TRANSITION STORIES
Why Premier Was the First Firm That Truly Had My Back
When people ask why I chose to leave my previous broker-dealer, I usually smile and say, “How much time do you have?” I started there because the payout was better, the platform was more flexible, and there were opportunities to pick up some neglected books of business. For a few years, things were great. My own practice was growing, and the additional clients I inherited were thriving.
Then the retirements started.
First, I took on about 400 clients from a retiring advisor. That was a massive jump from my original 70-household book, plus the 50 or 60 I had picked up when I joined. I expected support and none came. Eight months later, another advisor retired, leaving about 200 more clients. I said I couldn’t take it. The response? “Take it, or we’ll take it all away.”
That was the moment I knew I needed to find a better path.
The very next day, I called a recruiter. I talked to LPL and a few insurance companies, but nothing felt right, so I just stopped looking. I wasn’t afraid of moving. I wasn’t hesitant. I just didn’t see the right fit.
What I did know was this: to grow again, I needed to shrink back to a manageable size. And that simply wasn’t possible where I was.
Meeting Premier by Chance
My introduction to Premier is one of my favorite stories. I was heading to a lunch-and-learn in Lancaster when I met a guy in the elevator who looked like he was going to the same event. That guy was Mark Steinhart.
We talked on the way up, sat near each other, and after the event he introduced me to several people from Premier and other independent reps. Then he mailed me a handwritten thank-you note for “getting him to the event,” and invited me to keep the conversation going. That small gesture stuck with me.
Months later, Mark introduced me to his business partner, Sebastian Sullivan. We met at my house, casual clothes, relaxed vibe, and talked about everything: my history, my frustrations, my goals, my family. Over time, I met more of the Premier team, went to their holiday event, and spoke with a recruiter. By February, I knew Premier was the right home. We set a June transition date.
The Best Transition Experience I’ve Ever Had
This transition was unlike anything I’d experienced before. At my previous broker-dealer, support was constantly promised but never delivered. I once had paperwork sent to clients completely blank and ended up driving around the region fixing the mess myself.
Premier was the exact opposite. A complete 180 in the best possible way.
The transition team, Jennifer Steinhart, Kristina Holloran, Robin Mumma, and Estrella Rivera-Martinez, made me feel genuinely cared for. Everyone was responsive. Everyone showed up. DocuPace made paperwork painless and efficient.
Within 45 days, I was 75% transitioned. By October, I was at 92%. Anything outstanding was minor. Even Traci Shughart, the company president, made herself accessible. Premier operates like a family, and they treat their advisors that way.
Life After the Move
I’m no longer juggling 600 clients. I’m working with about 80 households. People I can serve well without burning myself out. The “special contract” clients at my old firm may have looked good on paper, but they drained me. Leaving was absolutely the right call for my health and my business.
Client reactions were overwhelmingly positive! About 95% were on board right away. Sure, there were technical quirks bringing outside data into WOVE, but everything was handled. The support here is the biggest difference. Having worked in support roles myself, I value a team that not only helps you but teaches you how to navigate systems confidently.
And I finally have colleagues again. Sebastian and Mark have become true partners. The mentoring, the planning sessions, the camaraderie… it’s real here. These are people who care about their communities and the advisors they work with.
My Advice to Anyone Considering a Move
Don’t move just to move. But if you want a firm that supports you from the moment the conversation starts, before you’ve even said yes, then Premier is the right place.
My entire experience can be summed up in three words: support, care, and concern. Put those together, and you get something every advisor deserves: peace of mind.”
We’re not built for volume.
We’re built for people.
We know our advisors by name, celebrate their milestones, and grow at a pace that keeps service personal.
That’s how independence stays sustainable and how you stay on your own, but not alone.