1. We are independent. There are several firms that are independent and there are a few characteristics that identify this benefit. One is that the firm is not tethered to any one mutual fund family. This allows the independent firm to select from the universe of mutual fund families and not be confined to single families. (Mutual fund families you may be familiar with are Fidelity, Frank Russell, or American Funds to name a few.).

Another benefit of independence is that we do not force products to fit a client's situation that is not to their best interest. Products should only be plugged into a financial plan or based on the client's financial profile and circumstances

2. We do not promote sales quotas or competitions. What is best for the client should not be clouded by outside incentives. Therefore, we do not have to call our clients to simply peddle an investment product to satisfy a company quota. This also means that our Registered Investment Advisers are not working under duress to make a sales quota. This usually translates into consistency and continuity when you get to work with the same staff and adviser with several years of experience focused on your needs above all else.

3. We are established. We do not have to spend an inordinate amount of time and resources to build a new business. We can focus more time on you which enables us to take care of our current clients.

4. Not a big box chain brokerage house.

a. We don't have to ask the 'main office' for permission to run our business a certain way. We are solely responsible for our own business model. If parameters like compliance laws change, we can quickly adjust.

b. If you call us, you are calling our physical offices. You are not calling an outsourced call center that does not know you or your regular business requirements.

c. Another reason that our advisers will not be directed or coerced into selling certain products that might not fit to meet a certain sales quota.

5. We do not chase returns.

a. Diversification and consistency are more important than the best returns. Should we not seek out the best returns possible to be competitive in the market? Well, if you are diversified, there should be sectors in your portfolio that are doing better than others. Everything cycles. When you are retired and diversified, you want to harvest funds from those asset classes and sectors that have cycled up and allow those things that are out of favor right now to have their time to return to their potential.

b. Money Ball is a movie about an economics major that advises a baseball manager working on a small budget to pick certain players based on their ability to simply 'get on base more often'. Not a lot of home run hitters or flashy big names. Just the best chance to get on base. The result was the longest consecutive game-winning streak in the history of baseball which had stood for over 50 years. They won 20 games in a row!

6. Our model has fewer moving parts. Keep it simple. A portfolio can be set up without significant changes for a significant period of time. The simplest design is usually the best design.