During the transition, we also had to face the fact that although we had run a 32-year practice, our old company owned everything: our clients, our accounts, our notes, our CRM, even our email. This made the mountain in front of us significantly bigger than most. But our commitment to our clients, and to doing what’s right for them, pushed us forward as we began researching our next chapter.

The Challenges

The push to leave came from product limitations, but the deeper issues had been there all along.

Technology was outdated.

We regularly spent hours creating compliant documents just to show clients their accounts. No automated summaries, no combined statements, just manual calculations and Word docs paired with hand-built disclosures. Despite years of asking for better tech, nothing changed. Meanwhile, other broker-dealers offered clean, modern portals with everything in one place. The very features our clients had been begging us for. Looking back, I can only imagine how many prospective clients we lost due to these shortcomings.

We didn’t have an electronic blotter.

Every trade, every check, every new account required manual entry into an Excel spreadsheet and then manual submission for approval. It ate up hours upon hours each month. With Cambridge and Premier, we finally experienced streamlined electronic blotting, and the time and money saved has allowed us to give our clients more personal attention.

The “career agent system” held us back.

We sat through unnecessary sales-driven meetings and worked in a “one-size-fits-all” environment. The management structure made it nearly impossible to bring on advisors or grow our team. Splitting cases or taking overrides beyond two advisors was basically off-limits unless you became a company-controlled manager. Required onboarding steps often made no sense for our office. It stunted our growth and, by extension, the quality of service we could offer clients.

Premier changed that entirely. Their team works with us. Not above us. Meetings are meaningful and collaborative, not mandatory time-wasters. We feel like part of a supportive community, not cogs in a corporate machine.

Our CRM was a mess.

We couldn’t edit contact info, remove deceased clients, or ensure accurate account data. No workflows. No automated follow-ups. If it weren’t for our own notes, a client could call with a question and our system would show inaccurate numbers. With Premier and CAMBRIDGE, we finally have a CRM that works for us and our clients; integrated with text archiving, email tracking, calendars, and workflows that actually streamline our business.

We weren’t allowed modern tools.

Automated note-taking? Not allowed. After the move, we realized how much this one change transformed meetings. We could focus fully on clients: better eye contact, better conversations, better relationships.

Compensation cuts were high.

Yes, they provided benefits, but those benefits didn’t outweigh the capital we needed to grow. Moving allowed us to hire a full-time operations manager, something we could never have done before. That one hire changed everything for our advisors, our clients, and our ability to scale.

Marketing freedom was nonexistent.

Everything we posted was heavily restricted or criticized. Many of the things we were told “you can’t do” turned out to just be internal rules – not real compliance. With Premier and Cambridge, we built our own website, created a social media presence, and connected directly with clients. That freedom has already grown our business.

Looking back, we didn’t realize how much these hurdles impacted clients. But once we made the move, the difference was undeniable, and so was their appreciation.

The Decision to Transition

We first heard about Premier through ASH Brokerage. Our case manager knew the challenges we were facing, and when our product limitations worsened, we reached out for advice. He recommended we look into CAMBRIDGE, and he said, “I think I have a really good fit for you with an OSJ called Premier.” He felt our values aligned, and he couldn’t have been more right.

Every conversation pulled us back to CAMBRIDGE. Their independent mindset, their client-first philosophy, and their commitment to staying free from big corporate ownership checked every box for us. People described them as having a family-like feel, and now, over a year later, I can say that’s absolutely true.

And Premier? We knew immediately. What stood out most was how real they were. No egos, no corporate walls. Just genuine people who talked about their families, their hobbies, and their commitment to advisors. We felt that “we’re home” gut feeling right away.

Sebastian and his transition team didn’t flinch at our unique challenges. They embraced them. Their confidence and transparency made our decision clear: this was the right move.

The Transition Process

The transition team was an absolute lifesaver. Starting from scratch with over 2,500 accounts, plus countless investment products, was overwhelming. But Sebastian, Kristina, Jen, Jodi, and their team were with us every step.

They helped input client data one by one, created systems tailored to our office, and provided the encouragement we desperately needed on long days. As a small family office with limited staff, their hands-on support was everything.

There are moments I’ll never forget. One Saturday at 8 PM, exhausted and drowning in paperwork, I texted Sebastian with a question. He was at a birthday party but said, “Give me 10 minutes and I’ll call you.” That 20-minute call saved me hours, and in that moment, I felt genuinely cared for. His leadership, responsiveness, and humility set the tone for his entire team. They fix mistakes quickly, they listen, and they take ownership. You truly couldn’t ask for better partners.

The Results

The results of our transition have exceeded every expectation.

For the first time in our career, we have true freedom of choice for our clients. In over a year at Cambridge, not once have I faced a product limitation. More options, no sales goals, no corporate pressure – just doing what’s best for the client. It has been career-changing.

Sebastian once said, “We work for you. You are our clients.” That mindset is rare in this industry, and it shows. Their support allows us to run our business our way, with as much or as little help as we need.

Our clients responded better than we could’ve imagined. Most said, “If I trust you with my money, I trust your decision.” We’ve kept over 98% of our clients and gained even more, thanks to better technology, streamlined onboarding, and expanded product offerings.

Our practice is running more efficiently than ever. Clients feel it. We feel it. And our reputation around town continues to grow.

Words of Wisdom

If you’re considering a move, here’s my advice:

Look for good leaders.

People who care about you, not just your production. Find a team that focuses on client well-being, not sales quotas.

Ask yourself: how much longer am I willing to put my clients through outdated systems and limitations?

If your gut is telling you something’s off… trust it. It’s probably right.

Transitions take work. But with the right team, that work is temporary. The benefits for your clients, your practice, and your sanity last for years.

Premier and Cambridge gave us peace, professionally and personally. And for that, I will always be grateful.

One line to sum up my experience:

The best decision I’ve ever made for my clients, my office, and my family.

One word:

Thankful.