How We Do It

Discover

In this first stage of our planning process we guide you through a conversation that allows you to ponder and then articulate what it is that you are working for and what you would really like your money to do for you. We allow (in fact demand!) for you to dream big and put it all out on the table without self (or other’s) imposed judgments of how realistic or unrealistic your desires may be. Gathering information in this kind of meaningful way means that you are better able to understand what your priorities are and why and therefore allows you to make well informed choices about what you are going to do and why you are going to do it.

Define (and Re-Define. Repeat.)

We work with you to take all that you have learned in the Discover conversation and distill that into a picture of your ideal future. From there we are able to help you prioritize the elements that will get you there. This is the part where we all put on our strategy hats and put together the best picture of what you want for your future based on the information you have today. This is an important step in the process that we will revisit again and again during your Client Reviews and/or as your circumstances and priorities change (which sometimes they do day to day!).   

Thought you never wanted to travel to China? Thought you would be the last one to ever have children? Decided you really do like the idea of leaving all of your money to your dog?? Situations change.  People change. Your financial plan should be able to change with you. We assume it will and work with you to plan for that.

Design

All the information we have gathered in the Discover and Define stages come together in your custom-tailored financial plan. We strive to put together a plan that allows you to live the life that you want to now and save for the life you want in the future without undue risk or sacrifice.  

Deliver

Financial plans are like airplanes, 99% of the time they are off course. We recognize this and as a result we don’t plan your trip for you and wave goodbye at the gate (a la travel agent).  Instead we map it, plan each stop along the way, and hop on the plane to help you get there (a la pilot). This allows us to correct the course as need be and make sure that you are consistently headed in the right direction.  

To help you get to your destination in style we offer:

• Portfolio management that allows you to Participate, Protect, and Grow in an increasingly uncertain marketplace. The discipline from which we operate is based on the fact that ownership of an asset equals risk. (Therefore, when we feel an asset ceases to have the characteristics of an uptrend, we recommend moving to cash to minimize the risk of downside loss)  In our eyes, it is better to eliminate the risk rather than hold an asset that is not likely to appreciate and more likely to decline.  When the characteristics of growth reappear in the asset we are poised to again benefit from the upturn.
• Advanced planning techniques and investment strategies. Through a close network of professionals, we are able to coordinate an array of specialties including financial and tax planning, insurance, estate planning, trust services, and charitable services.
• A client experience that is second to none. From the time you partner with us to Discover, Define, and Design your goals and aspirations you will experience a positive difference in the way we work to provide you with consistent and timely communication about your portfolio as well as the markets in general. In addition, we will be inviting our clients and friends to join us in celebrating the arts, food, and growth in our community through an array of client events to be scheduled throughout the year.