Here are common question we hear, along with their answers. If you have a question about our services that is not answered here, please contact us. One of our staff will be happy to answer any questions you have.
What level of assets must I have for you to consider working with me?
I do not set asset minimums for my clients at this time. Instead, I value working with people who are committed to saving and investing and who believe in a conservative, disciplined approach to planning and investing. The menu of services I provide to clients varies in relation to the complexity of their situation.
How do you acquire new clients?
Almost all of my clients come by way of referral — from existing clients or professionals like CPAs, estate attorneys, and TPAs (third party administrators-pension consultants).
How do you do your research?
I read a lot.
I like classic books like Ben Graham's The Intelligent Investor and more recent ones like Moneyball. I subscribe to Value Line. I also read a variety of newspapers like Barron's, Investors Business Daily, magazines like Financial Planning and Bloomberg Wealth Manager, and occasionally I'll review proprietary research. I like Morningstar, too.
I admit to watching Jim Cramer's Mad Money when I'm home early enough, and I truly miss Louis Rukeyser being on television.
I like classic books like Ben Graham's The Intelligent Investor and more recent ones like Moneyball. I subscribe to Value Line. I also read a variety of newspapers like Barron's, Investors Business Daily, magazines like Financial Planning and Bloomberg Wealth Manager, and occasionally I'll review proprietary research. I like Morningstar, too.
I admit to watching Jim Cramer's Mad Money when I'm home early enough, and I truly miss Louis Rukeyser being on television.
What licenses and registrations do you hold?
For securities, I have the Series 7, 66, 31, 24, and 53. I also hold life, accident, and health insurance licenses.
What type of continuing education do you do on a regular basis to improve your practice?
I attend at least three industry conferences per year. And I also retain a consultant/coach who advises me in addition to a small board of advisors. I am always open to new ways to improve my capabilities on behalf of my clients and colleagues.
Do you have asset level minimums for retirement plans such as 401ks and 403bs?
I do not set asset levels for consulting on corporate or non-profit retirement plans at this time. However, I am considering using either a $500k or $1 million minimum in the future. Because of the level of service I provide, I simply won't be able to take on smaller clients in the future.
What kind of professionals would you recommend to add financial services to their practices?
All of them. None of them.
I don't mean to be flip. However, I think that CPAs, lawyers, TPAs, mortgage professionals, and the like can enhance the profitability and value of their practices by offering investment advice. How they choose to do this is the most important decision.
In my experience, success arises from the existing practice's ability to deliver a respected referral, team-building skills to support that referral to the new entity, and a comfort with delegating financial services to someone like me. It also requires a commitment of firm capital and time — at least three years, usually.
It is not an easy process, so I recommend it only to those willing to embrace the approach I've described. When it works, the growth of a new arm of a practice can be dynamic.
I don't mean to be flip. However, I think that CPAs, lawyers, TPAs, mortgage professionals, and the like can enhance the profitability and value of their practices by offering investment advice. How they choose to do this is the most important decision.
In my experience, success arises from the existing practice's ability to deliver a respected referral, team-building skills to support that referral to the new entity, and a comfort with delegating financial services to someone like me. It also requires a commitment of firm capital and time — at least three years, usually.
It is not an easy process, so I recommend it only to those willing to embrace the approach I've described. When it works, the growth of a new arm of a practice can be dynamic.
What level of return can I expect?
Everyone's situation is different and requires a different investment approach. That leads to a range of returns from client to client. While I can't offer exact numbers, I can say that I take pride in matching the appropriate kind of portfolio to each individual's objectives and tolerance for risk.
How do you get paid?
I can get paid through fees on assets under management, commissions, at an hourly rate, or in an appropriate combination of the compensation methods listed. I try to lay out the choices clearly, candidly, and fairly to clients and encourage them to choose the arrangement with which they will be most comfortable.
Who are your ideal clients?
My ideal clients come from many different places, but they all need help identifying and prioritizing the pertinent issues of their financial lives. They need a holistic planning vision and specific investment expertise to drive the process. They want solutions that integrate together to improve their lives in the future and their sense of well-being immediately.
These clients enjoy articulating their hopes and their concerns and then, after following an informal process of validation or approval, they want an overview of the overall plan; they do not require being involved in daily decisions after that process.
Typically these clients are concerned with achieving sound, effective diversification, protection and risk management issues, education funding, and retirement and estate planning. Total investable assets range from $300k to $3 million, and I lead the coordination effort between the other professionals serving the clients.
Ideal clients expect me to be engaged with their concerns on an ongoing basis, and they trust that I'll recommend sound, intelligent strategies that are efficient and elegant — and well-communicated to them.
These clients enjoy articulating their hopes and their concerns and then, after following an informal process of validation or approval, they want an overview of the overall plan; they do not require being involved in daily decisions after that process.
Typically these clients are concerned with achieving sound, effective diversification, protection and risk management issues, education funding, and retirement and estate planning. Total investable assets range from $300k to $3 million, and I lead the coordination effort between the other professionals serving the clients.
Ideal clients expect me to be engaged with their concerns on an ongoing basis, and they trust that I'll recommend sound, intelligent strategies that are efficient and elegant — and well-communicated to them.
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