Man, this is tough. Really tough. So let's get right to the Band-Aid ripping, shall we?

This is the final edition of the Wealthtech Weekly Newsletter that I'll have the privilege of penning, as my time with the Financial Planning editorial team comes to an end at the end of this week.

No hard feelings. Just a new opportunity that I need to chase. But I'd be lying to you all if I said that there are absolutely no traces of regret or any unfinished business. 

For nearly two years, I've had the opportunity to serve as FP's technology reporter and host of the Financial Planning Podcast. 

To say I've had a blast in the role would be an understatement. 

In fact, there were plenty of times where I felt like it was unfair to categorize meeting amazing people and sharing their incredible stories with the world as "work."

So that's where that feeling of unfinished business creeps in. I still want to meet so many people, tell so many stories and see where this unpredictable industry goes next. I'll still be keeping an eye on wealthtech. But I'll have to do so from the sidelines instead of in the trenches. 

That's why I'm glad that my final days at FP are being spent in part by sharing a collection of good memories and great vibes gathered during summer 2023 at the Future Proof Festival in Huntington Beach, California. 

It was there that I got to do my favorite thing: speak to, learn from and laugh with the people who power this business. People like Anthony Stich of Entrustody, T3 Producer Joel Bruckenstein, Elements CEO Reese Harper, Ezra Group CEO Craig Iskowitz and more.  

More video interviews from the event are on the way, including me catching up with wealthtech heavy-hitters like Eric Clarke and Daniel Crosby of Orion; Brad Joudrie, chief revenue officer at Conquest Planning; John Mackowiak, chief revenue officer at Advyzon; and Tom Rieman, CEO and founding partner of Practice Intel. So stay locked for those clips to drop.

In the meantime, the only thing left to say is thank you. Thank you to my Financial Planning family who will forever be a part of my life. Thank you to all of the financial advisors, wealthtech providers, DEI trailblazers and regulation experts I've bothered for quotes and insights on tight deadlines. 

And the biggest thank-you goes out to you. The readers. Without each and every one of you, this gig just ain't worth doing. So cheers to you for making every day a new adventure and another opportunity to grow.

Be excellent to one another, and take some time to celebrate yourself. You deserve it. Here's to a new year, and a new chapter. 

Regards, and goodbye.
Justin L. Mack

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