True story, my career as a financial planner began on October 19, 1987. That’s right, October 19, 1987, Black Monday, the largest stock market correction in one day to date. I remember it like it was yesterday. I should have thought I was being punked when my manager called to inform me that my licensing was completed and I needed to come into the office.
This historic moment shaped me to be the financial planner I am today. I learned to stay objective when others grow emotional. When markets trend up quickly, I know they can trend down even quicker. Experience has taught me to tune out the daily noise of the market.
Investors face greater risk today than ever before. The dawn of the internet has made trading easier and mis-information rampant. Investment products have become more and more complex making it even more difficult to understand exactly how they work. Covid reminded us that life is fragile and can change in a moment’s notice.
The next decade will require more focus on the protection of our assets, utilizing active management rather than passive investment strategies. We have to know where we are, financially, in order to move towards where we want to be. A comprehensive financial plan is more important now than ever as it helps us clarify financial goals and what is needed to achieve financial independence.
Now, having been a solo practitioner for 38 years, I realize it is time to plan for my client’s future in the event something happens to me. After researching options for a succession plan, it became clear the merging of my practice with Grace Lane Financial Partners was a perfect fit.
I have interacted with Grace Lane on numerous occasions over the past several years. We share the same investment philosophies and planning strategies. I was drawn to them for their exceptional ethics and fiduciary awareness.
In addition, there is a great support team to assist me and my clients, something which I always did by myself. My role with my clients will not change at all. In fact, I will have more resources available to me than I have had in the past. I look forward to introducing my clients to the Grace Lane team in the coming months.
