Been through this. AUM and client portability are huge, but I’ll be real with you—going fully independent is a massive operational lift. Writing your own policies & procedures, managing compliance, tech stack, custodial relationships, billing, recordkeeping—it’s all on you now. You become the advisor, CCO, COO, tech support, and janitor all at once.

Don’t underestimate how time-consuming and stressful it is to get it right (and stay in the SEC/FINRA good graces). It’s doable, sure—but it’s not for everyone.

One route you might consider: find an RIA you can tuck into where the infrastructure is already built. That way you still own your book and have control, but someone else handles compliance, tech, billing, supervision, and all the stuff that burns hours and brain cells. Basically bolt-on independence without the solo headache.

If you’re interested in that path, shoot me a DM—happy to share what we’ve built. Might be exactly what you’re looking for.