Our investment philosophy, tools and approach to client relationships comprise a different way of doing business—a unique take on financial services you won’t find at most other firms, large or small.
- We focus on making money for our clients. We don’t follow the philosophy of many financial services managers, who believe there are times when the only choice is to hunker down and ride out a bad market. In fact, we believe there are periods when our clients shouldn’t be in the market at all, and we manage our portfolios accordingly—with great success. We don’t hesitate to exit markets or raise cash to protect our clients’ money when the environment demands it. We aim to benefit even from down markets.
- Our investment approach is risk-based. We take only the degree of risk with our clients’ portfolios that we need to in order to help them reach their life goals.
- Our Wealth Simulation Model enables us to create a personalized and customized financial strategy for each client. The wealth simulation process stress-tests hundreds of investment scenarios to determine their after-tax effects so clients can be assured the financial road map we create is the best approach for their unique set of circumstances.
- We go beyond conventional products. Many financial advisors stick with traditional stocks, bonds and cash. We are experienced and comfortable with the sophisticated tools and products—such as options and structured products—most advisors are wary of because they simply don’t understand them. We use this expanded set of investment tools as part of our overall strategy to reduce risk for our clients and enhance rewards.
- We put our money where our mouth is. We offer our clients the option of performance-based fees for some of our services.
- Clients never have to worry about what is going on with their investments. We stay in contact with our clients throughout the year with our 12-4-2 service model. We speak with clients about the performance of their investments at least once a month. Four of those telephone conferences are quarterly reviews; twice a year, we invite clients into our office for a face-to-face meeting.
- We don’t discard great investment products just because they are commission-based. Many advisors equate “fee-based” with “no conflict of interest” and consider commission-based products taboo for the opposite reason. This is a gross misrepresentation, because it implies erroneously that, first, clients should never choose a commission-based product, even if it is a great fit with their financial plan and, second, that a fee-based relationship is always best for clients. There are many cases in which a fee-based approach may not be best, such as situations in which there is little or no activity in the investment accounts.
- We strive to always offer the best platforms, technology and products for our clients. Many larger financial services firms—and even other independent advisors—are stuck with antiquated technology and are often constrained to offer only a limited range of products. We incorporate the latest technology to help us stay on top of the changes in the financial world, and we offer clients technology-forward options to view their financial information. Furthermore, we are free to offer the fullest possible range of investment products to our clients.
- Our founder has earned the top professional credentials in the investment industry. Most firms don’t have the array of professional designations Joe Teurlings has earned, including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA). The work required to earn these designations and the continuing education needed to keep the certifications enable Joe to understand and stay on top of changes in laws and regulations, tax issues and so forth. As a result, clients can rest assured that Monocot Wealth Management is performing to the highest standards of our profession.
- We have decades of experience. Over his long career in the financial services industry, our founder, Joe Teurlings, has experienced just about every economic environment imaginable—including two of the biggest bear markets (2000-2002 and again in 2008) in our nation’s history. As a result of these experiences, he has gained the expertise to guide clients through every financial situation they might encounter while protecting—and growing—their investments.
- We monitor the world so our clients don’t have to. We read newspapers and online reports, keep track of developments in foreign and domestic markets, and use our technology to stay abreast of all of the changes—big and small—that occur in the financial and economic world every day.
- We love what we do. Financial services is not simply a job for us; it is our lifestyle. We love what we do, and we live and breathe it 24/7. As a result, our clients know they are getting 100 percent of our time, attention and passion every day of the year.
