Building With Purpose: Culture, Calling, and Family Office Planning in Middle America
💥 What if you could build a thriving culture—without tipping into cultish?
💥 What if family office-level planning wasn’t just for the ultra-wealthy—but for builders and business owners in your own community?
In this episode of Advisors Off Script, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Vaughan Scott, founder of Axiom, an independent RIA based in New Albany, Indiana. Vaughan’s journey spans every corner of the advice industry—from regional broker-dealers to banks, to independence—and now, he's building something different: a firm grounded in mission, structure, and deep service.
Together, Shelby and Vaughan explore what it means to lead with intention and build a culture that empowers, not pressures. They reflect on purpose, legacy, and the moments that remind us why this work matters—including a personal story Shelby shares about her father-in-law’s end-of-life family meeting.
In this episode:
The evolution from wirehouse to independence—and what each chapter taught Vaughn
Why culture matters more than growth-for-growth’s-sake
What it takes to bring true family office-level planning to Middle America
The meaning of vocare—and how purpose shapes the firms we're building
Whether you’re building, leading, or reimagining what your next chapter could look like, this episode is a call to lead with purpose.
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
