”I was a homeschool kid — an awkward homeschool kid. Chick-fil-A was basically where I learned how to talk to people.” (00:32)

”I didn’t have a big network to lean on… so I just went out and knocked on doors.” (02:55)

”Some of my absolute best clients today came from knocking on doors.” (03:30)

“We don’t really need a physical office to do this long term. So that’s kind of where I got the idea of let’s make this more virtual and try to take advantage of that by traveling more with our kids.” (6:10)

”We sold the house, bought a 46-foot fifth wheel, and started traveling full-time.” (07:58)

”Investments are a matter of opinion. Taxes are a matter of fact.” (14:45)

”If you can help people save money on taxes and give them clarity, trust builds really fast.” (15:30)

”You can learn by doing, but you can’t ever do by learning.” (29:40)

”Tax advice doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just: put money in a traditional IRA instead of a Roth this year.” (30:35)

I talked to Hamilton Brandenburg, founder of Brandenburg Financial. His path into financial advice is anything but typical.

He started at Chick-fil-A, learning how to talk to people, then moved to GM Financial calling on car dealerships. Success came fast, but Hamilton realized he wanted stability for his family, and a career helping people make sense of money, without climbing the corporate ladder forever.

So he joined Edward Jones with almost no network and no shortcuts. Six days a week, rejection after rejection, he knocked on doors. And still today, some of his best clients today came from those early efforts. Then COVID hit. Door knocking stopped, meetings went virtual, and Hamilton asked a new question: Do advisors even need an office?

He tested it. His family sold their house, bought a 46-foot RV, and traveled the country while he ran his practice.

Today, he runs his own independent, fully remote firm focused on retirees and tax planning. No flashy promises, just clarity and relationships.

If you’re thinking what this career can look like, listen to Hamilton’s story.

——————

Advisor Freedom is the podcast for financial advisors who want to learn what it really takes to build a thriving advisory career & what wealthy clients are actually doing with their money.

Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Conner Young⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who launched his own independent RIA firm in 2021, the show shares real stories from advisors who’ve broken away, built their books from scratch, and refined their client service models through experience.

Each episode dives into how advisors got started, how they attracted their first clients, the systems they use today, and the best practices that help them grow.

We also open the doors to the other side of the table: interviewing high-net-worth investors, family offices, and entrepreneurs about the investments they love, the strategies they use, and the legacy they’re trying to build.

Whether you're just launching your RIA, growing your practice, or exploring new ways to create generational impact, Advisor Freedom is your behind-the-scenes guide to building a business and a life of lasting value.