Situation: The need for better tools at Ashton Thomas

When Aaron Brodt, founder of Ashton Thomas, a rapidly growing Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), assessed the technology available to his financial advisors, he saw a major gap. The tools were inefficient, siloed, and overly complex for daily use.

“We were scaling fast, but the technology just wasn’t keeping up, I asked myself, ‘Why can’t we build something better? Something simple that actually works for advisors?’”

Managing multiple systems created unnecessary complexity, slowing down workflows and limiting growth. Aaron knew they needed an integrated platform that could centralize trading, reduce duplicative tasks, improve client management, and stabilize their operations—all without relying on constant input from external consultants.

“We needed something that would stabilize our business and put us in a position to grow. Legacy systems weren’t the answer.”

Solution: Build Amplify

Rather than waiting for the right tool to emerge, Aaron took matters into his own hands. He began developing a cloud-based platform within Ashton Thomas, designed specifically for financial advisors. Its API-first architecture offered flexibility and seamless integration, setting it apart from traditional systems.

“I kept hearing, ‘Would you ever sell that?’ from people in the industry who saw what we were doing. In 2019, I realized the answer was yes. We could offer something that would solve these same problems for other firms.”

Amplify was created to tackle the real-world challenges advisors face daily, with features built by advisors, for advisors:

• One platform, one screen: Amplify brings information advisors need—client data, trading, and reporting—into a single interface, eliminating the inefficiencies of juggling multiple tools.
• Seamless data integration: By connecting with multiple custodians and back-office systems, Amplify ensures real-time access to unified data.
• Customizable API architecture: Amplify’s API-first design allows firms to tailor the platform to their specific needs, making it a solution that adapts to them, not the other way around.
• Centralized trading: A unified hub enables fast and efficient block trades, multi-custodian transactions, and account-level trading.
• Digital onboarding: Amplify simplifies and accelerates client onboarding by integrating directly with custodians, reducing manual input and streamlining processes.

“This is tech built by someone who’s been in my seat—who understands the real pain points,” says one advisor using Amplify.

Today, Ashton Thomas has grown to nearly $9B in AUM (as of December 31, 2024), with Amplify as a key driver of its success. The platform continues to simplify workflows, enhance advisor-client relationships, and position firms for sustainable growth.

What’s next

As Amplify looks to the future, the focus is on extensibility, innovation and adaptability. With all data centralized through integrated systems, Amplify makes it easy for advisors to embrace emerging tools, like AI, when they’re ready.

“If your data is all in one place, you can take full advantage of AI, enabling better, faster decisions,” Aaron notes.

Centralized data also simplifies long-term planning. Whether advisors are scaling their business or preparing to sell, having organized, integrated data makes it easy to run valuations and get a clear picture of their firm’s worth.

“Having your data in one platform isn’t just about day-to-day productivity—it’s about making your business more valuable when it’s time to sell.”

Amplify’s roadmap includes enhanced mobile capabilities, improved visualizations, and even greater flexibility to support firms of all sizes.

“We want advisors to manage everything seamlessly—even from their phones someday.”

As Amplify evolves, its mission remains clear: to help financial advisors work smarter, grow faster, and prepare for the future with confidence.