“Ask what makes you come alive and go do it.”
Howard Thurman
I’ve been blessed/cursed with an endless appetite for entrepreneurship, investment markets, and the human behavior driving both. Through 25 years as an advisor, client, investor, portfolio manager, and solutions provider I’ve been a lifelong student who has stumbled into a few general beliefs:
- All retirement aspirations start with higher income and higher saving
- Most would benefit from a financial planning/coaching relationship
- Many are more likely to stay on track if they account for the behavioral challenge of investing
- Some enjoy understanding what they own and why they own it
- A few will get sold a load of crap that benefits a salesperson more than themselves
That last belief is a stain on the overwhelming majority of advisors looking to help their clients, thankfully those who’ve shared their voice have shown a more transparent, goal-centric model for those seeking actual financial advice.
Professionally, I’m doubly blessed, teaming with a group that enthusiastically shares my beliefs. In my role as Head of Advisor Experience at Aptus, I get to hear how entrepreneurial advisors run their business, offer a few ideas of my own regarding investments and practice management, and sit in a position to deliver value for both the advisor and his/her client. My true ikigai, what more could I want?
This blog is my attempt to stimulate thoughts and conversations, by sharing the best ideas I can find in the book/web/podcast universe and adding my own .02. I love talking shop, and welcome any ideas you care to share; social media has given me the opportunity to collaborate and respectfully debate topics of interest to me and I hope I can contribute to the collective discussion.
Feel free to reach out anytime at derek@aptusetfs.com, I thank you for stopping by and look forward to discussing the intersection of financial advice, investment management, and advisor/client communications.