Episode 094: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jay Tarno. Jay is the COO of Cornerstone Planning Group. A former advisor turned operator, he helped lead Cornerstone’s transition to independence and rapid growth. Jay specializes in scaling operations, building advisor support systems, and leveraging technology to enhance client experience, all while maintaining a people-first, fiduciary approach.
Kyle and Jay discuss the risks and rewards of building a tech-forward firm from scratch. From navigating the choppy waters of the 2008 financial crisis to transitioning to independence during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Jay shares his path and the key strategies behind Cornerstone Planning Group's scalable growth.
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(01:31) - Jay's money moment
(05:16) - Going independent during the pandemic
(07:47) - Building a tech stack from scratch
(13:02) - How Cornerstone supports advisors with niche markets
(16:42) - What it takes to be a great COO
(18:42) - Creating Cornerstone’s service team and its impact on growth
(21:51) - Cornerstone's approach to recruiting and developing talent