What does it really take to succeed in financial services—and in life? On this episode of Don’t Do That, Kelly Waltrich welcomes Ryan Marcus, Chief Business & Engagement Officer at Binah Capital Group, a financial services enterprise empowering RIAs and independent wealth managers.

Ryan’s journey is anything but linear: from professional baseball, to launching a corporate travel business, to building firms alongside industry leaders like Brian Hamburger. His story proves that grit, perseverance, and genuine relationships outweigh any credential on paper. Today, Ryan is channeling his passion into transforming wealth management through Binah's RIA network while also championing underserved communities, including neurodivergent individuals who deserve tailored financial literacy and planning resources.

This conversation dives deep into why relationships—not résumés—drive success, how RIAs can stand out in a crowded marketplace, and why the best leaders create non-negotiables that protect their purpose. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn authenticity into your greatest business advantage, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Kelly and Ryan cover:
00:00 – Intros, false starts, and why the third recording is the charm
01:10 – What Binah Capital Group does and how Ryan helps drive transformation
03:20 – Why RIAs need enterprise-level resources to compete and grow
06:45 – Lessons from MarketCounsel and mentorship under Brian Hamburger
08:55 – From pro baseball to financial services: Ryan’s winding career path
14:43 – Will Binah host a flagship industry conference? (Spoiler: yes)
15:40 – Why grit matters more than degrees—and how to spot it in hiring
19:48 – The generational tug-of-war over work ethic and immediate gratification
21:40 – Bed-making, chores, and what actually predicts future success
25:30 – The underserved neurodivergent community and $5T wealth transfer
29:51 – Why RIAs should build practices around passion, not just AUM
33:02 – Creating non-negotiables: Ryan’s personal rule for every year ahead
34:36 – Ryan’s Don’t Do That: Don’t burn bridges—relationships are everything
37:46 – How authenticity and empathy turn connections into opportunities
41:26 – Why caring when there’s nothing to gain is the ultimate differentiator

About Our Guest:
Ryan Marcus is the Chief Business & Engagement Officer at Binah Capital Group, where he leads growth, engagement, and transformation for a network of 2,000 advisors and 500 RIAs representing over $300B in client assets. His unconventional career began on the pitcher’s mound before detouring through the corporate travel industry, financial advisory, and ultimately two decades helping RIAs thrive.

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