A meaningful milestone has been hit for Robert Barre—a driven financial advisor who, just one year ago, made the bold decision to transition from a financial services firm to independence with Victory Financial. His story is a reminder of what’s possible when you’re given the tools and freedom to lead your business your way in the RIA space.

Robert’s journey in the financial industry began back in June 2019. Like many in the industry, he started at a large financial services firm and built a solid foundation. But as time went on, he felt undervalued and unsupported in his role. Despite strong performance, he was constantly up against roadblocks—limited solutions for his clients, combined with compensation that didn't align with his contributions, and recurring expenses for tools he barely used. It became clear: the model wasn’t working for him, and more importantly, it wasn’t working for his clients.

He knew it was time for a change.

The move from his previous firm to Victory Financial turned out to be smoother than expected. Robert transitioned nearly all of his clients (excluding a few inherited accounts) with little friction. He credits this seamless shift to enhanced technology through Schwab and the implementation of eMoney, which significantly enhanced his client experience and operational efficiency.  “It wasn’t just a change in where I worked,” he said. “It was a change in how I work—and how I serve.”

With Victory Financial’s support, Robert was able to offer lower fees and more flexible investment options for his clients. Leveraging investment models from Andrew Szuyzi, Director of Investments at Victory Financial, he added immediate value to his clients’ portfolios, and it didn’t take long for them to notice.

What’s more, the freedom to work across multiple platforms has been a game-changer. Tools like Pontera have helped Robert with 401k management where he can integrate retirement accounts into holistic portfolio strategies, ensuring clients receive comprehensive financial guidance. That level of personalization—paired with full transparency—has helped him deepen client relationships and deliver advice that’s aligned with real-life goals.

In just one year, Robert has grown his Assets Under Management (AUM) by over 25%. Now, instead of feeling like he’s fighting the system, Robert is energized by what he can do—serve clients better, build stronger relationships, and deliver personalized services that align with clients' goals and aspirations.

We’re proud to have Robert on our team and grateful he’s shared his journey. His story is a powerful example of what happens when advisors step into independence with the right support behind them.

Ready to explore what that could look like for you? Reach out to our President, Kyle Wardlaw, at kyle@victoryfinancialgroup.com.