In 2010, I decided that the firm where I worked, where I’d started and spent my entire career, was no longer a fit. It was a decision I did not take lightly.

I also had NO idea what to do about it or where I wanted to go. But what I did know was:

• I was not afraid of a fight.
• I wanted to work hard.
• Feeling like I was growing was important.
• Entrepreneurship was definitely for me.
• I believed in myself,
• And also believed in teamwork and partnerships.
• Deep down, I knew I could do more and be more.

So, I set out on my search.

A year and a half later, one of my closest friends did the same thing, leaving his firm to start on his own path. One day, he called me and said, “Why don’t we try and put this thing together? Me in Chicago and you in LA?”

So, just like that, in June of 2012 we took the first steps to make our vision a reality. In November of that same year, I really took the leap.

I was only 35 years of age, about to have my first child and get married again. I was leaving the place where I’d “grown up” and cut my teeth professionally.

I really had no idea what to expect other than I knew I could do it.

Over those last several years, I had been keen on building what I believed to be the future of financial services: a unique model, client-centric, a firm built by advisors for advisors to better serve their clients. When I did it my way, the client’s needs would always come first and be at the forefront of every decision we made.

I was also focused on building myself, as I understood that outward success only comes when you get what’s on the inside right.

Well, next month, we celebrate our 10^th year in business.

Today, we come together to celebrate what we’ve built and done together. More importantly, I encourage all of us to keep dreaming about what we’ll achieve and how we will grow in the future.

We can still do better – we can be better.

I’ve learned a lot over these ten years, including:

• Never be afraid to start something new or take a risk.
• The person I was then is NOT the person I am now (most wouldn’t want to know that guy).
• Believe in yourself.
• Empower those around you to be their best.
• Focus more about what is possible than worrying about why something may be impossible.
• Don’t let yesterday take up too much real estate in your head today.
• Never give up.
• When you promise something, deliver.
• Be there for those who need you.
• You may bend but never break.

Life will give you lots of bumps along the way. We learn from the biggest failures. So, never be afraid to fail. Just pick yourself up and push on.

We succeed because of those struggles, not despite them.

Together, let’s vow to never stop dreaming and taking action to achieve those dreams, so the next ten years can be even more fruitful.

-J.D.