So much of what we do each day focuses on our clients. From investing to banking to estate and tax analysis and beyond, each interaction attempts to help our clients live happier and more peaceful lives. As I celebrate my 26th year in the industry (I started December 1997), I cannot help but reflect on how our clients have helped us help them.
They have placed extraordinary trust in us to guide them through life with the inevitable bumps in the road, often sharing very personal details about themselves and their families. They taught us to consider investment approaches that may have fallen outside normal opportunities we consider. As they have aged alongside us, their life changes have challenged us to learn new aspects of one’s stage of life, reminding us not to give advice solely based on our own experiences and perspectives.
Most importantly, our clients have taught us to love what we do everyday, which is to open our laptops, and simply try and reduce the friction that a client may experience as they go about their day. Last night I was at an event and a fellow industry friend, someone I have known for almost 20 years, asked me to review her life plan. After agreeing, she thanked me from the bottom of her heart and I responded simply by saying, “…no thanks necessary, I have found my life’s work and I look forward to helping anyone, to the best of my abilities.” To all of our clients, many of whom have been clients since 1998, thank you for allowing me to love my life’s work.
