Share

cover art for Elements with Reese Harper | E269

Fintech Impact

Elements with Reese Harper | E269

Ep. 269
•

Jason talks to Reese Harper, CEO of Elements. It is a financial planning company focused on delivering deep, meaningful conversations between clients and advisors, but specifically focused on the key things that they need to focus on in order to be effective in their financial planning journey. 


Episode Highlights

  • 1.36: Reese shares how the idea of launching Elements came through? What factors motivated him?
  • 06.38: Reese tried to create a more efficient way to answer questions without him having to do any of the data entry or data maintenance. 
  • 07.49: As per Reese they are trying to get deeper in conversations, but not have as many extensive presentations as they are trying to put in front of people. 
  • 13.48: Saving money, spending money, paying taxes and paying debt are the four elements that are the four vital signs that cash flow is made-up of.
  • 16.02: Reese explains how the elements financial planning system scorecard works. 
  • 18.58: Reese discusses the obligation that they have as the software provider in a world where it's all about financial health. 
  • 21.28: As per Reese both benchmarks and heuristics are important and right now, they just have heuristics in the system. 
  • 23.37: Reese supports the idea of advisors using guidelines and benchmarks to motivate clients toward a healthier state when needed. 
  • 26.27: Insights engine is what are we going to surface to the advisor to show them what's going on with their clientele.
  • 30.12: Reese shares the success stories and how well the app is received by clients.
  • 33.37: Reese explains how their entire clientele is not on meetings. He is batching responses and he is doing it asynchronously.
  • 35.52: A DSO that employs like 200 dentists, it's really hard to cost effectively work with rank-and-file dentists, says Reese.


3 Key Points

  1. Reese discusses an easy way to measure holistic financial health. He shares how the elements financial planning system helps clients to collect and organize financial data and then gives a snapshot of all their key financial health metrics–in one view.
  2. Reese talks about the three main ways that they use to interact with clients.
  3. The advisor mobile version is mostly meant for real-time analysis, and when you get on the phone with the client, you will be editing data on the fly with them. The web is there for triage and sort of book-level clientele, explains Reese. 


Tweetable Quotes

  • "If you ever tried to build your own software for your own needs, using your own money from profits from another business that like an advisory business to pay for software, you realize very quickly that it, it's very challenging." - Reese
  • "You could really overwhelm people quite Quickly if you say we have to collect all the financial vital signs that exist in the world." – Reese
  • "Benchmarking is kind of the V2 of what we see coming. It is when you can create internal when you have a large enough internal sample, you can start creating financial health metrics." - Reese
  • "Almost everything that matters to you in your life has some representation on your phone screen." - Jason


Resources Mentioned

  • Facebook – Jason Pereira's Facebook
  • LinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn
  • Woodgate.com – Sponsor
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/reeseharper/


More episodes

View all episodes

  • 446. DeepVest with Toby Wade | E446

    25:23||Ep. 446
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, Jason Pereira sits down with Dr. Toby Wade, CEO of DeepVest, to explore how wealth management firms can leverage AI without worrying about false information or incorrect math. Wade explains how DeepVest’s "hallucination-free" AI stack uses pre-coded, deterministic calculations for structured financial data, ensuring the system returns exact portfolio analytics and refuses to guess unsupported numbers. Listeners will learn how DeepVest evolved from natural-language backtesting into a complete advisor platform that accelerates proposal generation, portfolio stress-testing, and meeting prep. By integrating directly with existing CRMs and custodians, the platform helps advisors win new business and scale AUM without taking on the role of a custodian or trading desk.  Give this episode a listen to discover how deterministic AI is giving wealth managers institutional-grade analytics without the risk of hallucinations.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome to Fintech Impact00:37 What DeepVest Does00:57 Origin Story and Focus01:56 Deterministic Analytics Engine04:25 Why LLMs Hallucinate07:04 Expanding Into Proposals08:41 All In One Advisor Platform10:15 Data Context and Guardrails14:34 Real World Advisor Wins18:33 Future Butler Service Vision19:59 Where DeepVest Wont Play21:20 Rapid Tech Adoption Wish23:23 Startup Challenges and Wrap24:39 Closing and Sponsor MessageResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorDeepVestLinkedIn - Toby Wade’s LinkedIn

  • 445. Launch Lemonade with Cien Solon | E445

    30:55||Ep. 445
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, Jason Pereira sits down with Cien Solon, founder of Launch Lemonade, to explore how domain experts can build custom AI tools without writing code. Solon explains how the platform acts as an AI marketplace, allowing industry experts to package their knowledge into specialized AI "agents" that businesses can safely deploy.The conversation highlights how Launch Lemonade solves low corporate AI adoption by providing a secure, audit-friendly environment that supports over 100 language models. By combining flexible model options with natural-language workflow tools, the platform allows regulated businesses to automate complex tasks while ensuring complete data privacy and compliance.Be sure to give this episode a listen to discover how custom AI agents are helping experts monetize their knowledge and giving businesses a safer way to adopt AI.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:30 What Launch Lemonade Does01:12 Origin Story and Branding02:24 Why Generic AI Fails04:15 Expert Built Agents and Security05:50 Defining Agents and Harnesses08:38 Multi Model Strategy and Costs16:13 Building and Running Workflows18:41 Customers and Use Cases21:46 Roadmap Payments and Collaboration25:00 Founder Q and A Wrap Up29:55 Final Thoughts and OutroResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLaunch LemonadeLinkedIn - Cien Solon’s LinkedIn

  • 444. Investcloud with Boris Rankov | E444

    26:30||Ep. 444
    Connecting fragmented advisor data into a unified, AI-driven workflow is the central theme of this episode, as Jason Pereira sits down with Boris Rankov, Head of AI for Wealth at InvestCloud. Rankov breaks down how InvestCloud—a wealthtech giant supporting $8 trillion in assets—is evolving its SMART AI and PM Plus capabilities to make wealth management more accessible and efficient.Listeners will get an inside look at how InvestCloud builds secure, enterprise-grade AI using semantic layers, guardrails, and deterministic tools to guarantee accuracy in regulated markets. Rankov highlights how these agent-orchestrated workflows simplify advisor operations by surfacing real-time insights, automating meeting prep and CRM follow-ups, and expanding research access—all while keeping human advisors firmly in the loop to maintain client trust.Be sure to give this episode a listen to discover how enterprise AI is reshaping advisor workflows and laying the groundwork to democratize wealth management.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome to Fintech Impact00:36 Meet InvestCloud01:18 SMART Platform Flywheel02:37 Adapting to GenAI04:52 Semantic Layer and Data05:27 Reliability and Eval Harness07:42 Agent Orchestration Explained10:47 Validation and Release Testing17:51 Advisor Wins and Workflow20:05 Client Portal and Trust21:35 Rapid Fire Questions25:36 Closing and SponsorResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorInvestCloudLinkedIn - Boris Rankov’s LinkedIn

  • 443. Aegis AI & Analytics with Bruno Texeira | E443

    27:20||Ep. 443
    Host Jason Pereira interviews Bruno Teixeira, founder of Aegis AI Analytics, about helping mid-sized firms strategize and implement AI in workflows. Teixeira, with 20 years in analytics across banks in Brazil and Canada and experience on CPP Investments’ gen AI team, explains that smaller firms can adopt AI faster due to less bureaucracy but must avoid treating AI like a “genie” or automating broken processes. He emphasizes change management, hands-on enablement (hackathons, office hours, champions), and aligning workflow and incentives rather than simply distributing tools like Copilot. Success should be measured by meaningful productivity and output gains, not prompt counts, using team-appropriate metrics and incremental automation targets (e.g., reducing validation work hours). He advises not to wait for new frontier models and to improve outcomes through clearer context and reverse-engineering desired outputs.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:31 Bruno’s Background in AI02:28 Why Mid-Sized Firms Struggle04:21 Picking the Right Use Case06:09 AI and the Workforce Reality08:47 Adoption Programs That Work10:10 Hands-On Training and Champions12:45 Deployment Checklist and Measurement14:39 KPIs and Automation ROI16:44 Common Pitfalls and Prompting21:58 Getting Started and Final Q&A26:33 Wrap-Up and Sponsor MessageResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorAegis AI & AnalyticsLinkedIn - Bruno Texeira’s LinkedIn

  • 442. Flourish with Max Lane | E442

    27:41||Ep. 442
    Host Jason Pereira interviews Max Lane, CEO of Flourish, a wealth tech platform aiming to bring private bank-like banking and lending experiences to independent RIAs. Lane explains Flourish’s origins in 2017 out of a New York asset manager serving RIAs, launching Flourish Cash in 2018 and recently Flourish Lending for residential mortgages and refinancing. He describes how advisors use Flourish Cash to bring held-away client cash into view, offering a single 3.25% APY, elevated FDIC pass-through insurance via 40+ program banks (up to $7.5M individual, $15M joint), and advisor tools like “Notable Transfers” for planning opportunities. Flourish Lending provides advisor-centric origination, rate scanning, dedicated loan officers, and refi monitoring alerts to help retain clients and compete with private banks’ relationship pricing; monetization comes from cash spread and mortgage commissions.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:19 What Flourish Does00:50 Origin Story and Products02:35 Why Advisors Need Banking03:47 Cash and Lending Value07:53 Cash Balances Reality Check09:44 Flourish Cash Workflow13:50 Flourish Lending Workflow18:24 How Flourish Makes Money20:38 FDIC Coverage Explained22:54 Three Closing Questions26:38 Wrap Up and Call to ActionResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorFlourishLinkedIn - Max Lane’s LinkedIn

  • 441. Dispatch with Rob Nance | E441

    25:54||Ep. 441
    Eliminating repetitive paperwork is the driving force behind Dispatch, a platform acting as a neutral data translation layer—a "Plaid for wealth management." CEO Rob Nance explains how Dispatch solves the industry's biggest operational headache by automatically syncing client data across CRMs, custodians, and financial planning software without requiring firms to replace their existing tech stack.By building a standardized data connection, the platform streamlines "revenue-critical" moments like digital account opening and advisor transitions—highlighted by a recent case where a firm migrated $500 million and 3,300 accounts in just 2.5 weeks. As Dispatch expands its deep integrations and opens its API to other fintechs, it aims to eliminate redundant data entry, reduce form errors, and help wealth management practices unify their operations.Give this episode a listen to discover how modern data layers are eliminating redundant data entry and unifying wealth management practices.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:34 Dispatch Origin Story01:06 Revenue Critical Data Moments03:37 Client Data Focus and Planning05:06 Plaid for Wealth Management06:34 Standardization and Translation Layer09:28 Network Effects and Deep Integrations13:55 Neutral Pipes in an AI OS Race18:03 Next Frontier Advisor Transitions19:44 Transition Complexity and Case Study22:06 Rapid Fire Closing Questions25:07 Wrap Up and Sponsor MessageResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorDispatchLinkedIn - Rob Nance’s LinkedIn

  • 440. Avantos with Bassam Chaptini | E440

    22:03||Ep. 440
    What happens after a client signs on the dotted line? In this episode, Jason Pereira sits down with Bassam Chaptini, co-founder of Avantos, to dive into an AI platform tackling the messy administrative gap of wealth management—from onboarding to daily servicing. Using a "knowledge graph" to map relationships across multiple systems, Avantos deploys smart AI agents to fill out custodian paperwork and execute routine tasks, keeping human advisors firmly in control for final approvals.Instead of forcing firms through painful data migrations, Avantos syncs with existing software and pushes live updates everywhere at once. Backed by heavyweights like Vanguard, SEI, and Mercer Advisors, the platform is standardizing custodian workflows and preparing to bring its time-saving automation to insurance and banking next.If you’re a wealth management leader looking to kill post-onboarding paperwork and streamline your operations, you'll want to add this conversation to your queue.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:31 What Avantos Does01:37 Why Client Onboarding Is Hard04:02 Knowledge Graph Approach05:13 No Migration and Unified Onboarding07:58 Traction and Design Partners09:22 Agentic AI With Context13:18 Relationship Intelligence Layer15:47 Servicing Platform Integrations17:44 Roadmap Multi-Product Future20:32 Closing Thoughts and Wrap Up21:15 Outro and Sponsor MessageResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorAvantosLinkedIn - Bassam Chaptini’s LinkedIn

  • 439. NARSSA with Martha Shedden & Ted Rosedale | E439

    29:59||Ep. 439
    Host Jason Pereira sits down with Martha Shedden and Ted Rosedale from the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA) to explain why generic online Social Security calculators often fall short. They break down why Social Security optimization is a complex, high-stakes decision—especially for couples, widows, and divorcees—where simple estimates miss key variables like spousal benefits, taxation, and life expectancy.To solve this, NARSSA pairs accredited advisor education with its RSSA Roadmap software, a tool that directly imports official earnings records to build personalized, visual reports. The platform models complex interactions like survivor benefits and required minimum distributions (RMDs), helping advisors ensure their clients don't leave tens of thousands of dollars unclaimed.This episode is a must-listen for financial advisors and retirement planners looking to master Social Security optimization and uncover hidden value for their clients.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guests00:35 What NRSSA Does01:35 How NRSSA Started02:51 Why Social Security Matters04:17 Beyond Simple Calculators06:14 Where SSA Estimates Fail07:10 Key Claiming Decisions09:12 Longevity and Timing11:23 Handling Early Claim Fears13:40 Survivor Benefit Strategies17:27 Holistic Planning Impacts19:13 Roadmap Software Walkthrough21:07 Specialist vs General Tools22:49 Rapid Fire Closing Questions29:09 Wrap Up and SponsorResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorNARSSALinkedIn - Martha Shedden’s LinkedInLinkedIn - Ted Rosedale’s LinkedIn

  • 438. Capgemini with Dominic Benson and Charles Dally | E438

    28:47||Ep. 438
    Host Jason Pereira sits down with Capgemini’s Charles Dally and Dominic Benson to break down the GENIUS Act, the landmark federal law establishing the first regulatory framework for U.S. stablecoins. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, stablecoins are digital dollars pegged 1:1 to fiat currency. By forcing issuers to back their tokens 1:1 with high-quality liquid reserves and pass regular audits, this legislation clears up massive regulatory uncertainty and opens the door for mainstream, institutional adoption.  The conversation explores how stablecoins will shift from a niche crypto asset into an "invisible" infrastructure layer driving 24/7 real-time global payments. Dally and Benson explain how this digital money movement bypasses traditional banking bottlenecks, cutting cross-border fees and paving the way for AI-driven automated operations. While banks face new competition and infrastructure costs, the ultimate shift will likely mean faster, cheaper, and more inclusive financial services for regular consumers.This episode is a must-listen for fintech professionals, bank executives, and corporate treasury leaders who want to understand how newly legalized digital dollars will fundamentally change global payments.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guests00:39 Capgemini Overview02:16 What Are Stablecoins04:27 Genius Act Explained08:12 Bank Impacts and Use Cases11:38 Efficiency and Cross-Border Effects13:58 Adoption and Implementation Challenges20:06 Compliance Costs and Regulation Outlook21:14 Ten-Year Predictions24:51 Blue Sky Wishes and Inclusion27:47 Wrap Up and SponsorResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorCapgeminiLinkedIn - Dominic Benson’s LinkedInLinkedIn - Charles Dally’s LinkedIn