About Brian Shulstad | Bridgemark Strategies

Brian Shulstad, Managing Director, Bridgemark Strategies, standing before the Ravenel Bridge

30+

Years in the industry

20+

Years recruiting & consulting advisors

1,000+

Advisors consulted

My Background

Three decades inside the industry — now working for you.

With more than 30 years in the financial services industry — including over 16 years as both VP and SVP of Business Development for some of the largest firms — I’ve spent the last 20+ years focused specifically on recruiting and consulting advisors exploring a change. In that time, I’ve personally consulted with more than 1,000 financial advisors as they explore new firms, evaluate independence, plan succession, or prepare for future exits.

That experience runs in both directions. I’ve sat inside the firms advisors are evaluating, and I’ve sat across the table from advisors trying to make sense of an industry that rarely makes its options easy to compare. I bring both perspectives to every conversation.

My role is simple: provide clarity, protect confidentiality, and help advisors move forward with confidence — whatever “forward” ends up looking like for you.

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How I Work

Three principles guide every engagement.

Clarity

The industry is full of noise, sales pitches, and options that look similar on the surface but aren’t. I help you see the real differences that matter to your practice and your clients.

Confidentiality

Exploring your options should never put your current business at risk. Every conversation, every introduction, and every step is handled discreetly.

Confidence

Whether you decide to stay, move, go independent, or plan an exit, the goal is the same: a decision you can make — and live with — with total conviction.

Who I Work With

Advisors at every stage of the decision.

Some advisors reach out with a clear plan already forming. Others are simply curious about what’s changed in the marketplace and want an objective sounding board. Both are welcome.

Wirehouse and bank advisors weighing independence for the first time
RIA principals evaluating a sale, merger, or succession plan
Teams comparing broker-dealer, hybrid, and fully independent models
Advisors who simply want to understand what they’d be leaving behind
Practices preparing years in advance for a future transition or exit

I don’t do this alone. Bridgemark’s national team brings 300+ years of combined, inside-the-industry experience — wirehouses, independent broker-dealers, RIAs, and firm leadership alike. That network gives us firsthand knowledge of 150+ BD and RIA firms, so you get an honest read on how a firm really operates, not just its marketing pitch.

Every relationship starts the same way: a conversation, not a commitment.