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Are you ready for some thoughtful discussions about how to meet and exceed the rigors of today's retirement industry? Join host Tom Lamendola, Chief Marketing Officer for Financial Independence Group, for a deep dive into the demands of today's retirement industry.

Each episode, Tom will lead a thoughtful discussion with leaders in the financial arena to create a unique show that's designed to serve both financial professionals and everyday investors.

Financial Independence Group (FIG) has been a leader in the financial services space for more than 40 years. Tom Lamendola joined FIG in 2017 and has been responsible for growing high performing teams and challenge organizations to reach their potential for more than 15 years.

Questions for Tom? Want to be a guest? Inquire at tom.lamendola@figmarketing.com or by calling 800-527-1155.

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  2. Building a Business People Remember with Harley-Davidson’s Ken Schmidt

Building a Business People Remember with Harley-Davidson’s Ken Schmidt

Aug 8, 2025

This episode, Ken Schmidt- former Director of Communications at Harley-Davidson and the brand architect behind its iconic resurgence- joins Nicholas Ross to talk about what it really takes to stand out in a crowded, noisy market. Ken played a key role in Harley’s turnaround from financial ruin and he shares what the company got wrong, what they did to fix it, and why many businesses fail to differentiate meaningfully.

What does any of this have to do with financial services? Everything. Ken breaks down how financial advisors (especially those running smaller, independent firms) can rise above the noise not by focusing on what they do, but by getting clear on who they are and how they make people feel. From creating meaningful client experiences to building a reputation people talk about, his message is clear: if you want to stand out, don’t just sell a service. Create a story worth sharing.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💡 Why “what you do” isn’t a differentiator

🧠 The power of human connection in branding

🧍‍♂️ How to make your service memorable, not just functional

📢 Why your clients should be telling stories about you

🏍️ What financial advisors can learn from Harley-Davidson's turnaround

Resources for this episode:

Learn more about Ken:

https://kenspeaks.com/

VSA Partners:

https://www.vsapartners.com/

Learn About FIG: https://www.figmarketing.com 

800-527-1155