiding inside endless meetings and planning cycles.