Your Path to Independence, Simplified.
We help financial professionals understand their options when exploring independence by providing unbiased insight, platform comparisons, and guidance—so you can move forward confidently.
The Open Guidance Advantage
Free
You will never receive a bill from us.
We are compensated by the platforms, ensuring our services are 100% free.
Confidential
Your current practice is protected while exploring your future one. We maintain strict confidentiality and disclose information only at your direction.
Agnostic
We’re not tied to any firm. Our guidance is objective and focused on finding the right fit for you and your practice.
Why Independence?
Economics & Payout
Independent models typically offer significantly higher payouts (often 85–95%+) compared to wirehouse or captive environments.
Ownership of the Book
In the independent space, you own your client relationships. Your "book" is an asset you can eventually sell, rather than property of the firm.
Why Independence
Operational Freedom
Choose your own technology stack, marketing strategy, and investment philosophy without the constraints of a "one-size-fits-all" corporate mandate.
Enhanced Client Experience
Minimize the conflicts of interest inherent in large banking institutions, allowing you to act in the best interest of your clients with total transparency.
Our Process
Initial Discovery & Strategic Alignment
In this foundational phase, we dive deep into your current practice and vision for the future. We gather critical data on your AUM, service model, and growth roadmap for the next 24–36 months. Simultaneously, we define what “ideal fit” means for you—identifying the specific cultural and operational benchmarks you should prioritize when evaluating the independent landscape.
Market Mapping
Following our discovery, we reconvene to highlight where your goals align with specific independent models and identify the "push and pull" factors relative to your current environment. We will provide you with a shortlist of Broker-Dealers we suggest you engage with based on verified alignment and economics.
Facilitated Introduction
Once you’ve selected the firms you wish to explore, we facilitate formal introductions to the appropriate recruiting teams. We handle the scheduling and logistics of these conversations, serving as a neutral buffer and sounding board as you begin to evaluate their offerings, support models, and payout grids.
Partnership Hand-off
Once a match is identified, we orchestrate a warm hand-off to the firm’s transition and integration specialists. While the Broker-Dealer takes the lead on the technical transition and onboarding, we remain in your corner. We stay connected through the integration process to ensure the firm is meeting the expectations established during the evaluation phase.
No Commitment
Completely Confidential
© 2025 Open Guidance. All rights reserved.
Olympia, WA(206) 552-9001