Three pillars. Three mottos. Three themes. Whatever you call them, I have developed a set of principles that I try and live by every day. 1. Never, ever, ever, ever give up2. Be prepared3. Choose wisely These came from when I was young. My father was an independent entrepreneur. Like most entrepreneurs, he had successes and failures. My family would ride that volatile journey along with him. It was during this journey that my pillars were constructed. And since then, they have been continually reinforced through my experiences. And they continue to appear within my professional life as well. Pillar 1 – Never Give UpI enjoy working with founders and business owners because I relate to their journey. I have experienced the greatest things that being a business owner can provide. At the same time, I’ve seen and experienced the challenges and sacrifices needed to get there. I have enormous respect for entrepreneurs. I like these types of people because they do not accept the status quo. At some point, these people ran into a problem and instead of sidestepping it, said, “there’s got to be a better way.” Then they rolled up their sleeves and said, “I’ll fix it myself.” Pillar 2 – Be Prepared While my nature is casual and easygoing, I have an uncompromised commitment to ensure my clients have the best outcomes. My clients become close friends. I recognize they are trusting me with one of the most important aspect of their lives, second only to their health. This is a tremendous responsibility and if not done well, can jeopardize every other aspect of their lives. It is for this reason we become close. I get to know my clients and truly understand their values, their fears, and their aspirations before we discuss anything investment related. Once that knowledge is there, we can prepare for their future with a plan that addresses their unique needs. While no one can predict what the future holds, you can come prepared and better equipped to handle what lies ahead. Pillar 3 – Choose Wisely I believe in free markets. This freedom is expressed in consumer choice. It is the ability to choose one thing over another that drives the demand curve. That’s a powerful thing right there, choice. Choices need to be respected. And the ability to make those choices needs to be respected. In order to make the best decisions, one must have the best information upon which to form their choice. By providing my clients with our firm’s best thinking from seasoned experts in investing, taxes, and estate planning, I can help them to make their best choices.