The Growth Strategy Behind a $3B Succession-Ready Firm with David Hefty

Episode 092: David Hefty is the CEO at Credent Wealth Management, a fast-growing, advisor-owned RIA that has scaled to nearly $3 billion in AUM through a unique blend of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and succession-focused consulting. With more than 25 years in the financial services industry, David has a deep passion for creating sustainable, client-centric firms built on transparency, operational excellence, and leadership development.

In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with David about the bold moves behind Credent’s explosive growth—from bootstrapping as a young advisor to leading 12 successful acquisitions. David unpacks how his firm scaled to nearly $3B in AUM by focusing on intentional succession planning, centralized operations, and a transparent, advisor-first culture.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:20) - David's money moment

(04:17) - Founding and growing Credent Wealth Management

(06:28) - Organic growth and creating a raving fan experience

(08:46) - The most common questions advisors ask about acquisitions

(11:28) - Succession-focused TAMP

(17:09) - The realities of running an RIA business