RIA Collective: Peter Krull | Building an Independent RIA That Aligns With Your Values
What does it really take to build an advisory firm that aligns with your values - and lasts for decades?
In this episode of RIA Collective, host Charlie Van Derven sits down with Peter Krull, Founder of Earth Equity Advisors, to explore the long game of independence, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven investing.
Peter shares his journey from Merrill Lynch to launching an independent RIA focused on ESG and sustainable investing - long before it became mainstream. Along the way, he breaks down what advisors don’t see coming when they leave large firms, and why building something meaningful almost always takes twice as long as you expect.
Together, Charlie and Peter discuss:
- Why independence is often a values-driven decision, not just a business one
- What wirehouse advisors underestimate when making the leap
- Why most “overnight successes” actually take 10+ years
- How advisor marketing has fundamentally changed - and what no longer works
- The role ESG and sustainable investing play in a fiduciary framework
- Why clarity, patience, and alignment matter more than tactics
This conversation is especially relevant for advisors who feel constrained by their current firm, are considering independence, or want to build a practice that reflects what they truly believe - not just what sells.
🎧 Watch now and subscribe to RIA Collective for conversations that elevate the independent advisor profession.
Connect with Peter Krull
🌐 Website: https://earthequity.com
📘 Book: The Sustainable Investor – https://sustainableinvestorbook.com
🎙 Podcast: Dollars & Change
Connect with Charlie Van Derven
🌐 Social Advisors: https://www.social-advisors.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlievanderven/
Chapters
00:00 – From wirehouse to independence
03:30 – Why building a firm takes longer than you think
07:45 – The “10-year overnight success” reality
11:20 – ESG, sustainability, and fiduciary responsibility
15:40 – Why old-school advisor marketing no longer works
19:30 – Lessons for advisors considering the leap
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