Details Are Part of Our Difference
Embracing the Evidence at Anheuser-Busch – Mid 1980s
529 Best Practices
David Booth on How to Choose an Advisor
The One Minute Audio Clip You Need to Hear
The Importance of Tracking Goals
One of my favorite parts of my job is talking to our clients about their goals. Sometimes their objectives are specifically related to money; at other times, not as much. Either way, understanding where clients want to go (their goals) allows us to help them get there (through careful planning).
In my family’s case, one goal we have set is to see our hometown St. Louis Cardinals play in a different city each summer. This is usually my favorite yearly trip. A few weeks ago, we had an opportunity to go to Chicago to see the Cardinals play the White Sox. We spent time on Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, and other “tourist” spots. We were also fortunate to see our Cardinals pull out a 3-0 victory.
This year’s trip was especially memorable because we combined it with visiting some of our favorite long-time clients, Larry Baumann and Dana Brehm. While not from Chicago, Larry and Dana made it their goal years ago to have a place in Chicago. After they both retired, they realized that goal and have a beautiful home there.
Numerous studies have shown that making your goals known to others increases your odds of achieving them. We love doing our part in helping clients achieve their goals. And if you aren’t tracking your goals, please let us know. We’d be happy to help.
Cheers to Malissia
This past Saturday, along with 100+ clients, we celebrated one of our team members Malissia Johnson. After 25 remarkable years, Malissia will be retiring as founder of Emerald Spectrum Advisory at the end of this year. Julia Humphrey, her long-term team member, will be the lead advisor in HIG’s Nashville office.
Malissia established her firm in 1998 with a vision to provide an extraordinary planning experience while making each client feel like family. Over the past quarter century, she has succeeded by exceeding clients’ expectations and putting their interests first. Her legacy will live on through the many clients whose financial lives she has impacted and through the exceptional team she has cultivated.
While we will miss her wisdom and caring nature, we know she has more than earned this next chapter. Malissia’s retirement party was a time for friends, family, team members, and clients to come together to reminisce, express gratitude, and wish her the best in her well-deserved retirement. The night was filled with good food, music, and many stories that exemplify her incredible 25-year journey. We had a blast this special evening honoring an extraordinary woman, her career, and, most importantly, the relationships she’s built.
Cheers, Malissia!
Independent Difference Campaign
I’m proud to be a part of the independent advisor community. In the most simplistic definition, independence means that our firm does not fall under a major brokerage firm, bank or trust company. We operate independently and work for you, not a corporation. This is a hugely important distinction because our model allows us to operate objectively.
I was recently invited to be a part of a national ad campaign supporting independent advisors around the country, and I was taped saying lines like:
I am a fiduciary, not just some of the time, but all of the time.
As a fiduciary, I promise to put your interest first. Always.
As a fiduciary, I promise to always act in the best interests of you and your family.
We believe these statements at our core and think every investor deserves to be served by someone who works solely for them, as their fiduciary. Reciting these lines came naturally and we’re honored to help support the broader community of advisors.
Stay tuned for more information on the campaign, who it’s associated with, and when it will air!
