What a perfect time to start something new. It's spring in Texas, so the wildflowers are beginning to bloom, and the cardinals are flying about as they build their new nests. The fields of dormant grasses and leafless trees are transitioning to vibrant greens; yes, change is in the air.
This change in the weather and landscape, along with the “new normal” of dealing with a pandemic just happens to coincide with a change for me and Insight Financial Group ("IFG"). As an investment advisor representative, I need to be associated with a Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA") to conduct advisory business. Since 2018, I have used Equity Services, Inc. ("ESI") as my RIA, as well as, the RIA associated with IFG.
ESI is a fine firm and I would recommend them to any investment advisor representative that was looking for a solid platform with which to start a business. Their offerings will allow advisors to meet the expectations of 90% of the population. However, when assessing my role as a fiduciary advisor, I struggled in knowing that there were some investment options that fit my client's financial picture perfectly, but I wasn't able to offer those through ESI. That is not acceptable.
So, where do we go from here? There are two options that advisors to take regarding their association with an RIA. They can join an existing firm, as I had previously done with ESI, or they can start their own independent firm.
Before deciding which path to take, I conducted my due diligence. I met or spoke with more than 20 independent RIAs to understand their business and offerings to see if they were inline with my requirements. This exercise provided great insight into some wonderful companies throughout the country. Some were large, some were small, some were well established, and some were start-ups. I enjoyed each of those meetings and appreciate the connections made during this process. However, I was never able to find the perfect fit to meet the exacting needs of my clients, or me.
This left me with one option. If I wanted an RIA that offered what I truly felt were the best technologies, strategies, and services for my clients, I was going to have to create it myself. The decision was made in late 2019 to start a new firm. A firm that I was confident would exceed client expectations. A firm that would be known as Slaton Capital Advisors Ltd. ("SCA").
SCA is a comprehensive wealth management firm. Many firms focus solely on investment management; however, we recognize how planning around the entire financial picture affects much more than just portfolio allocations. Financial planning, money management, cash flow analysis, tax planning, estate planning, charitable giving, and risk mitigation are just a few examples of the services we offer to our clients as an all-inclusive model.
We are excited about what the future holds and know that we will be able to provide the best possible offerings to our clients to help them meet their financial goals. How can we help you today?