In this Blueprint | FPA Nex Gen episode, Haley Ellis, CFP® and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, joins hosts Mike Zarrelli, CFP®, and Deshawn Peterson, CFP®, to share how she successfully transitioned from a client-facing financial planner to Director of Operations (and on track for COO) after her firm doubled in size. She unpacks building workflows from scratch, leading through a merger, advocating for your role, and why community—FPA chapters and mastermind groups—accelerates growth.

You’ll learn:

• How to spot (and claim) an operations leadership opportunity in a small RIA
• The first processes to build when a firm scales or merges
• What makes a mastermind group actually stick (commitment + accountability)
• When a niche helps marketing—and when it doesn’t define your whole book
• Designations vs. real client reps: where to invest your early-career energy

Quote to remember: “Growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone—but confidence comes from counting your small wins.”

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Chapters

00:00 Intro & Haley’s move to NC

04:10 From planner to Director of Operations

09:45 Doubling the firm wins & challenges

14:20 Advocating for your role (without the imposter spiral)

19:30 FPA community & leadership reps

24:15 Mastermind groups that stick

29:10 Designations: CFP®, CPFA & what matters early

34:40 Niches (dentists, 401(k)s) — marketing vs. reality

40:05 Showing up in the “big room” with confidence

45:10 Third space, burnout, and recharging

48:30 Haley’s superpower & close

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