Looking for Career Guidance as a CFP – RIA vs Building Under Insurance/Brokerage Model
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some honest career guidance from people who have been in the industry longer than I have.
A little background about me:
I am 31 year old female with
7 years of experience at a boutique RIA
Started as an Investment Analyst / Associate Financial Planner
Later promoted into a Financial Advisor role
Earned my CFP® in 2025
Currently pursuing the CMT® designation (expected Dec 2026)
From a technical standpoint, I believe my strongest area (“moat”) is investments and markets. I’m comfortable with:
Retirement planning
Education planning
Portfolio analysis
General financial planning
Market/economic discussions
Where I feel I lag behind is:
High-level communication/storytelling with clients
Sales/prospecting
Building relationships naturally
Asking for business confidently
I’m trying to figure out the best next move for my career and would genuinely appreciate advice from advisors who’ve gone through this stage.
I’m debating between:
Joining another RIA where I can continue developing under a planning-first environment
OR
Building my own book under a captive/insurance-affiliated model like MassMutual, Prudential, etc.
My concerns:
I value planning and investments more than aggressive product sales
But I also realize I need to improve business development skills if I want long-term success
I’m unsure whether insurance-affiliated firms will help me grow holistically or push me too heavily into sales/product quotas
At the same time, RIAs sometimes feel slower for building ownership and income growth
A few questions for the community:
Given my background/personality, which path sounds more suitable?
How did you improve communication and sales skills as a technically strong but less naturally “salesy” advisor?
Are there specific firms/models you recommend for someone trying to become a well-rounded advisor?
Would you prioritize mentorship, independence, payout, or brand early in the career?
Any advice on where/how to find the right opportunity quickly?
I’m actively looking for the right opportunity and hoping to start ASAP, so I’d appreciate any honest guidance from this community.
Thank you in advance.