What does it look like to engineer a business that serves your life—and not the other way around?
Matthew Jarvis, founder of Jarvis Financial and co-founder of The Perfect RIA, built a thriving financial advisory firm designed for freedom. In this episode, Matthew opens up about building a “lifestyle practice,” navigating the emotional landmines of succession, and making bold moves (like taking 150+ days off a year!) without sacrificing business performance.
Expect honest stories about designing a business around your values, preparing for exit from day one, and why impact, not just income, should be the endgame.
If you're looking to exit right, not just exit rich, this episode will shift your thinking.
[01:13 – 08:12] Design Your Life First
Life by Design: Matthew shares how he built a business to support his ideal lifestyle
Lifestyle Practice: Intentional client selection and lean operations
Personal Metrics: Why time off mattered more than AUM growth
Early Vision: Planning for exit even in the early years of growth
[08:12 – 18:49] Exiting on Purpose
Succession Strategy: Hand-picking his successor with the intention
Founder Ego: Wrestling with identity and letting go of being “the guy”
Trust and Letting Go: Setting the team up for success post-transition
The Real Timeline: Why a clean break was the healthiest move
[18:49 – 29:06] Impact Over Income
Beyond the Check: How purpose played into exit planning
The Perfect RIA: Building a second business to help others escape the grind
Systems + Values: Operational freedom with a high-integrity culture
Mission Alignment: The joy of helping others build lifestyle practices
[29:06 – 38:55] Life After Exit
Rhythms Post-Exit: How Matthew structures his time now
Avoiding the Void: Creating new challenges to stay engaged
Family + Freedom: Prioritizing relationships and global experiences
Reinvention: The exit isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of significance
[38:55 – 46:00] Advice for Founders
Start With Why: Design your business with your life in mind
Get a Coach: The power of external insight
Exit Readiness: Don’t wait until burnout to start the process
Leave a Legacy: Measure success by your impact, not just your income
Key Quotes:
“If willpower were enough, we wouldn't have this discussion. I need a forcing mechanism.”— Matthew Jarvis
“Successful people do things again and again. If I do those things, I’ll probably get similar results.”— Matthew Jarvis
Connect with Matthew!
Website: https://www.theperfectria.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpjarvis/
Ready for your next chapter?
Start Your Assessment Now 👉 https://theexitparadox.com/assessment
Leave a Review + Help Others Achieve a Great Legacy
If you found this episode valuable, leave us a review and share it with someone who wants to expand their business growth.
Your Next is more than a podcast—it’s a community that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and ages, united by a shared passion for personal growth and achieving excellence.
🎧 Explore our previous episodes or learn more about our mission at https://exittoexcellence.com. Your next chapter starts here!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
