The Diamond Podcast: From Edward Jones to Independence
For many advisors considering change, the concern about legal retaliation from their firm often lingers in the background.
But what if you move and that fear comes to fruition? What will it do to your business? And what if—instead of derailing you—it ultimately becomes a catalyst for growth?
Every transition comes with some risk and uncertainty—even when you dot every “i” and cross every “t.” And a non-Broker Protocol move adds an extra layer of complexity.
This episode’s guests, Todd Vincent and Dylan Ripley, learned all that firsthand.
Todd spent nearly 30 years at Edward Jones, and Dylan built his career there over more than a decade, eventually partnering with Todd in a multi-office practice overseeing close to $1 billion in assets. Over time, they realized they could do more for their clients—and grow the business faster—if they stepped outside the traditional firm model.
In exploration, they liked the idea of having a support partner rather than building their own RIA and ultimately opted for Commonwealth Financial Network to launch Cedarwood Financial Partners.
The transition itself went smoothly—that is, until they found themselves navigating a lawsuit from Edward Jones that lasted nearly two years.
In one of our most candid episodes yet, Todd and Dylan walk through that experience with Mindy Diamond, sharing:
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The choice to leave Edward Jones—and what specifically motivated them to consider change.
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The initial transition—and when they learned they had “poked the bear.”
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The reality of defending a lawsuit—and how they worked through it.
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The value of messaging—and how partnering with a marketing firm was a gamechanger.
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Nearly doubling their assets under management, despite the lawsuit—and what key traits drove their success.
It’s an episode that answers the question on every advisor’s mind, “What happens if the firm sues me?” and does so with candor and grace. Listen in to learn how resilience drives what comes next: how advisors can steady themselves, rebuild momentum, and grow on the other side of a challenge.