From Curiosity to Confidence — How Nate and Brandon from ULC Transformed Their Practice with Trent Fortner’s Coaching

When Nate and Brandon of ULC first encountered Trent Fortner at a financial mastermind in 2022, they didn’t realize how pivotal the relationship would become. What started as a chance meeting quickly evolved into a powerful coaching partnership that reshaped how they serve clients, lead their business, and view their potential as financial advisors.

“We need to pay attention to this guy,” Nate remembers thinking after hearing about Trent’s impact on other successful advisors.

From that moment on, their path with Trent was clear. They began by joining the Courageous Advisors Mastermind, a community that exposed them to a deeper level of leadership and coaching. What followed was transformational.

The First Shift: Asking Better Questions

Brandon still vividly remembers the conversation with Nate after his first Courageous Advisors call.

“I called him and said, ‘How was it?’ and he said, ‘Man, I’d have paid that much for one session—and we got the whole year.’”

That one session, focused on asking powerful questions, instantly changed how they approached prospective clients. Instead of selling strategies, they started facilitating discovery—helping people articulate their goals and take ownership of their financial journey. This approach didn’t just feel better—it worked better.

From Clients to Members: A Language Shift with Lasting Impact

Trent also challenged their language. “Client,” they realized, felt transactional. With Trent’s guidance, they reimagined their relationship structure, calling those they serve members—a subtle but meaningful change that shifted the dynamic to one of transformation, not transactions.

“Membership has benefits,” Nate said. “It felt like a better reflection of what we were actually doing.”

And more than semantics, that shift opened up better conversations. People asked what “membership” meant, creating natural opportunities to discuss the value ULC delivers.

Taking the Leap: One-on-One Coaching

Inspired by the mastermind group’s results, Nate and Brandon dove deeper—investing in Trent’s Game-Time Coaching Program, a six-month one-on-one coaching experience. The decision wasn’t easy—it was the biggest investment they had made in coaching.

“You don’t always know what the return will be,” Brandon said. “But when you put skin in the game, you show up.”

And show up they did. During their coaching seasons, Trent helped them uncover blind spots, reshape their questions, and align their business more closely with their mission and values. That ripple effect led them to hire additional help, build better systems, and create more time to focus on what matters most.

Vision, Trim Tabs, and the 20% That Matters

With renewed clarity, Nate and Brandon committed to focusing on the trim tab—the smallest lever that creates the most significant movement. For them, that meant working with the 20% of truly engaged and committed members—not necessarily the wealthiest, but the most aligned.

They’ve also begun to reimagine their future. Long-term goals include stepping out of the day-to-day and equipping their team to lead, hosting events, and spending more time doing the work that only they can do.

Lessons That Stick

Among the many lessons Trent shared with them, one stands out most:

“Stop asking what this will cost you. Start asking what it will cost you not to do it.”

That mindset shift—from scarcity to possibility—has become foundational for ULC.

Final Thoughts: Growth Rooted in Relationship

Their journey with Trent isn’t just a story of tactical growth—it’s a story of personal and spiritual alignment, reclaiming authority in their calling, and surrounding themselves with the right people.

“We’re not where we are today without Trent. And we’re not done yet.”

Coaching with Trent Fortner was more than an investment for advisors like Nate and Brandon. It was a catalyst for confidence, clarity, and long-term impact.

Want to experience the same shift in your practice?

Apply for Trent’s 2025 Game-Time Coaching Program or join the Courageous Advisors Mastermind. Spots are limited, especially for one-on-one coaching.