Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
AUGUST 2023
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Kristi is Celebrating 20 Years at FAI THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I’ve been at Financial Architects for 20 years. Time truly does fly by when you love what you do! It’s hard to find a job you remain at for two decades, but I got lucky. I started working at Financial Architects when I was 22, and I never left. While it’s been an incredible 20 years, I didn’t get to where I am today alone. My life would look completely different if not for the mentors who took me under their wings when I started working here. The first mentor I had at FAI was Turner Thompson. He’s been in the business for more years than I have been alive! I gained knowledge and wisdom from him, and it was a pleasure to be his assistant and learn from one of the pros. Turner encouraged me to go after my full potential. He saw so much opportunity in me — even when I didn’t see it in myself. He always wanted me to find ways to improve, and with his guidance, he helped me find my voice and passion. I couldn’t ask for a better way to start my FAI career than working alongside Turner. Another mentor was Pat Marody. Today, he is one of the company’s owners, but he was an advisor when I started working here. Pat has the natural ability to coach and motivate others. No matter what questions or concerns I had, he was always there to listen and provide insight. Pat also saw a lot of potential in me. When I jumped at the opportunity to become an operations
mentors, the biggest takeaways I’ve discovered is that the power of adaptability, patience, being flexible, having a positive attitude, embracing change, and constant improvement will apply in any circumstance you’re in. You can choose how you react to a situation — you’re in control of whether or not the obstacles positively or negatively affect you. These six pillars will help you overcome hardships and build a foundation for success. More recently I’ve been working with FAI owner, Chris Cousins, who shares these successful attributes as well. He continues to inspire and mentor me on all these foundations and more on my career path. I want to thank Ken, Turner, Pat, and Chris for their time, patience, support, and guidance over the years. I hope my two sons will have mentors like I did that will help shape and guide them as they advance though life. My oldest son, Ethan, just graduated from the University of Michigan and is continuing at U of M Ross College of Business, working on his master’s degree. I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes in the future. My 9-year-old, Henry, has so much to offer the world. It’s fun watching him develop his interests, and I look forward to seeing what he does as he gets older.
Kristi and her two sons
manager (the role I still have today), he supported me wholeheartedly. Although I was nervous about the new job duties, the encouragement from Pat and my team members gave me the strength I needed to take the first steps into my new role. But my experiences here would not have happened if it wasn’t for Ken Grace. Ken was the owner of FAI when I first started, and I can’t thank him enough for taking a chance on me. When you’re first starting out, especially as a young adult, it can be frustrating to find a job because you don’t have a lot of work experience. But Ken took a chance on me and changed my life forever.
Here’s to the next 20 years!
–Kristi Laporte
When I think about all the skills I’ve learned in the past 20 years due to my
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August is the last full month of summer, which means bugs are at their pesky peak. If you and your family love to get outside in the summertime, protecting your family from bug bites is about more than their itchy aftermath. SUMMER TIPS FOR INSECT- FREE FUN! Don’t Let the Bugs Bite
More exciting news inside the walls of 39395 West 12 Mile Road. Two of our Support Team members, Chrissy Wright and Armand Cartwright, are moving to new roles within the organization. These changes aim to enhance the company’s client support and insurance processing capabilities. The transitions, though gradual, signify a promising evolution for both employees and the firm. New Roles Will Enhance Client Support 2 TRANSITIONS AT FAI
USE INSECT REPELLENTS. One of the most effective ways to keep bugs from biting is to use some form of bug repellent. Today, many people opt for non-spray repellent alternatives like repellent patches, wristbands, or clip- ons, many of which work great. The type of repellent isn’t as important as whether it contains one of these main ingredients:
Bugs can carry many diseases that put you, your family, and your pets at risk. For example, mosquitoes and ticks can transmit the West Nile virus, while ticks can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and much more — including causing alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), which is a life- threatening allergic reaction. So if you and your family find yourselves outside this summer, here are some tips to keep those creepy-crawlies at bay.
Chrissy, currently serving as an Inforce Insurance Coordinator, is set to take on the role of Client Relationship Coordinator (CRC). With more than two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Chrissy has been instrumental in providing top-notch client service across various sectors, including life insurance, securities, annuities, and estate planning.
Her wealth of knowledge and innate ability to address client needs positions her perfectly for the CRC role, where she will undoubtedly thrive and contribute to the company’s continued success.
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Lemon-eucalyptus oil Citronella oil (combined with thyme for ticks)
Meanwhile, Armand, who has been an integral part of the insurance arena for the past year, is expanding his responsibilities to encompass new areas within the life insurance sector. His new role will involve significant involvement in new business processing and providing essential training and support to new advisors entering the world of insurance. Additionally, Armand will continue to be involved in inforce insurance servicing,
COVER UP! One of the most straightforward ways to
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Picaridin
Diethyltoluamide (DEET)
GET RID OF ANY STANDING WATER NEAR YOUR HOUSE. Mosquitoes use stagnant water to lay their eggs, so any filled buckets, partially filled kiddie pools, broken fountains, or even discarded toys that have collected water can all attract mosquitoes to your yard. Routinely check your yard and dump out any water you find. Lastly, be sure to thoroughly check for bugs on both your family and your pets before ever setting foot inside!
ensure no one gets bitten by a bug is to cover any exposed skin when outside. If you can, wear long-sleeved shirts, full- length pants, tall socks, and closed-toe shoes, especially when hiking or camping. And if you can, tuck your pants into your socks or shoes to prohibit anything from crawling up your legs. CHOOSE YOUR OUTDOOR TIME WISELY. Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and late evening, so avoid going outside during dawn or dusk if possible.
building upon his prior experience in insurance-related roles. Although this role is still being fine-tuned, it promises to be a pivotal addition to the company’s operational framework. The company is enthusiastic about these transitions, which are expected to bolster both employee satisfaction and overall efficiency. As we preach every single day here at FAI and have been saying for 38 years now, our clients are at the center of everything we do, and these two great teammates are completely focused on client needs and have been perfect fits here.
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 Jim Ellenberger
HOW DID YOU GET INTRODUCED TO FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS? I was nearing retirement from Ford Motor Co. and was thinking about my financial future, and a long-time colleague recommended calling his friend, Ken Grace at FAI. The interview with Ken, including Chris Cousins, matched our personalities and displayed their upright business
Solution on Page 4
Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
ethics and culture. Since joining, we’ve developed a family- like relationship, and they’ve continued to provide solid management, advice, and help from Chris, Chavez Vincent, and Jan Winters.
Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
Celebrate the last month of summer with this light and fresh recipe!
INGREDIENTS
• 1 16-oz jar roasted red bell peppers, drained • 5 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp sherry vinegar • 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper
YOU HAD AN INCREDIBLE CAREER AT FORD; TELL US WHAT YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LOOKS LIKE NOW. My nearly 38 years at Ford Engineering were productive and satisfying. I was in prototype development of upcoming cars (Mustang, Thunderbird, Lincoln, and others), and many coworkers were close friends. Retirement has been filled with other rewards, like family activities with my grandson (12), growth in a new church, lunches with several friend groups, and the usual home/yard chores.
• 1/2 cup olive oil • 4 6-oz skin-on halibut fillets
DIRECTIONS
1. In a food processor or blender, mix bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Transfer sauce to a bowl; whisk in oil. 2. Into a large plastic zipper bag, pour 1 cup of sauce; add halibut fillets and seal bag; turn to coat fillets. Let marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Reserve remaining sauce for serving. 3. Preheat a grill to medium-high (400–450 F). Remove halibut from marinade; scrape off excess. 4. On oiled grill grates, arrange fillets and grill, covered, until fish flakes easily, 4–5 minutes per side. 5. Transfer fillets to serving plates or a large platter. Drizzle with reserved sauce. Serve alongside preferred veggies and crusty bread.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR SUMMER SO FAR? After my trip to Israel last December, this summer had a family cruise to Mexico, my high school reunion in Pennsylvania, and some old car shows, of course! Lastly, there will likely be other family activities my daughter, Kristen, enjoys arranging to build memories for herself and especially for my grandson, Zack.
This is a testimonial by an existing client of FAI Advisors. No compensation was provided for this testimonial. This client’s experience is not necessarily representative of all clients’ experiences.
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Inside This Issue 1 | Kristi is Celebrating 20 Years at FAI
2 | Keep Those Pesky Pests Away!
2 | 2 Get New Responsibilities at FAI
3 | Chat With a Client: Jim Ellenberger
3 | Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
4 | A Guardian Angel Covered in Fur
How Willow Saved Her Owner’s Life A Cat’s Nose Knows
We all wish our pets would be there for us in an emergency. Dogs, cats, and other animals can accomplish amazing feats when provided with enough love and care, and a cat from Liverpool named Willow recently proved that many times over. A cat’s sense of smell is incredibly effective at detecting when something is abnormal, and Willow used her nose to save her owner in the nick of time. For many with diabetes, falling into a diabetic coma is a constant concern, and they regularly check their blood sugar levels and take insulin shots to avoid that scenario. Amanda Jameson, a 51-year-old woman from Liverpool, received a diabetes diagnosis years ago but had always stayed on top of it. In April 2023, she fell asleep while her blood sugar was dangerously low. Thankfully, her cat, Willow, noticed something was wrong and sprang into action.
Willow went to the living room, where Amanda’s husband had fallen asleep watching television. Willow proceeded to bite his leg and jump on him until he woke up around 4 a.m. He could tell something
was wrong, as this was abnormal behavior for Willow, so he followed her to the bedroom, where he spotted his wife. She was slumped over and unresponsive, and he immediately called her an ambulance. Doctors informed Amanda’s husband that she was moments away from slipping into a diabetic coma, but Willow had smelled something off and gotten help before it was too late. Most pets would get a few extra treats for their heroism, but Willow’s feats earned her a more prestigious award. The National Cat Awards named Willow as a finalist for their “Moggy Marvels” category. If Willow wins, she’ll receive a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher, and a year subscription to Cats Protection’s “The Cat” magazine. Although Willow likely doesn’t care about the trophy or the subscription, she’ll be happy enough with £200 worth of goodies and her owner safely by her side.
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