Can a Joy-First Approach Fuel Long-Term Growth for RIAs?
What does it look like to build a thriving wealth management firm around the values of joy and family?
In this episode of Kick It Open, Larry Sprung, founder of Mitlin Financial and host of the Mitlin Money Mindset podcast, shares how a single question — “What did you do today that brought you joy?” — became a guiding principle that reshaped not just his client conversations, but his entire practice.
Larry opens up about his personal journey into wealth management, inspired by his father’s struggle to juggle family and finances while caring for a terminally ill spouse. That early experience planted the seed for Larry’s belief that money should be a tool to create joyful, meaningful lives — not just retirement projections.
We explore how Larry has intentionally prioritized his family over the years, including his early decision to take Fridays off to be fully present with his kids — a move he calls a “non-negotiable.” We also dive into how this mindset has fueled Mitlin’s record growth, strengthened client relationships, and attracted like-minded advisors to the firm.
Larry also shares about his involvement in the Rebl Dads group — a community of remote entrepreneur dads — and how experiences like their retreat to Necker Island helped him recommit to living and leading with purpose. And finally, we discuss how the support of Carson Group’s platform is enabling Mitlin to scale its joyful approach without losing its soul.
This episode is packed with practical wisdom and heartfelt inspiration for advisors who are ready to grow — not by grinding harder, but by building a business that reflects who they are.
✨ Resources:
What did you do today that brought you joy?®
🎙️ Check out the podcast Mitlin Money Mindset®
📘 Grab Your Copy of Financial Planning Made Personal
Produced by Shelby Nicholl. Edited by Aaron Sherman.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll.
License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU
