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MARCH 2020
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PRINCIPLES TO LIVE BY Nine Keys To A Successful Life
As I enter my 40th year in the financial services industry, I’m proud to say it’s been an incredible journey. A lot has changed since 1980, both in the business and in my life, but I’m glad I stayed
was in financial services before the industry even had that name, making his living in the life insurance business in the 1960s. I didn’t much understand his work when I was young, but I did notice how he could make it to all my ball games. I decided that when I grew up, I wanted to do the same for my kids, and well, here we are! Fitness is pretty straightforward — I want to keep up with the grandkids when they’re older! Working in this industry has shown me how much good a few healthy lifestyle choices can do to give you a longer, happier life. I’m fortunate to have many clients far older than me who are in fantastic shape. It really inspires me. Friends is another principle deeply important but difficult to quantify. Suffice it to say that if friendship enriches your life, then I must be a millionaire. I’m incredibly lucky to enjoy the bonds I’ve made over the years, many of which were fostered right here at FAI. My financial principle is especially important, given my work. It would be pretty hypocritical of me to not take care of my own financial well-being while advising clients on their fiscal future. Thus, this “F” is personal and professional and a driving reason why I push myself to always stay up to date on the latest economic trends. Currently, the shifting tax code has occupied a lot of my attention, and I’ve been working with clients to prepare for future tax changes.
Fun is part of the “why” within my 9 F’s. After all, what’s the point of having great friends and family if you don’t have a laugh with them? Why work hard at finance and fitness if you don’t go golfing every once in a while? Freedom, in a personal sense, goes back to the inspiration my father gave me. Having the flexibility to set his own hours and be there for his family meant the world to me as a kid, showing me the value of independence. I love that FAI allows me to be an entrepreneur and a team player all at the same time! “Fame with family” is my way of expressing the fact that just as my family inspires me, I want to do the same for them. I hope my kids and grandkids can look to me the same way I looked to my father and know they have the support to chase their dreams. And last, but certainly not least, we come to “fantastic attitude.” Sometimes you can’t control every element of your life — there are going to be good days and bad, wins and setbacks, losses and new beginnings. But I’ve found that so long as you keep a glass half-full attitude, you’ll make the most of life’s ups and downs.
on course through it all. It helps that I’ve had guiding principles to keep me centered through these shifting decades. I call these my 9 F’s of life. Faith, Family, Fitness, Friends, Financial, Fun, Freedom, Fame with Family, and Fantastic Attitude — these are the landmarks I use to navigate life’s twists and turns, and they’ve yet to steer me wrong. They all interweave and overlap in places, but I’ll do my best to lay them out as individual principles. Faith naturally comes first, as it informs so much of the rest of this list. It is core to who I am and it enriches my relationship with others. More than any of the other principles, faith is a compass I can always turn to within myself and chart my path forward. But help doesn’t always have to come from within, and that’s where family comes in. As any parent can relate to, my wife and kids have always been a source of support and inspiration for me. And now we’ve added two grandbabies to the mix, with a third on the way! In fact, family is the reason I’m in this industry in the first place. My father
– Cort Otterbein
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INSIDE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS
ANOTHER SLICE OF PI(E)
The Sweetest Ways to Celebrate Pi Day
Break out your calculators and grab your aprons because it’s almost Pi Day! This holiday has gained popularity among mathematicians and bakers alike — two groups that rarely overlap. Pi Day is March 14, which when written numerically is 3/14, the first three digits of the mathematical constant pi. Pi is special because it’s used to calculate the circumference of a circle. This might not sound like a big deal, but pi is used in engineering, construction, GPS, motors, power generation, and even television! If we hadn’t calculated pi, none of these achievements would be possible. Pi is pretty important, and it’s definitely worth celebrating! Here are two ways you can get in on the fun. LEARN TO RECITE PI Pi has fascinated mathematicians for centuries because it’s an irrational number, meaning the digits go on forever. If you want to try your hand at memorizing some of the numbers, here are the first 50 decimal digits of pi (with spaces, so they’re easier to remember!). To make things simple, we often round pi up to 3.14, but many people have challenged themselves to memorize and recite as many digits as possible. In the Guinness Book of World Records, the record is currently held by Rajveer Meena, who recited pi to the 70,000th digit on March 21, 2015. And he did it all while blindfolded! EAT SOME PIE Another popular way to enjoy Pi Day is to bake and eat pie. This dessert is perfect because it’s both a homophone (same pronunciation as “pi” but with a different spelling and meaning) and a circle. Challenge your friends to a pie-baking contest, or buy your favorite pie from the store and have a pie-eating contest. And, while this may be a controversial stance, we believe pizza pie deserves a place in Pi Day celebrations, too. 3.14159 26535 89793 23846 26433 83279 50288 41971 69399 37510
Meet Alissa!
FAI continues to grow, and we’ve added some new faces to the office recently. Alissa Earl is now on board as Client Relations Coordinator who also works directly with Mike Kucera. Alissa has been working in the financial and insurance industry for over 15 years, but at her last stop, she was working from home. She wanted a change; she wanted to join an organization that really values their employees. Alissa found it here at Financial Architects. When asked about her thoughts on her career here at FAI, Alissa said, “I felt like I was lost in the shuffle the last few years and was just another number. At FAI, they really care about family, and the environment here is incredible.” Alissa has been a value asset for Kucera, assisting him in client communication and organization. She also has some video production experience, so she lends a hand in a couple of the company’s marketing campaigns. Kyle Zwiren and Chavez Vincent are not just “Financial Architects.” Yes, they are husbands and fathers, too, but they are both also very active members of networking groups. These gatherings enable Kyle and Chavez to get to know other licensed professionals in different industries and utilize these relationships to help their clients. Explaining the value of these networking connections, Chavez said, “For example, there are many people licensed to sell real estate, but only a few who are professional realtors. Before we recommend a professional, we must know they are a subject matter expert in their field and they agree with the philosophies of Financial Architecture.” Kyle’s group, “Integrity in Action,” was founded by Zwiren and two of his CPA friends. It is a diverse group of service professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners. “My role with my clients is to be their trusted advisor in all aspects of their financial and professional lives. I can’t always know how to solve specific problems for my clients,” Zwiren says. “If I can’t help solve the problem myself, my involvement in my professional networking allows me to introduce my client to another trusted advisor who can help.” Networking Works
Here’s to Pi Day: the tastiest, nerdiest holiday of the year!
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. Registered Representatives offer Securities through The O.N. Equity Sales Company, Member FINRA/SIPC (www.FINRA.org/ and www.SIPC.org). Investment Advisory Services offered through O.N. Investment Management Company and FAI Advisors, Inc., Financial Architects, Inc., and FAI Advisors, Inc. are not subsidiaries or affiliates of The O.N. Equity Sales Company or O.N. Investment Management Company. We have representatives currently registered in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, and WI.
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Take a Break
A Chat With Our Client
MARK ABBOTT FROM ACCESS INC.
Q. How did you become a client with Financial Architects? A. I became a client of Financial Architects through an introduction by Ken Grace. I knew Ken through church and also a men’s bible study he and I both attended. I was looking for someone to help me with some financial planning, so I asked Ken if his firm would be a good fit. I respected Ken and knew he would help if he could. He spent
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some time with me qualifying my financial goals, and then connected me with an advisor he felt would be able to help. He was right. Financial Architects has helped me over the last few years with some needed financial planning, and I’m grateful for it.
ORANGE GLAZED SALMON
Q. What is Access Inc., and what does your company specialize in?
A. Access Inc. is a premier source of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and critical equipment support systems and services. We specialize in offering market-leading, reliable, and performance-driven solutions. We work hand-in-hand with business owners, contractors, value-added resellers, and engineers, helping them apply our products and services to solve their HVAC issues and critical support problems in the most economical way.
INGREDIENTS • 2 salmon fillets (10 oz total) • 1 tsp salt • 2 tbsp ghee • 1 tbsp garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• Zest from 1 orange • 1/3 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice • 1 tsp tapioca starch
Q. You have a very special faith-based bond with a group of friends. Can you tell us about it and what your crew does for fun?
DIRECTIONS
A. Twenty years ago, a close friend and I started a men’s floor hockey group at our church on Tuesday evenings. We had been driving down to a school in Redford every Tuesday night to play floor hockey with a group of his old college buddies. The games were rough, and the guys were quite physical. We liked playing the game but wanted a different kind of venue. We decided to start one at our church and invite guys to join in. The format for the evening was simple: an opening prayer, 1 1/2 hours of hockey, a short devotion at the end, and a closing prayer. We set up a rink in the gym and played high-energy Christian rock music over the sound system. Anyone could attend, and we used it as an informal outreach to guys in the church as well as outside the church. It worked. In the last 20 years, well over 200 guys have participated in and been impacted by the group. We’ve changed lives, made lasting friendships, strengthened faith, and played some great hockey: all good for the soul.
1. Heat oven to 425 F, and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. 2. Salt each fillet with 1/2 tsp salt. Bake for 6–8 minutes. 3. In a saucepan, combine ghee and garlic and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. 4. Add rosemary, zest, and juice. Cook for another 3 minutes. 5. Stir in tapioca starch until lumps disappear and mixture thickens. 6. Plate salmon and top with orange sauce.
Inspired by RealFoodWithJessica.com
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Inside This Issue 1 | Nine Keys To A Successful Life
2 | Would You Like Some Pi? 2 | Inside Financial Architects
3 | A Chat With Our Client 3 | Orange Glazed Salmon 4 | Stay Stateside With These Little-Known St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Staying Stateside for St. Paddy’s?
There’s no place quite like Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day. What was once a purely religious holiday to honor the legend of St. Patrick chasing all the snakes out of the country has turned into a global celebration. But if a trip to Ireland isn’t in the budget, check out these three little- known stateside destinations that are just as festive. SHORT AND SWEET IN ARKANSAS Thanks to the clever thinking of some Irish friends meeting for a pint at a bar on one of the shortest streets in the world, Bridge Street in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the First Ever 17th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade will travel 98 feet once again this year. Don’t assume the turnout isn’t robust just because the distance is staggeringly low. The parade lasts for hours, drawing thousands of people to watch celebrities, musicians, bands, floats, and Miss Arkansas glide by. The event also
features a Blarney stone kissing contest and a parade king and queen.
A LITTLE LUCK IN AMERICA’S HEARTLAND O’Neill, Nebraska, is home to the world’s largest shamrock and more unique St. Patrick’s Day traditions. This Irish community doubles down on its heritage every March with a traditional parade, music, and Irish dancing. But the town also hosts a popular dodgeball tournament and donkey basketball. What could be better than pummeling your opponents in dodgeball and outpacing the competition while riding a donkey in the school gymnasium? Perhaps enjoying a pint or two with your teammates afterward. And O’Neill is just the spot to do it. OHIO’S LITTLE PIECE OF IRELAND You may not be able to fly to Ireland, but you can visit a little piece of it right in the
U.S. Head to Dublin, Ohio, this St. Patrick’s Day for a traditional celebration sure to put a wee bit o’ pep in your step. Partake in a traditional Irish breakfast or enjoy a parade complete with bagpipers and Irish dancers. Boasting one of the largest celebrations in the U.S., Dublin is an affordable alternative for those looking to celebrate the Irish way.
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