Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
NOVEMBER 2024
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How Our New Office Inspires Connection, Comfort, and Community Building Bonds and Welcoming Clients
I’ve always been a people person, so joining FAI in March 2020 was a step into a role that came naturally to me. Starting as the Front Desk Coordinator, I became the first face clients see and the friendly voice on the phone. My role has expanded to Culture & Engagement Coordinator, where I now have the opportunity to shape and enrich the office culture. Something is very special about creating a welcoming, positive environment for both our team and clients, and I’m excited to share a bit about my day-to-day duties and why our new office feels like the perfect place to bring our vision to life. Client hospitality has always been at the heart of my role. When clients arrive, I greet them with a warm smile, offer refreshments, and
ensure they’re comfortable before meeting with their advisors. This “first face” role goes beyond the front desk — I care for the lobby, restock the coffee bar, and ensure the conference rooms are spotless and ready to welcome guests. These small details set the tone for a friendly and inviting experience, which is so important to us at FAI. As part of my expanded role, I also oversee our “CultureWise” program, which helps keep our team connected to the company’s core values. Through the CultureSuite software, I manage weekly activities focused on one of our 30 core fundamentals, reinforcing what makes our team strong and united. We discuss these values in our Tuesday meetings, and it’s a wonderful way to connect, learn, and grow as a team. This program makes our culture more than just a list of values — it becomes something we live and breathe together. Our new office is undoubtedly a game- changer for us! It’s designed to be modern, open, and welcoming, with amenities supporting employee well-being and client comfort. From adjustable sit-stand desks to a coffee machine that makes lattes and mochas, it’s clear every detail was chosen with thought and care. We even have an on- site fitness facility and outdoor seating areas for alternate workspaces, all of which create a space where employees feel valued and clients feel at home.
stocked coffee bar, it’s the perfect setting to welcome clients and start their experience on a positive note. And with so much natural light and big green plants, the office feels airy, fresh, and inviting. I also have the joy of planning events and celebrations that bring our team together. From celebrating office birthdays to coordinating the annual holiday party, these events genuinely bring the team closer and closer together. Recently, we hosted a small party for our team member, Armand, before his wedding — a fantastic way to celebrate a milestone together. These gatherings remind me that building a positive company culture is about creating shared moments, not just following a motto. Ultimately, I’ve learned that creating a welcoming environment is about kindness, compassion, and treating others how you want to be treated. It comes naturally to me, and it’s a privilege to help clients and colleagues feel valued and appreciated. Whether I’m welcoming clients, organizing team events, or ensuring our CultureWise program thrives, every part of my role is about making Financial Architects a place where people feel connected, supported, and inspired. I’m proud to contribute to our team this way, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in our new office space!
–Colleen Bouton
One of my favorite features is the lobby. With a stone wall, beautiful lighting, and a fully
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Have you ever gawked at a gorgeous bird with resplendent plumage, an immaculate beak, and its hypnotic call, only to have it fly from your view, never to return? When you try to tell your friends about this beautiful visitor, do they look at you with mild disinterest and disbelief? Then a Smart Bird Feeder may be just the thing for you! These new devices combine technology and convenience to benefit anyone wanting to enjoy the sights and sounds of their backyard birdies. What Smart Bird Feeders Have to Offer 1080P BIRDWATCHING
FAI Welcomes Charter Oak Financial Team for Strategic Meetings In mid-October, Financial Architects had the pleasure of welcoming our valued partners from Charter Oak Financial. Brendan Naughton, Allison Derham, Jeff Bottaro, and Erik Wheelock visited our team for a collaborative series of discussions focused on strengthening our shared efforts. Over the course of the meetings, we exchanged insights on product updates, life insurance programs, and new recruiting models to better support advisors joining our network. Together, we explored innovative sales strategies and shared ideas to further enhance our client offerings. Marketing was another key focus as we discussed how to create even more impactful messaging and outreach initiatives. These strategic discussions reinforce our mutual commitment to providing top-tier service and solutions, ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients with excellence and creativity. We truly value our partnership with Charter Oak. It is a tremendous company with great people who, like FAI, put clients at the center. INSIDE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS
HOW DO THEY WORK? Regular bird feeders are great for feeding local flying friends, although they are susceptible to being knocked over or spilling their contents when the weather turns. Since Smart Bird Feeders only dispense seed as needed, they mitigate the
problem of losing feed and pack in the functionality of a game camera. When the sensors on a Smart Bird Feeder detect a bird on its perch, the high-quality Wi-Fi camera begins recording. These videos are saved to the cloud or the camera’s memory card. Some Smart Bird Feeders even alert you to the presence of the birds by sending notifications to your smartphone. Naturally, you can also access the videos directly from your smartphone and share them with friends and family. Not only will your Smart Bird Feeder record birds, but it will also identify them. AI technology can scan the bird and compare it to its vast database of feathered specimens, giving you the exact identity of your flying visitor. For example, the Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder can identify over 6,000 bird species. DON’T SQUAWK AT THE PRICE. One of the downsides of opting for a Smart Bird Feeder is the price tag. The Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder, which Wirecutter recommends in The New York Times, costs $169.99 with a lifetime subscription to its AI service and $129.99 when paired with a monthly subscription. On the plus side, it comes with solar panels, so it can run all hours of the day without needing a battery change. If you are a verified bird-watcher and interested in turning your backyard into a videographer’s apiary, then a Smart Bird Feeder may be a great purchase!
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 Adviser.
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Linda Pauly Chat With a Client
Take a Break
HOW DID YOU GET CONNECTED TO FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS? I have known Chris Cousins through his parents, Pat and George, for more than 35 years. George Cousins was the CFO of HDS Services, where I became a principal. I trusted George and valued his integrity. Our offices were in Farmington Hills, directly across the hall from Financial Architects. When I began to have a small nest egg, I felt confident that Chris was honest and capable of handling my finances. My husband, Gary, and I also moved our portfolio over to Chris.
Solution on Page 4
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS OR YOUR PROFESSIONAL PASSION.
Fennel Gratin Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
I am a dietitian by training, but early on, I found that sales was where I belonged. I worked for HDS Services, a small Midwest food and hospitality- based company. My goal was to grow the company. As part of the executive committee and vice president of sales, we developed strategies to create an enterprise focused on quality and customer service. In 2006, HDS was purchased by Compass Group, a large, international company delivering similar services. Compass Group hired me as a regional vice president of sales in the health care division. I retired from Compass in August. They even allowed me to take a sabbatical in 2010–2011 when my late husband and I sailed our catamaran, Too Chez, to the Bahamas and beyond and then returned to continue working. I loved my work and learned something every day. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2024? Since I retired, I bought a small Bambi Airstream and explored Yellowstone, parts of Idaho and Montana, and Agawa Bay in Ontario. I also spent a wonderful week in the North Channel on a sailboat with my daughter and son-in-law. The next stop will be Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, which will be part of a safari to Africa. And then, in December, I will spend time in San Diego with two of my five grandsons, seeing “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” for the 10th time. It’s our tradition! The near future will also be spent giving back to Presbyterian Villages of Michigan and Impact100.
INGREDIENTS • 2 cups heavy cream • 2 shallots, roughly chopped • 4 garlic cloves, smashed • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 1/2 tsp salt • 1 tsp black pepper • 3 large fennel bulbs, cored and cut into 1-inch-thick wedges
• 2/3 cup grated
Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F with one rack in the center and one about 4 inches from the heat. 2. In a small saucepan, bring cream, shallots, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, for another 15–20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. 3. Arrange fennel wedges, slightly overlapping, in a large cast-iron skillet or broiler-safe 2-quart baking dish. Pour cream mixture over fennel. Roast on center rack until fennel is tender, about 40–50 minutes. 4. Remove skillet and increase oven temperature to broil. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over fennel. Broil on upper rack until top is browned, 1–4 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
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 | Our Culture & Engagement Coordinator, Colleen, Brings Smiles and Service
2 | What Is a Smart Bird Feeder?
2 | Inside Financial Architects
3 | Chat With a Client: Linda Pauly
3 | Fennel Gratin
4 | A Big Wintertime Playground
If you’d like to record a client video testimonial, please contact Matt Dery at MDery@financialarch.com or 248-482-3600.
The Unique Allure of Big Bend National Park
is mild and usually sunny. Many tourists and vacationers have recently discovered the park, driving visitation 16% higher since 2018 to more than 511,000 people annually. Big Bend offers a diversity of sights and terrain. Elevations soar from about 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande River to almost 8,000 feet in the Chisos Mountains. Boating and rafting trips along the Rio Grande, which Congress designated as a free-flowing Wild & Scenic River, take visitors through the spectacular Santa Elena Canyon limestone cliffs. Options range from a leisurely float lasting less than a day to a seven-day wilderness adventure down the Lower Canyons. Big Bend is also a birder’s paradise, with 450 species sighted there on various occasions. The park also offers an abundance of family- friendly activities. A legal Port of Entry enables visitors who bring their passports
to cross the Rio Grande River and visit the shops and restaurants of a rural Mexican village, Boquillas del Carmen. Families also enjoy stargazing at the Sotol Vista Overlook, scrambling over the boulders on the Upper Burro Mesa, and trekking the Grapevine Hills trails to see Balanced Rock, a giant boulder seemingly teetering in midair between two smaller boulders. Kids can also see dinosaur remains at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit or explore the ruins of a mercury-mining ghost town, Terlingua. Five visitor centers are usually open through the winter. Construction of a new visitor lodge and water system will begin in late 2024, likely causing some disruptions. However, Big Bend has four developed campgrounds and many backcountry camping opportunities. Most campsites are filled six months in advance, so reserve a spot early for your winter camping adventure.
Most national parks are full of visitors from spring through fall. Big Bend National Park turns that schedule upside down. The ideal time to visit this southwest Texas wonderland of wild river canyons and stunning mountain vistas is from October through May — the offseason for most national parks. But summertime temperatures in Big Bend soar to 105 degrees F or more, too hot for safe vacationing, while wintertime
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