Retail Readiness™ examines the operational, financial, and strategic preparation alternative investment sponsors need before entering the private wealth (retail) channel to raise capital. Each episode is hosted by Heidi Wheatley, Founder, and features industry professionals discussing due diligence, distribution strategy, and the operational preparation required to work with broker-dealers and RIAs. The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice. Please consult your legal team and trusted advisors to discuss your specific situation.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/15/16/b3d75887-81c9-4ae1-a99c-66e53c8392b3_909-200026_recording.cutfile.20260915165352897.m4a

Back by popular demand! Our March webinar on sponsor missteps generated so many questions that we simply couldn’t cover everything in one hour. Join us in September as we continue the conversation.Together, we’ll examine the critical decisions that can determine whether a retail capital raise gains traction—or stalls before it begins. From distribution strategy and operational readiness to legal structure, due diligence preparation, and platform expectations, our panel will share practical guidance to help sponsors avoid common pitfalls, engage key partners early, and navigate the complexities of the retail channel with greater confidence.Whether you’re preparing to launch or looking to strengthen your existing strategy, this session will provide actionable insights to help set your raise up for success.﻿The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice. Please consult your legal team and trusted advisors to discuss your specific situation.

Failure to Launch Part II: Sponsor Missteps and How to Avoid Them

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/9/17/e0a3e6ae-5e54-4aac-bc81-4010626ec0a6_805-200026_recording.cutfile.20260809153834001.m4a

Tax-advantaged products often operate within compressed fundraising windows, with many offerings working toward year-end closes. Sponsors who wait until Q4 to think about distribution, operations, and advisor engagement may find themselves competing for limited attention during one of the busiest times of the year.Join Heidi Wheatley for August’s Retail Readiness™ conversation with industry leaders, Brian Conneely, Peak Capital, Jackson Burns, Vistra Fund Solutions, and Bill Robbins, WealthForge, to learn what it takes to prepare for a successful launch. The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

Q4 Is Closer Than You Think: Building a Tax Product Strategy That Can Execute

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/12/0/960284e4-c543-4699-aebe-81977698256e_708-200051_recording.cutfile.20260711231254528.m4a

Entering the RIA channel requires more than a compelling investment strategy—it demands the right operational infrastructure. This session will focus on key components such as custodians, transfer agents, and the processes that support advisor access and investor onboarding. We discuss what RIAs and their platforms expect, where sponsors often encounter friction, and how to prepare your operations to support a smoother path to market. The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

Why RIA Distribution Stalls: Addressing Operational Gaps

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/8/16/2294e708-3a0e-4441-92bd-645f0d125019_603-200027_recording.cutfile.20260608161125318.m4a

Host Heidi Wheatley is joined by Rizwan Ibrahim, Senior Wealth Advisor at Accretive Wealth, to discuss how alternative investment sponsors can enhance their outreach and build relationships with RIAs.The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

Attracting RIAs in the Alternative Investment Space

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/8/15/6112dccf-e28b-4af1-9a77-f5bc44dd3920_gmt20260506-200104_recording__1_.m4a

Join host Heidi Wheatley for an insightful conversation with Russ Putnam, Co-CEO of FactRight, and Jarad Mitchell, President of Patrick Capital Markets, about due diligence in the private wealth channel.The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

Mastering Private Wealth Due Diligence:  Increasing Your Speed to Market

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/12/23/a5690dd3-36c3-4941-a930-acce9bf16552_408-200042_recording.cutfile.20260412224933204.m4a

More and more conversations with sponsors start the same way: “We’re thinking about going RIA-only — the IBD load just doesn’t work.” While RIA-only distribution is a valid path for some, it’s often assumed to be simpler and less expensive than it actually is. In practice, fiduciary standards, platform access, advisor behavior, and operational requirements can introduce different — and sometimes greater — challenges when it comes to driving allocations.The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

I Can't Make the Numbers Work: Discussing the IBD Load and the Shift to RIA Only

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/12/22/9f07ff3f-4083-44c1-b254-a00a65c1b1c4_311-200032_recording.cutfile.20260312195326678.m4a

Industry experts, Amy Arnold, Concorde Investment Services; Rhys James, Williams Mullen; and Brad Updike, Mick Law, join host Heidi Wheatley for an informative conversation about the common missteps they see sponsors making and share guidance on how to avoid them.The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

Industry experts, Amy Arnold, Concorde Investment Services; Rhys James, Williams Mullen; and Brad Updike, Mick Law, join host Heidi Wheatley for an informative conversation about the common missteps they see sponsors making and share guidance on how to avoid them.

The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

Failure to Launch: Common Alternative Investment Sponsor Missteps and How to Avoid Them

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/8/23/9c8ca054-5f84-4704-953a-4d9848b68b3b_212-210006_recording.cutfile.20260307224545627.m4a

For alternative investment sponsors, conference and travel are one of the largest budget line items. Maximizing opportunities to drive a return on your spend is crucial. Join host Heidi Wheatley, Michelle Galeski, Rep Driven Results; and Cherie Fournier, Marketing Intent to learn why pre-conference outreach is where the real work happens, ways to differentiate your company onsite, and how to end conversations to maximize follow up efforts. The Retail Readiness Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

Maximizing Conference Season

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/7/22/dc825a85-2e8c-405a-aa01-184f00345dde_121-210053_recording.cutfile.20260307223653799.m4a

The team that manages your broker-dealer and RIA relationships and drives sales is critical to success raising capital. There are numerous ways to structure that team. Host Heidi Wheatley is joined by Greg Mausz, Skyway Capital Markets, Sam Stubbert, Maverick Fund Solutions; and Bill Valone, TriNet for a conversation to help alternative investment sponsors be more effective in the private wealth (retail) channel. The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

Creating an Effective Capital Markets Team

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/7/23/afa84004-866d-45a1-a935-52afecf20fb4_gmt20251113-210046_recording__1_.m4a

Host Heidi Wheatley is joined by industry experts Jarad Mitchell, Patrick Capital Markets; Howard Hirsch, Nelson Mullins; and Jake Heidkamp, FactRight to discuss preparing to launch an alternative investment in the private wealth (retail) channel. The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

Preparing for Launch

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/7/23/d7605bb9-f97c-4c2e-9445-9c53c57e6f1b_190015_recording.cutfile.20251028233311275__1_.m4a

Heidi Wheatley is joined by industry experts Michelle Galeski, Rep Driven Results; Cherie Fournier, Marketing Intent; and Melissa Wendt, Sponsor Growth Solutions to discuss maximizing opportunities in Q4 to end the year strong. The Retail Readiness™ Podcast provides educational discussions about raising capital in the retail channel and working with broker-dealers and RIAs. The content is not legal, investment, or regulatory advice.

Ending the Year Strong: Maximizing Your National Accounts, Sales, and Marketing Opportunities

Most Alternative Investment Sponsors Enter the Private Wealth Channel Unprepared. Retail Readiness Helps Them Get Ready.

Conversations with industry leaders about what it takes for alternative investment sponsors to prepare for and succeed in the retail capital markets.