If you’re thinking about selling your business in 2026, the decisions you make before you go to market will matter far more than the deal terms themselves. For most of my career, I’ve helped business owners exit their companies and transition into the next chapter of their lives. More recently,

Financial advisor discussing the 5 levels of wealth complexity with a client."

Scroll YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram long enough and you’ll find hundreds of videos confidently telling you that you don’t need a financial advisor. After 13 years as a financial advisor, working with everyone from recent graduates to retirees worth $50 million, I can tell you something important: Sometimes they’re right.

Diagram illustrating the Grow, Protect, Preserve framework for building and transferring generational wealth.

“Generational wealth” is one of the most overused phrases in personal finance. Someone receives an inheritance from a grandparent, and suddenly it’s labeled generational wealth. But if we are being precise, most inheritances don’t qualify. The data consistently shows that the average inheritance lasts only one to two generations. That

Rolled-up newspaper with the headline Market News, representing quarterly market updates and financial insights.

Download the Full Q4 2025 Market Report (PDF) As we close out 2025, it is worth pausing to celebrate another strong year of performance and take a moment to realize how unusual this year truly was. I would encourage you to quickly glance at the annual market return slide-deck below

Market Review Fourth Quarter 2025

The fourth quarter of 2025 delivered strong results, with most markets posting gains. International Developed markets led the way, returning 5.20%, followed by Emerging markets at 4.73%. The U.S. Stock market gained 2.4%, while the U.S. Bond market rose 1.10% and the Global Bond market (ex-U.S.) increased 0.52%. The Global

Financial planning checklist for 2026 showing calculator and investment goals.

January offers a natural reset. A new year creates momentum, and the financial habits you build now can shape your progress for the rest of 2026 and beyond. Strong financial habits do not require drastic changes. They require consistency, intention, and a clear plan. Here are the best financial habits

Business owner looking at a calculator, realizing that spending money just for a tax deduction is reducing their net profit.

“We buy a new truck every year to reduce our taxes.” I hear some version of this all the time from business owners. Just the other day, a client called me and said,“Stephen, I’ve got $300,000 of profit I need to write off. What are some good things I can

Financial advisor listening intently to a client during a meeting, demonstrating the firm's commitment to respect and dedicated time.

Measuring Success Beyond the Numbers One of the most meaningful ways to measure success as a financial advisory firm is not performance charts or account balances. It is whether clients feel seen, respected, and valued. As we concluded our annual client survey, one response stood out because it captured something

Happy family holding cash outside their home, symbolizing receiving a financial windfall and learning how to manage it wisely.

Imagine this. You inherit a quarter-million dollars, $250,000, while juggling two kids, $3,000 daycare bills, and a baby due in January. That was the reality for a couple I met with last week. They weren’t popping champagne or shopping for new cars. They were asking a different kind of question:

Three generations of a family standing together outside their home holding a box labeled “Wealth,” symbolizing the passing of generational wealth and values.

After 13 years in finance, I’ve learned one truth that shapes how I approach every client conversation: A high net worth does not equal generational wealth. Last week, I met with a savvy business owner who’s built a thriving company and accumulated substantial assets. He could have spent our time