A lot of people are missing significant opportunities to grow their wealth and prepare for the future because they are not working with a financial advisor. Studies show that people who work with financial advisors ted to be more financially secure.
For example, a 2024 study found that Americans who work with a financial advisor expect to retire two years earlier, and they feel significantly more confident about their financial preparedness for the future than those who do not work with an advisor. One researcher associated with the study said, “Americans who work with a financial advisor have better financial habits, superior outcomes, less anxiety, greater confidence and more time to live the life of their dreams.”
I think more people would seek our advice if the process of working with advisors were less focused on numbers and more focused on the everyday, real-world positive impact of proper planning, as well as the consequences of poor planning. We want to know why our clients are working hard and saving money — their driving purpose. And planning with purpose requires that we start with your unique life story.
Emotions are a key part of financial decisions
Storytelling is becoming an important component of many financial advisors’ communication with clients.
Recent neuroscientific studies have shown that financial advisors who share personal experiences trigger the same brain regions in their listeners as if those clients were living through those situations themselves. The brain releases oxytocin during emotional stories, which creates trust and stronger social connections. This biological response helps explain why clients tend to trust advisors who tell stories effectively.
When people make financial decisions, they aren’t considering just the numbers or relying only on logic; their emotions contribute to those decisions in a significant way.
Most people understand the technical aspects of financial planning; what keeps many from taking needed action is that they fail to recognize, on an emotional level, the consequences of not planning adequately. Storytelling bridges this gap. When we share with our clients examples of the outcomes that have resulted when people did not plan for the future — and the positive, inspirational stories about people who have planned well — it enables us to connect with them on a deeper level. When we discuss their financial situation through the lens of quality of life — not just money in accounts — it makes it easier for us to guide them to take actions that can help them achieve financial well-being.
A focus on relationships, not transactions
This is why, at FORM Wealth, we focus on relationships instead of transactions. When we meet new clients, our first goal is to learn about them, their families, their work, their hobbies and the impact they want to make in their communities, as well as their concerns and their goals for the future.
Before we design your customized financial plan, we want to know what inspires you to get out of bed each morning and what keeps you up at night. We want to know your story.
For 30 years, I have been friends with Luke Kuchenberg, who is my business partner. Through the years, he and I have helped each other make many important life decisions. In 2001, we founded FORM Wealth Advisors so we could help other people make important life decisions. Our business is built on a foundation of friendship, and it thrives on building relationships with our clients.
Do you know what “FORM” stands for in our business name, FORM Wealth? It’s the acronym formed from by combining the first letter of each of our core values: family, occupation, recreation and mission. Notice that money isn’t mentioned at all!
Our “Total Relationship Approach” focuses on you
When we work with our you, we take a “Total Relationship Approach,” in which financial advice transcends numbers and charts to focus on you and your ability to live a better life. We have refined this approach over the past 25 years. It is based on planning, investing and care consideration. We focus on people, not pie charts!
Here are the three steps and components of this proprietary approach:
1. Total Relationship Planning™ (TR Planning™)
Instead of discussing markets, returns or fees as soon as we meet you, we first want to hear about your sense of purpose. We want to learn about your kids, your hopes and what’s on your bucket list. This part of the process gives us a blueprint for the best way to proceed in your best interest.
2. Total Relationship Investing™ (TR Vest™)
Your portfolio is just one of the ways you’re funding your life and your goals. You can expect us to create an investment strategy that’s aligned with your Life Plan, aligns with your risk tolerance and considers your need for income and liquidity.
3. Total Relationship Care™ (TR Care™)
In this third step, you become fully integrated into the FORM ecosystem. You’ll receive our quarterly newsletter and invitations to events. You will also gain access to our robust client service system, which helps make sure you receive exemplary care and support.
Here’s an easy way to remember the three steps to our approach:
Planning + Investing + Care = Planning for a Better Life
We build your customized Life Plan and Wealth Plan based on your values, dreams and legacy — not on your total assets. After learning your story and what matters most to you, we build your plan around those priorities, based on your available assets.
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We know one of your goals is to grow, preserve and protect your hard-earned money. We excel in managing our clients’ assets. So of course the numbers matter. However, our value goes far beyond portfolio management. When you work with us, you will benefit from our team’s wisdom and extensive experience, as well as our highly effective strategic planning, personalized guidance, and regular reviews and updates to your plans. Our team guides you so you can make informed decisions that align with your life goals — and honor your life story.
