Breaking Chains in Finance and Life
Breaking Chains in Finance and Life
What are lasting financial habits business owners should create?
I grew up in a household where good financial habits were taught and modeled, so I thought it was normal. But as I got older, I realized how stressful and anxiety-inducing finances can be for people. Concerns about paying bills, job security, retirement savings, or running out of money after retirement can affect other areas of life and fill people with fear.
When people share their financial goals and dreams with you, they open up parts of their lives that are deeply personal. We ask questions most don’t: How much debt do you have? How much do you make? What’s your biggest financial mistake? This builds a deep trust, and we become part of their life team, far beyond just financial advice.
I’ve seen many people with great investment strategies and financial plans abandon them or ruin them. It’s not just about giving someone the right plan or strategy; it’s about making sure they execute it consistently over time. Building wealth and financial independence is a marathon, not a get-rich-quick scheme. You have to maintain good habits. We all know people who made money quickly but didn’t have the habits to sustain it. That’s why we focus on changing how people interact with money—helping them develop the right mindset and relationship with it. We do all the basics like financial planning and investment management, but our goal is to change a person’s behavior from the inside out.
How can individuals avoid sacrificing their well-being or relationships in the pursuit of wealth?
Money is a tool, and if it becomes the focus or the end goal, it can be destructive. Money should be a tool to build a better life. It’s just one tool among many that people can use to create a life of abundance.
When I started my practice in the fall of 2007, it was just before the financial meltdown of 2008-2009. I got licensed two weeks after the market peak, so the beginning of my career was pure chaos. My job was to help people overcome fear, be a source of courage, and ensure they didn’t run out of money in retirement. But as I progressed, I realized that making sure people don’t run out of money isn’t enough. They need purpose—something meaningful to pursue with their money.
That’s why I focus on abundance. You could be worth tens of millions, but if you live in scarcity, you won’t feel abundant. If you’ve sacrificed your health or relationships to build wealth, what’s the point? George Eastman, the founder of Kodak, was one of the richest men in the world, but he committed suicide due to debilitating pain from a spinal condition. He had all the money in the world but couldn’t fix his health. Others sacrifice their families and friendships for wealth, only to find themselves alone.
Abundance has many facets—health, relationships, and purpose—and we help people create balance so that their money becomes a tool for a better life, not something that drags them into anxiety or depression.
How can setting clear expectations improve client success and satisfaction?
We have many steps before someone becomes a client, partly to make sure they know what they’re up against. I did this back when I was training athletes. I’d tell them, yes, you’ll be stronger, fitter, faster, and able to jump higher, but it’s going to be painful. I want people to understand the process is tough and not just focus on the end result without being ready to pay the price along the way.
Getting people to adopt a healthy view of optimism is important. Optimism isn’t about sticking your head in the sand and pretending everything is great, nor is it the belief that things will always improve. True, healthy optimism is believing in a better future but acknowledging there will be challenges and difficulties along the way.
What can business owners do to overcome imposter syndrome?
One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome, beyond the financial difficulties of starting a business from scratch, was imposter syndrome—feeling like I didn’t belong or wondering what I had to offer. Many business owners struggle with those doubts.
My story is a bit different because my formal education is in the medical field. I have a degree in biochemistry and planned to go into medicine, with a strong interest in endocrinology and surgery. I had mentors who were surgeons and even took classes in Anchorage, Alaska, with professors who taught at the University of Washington Medical School.
Around 2010 or 2011, I was a few years into my business and going through a big pivot that was going to build long-term momentum. It was a rough year, though. I wasn’t making much money and had to delay gratification. During this time, I bumped into a professor I had taken classes with. He asked, "What are you doing here?" I explained why I was in that building, and he said, "No, no, no. Why are you here? You should be in residency right now, finishing medical school. You should be a physician. Why are you wasting your talent?"
Hearing that from someone I respected who knew my background in medicine was a huge blow. I went home thinking, "What if he’s right? What if I’m completely off track?" I really had to dig deep to find out, and ask myself, “Why are you really doing this? What is your purpose in this?” Because if it's just about money, there are easier ways to make money. So it forced me to be introspective, and I'm glad that I had that conversation because it stirred up a lot of doubt inside of me.
Why should business owners focus on what they can control?
Results matter, of course. People wouldn't go to the gym if it didn’t make them fitter. Whether the goal is a six-pack or lower cholesterol, the real win is showing up and putting in the work. That’s what needs to be celebrated. In business and life, it’s about knowing what’s important, understanding the desired outcome, and attaching an action that you can control.
For example, I can’t control whether someone picks up when I make a sales call, but I can control how many calls I make. Similarly, I might go to the gym and sprain my ankle, preventing me from finishing the workout—but I still showed up and executed. It’s about identifying the outcome you want, recognizing it may be out of your control, and then focusing on what you can control to influence that result.
If we focus on what we can control and celebrate those actions, it helps us become more strategic and empowered. Many business owners fixate on sales, revenue, the economy, or the hiring market—things that are largely out of their control. This can create a sense of helplessness. But by concentrating on the levers we can pull, we regain a sense of control, which can get us through tough times. It may not change what we do, but it changes how we see it, boosting persistence and perseverance. It reminds us that we are the variable in our own success—we don’t need to wait for luck or external factors to change our fate. We take control of our lives.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
