Discover how a structured tranche-based buyout, a culture of radical autonomy, and deep-seated community branding provide the blueprint for a resilient, multi-generational independent practice.
Key Takeaways
- Structure a “Tranche-Based” Path to Partnership. Transitioning ownership shouldn’t be a single, overwhelming event. Melissa Ekberg and Chase Gunter utilized a four-part “tranche” system, allowing Chase to buy into the business in 25% increments every other year. By pairing this with seller financing at a fair interest rate, they created a sustainable path for a junior partner to fund the purchase through firm distributions. This model protects the cash flow of the buyer while providing the seller with a steady, tax-efficient income stream.
- Prioritize Sovereignty Over Clock-In Culture. Top-tier talent often leaves corporate environments to find autonomy. Melissa’s firm operates on a trust-first basis: “Just get the job done.” By removing the need for permission for personal appointments or family events, they have built a resilient team culture. For the independent advisor, offering this level of flexibility can be a powerful retention strategy that aligns the firm’s operations with the very lifestyle goals they preach to their clients.
- Secure the Practice Through a Succession of Trust. Solo practitioners often face the “key person” risk, which means clients worry about what happens if the advisor is suddenly gone. By bringing on Chase and formalizing a joint partnership with shared representative codes, Melissa provided her clients with continuity. This move transforms the client relationship from a bond with a single person to a long-term connection with a firm, removing the fear of the unknown and stabilizing the book for decades to come.
- Lean Into Hyper-Relational Local Branding. In a close-knit community, your face is your best marketing asset. While many firms focus on digital funnels, Appalachian Wealth Management finds success through physical presence from local newspaper ads to hosting private “Heritage Tours” at historical sites for their clients. The lesson here is that in rural or niche markets, being a visible member of the community who sponsors the local golf tournament or serves as a Chamber Ambassador carries more weight than any cold-calling campaign.
- Adopt High-Impact Interactive Planning Tools. Technology should bridge the gap between complex data and client understanding. By using RightCapital, Chase and Melissa can literally “slide the scale” on a retirement date or spending goal during a live meeting. This interactive approach turns the planning session into a collaborative experience rather than a lecture. For the modern advisor, success is found in tools that simplify the what-ifs, making the financial roadmap feel tangible and navigable for the client.
About Melissa Ekeberg and Chase Gunter
Melissa Ekeberg is the founder and CEO of Appalachian Wealth Management in Blairsville, Georgia. With over 20 years in the advisory world, Melissa spent much of her career in a large bank environment before choosing independence in 2021 to better serve her clients and her family. A hobbyist farmer who manages a half-acre garden, Melissa is known for her straight-talking approach to client accountability and her deep commitment to educating the families she serves.
Chase Gunter is a Partner at Appalachian Wealth Management and a North Georgia native. A “career changer” with a background in logistics and banking, Chase joined the firm in 2022 and moved into a partnership role in 2025. He is an active leader in the Blairsville community, serving as a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and participating in local Mastermind groups. A self-described optimist and father of two, Chase enjoys boating on the local lakes and is a survivor of the 2018 Hawaii missile alert—a story that highlights his calm-under-pressure approach to both life and wealth management.
