How VRGL Is Turning Prospecting Into a Scalable Growth Engine for Financial Advisors
Featuring Kyle Zasky, CEO of VRGL, on the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast with Mike Langford
Client acquisition is one of the biggest challenges facing financial advisors today — not because there’s a shortage of prospective clients, but because there’s often a gap between interest and trust. In this episode of the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast, Mike Langford is joined by Kyle Zasky, the newly appointed CEO of VRGL, to explore how advisors can use data, design, and digital empathy to turn prospects into clients faster and more confidently.
This episode is a must-listen if you’re looking to boost your organic growth without adding more friction to your already full plate.
🎧 Listen to the episode or watch the full video below.
Why Prospecting Is Broken — And How VRGL Is Fixing It
The traditional approach to financial advisor growth has long depended on referrals, word-of-mouth, and face-to-face meetings. But in today’s hyper-digital and post-pandemic environment, that model doesn’t scale. Most advisors have full calendars servicing existing clients — which leaves little time for prospecting.
Kyle Zasky, who stepped into the CEO role at VRGL just weeks before this recording, breaks down the real issue: while most advisors know they need to grow, they don’t always have the tools or processes to engage prospects meaningfully before they sign on the dotted line.
“We’re in the business of arming advisors with data and analytics about the prospect,” says Zasky. “So when they sit across the table from a lead, they’re not pitching — they’re educating.”
VRGL’s platform helps advisors quickly ingest unstructured portfolio data — even from PDFs and statements — and create personalized, white-labeled proposals that highlight risk exposures, fee inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. It’s a compelling way to build trust and demonstrate value before the client relationship officially begins.
🎙️ Related Episodes You Might Enjoy
One of the goals of the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast is to connect the dots between strategic conversations — and this episode with Kyle Zasky aligns perfectly with several others that explore technology, client acquisition, and the evolving role of the advisor.
If this conversation resonated with you, here are a few other episodes worth checking out:
How Financial Advisors Can Help Clients Understand What Is Actually Happening In Their Portfolios — Justin Whitehead, Co-Founder of Pebble Finance, explores how AI-powered storytelling and data translation can help advisors strengthen client relationships and close new business with clarity and confidence.
Exploring the End‑to‑End Digital Transformation of Wealth Management — Gauthier Vincent, Wealth Management Consulting Leader at Deloitte, breaks down how AI, data integration, and client experience are changing across every part of the advisory business — from first touch to full service.
Solving the Biggest Tech Problem in Wealth Management by Creating True Ownership of Your Firm’s Data — Jud Mackrill of Milemarker outlines why centralized, accessible data infrastructure is critical to performance, scale, and winning new clients — much like VRGL’s proposal platform.
The Evolving Role of a Financial Advisor in an AI‑Driven World — Dr. Emily Koochel from eMoney shares how advisors can blend data, AI, and human empathy to meet the expectations of today’s clients and prospects.
AI Isn’t the Threat — Inaction Is
Zasky also addresses a growing pain point for many financial advisors: AI-induced anxiety. Advisors are bombarded with new tools, and many feel like they’re falling behind if they’re not using the latest tech.
But here’s the truth: You don’t need to master AI. You need vendors who have and can deliver practical, easy-to-use solutions.
That’s where VRGL shines. The platform’s goal isn’t to dazzle you with complex algorithms — it’s to help you deliver smarter, faster, more confident conversations with prospects. So you can grow without feeling overwhelmed.
One Final Takeaway: Think Like a Financial Therapist
One of the most powerful moments in this episode is when Kyle draws a parallel between financial advisors and physicians.
Just like doctors use bloodwork and diagnostics to inform their advice, advisors should use portfolio analytics to diagnose client pain points. But that’s only part of the equation. The real differentiator is how well you understand your clients as people — their goals, fears, and financial behaviors.
“It’s not just about performance or fees,” Zasky says. “It’s about helping people feel seen, heard, and confident.”
That’s what today’s prospecting efforts must deliver. And that’s why tools like VRGL are fast becoming essential to modern advisory practices.
Ready to Close More Business With Less Friction?
If you’re looking to turn more leads into loyal clients — and deliver value from the first meeting — VRGL is worth a serious look.
📍Learn more about VRGL at www.vrglwealth.com
🔗 Connect with Kyle Zasky on LinkedIn
And don’t forget to subscribe to the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast for more insights from the leaders shaping the future of wealth management.
