Starting investment advisory to offer equity strategy

For starting an investment advisory that operates an equity long-only strategy with the target market of independent financial advisors, would there be a significant difference in perception between a one-man and a two-man firm? I started working with a business partner to launch an advisory offering a few SMA strategies, but I've found him difficult to communicate with and not willing to work as hard as me. I'm tempted to just go solo, but I'm concerned about the effect it would have on the perception of the firm and its professionalism. I should note that we're both fairly young, about age 30.

Does anyone have experience marketing Asset Management services to independent financial advisors? Would going solo make it difficult for me to raise assets?

5 Comments
 
Best Response

I second the track record comment. This is probably the most important hurdle for a new manager, but it should be easier to jump over when dealing with smaller independent FAs than it would be for institutional money. I don't think there is much of a difference between a one or two man shop, unless he fills a gap in the firm's overall story/strategy (different background/sector coverage/skills or something of that nature)

I have a bit of experience doing manager DD for a family-run RIA and we used to look at some pretty small shops and a few of them had pretty solid asset bases for one-man teams. However, it is definitely something that will need to be addressed and investors will need to feel confident that you are capable of doing everything necessary to succeed.

Array
 

Are you hiring? I have an accounting degree, zero experience in the industry and have passed level 1 CFA - clearly a highly-coveted candidate.

 

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