Reflecting on our firm’s success: Asking smart questions designed to deliver superior results

July 2024

By F. Mackey “Mac” Schneider, CFA®
Private Wealth Advisor & Co-Founder of Haven Wealth Advisors

What keeps you up at night? What are you excited about? These are two questions Haven Wealth Advisors always ask our clients, and we eagerly anticipate the answers those questions elicit. As we partner closely with our clients over the course of decades, we keep asking those questions, and we continue to adjust our approach based on how the answers evolve and change. It’s the way we work at Haven Wealth Advisors.

And, here’s the key – the way we work is not just for our clients. We ask ourselves the same questions, and the answers have helped us build Haven Wealth Advisors into the industry-leading firm it is today. Our outstanding team brings over a century of combined experience, providing a true competitive advantage. Our unique approach empowers our clients to grow and protect their assets, while minimizing their risk and maximizing multigenerational wealth. Additionally, our dedicated national experts specialize in complex investment strategies, and we provide access to a wide range of diversified investment portfolios.

I want to share some of the learnings I’ve experienced through the years.

• Consider where people are in their journey, and respond accordingly. When people are younger, they tend to save without much thought about the future. But, as the reality of retirement comes into focus, there are steps they need to take at specific times to maximize their income potential. There is a window of opportunity that closes quickly. This is why we offer a written income plan alongside our financial plan. It’s our job to get people to lift their heads once in a while, get off autopilot, and compare where they’re going versus where they want to be. I always say look for an advisor who has the heart of a teacher – someone who can make very complicated concepts accessible.
• Consistently be proactive. Some firms have team members who, quite frankly, have their feet up on their desk. They’re not really paying attention to where their clients are in their life cycle. In contrast, we stay in touch and always remember the little “nuggets” they tell us. Someone has grandchildren? Perhaps they could use help with paying for college, or could benefit from a trust that can make wealth transfer an easier task. We often talk about how insurance can be leveraged to create cash value and nest eggs that can support children and grandchildren throughout their lives.
• Have the right team, where everybody is a player. Our team is well rounded and layered with talent. Sam Arthur brings proactive tax efficient wealth planning strategies coupled with expertise in risk management planning. Mark Mascaren has leads our investment strategy team. Ben Glassman harnesses the power of financial planning. Our executive leaders comprise a unique, integrated financial planning team that delivers sophisticated planning strategies for our clients – Now, Near and Far.  The synergy of these key leaders supports our clients’ prosperity.
• Focus on the details. Everyone here does their own homework and keeps each other accountable – even the most senior of leaders. All are empowered and expected to do the right thing for the client at all times.
• Have the right approach. I really built my practice around a fully integrated approach. Plan first, product second. I call it “offensive/defensive planning.” We also take on duties that other firms may not. For example, we research our own funds, manage in-house individual stock portfolios, serve as in internal investment think tank, and utilize specific portfolios based around qualified and non-qualified investments.
• Have fun, invest in your team and build lasting relationships. We are intentional about spending time together and deepening the bonds that define our culture. No matter how challenging our schedules are, we make time for team outings and create opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Give back to the community. We have a saying at Haven Wealth Advisors that “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Supporting important causes really makes a difference, both inside the firm and within the greater community. We are proud to support initiatives including Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Children’s Health Care of Atlanta Foundation, Blue Heron Nature Preserve Restoration Project, Choral Guild of Atlanta, and more.
• In the end, focus on what truly matters. Awards are important in our industry, like most industries, but looking back it wasn’t about that for us. Our team determines success by the health and wellness of our clients and their ability to achieve their financial goals and objectives.

One last recommendation – have a multigenerational approach. I’m downshifting in my career now. I told the team that I’ll hang around and help manage until at least 70, but I talked to them about “this is your dream now – this is your future.” I ask them, “How can I help position you guys to achieve that?”

It turns out, asking questions never gets old.

F. Mackey “Mac” Schneider is co-founder of Haven Wealth Advisors, with more than 40 years of experience helping families and business owners navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of significant net worth. You can learn more about him and other members of the leadership team here.