Most financial firms talk about portfolios. Kevin Swanson and Todd Barney want to talk about people.
In this powerful introductory episode of The Power of Wealthness, Kevin and Todd share the story behind Potentia Wealth. It’s more than a firm. It’s a philosophy, a calling, and the product of decades of lived experience in finance, business, and life. If you’ve ever wondered what makes Potentia different, this conversation is your answer.
From Confusion to Clarity
Kevin didn’t start in financial services. His path wound through Fortune 100 companies, real estate ventures, startups, and even a failed business. When he finally entered the industry, he did so with wide eyes and a desire to make a difference.
But what he found was disjointed. Clients were bouncing between tax preparers, investment advisors, and estate attorneys. Each professional worked in their own silo, often speaking different languages and operating on completely different timelines. One focused on this year’s taxes. Another on a 10-year portfolio plan. Another on what happens after you’re gone.
It was no wonder that even smart, successful families felt lost. Kevin knew there had to be a better way. That vision became Potentia Wealth, a place where integrated, holistic advice could empower families to navigate every financial decision with clarity.
Todd’s Dot-Com Wake-Up Call
Todd’s story begins in the thick of the dot-com boom. He was 23 years old, just out of college, working as a bank-based advisor. A woman walked in and asked to cash out her CD to buy a tech fund. Any tech fund. She didn’t care which one.
Todd’s gut told him something was off. So he split her investment between tech and muni bonds. Months later, after the crash, she returned in tears, grateful that she still had half her money.
That moment cemented his belief in what real financial advising should be. It’s not about chasing returns. It’s about listening, caring, and helping people protect what they’ve built. His journey led him into asset management, planning, and ultimately a meeting with Kevin. There, he found a firm that matched his philosophy, one where the why matters more than the what.
A Family Office Model for the Rest of Us
The traditional family office is built for the ultra-wealthy. Think $200 million or more. But Kevin and Todd believed that real families, entrepreneurs, working professionals, women in transition, and pre-retirees deserved that same level of care.
So they spent years building the infrastructure. Tax planning. Estate coordination. Investment management. A multigenerational team. Succession planning. All aligned under one roof.
Today, Potentia Wealth offers a true family office experience to people who want more than a portfolio. They want a plan that serves their whole life.
The Hardest Part of the Job
It’s not managing money. It’s telling the truth.
Kevin shares how one of the most difficult parts of the work is telling a client, “I know you want to retire, but if you do, you may run out of money.” He’s lost only one client after that kind of honest conversation. Everyone else? They appreciated the clarity and chose to adjust, rework the plan, and move forward with confidence.
That’s the power of transparency. Of showing clients not just where they are, but how to get where they want to go, even when the answer isn’t easy.
Why a Podcast?
Because money touches everything. And Kevin and Todd want to meet people where they are.
Whether it’s preparing for college costs, navigating dementia care, understanding cybersecurity, or thinking about charitable giving, this podcast is built to bring expert voices into everyday decisions. It’s about arming listeners with the insights they need to align their financial choices with what truly matters.
And for existing Potentia clients, it’s a reminder. A way to stay informed, inspired, and in tune with the evolving conversations around wealth, purpose, and possibility.
