From Bootstrapped Advisor to $3.3B CEO: The Credent Origin Story

Every $3.3 billion firm starts somewhere. For David Hefty, CEO of Credent Wealth Management, that “somewhere” wasn’t a cushy launch backed by investors or a national brand name. He started bootstrapped—one advisor grinding it out with a vision to build something bigger.

Hefty didn’t launch with billions in AUM. He launched with a simple but radical idea: create a firm by advisors, for advisors, where growth wouldn’t happen by chance—it would happen by design.

Building with Discipline

That vision shaped everything Credent became. Instead of chasing short-term wins, Hefty focused on three principles:

• Operational transparency so every advisor understood how the firm ran.
• Systems and discipline that replaced chaos with consistency.
• Advisor development as the engine of growth—not just recruitment or deals.

Scaling with Purpose

Today, Credent has:

• Acquired 12 firms
• Scaled to $3.3 billion in AUM
• Built a succession-ready culture that attracts and retains top talent

The numbers tell only part of the story. Credent’s growth reflects people developed, systems refined, and advisors empowered.

A Firm That Lasts

Hefty never set out just to build a large firm. He set out to build a firm that lasts. One that:

• Attracts the next generation of advisors
• Creates clear career paths and leadership pipelines
• Embeds succession planning in its DNA

The Blueprint for Advisors

The Credent origin story offers more than inspiration—it gives a roadmap for every advisor who dreams big but starts small. With vision, discipline, and a focus on advisor growth, scaling isn’t just possible—it becomes sustainable.

These insights are inspired by the latest episode of Next Mile podcast featuring David Hefty, CEO of Credent Wealth Management. Dive deeper into the growth strategy behind one of the fastest-scaling RIAs in the country. Listen to the full episode here and explore more articles in this series.