What inspired you to join Bernstein?
In 2007, as a digital media entrepreneur, I was approached by a Fortune 500 media conglomerate that offered to buy my start-up company. I didn’t concede to the deal and unfortunately, negotiations for an even better price failed. In retrospect, the primary reason I couldn’t pass the finish line was because of a common trap many entrepreneurs face: the disconnect between the amount of money they need to accomplish their financial goals and the endless dilemma of being told that they are asking for “a crazy price” for their business. I realized after this experience that I was sorely missing a personal, trusted advisor who could have guided me through the process and given me unconflicted advice—based on research methodology. I believe an advisor may have led me to say “yes” to this offer and helped me to determine at what price point I should have said, “yes.” Subsequently, I made the conscious decision to join Bernstein and become that trusted advisor for entrepreneurs.
In recent years, I’ve expanded my expertise to include serving Global Families, Corporate Executives, Physicians, and Family Offices. All of my clients face similar challenges—such as trying to navigate their financial lives without a blueprint for success.
How have your values and personal background uniquely positioned you to work with your clients?
In serving my clients, I bring three elements from my own life experience: I am an entrepreneur, I am an investor, and I am a coach. I use my entrepreneurial personality to design a blueprint, or business plan, for investing. My investor side then executes the plan in a way that focuses on managing risks, specifically the unforeseen. The coach in me ensures that we remain disciplined during challenging times. The combination of these three skill sets makes me uniquely qualified to help clients navigate the complexities of successfully building and securing wealth. Most importantly, as a person of faith, I place the utmost importance on honesty and integrity above all else. Arriving at the destination isn’t what fuels me. I am focused on the process: how we get there.
What passions do you pursue outside of work?
On a personal level, I love being a coach to my children, students, and colleagues. Having coached championship teams, I can attest that there is nothing more rewarding in life than helping to bring out the best in others. Every human being is imbued with the ability to do great things. Sometimes, all you need to do is to dig deep, preferably with someone trusted by your side, to discover the immense potential that lies within you.