Episode 11: Emily Vincent of Douglas M. Farr & Co

Host: John Thompson

Guest: Emily Vincent

In this episode of Nurturing Success, John Thompson sits down with Emily Vincent, CEO of a fast-growing third-party administration (TPA) firm and second-generation business leader. Emily shares how she successfully took over her family’s business, built a strong team, and grew it through education-based marketing and deep collaboration with financial professionals.

They explore the misunderstood world of TPAs, why solo business owners often miss powerful retirement planning opportunities, and how 401(k)s and defined benefit plans can strategically align with broader financial goals — including home ownership. Emily also opens up about parenting, coaching youth soccer, running global endurance races, and how she maintains balance with purpose and joy.

💡 What You'll Learn:

• What a third-party administrator (TPA) really does — and why most people don’t know they exist

• Why solo entrepreneurs and small business owners should consider 401(k)s and defined benefit plans

• The risks of missed compliance filings and common retirement planning mistakes

• How retirement plan contributions intersect with major financial goals like home purchases

• Emily’s approach to marketing through education, webinars, and strategic networking

• The importance of team culture and learning how to lead (and fire) effectively

• How fitness, parenting, and entrepreneurship all fit into a high-performance lifestyle

⏱ Timestamps:

[00:00] John introduces Emily and asks what she’s grateful for [01:00] Coaching kids’ soccer and lessons from sports [02:30] Applying team sports mindset to business leadership [03:30] Tips for letting go of the wrong employees quickly and compassionately [05:00] What a TPA actually does — and who benefits from these services [07:00] Bundled vs. unbundled retirement plan providers [08:00] Solo 401(k)s, compliance risks, and correcting missed filings [10:00] How Emily markets through education and community [12:00] Peer learning groups and the power of professional collaboration [14:00] Why Emily gets up at 2:30 AM — and trains for global endurance events [16:00] Coaching, parenting, and evolving business/life balance [18:00] Creative business planning during 3 AM runs and tech hacks for capturing ideas [20:00] How mortgage planning intersects with retirement strategy [22:00] Serving younger business owners who want both a plan and a home [23:00] Final thoughts: loving what you do and modeling work-life balance for the next generation

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• Emily Vincent’s LinkedIn + Website (for upcoming webinars & newsletters)

• High Rocks Global Fitness Competitions

• IRS Guidelines on Solo 401(k)s & Plan Compliance

• Retirement Plan Design for Small Business Owners

• The Value of Unbundled Plan Structures for Advisors

Connect with Us: Please reach out to Emily with any questions or feedback. Contact Emily Here

Follow us on social media for the latest updates and additional insights. @smplmortgage

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to Nurturing Success for more insights from industry leaders. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we continue to explore successful financial strategies and practices. If you're interested in being our next guest, please reach out to [e-mail] to schedule a time.