This $100M Advisor Left His RIA After 12 Years for Supported Independence – with Kirk Licata
Firm Transitions Podcast With Corey Walen 48 views July 10, 2026 2:40 pm
Kirk Licata, CFP® spent 12 years at the same RIA before deciding it was time for more ownership and control over his business. In this conversation, Kirk breaks down the exact process that led him to leave, partner with RFG Advisory, and launch Licata Financial Design in Atlanta.
• Why Kirk didn’t leave for the money, and what actually drove the decision
• The 3 pivotal questions he asked himself before making any move
• What it’s like evaluating bare-bones RIAs vs. big W2 platforms vs. everything in between
• Why the Schwab-to-Schwab transition took 2 weeks instead of 4 months
• What advisors get wrong about non-solicits and equity ownership
• His honest advice for advisors who are starting to have doubts about their current firm
If you’re a financial advisor wondering whether you have real ownership and control in your current situation, this episode will give you a clearer picture of what’s out there and how to evaluate it.
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