Check out our Sept newsletter!
SEPTEMBER 2022
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A Tribute from FAI President Chris Cousins SUCH AN AMAZING TEAM
Over the past few editions, you’ve heard from some of our fantastic employees and learned more about their lives and how they found Financial Architects. We pride ourselves on having a family atmosphere and motivating and supporting each other daily. Our relationship at FAI helps us deliver better quality to our clients. Our team has become even stronger since we began working on a new project. The project’s driving force is to improve the overall client experience and involves changing the platform used to manage assets. The new platform includes enhancements which will allow us to serve our clients more efficiently and effectively. Since taking on this project, our team has shown what it takes to be great leaders and how to stay focused on the bigger picture.
3. Seeing themselves as a pathway to progress and not a roadblock. 4. Caring about their teammates and how they’re doing. 5. Focusing on being productive and not just being busy. 6. Keeping our clients’ best interests at the center of everything they do. FAI wouldn’t be where it is today without the motivation and dedication of our employees. The camaraderie this team has is inspiring, and it enables us to do great things for each other, our community, and our clients. We have some strategies in place to help our team further strengthen the characteristics we all have:
discuss and resolve issues much quicker than in the past, which in turn allows us to complete tasks in a shorter amount of time than anticipated. Seeing our team strive for success and provide our clients with the best quality of service is something we aim to accomplish each day. You can notice our drive and passion when you come and visit our office. We all have the skills and characteristics to succeed in anything we set our minds to. We have an overwhelming amount of gratitude for our team — we are so fortunate to have them. Their hard work, motivation, and dedication to FAI, each other, and clients do not go unnoticed. To our amazing team: Thank you for everything you do. None of this would be possible without all of you. Happy Labor Day.
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Focus on where we are heading and the direction we’re going.
There are six characteristics each team member shows daily:
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Define the path to success.
Fully commit to working in the same direction. Spot issues and solve them promptly. Once solved, check and recheck progress often.
1. Devising a solution, not just identifying problems. 2. Asking for help and not seeing it as a point of weakness but as strength.
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These strategies help them identify their strengths and correct their weaknesses together as a unit. We recently decided to hold daily rather than weekly team meetings. As a result, we’ve noticed our productivity has increased. Daily meetings allow our team to identify,
“The camaraderie this team has is inspiring, and it enables us to do great things for each other, our community, and our clients.”
– Chris Cousins
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Ready, Set, Scavenge!
INSIDE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS
EXPLORE WHAT AUTUMN OFFERS
As the leaves begin to fall and the air becomes cooler, it is a sure sign that summer is
slowly coming to an end. Though we will miss the pool parties and backyard barbecues, there is still lots to look forward to during fall.
Autumn is known as the season of change, and getting the kids outside allows them to understand and explore the changes going on in the world around them. Creating a fall scavenger hunt is a great way for kids to practice their reading and observation skills, all while still enjoying the outdoors. SIGNS OF FALL Creating a specific scavenger hunt for signs of autumn is a great way to enhance your child’s observation skills.
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Consider the following for your signs of fall hunt:
It is certainly an exciting time for FAI Vice President Patrick Marody and his family. In July, Pat’s son Cooper got married in Nashville to his beautiful bride Kaylee. Just a couple of weeks before that, Cooper moved on from the Edmonton Oilers and signed a two-year free agent contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. Hockey has always been in the family, as Patrick played many years ago at University of Michigan- Dearborn and his youngest son, Easton, plays for Orchard Lake Schools-St Mary’s High School. It is a reunion of sorts for the 25-year-old Cooper, who was originally drafted back in 2015 by Philadelphia. Cooper spent the past four seasons with the Oilers organization, most of it in the AHL with their top affiliate the Bakersfield Condors. The forward was an AHL all-star in 2019 and led the league with 21 goals and tied for third in overall scoring with 36 points in 39 games in 2021. Last season, the Oilers called him up for one game in Seattle, and he delivered his first NHL point with an assist in that contest. Now he will get more of an opportunity to play with the big club in Philadelphia, something he did not get in Edmonton.
2. Leaves that have changed colors 3. Tree seeds or pine cones that have fallen to the ground 4. Items from a fall harvest (like pumpkins, sunflowers, or hay bales) 5. Changes among people’s apparel (such as jackets, hats, and scarves) 6. Animals hibernating or migrating FALL COLOR WHEEL The best way to explore autumn’s colors is by creating a fall color wheel hunt! Since the leaves are the surest signs of fall, kids can compare and contrast the different colors of each leaf they find, making this a fun hands-on activity. You can either download a color wheel template from the internet or make one yourself! All you need is a piece of paper that’s big enough for kids to tape the leaves onto and different areas for the colors red, yellow, orange, and brown. This will help kids see the different kinds of leaves as well as their visual changes during the season. The weather is getting colder, but it doesn’t mean you have to hibernate too! Bundle up with a cozy sweater and beanie, and encourage the family to get outside to explore all of the wonderful changes autumn has to offer.
Congratulations, Cooper, on your wedding and new opportunity with the Flyers!
The information contained in this newsletter is derived from sources believed to be accurate. You should discuss any legal, tax, or financial matters with the appropriate professional. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Investment Advisory Services offered through FAI Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor.
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Take a Break
Chat With a Client Meet Susan Mathes
Solution on Page 4
Grape, Goat Cheese, and Honey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Inspired by HowSweetEats.com This sweet and savory appetizer is perfect for the transition between summer and fall.
HOW DID YOU GET CONNECTED WITH FAI: I got connected with Financial Architects through Nick and Erica Tobin. Nick owns C-Net Systems, which works with FAI on their computers and software. I was shopping around for a financial firm to work with, and Nick and the folks at C-Net said we must meet the great crew [at FAI] and have a conversation. My husband and I made an appointment, and thanks to Ken Grace and Chris Cousins, we have been clients ever since.
INGREDIENTS • 4 sweet potatoes • 2 cups seedless red grapes • 1 tsp grapeseed oil • 1/4 tsp salt, plus a pinch • 1/4 tsp pepper, plus a pinch
• 4 oz goat cheese, divided • 2 tbsp honey, plus additional for drizzling • Pinch of cinnamon • Pinch of nutmeg
DIRECTIONS
WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF YOUR SUMMER? Having my son Ryan home has really been a blessing. He is heading into his sophomore year at Michigan State and also interning this summer at FAI. Also, being up north this summer has been a blast. We have a place in Lincoln, which is between Oscoda and Alpena. We get up north as often as possible and we just love it up there. It is a lot of fun.
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. With a fork, poke holes in potatoes. Tightly wrap each in aluminum foil. 3. On a baking sheet, place potatoes and roast for 45–60 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Remove and unwrap foil. 4. With a knife, slit each potato down the middle. 5. Increase oven to 450 F. 6. On a nonstick baking sheet, drizzle the grapes with grapeseed oil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and toss to coat. Roast for 20–25 minutes. 7. Using a spoon, remove sweet potato flesh while keeping shape intact. 8. In a large bowl, mash sweet potato flesh with 3 oz goat cheese, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and honey. 9. Scoop filling back into potatoes. Top with remaining goat cheese, grapes, and drizzled honey.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT YOU ARE WORKING ON NOW: I was a preschool teaching assistant in Rochester, but now I am taking classes to become a paralegal at Oakland University. I have always been interested in law, and my career path fell into business. So, now I have an opportunity to do something I am passionate about. I am super excited about this venture.
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Inside This Issue 1 | Labor Day Tribute from FAI President Chris Cousins
2 | DIY Fall Scavenger Hunt for the Family
2 | Inside Financial Architects
3 | Chat With a Client: Meet Susan Mathes
3 | Grape, Goat Cheese, and Honey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
4 | Places to Visit Similar to Montana
Get Out and Explore 3 Vacation Destinations Similar to Montana
Because of the popularity of the Kevin Costner miniseries “Yellowstone,” the state of Montana is seeing an economic boom, both in tourism and real estate, as people flock to explore the natural beauty of the state. But with Montana’s increasing popularity, traveling there may not be ideal, especially if you want to avoid crowds. Here are some other destinations that offer similar sights and activities! STANLEY, IDAHO If the mountains are calling your name, then Stanley, Idaho, is the place to go! About three hours northeast of Boise, this gem has three different mountain ranges: the Sawtooth, Lost River, and White Cloud. This trifecta is home to whitewater rafting, hiking, sightseeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and exploring.
night. As Stanley is situated in the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, you’re able to see so much more in the night sky, such as the Milky Way, meteors, and even planets! GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING In Grand Teton National Park, you’ll find many sights and wildlife similar to those
central Wyoming and offers over 192,000 acres of open wilderness and 1,200
miles of hiking trails to venture out on. The forest contains many meadows and grasslands surrounded by large, dancing mountains and rolling hills. The best part is that there are many different ways to explore Bighorn National Forest. Fishing, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, hunting, and horseback riding are just a few of the many ways to experience Wyoming’s beauty. Are you ready to get out and explore these different areas of our nation’s beauty? Check some of these great destinations off your bucket list!
seen on screen in “Yellowstone.” The towering craggy peaks and luscious
landscape do not disappoint, and sometimes there is no sign of human development for miles. It’s a truly remote and beautiful place to visit and explore. You are sure to encounter some amazing wildlife while hiking or camping — the park is home to more than 60 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. BIGHORN NATIONAL FOREST, WYOMING Specifically known for being remote, Bighorn National Forest is located in north-
While there’s tons to see and experience during the day, the beauty doesn’t stop at
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