The word “turnkey” is one of the most overused and misunderstood terms in the financial services industry. It’s often marketed as a way for advisors to generate results with little to no effort, but in reality, every marketing program requires someone to show up, do the work, and consistently engage in the process of generating, nurturing, and closing leads.

In this episode, Justin Woodbury challenges that misconception and introduces a different perspective. While no system eliminates the need for advisor involvement, there are companies that manage the entire process from the moment an advisor commits through the delivery of the service, allowing advisors to focus on what they do best.

This episode is the first in a three part series featuring conversations with CEOs of companies that operate this way. Justin sits down with Chris Kowalik, founder of ProFeds, a company that connects federal employees with qualified financial advisors. With a background as an Arabic linguist and signals intelligence analyst in the Marine Corps, Chris brings a high level of structure, discipline, and intentionality to her business.

The conversation highlights what makes ProFeds unique, including Chris’s commitment to protecting her team, carefully selecting the advisors she works with, and prioritizing the needs of federal employees.

Justin also shares insights from auditing many of the major IMOs, pointing out that while most offer similar services, there are a select few that operate differently. These organizations may not be heavily marketed or follow the traditional IMO model, but instead allow advisors to choose their own vendors and marketing strategies while investing back into the advisor, in some cases covering the entire marketing budget.

This episode sets the stage for a deeper look at alternative models that are helping advisors grow in a more flexible and strategic way.

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Guests and companies featured on Beyond The IMO are selected based on relevance and value to independent advisors. Neither Justin nor Beyond The IMO receive compensation, referral fees, or incentives tied to who appears on the show.