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JUNE 2021
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2 GENERATIONS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP A Father’s Day Message From FAI President Chris Cousins
Author and speechwriter Reed Markham once wrote, “The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams, and aspirations he sets, not only for himself, but for his family.” To me, this quotation epitomizes my dad, George Cousins. I credit a lot of my best qualities to him and the way he and my mother raised me. That includes the entrepreneurial spirit that has been the foundation of Financial Architects for over 30 years.
I believe that businesses and business skills can be multigenerational. That is why in 2020, FAI helped launch a new program called the Q5 Experience, a business exit planning initiative that was inspired partly by my dad, my own succession planning experiences, and our family story. Through the Q5 Experience, our team helps business owners and entrepreneurs plan for the “fifth quarter,” create transferable value, and pass their companies smoothly and successfully into new hands.
My dad did not start his own company, but he had the insight and business acumen to take advantage of an opportunity when he saw it. He is a CPA by training, and in 1973, he joined HDS Services as the treasurer. Over the years, the company expanded greatly in the food service management industry, and he became the Chief Financial Officer. Because he entered the company early on, he had the option to buy shares in the business over time. He chose to do so, and HDS grew for the next 30 years. When it was acquired by Compass Group in 2005, the company oversaw $290 million in managed volume.
This process helps entrepreneurs keep their companies in the family — whether that’s blood family or simply the family of the like-minded. In short, the Q5 Experience takes business exit planning to a new and more thoughtful level. To learn more about this program, reach out to John Devine today at 248-482-3600 or JDevine@FinancialArch.com.
When I see my dad for Father’s Day coming up, I’m looking forward to recalling some of this history when he and my mother travel from Florida to Michigan to spend the summer at their Michigan home near us. Since retiring, my dad has continued to be an inspiration to me and many others. He and my mother traveled extensively for many years until she had a stroke at age 71. Today, they are getting through life together, although differently than before. And through all this, he demonstrates his commitment to another as her primary caregiver and is a great example to all of us. This Father’s Day, I would encourage you to reflect on the lessons you learned from your own dad. How did they shape who you are today? How will you take them into account moving forward? What will you pass on to your children, if you have them? Our monetary legacies are important, but so are our intangible skills, traits, and stories. Do not underestimate yours.
Because of that smart investment in shares and his entrepreneurial spirit, my dad was able to retire at the young age of 58 — just five years older than I am now. As a child and young adult, I saw my dad’s thought process when it came to business and learned from it. From following in his footsteps, I realized how important it was to be trustworthy, plan for the long term, emphasize teamwork and collaboration, and value my business and personal relationships. I actually inherited one such relationship directly from my dad. Jan Winters, who serves as a key team member here at FAI, spent the first 27 years of her career working for HDS Services, and directly for my father in the finance department. Jan was an important member of the HDS team, and when she left HDS, I asked her to join me at FAI. Nearly 40 years later, she is still doing the great work she has always done.
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Book Reviews With Chris Ball EYE ON THE BALL
ARE GROCERY SUBSCRIPTION BOXES WORTH IT?
I love reading presidential biographies. I find it so fascinating to learn the background and history about each individual journey to the White House. There are many presidents who do not get their just due in history books. One excellent example is Calvin Coolidge. Known as "Silent Cal," he has often been portrayed as lackluster and easily forgotten.
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, so let's explore one popular way to get more fresh produce into our lives: subscription-based delivery services like Full Circle and Imperfect Food. Are these services actually worth it? Do they save money and provide what they promise? Here's what the research turned up. CAN THEY SAVE YOU TIME? The Verdict: Yes, without a doubt. Subscription-based grocery delivery services appeal to consumers because they save time. With somebody else doing your grocery shopping, you don’t have to think about when you’re making a trip to the grocery store this week. Someone else is doing it for you! Plus, some services even offer meal kits if you can’t decide what to make. There’s no argument here — these services definitely save you time. CAN THEY SAVE YOU MONEY? The Verdict: Sometimes, since it depends on your existing shopping habits. If you find yourself making impulsive purchases while strolling down the aisles at the grocery store, then a set (but customizable) weekly list of delivered groceries might be a great way to stick to your budget. Unfortunately, not many grocery subscription-box delivery services offer nonfood items like toilet paper or cleaning products, so you may still have to make a trip to the store every once in a while. IS THE FOOD QUALITY GREAT? The Verdict: Yes, but it depends on your area. You have a higher chance of getting better grocery items if you buy from an organic grocery box service, like Imperfect Foods or Farm Fresh to You, since these companies work closely with your local farms. Keep in mind that some services, like Imperfect Foods, are designed to deliver fresh foods that are a little “imperfect” in size, shape, or color to help prevent food waste — but, as a benefit, it’s more affordable! However, we’ve found some services, like Full Circle, will prepackage their boxes from warehouses that may not be local to you, so do a little research before picking one. All in all, we’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that these boxes aren’t such a bad idea. Consider looking into it if you’re tired of the weekly grocery store time crunch!
The biography "Coolidge" by Amity Shlaes, however, is an
excellent reexamination of the 30th president of the United States. The book helps us appreciate how a shy and awkward young man grew up to hold the most powerful office in the country. The Coolidge portrayed in the book is a man of strong conviction and discipline. He had a strong aversion to debt his entire life and left office with a budget smaller than the one he inherited. Some of his cutbacks while in office seem humorous in context of today's world. However, it also helps us appreciate how principled a man he was. Coolidge inherited the presidency from Warren G. Harding, who died in office after only 2 1/2 years. Harding was a very popular but controversial president, having appointed friends and political allies to many key federal positions. After his death, many scandals emerged that tarnished Harding's legacy. Coolidge did an admirable job of cleaning up the cabinet and restoring trust throughout the country. Another great aspect of the book is the introduction to his wife, Grace. While Calvin was stoic and reserved, Grace's charm and liveliness were a perfect complement. As a young girl, she heard about a nearby school for the deaf and started a lifelong passion for helping those with hearing impairments. She was also the first First Lady to use the office to speak to the public. The tragic loss of their son, Calvin Jr., during their time in office was especially difficult. "Coolidge" is an excellent examination of an unlikely president. He served during a time of competing social and economic values, in a decade known as the Roaring '20s. This intelligent and informative book shines as an outstanding presidential biography.
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., FAI Advisors, Inc., and The LifeMethod 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
Chat With a Client Brandon and Rainey Lietke
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS? We have always done our best to save and plan for the future, but there was always some uncertainty about if we were doing so as optimally
as we could, and if our "plan" would put our family in the position we wanted to be in down the road. We have been a little skeptical with some "financial planners" in the past, but when Matt Dery reached out to us to become involved with Financial Architects, we figured it was at least worth exploring. After meeting Pat Marody and the team, we felt much more comfortable with the overall philosophy of Financial Architects and felt at ease. We feel confident that a sound financial plan is in place for our family. BRANDON, TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB AND WHAT THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN LIKE. The last year has been difficult at times but also very rewarding. I have been working remotely since mid-March 2020, and for most of that time, I have been assisting our 7-year-old son, Sanderson, with his online schoolwork. There were some definite growing pains with my job at first, and I found certain things difficult while permanently teleworking, like Rainey and me trying to balance second-grade Zoom calls with an infant's crying/eating/ napping schedule. However, the best thing to come out of this was I was able to sit next to my son all day while working and really be active in his school life. Also, I was able to take a break, go upstairs, and spend time with my wife and our now 19-month-old Brookson. Between the permanent telework for the last year and my paternity leave prior to that, I have been at home for most of the past year and half, which has had such a positive impact on all of us and our relationships. The amount of time saved commuting has been monumental now that it is time spent with my wife and kids. WHY DOES FAMILY MEAN SO MUCH TO THE TWO OF YOU? AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR KIDS. Family is without a doubt the most important thing to the both of us. Everything we do and work for is for each other and our children. Our goal is to provide a great life for our children and our hope is to be able to retire early so we can spend as much time with our children and future grandchildren as possible. Our 7-year-old is such a kind, fun, imaginative, and social child. He loves playing sports, playing all sorts of made-up games with his friends, and spending time with his parents and little brother. He is such a great big brother and always tries to include Brookson in his games even though he is only 19 months old. Brookson is an adorable little handful. He loves to be outside, no matter the weather. He will scream with excitement to go outside and play and bring us his shoes to put on as soon as he wakes up in the morning. He absolutely adores animals, and you can hear his shrieks of excitement anytime he sees a dog, cat, bird, you name it. Brookson idolizes his big brother and always wants to play with him and copy his every movement. We also are expecting a third boy in early August of this year. We are sure he'll be just as energetic (and exhausting) as the other two, but we are so grateful and couldn't be happier. We absolutely love being parents.
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GRILLED CHICKEN SHAWARMA
A spice-filled marinade and time do all the work in this recipe that features Middle Eastern flavors.
INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp ground cumin • 2 tbsp ground coriander • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground ginger • 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tsp allspice • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
DIRECTIONS
1. To create marinade, whisk all spices with the garlic and olive oil in a medium bowl.
2. Add chicken to the bowl, coat well with marinade, cover, and let sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes — or up to 48 hours. Strain off excess marinade before cooking. 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill thighs for 10–12 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 F.
4. Serve with rice, vegetables, or pita bread with tzatziki.
Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
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Inside This Issue 1 | A Father’s Day Message From FAI President Chris Cousins
2 | Are Grocery Subscription Boxes Worth It?
2 | ‘Eye on the Ball’ a Book Review by Chris Ball
3 | Chat With a Client
3 | Grilled Chicken Shawarma
4 | Have You Explored a National Forest?
Explore a National Forest for Free
Many people in the U.S. and across the world have a national park trip on their travel bucket list. While Zion, Yellowstone, and the Great Smoky Mountains are all awesome locales, outdoor enthusiasts often overlook a resource that is less busy, less expensive, and usually right in their backyard: national forests. All but 10 states have a national forest (or more than one!), so if your home state doesn’t have one, it’s very likely a neighboring state does! And there’s no better time to hike, bike, forage for mushrooms or berries, or camp at a nearby national forest than this month. The tree-filled landscape will provide shade and help you beat the summer heat, and to further incentivize visitors, the U.S. Forest Service (the organization that oversees the national forests) is offering a fee-free day on Saturday, June 12, in honor of National Get Outdoors Day! While parking and day-use fees to access national forests tend to be relatively modest, fee-free days open up the opportunity to all visitors. The U.S. Forest Service has a great interactive map tool that prospective park-goers can use to learn more about the forests in their area, amenities and activities, and accessibility. Visit FS.fed.us/ivm/ to access the map and see what’s near your hometown!
• El Yunque National Forest: Located in Puerto Rico, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States. • Tongass National Forest: Spanning 16.7 million acres and several islands across Southeast Alaska, the Tongass is the country’s largest national forest. • Salmon-Challis National Forest: This Idaho forest is the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48 and contains the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. • Cibola National Forest and Grassland: Spread across north- central New Mexico, west Texas, and Oklahoma, this forest and grassland area is notable for its diverse ecosystems and wildlife. The Sky Islands portion of the park is also home to over 200 rare plant and animal species.
If you’re dreaming up travel plans beyond your state’s border, consider visiting these notable U.S. national forests.
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