As a young financial advisor in the mid-1990s I was admittedly idealistic. But one belief to which I gravitated – and continue to hold – is: Take good care of clients and they will take care of you. The idea was that doing right by clients would not only be emotionally rewarding but would result in good financial compensation.
Accordingly, every career decision I have made has been in line with this philosophy. My choices have been driven primarily by experience, people and the ability to live my philosophy each day. Had I made different choices I’d have a bigger net worth but a much smaller sense of pride.
The investment and financial advice industry is home to many smart, hard-working and honest professionals. But there are too many in the industry with a primary end goal to maximize their financial rewards at the expense of clients’ best interests.