Financial Architects - May 2021

MAY 2021

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GOODBYE, GOLD MINING. HELLO, INVESTING! Clifford Robison’s Journey From the Alaska Mines to FAI

years digging in a sandbox. What really inspired me was the idea that I might help others achieve their goals. For that, I turned to the other career path my father had shown me: investing. At 13, my father introduced me to his financial advisor. Together, they showed me the account my parents had for my future. To my amazement, they asked me about my interests and included the companies that I was familiar with in their investment choices. Within the next hour I understood how bonds and stocks worked. I was invested in companies I used every day and I understood how this strategy would meet my needs. I immediately became an avid reader of the business publications and applied myself to learning more about investments because I knew I wanted to help others achieve their goals and improve their lives. It was a calling I couldn’t resist! In 1987, I started studying economics, psychology, and the financial markets, and in 1998, I became a financial advisor. Before coming to Financial Architects, Inc., I had worked with major brokerage firms, regional banks, and ran my own financial advising office. Now, I head up FAI’s Portfolio Steering Committee. My job is twofold. First, I work behind the scenes with other FAI financial advisors managing investment portfolios and assets for their clients. Quarterly, we take a hard look at the FAI models representing our best ideas. For the second part of my job, I work face to face with clients like you. I’m here to help you understand how we are working within your comfort zone with investment strategies to meet your goals. I enjoy working with my colleagues, but I have to admit that following up with my clients with a quick conversation or a review meeting is the best part of the job. I’ve always cherished relationships and I see my clients as an extension of my own family. It feels great when people tell me I made their investments easy to understand or that they have complete trust in the work I do for them.

When I was a kid, my father introduced me to two different career paths: investing and gold mining. Those might seem exceedingly different, but to him, they were both logical options. He worked with the Alaska Placer & Development Company, a gold mine, for 20 years. As my parents saved money for my college education, they used a brokerage account. Over time, he gave me a window into both worlds. I didn’t enjoy working in an open-pit gold mine much as a kid. I think few people would, but during the summer of my freshman year of high school, the company offered me a job and I left Big Rapids, Michigan, for Alaska to work at the mine. It was a “cut” in a remote Alaskan valley, a mile long and a quarter-mile wide. That summer — and for several summers after — 10 hours a day, seven days a week; I welded on equipment, maintained/operated machinery, and ran a small crew on a creek diversion project. Just hours north of Fairbanks, I worked at the mine off and on until I turned 21. It taught me quite a few life lessons, including the value of a dollar and what it means to work with your hands. Working in the mine also showed me how I didn’t want to live. I quickly realized working with my mind provided benefits over heavy machinery and construction jobs. I definitely knew I didn’t want to spend the next 30

I’m grateful I made it out of the gold mine and into the office here with Financial Architects. I’ve found my calling, that’s for sure!

888-466-5453 – Clifford Robison

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INSIDE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS:

Over the past 13 months, it would have been very easy to remain stagnant and go into "survival mode." That was not the tact taken by our group here at Financial Architects. Led by the strong leadership duo of Chris Cousins and Patrick Marody, FAI continued to grow. Adding additional strong advisors like Brian Zech and John Devine and bringing in a terrific new support team staffer like Carly Ginzinger was just the beginning. Chris and Pat saw an opening in the business exit-planning market and jumped at the chance to seize it. What if baby boomer business owners were contemplating a change? What if they wanted to transform their business or even look to sell it? Where could they go to get the total package that also involved people?

Beloved “Golden Girls” actress Betty White is still enjoying her golden years. The famed actress celebrated her 99th birthday this January. While she told People magazine that she’s “blessed with good health, so turning 99 is no different than turning 98,” she also had a few tips for folks looking to make it to their centennial birthday. KEEP LAUGHING “Don’t take yourself too seriously,” White says. “You can lie to others — not that I would — but you cannot lie to yourself.” White has undoubtedly provided many laughs to viewers over the years, but she’s not just playing it up for the camera. Laughter is part of what keeps her young. BE OPTIMISTIC White says a good sense of humor also helps her keep a good attitude and look for the positive rather than “dwelling on the downside.” Avoiding negativity also gives her energy. “It takes up too much energy being negative,” she told People magazine. STAY BUSY With nearly eight decades of acting under her belt, six Emmys on her shelf, and over 120 screen credits to her name, White is no stranger to hard work. As she told Parade in 2018, “I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.” EXERCISE YOUR MIND In addition to her busy work schedule, what keeps Betty White sharp? Crossword puzzles! She told Katie Couric in an interview, “I’m addicted. An admitted addict. I just can’t put ’em down.” FIND A CAUSE White is a lifelong animal lover. She calls her golden retriever, Pontiac, “the star of the house.” While pet ownership itself comes with proven health benefits, White has channeled her love for animals in bigger causes. She’s been a trustee and board member of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for over 40 years and has done work to help protect endangered species in the wild. Funds raised from White’s official fan club, Bet’s Pets, all go to support animal charities. EMBRACE YOUR VICES White told Parade she loves vodka and hot dogs “probably in that order,” which just goes to show that you don’t have to forgo your treats to live to 99. HOW TO LIVE TO 99 Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity

The Q5 Experience was born.

Financial Architects became a partner in this Q5 Experience business venture that matched up FAI with John Carter's company, Absolute Succession and Empowering Futures, LLC. Many of you have already heard of Empowering Futures' flagship program, The LifeMethod™. The LifeMethod™ is a process that allows you to navigate successfully through life by providing clarity of personal vision, value, and purpose. It replaces anxiety with confidence and dread with hope. The eight individual coaching sessions take you on an enriching journey to develop a set of possibilities in four key foundations of your life — personal, professional, financial, and spiritual. As far as Q5 goes, The LifeMethod's role in this collaboration focuses primarily on the personal aspects of creating a business-exit strategy that will benefit you, the business owner, and your family as you prepare to create a company with transferable value. Q5 focuses on the three legs of the stool for a business owner: the business leg, the financial leg, and the personal leg. Absolute Succession handles the business side, which is their expertise. Financial Architects brings our knowledge with the financial leg. If The Outrapreneur™ is looking to sell his or her business in the next 3–5 years, there is a one-stop shop for this type of transaction: Q5. We can help the business owner find stability, passion, and value in this very complex transaction. If you know of someone looking to transform their business and do it the right way, please contact Matt Dery at Financial Architects at [email protected] for more information.

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. Registered Representatives offer Securities through The O.N. Equity Sales Company, Member FINRA/SIPC (www.FINRA.org/ and www.SIPC.org). Investment Advisory Services offered through O.N. Investment Management Company and FAI Advisors, Inc., Financial Architects, Inc., FAI Advisors, Inc., and Empowering Futures, LLC are not subsidiaries or affiliates of The O.N. Equity Sales Company or O.N. Investment Management Company. We have representatives currently registered in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, and WI.

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Take a Break

Chat With a Client

Andy Jacobson

TELL US HOW YOU GOT CONNECTED WITH FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS?

I first became acquainted with FA when my son-in-law was working for them in the 1990s. After he left the firm, he recommended that I carry on with Chris Cousins. We have done that and have been very pleased with our relationship. Chris handles our financial matters allowing me to concentrate on cars and bikes instead! YOU HAVE A SERIOUS LOVE FOR CARS. HOW DID THAT START, AND WHICH CAR THAT IS IN YOUR POSSESSION IS THE PRIZE OF THE GROUP? I developed my love for cars, trucks, and motorbikes, back around the age of 5. When I found out during the first year of college that one could train to become an automotive designer, and that a company would actually pay you to do what you loved, that was all it took. I found a college in California that was the top one in the world (Art Center College of Design). I went there, and, after four years of training, graduated and was hired by Ford as a designer. I worked for them for a little over 31 years designing cars and trucks in the U.S., Australia, England, and Germany. Though I am lucky enough to have several neat machines, my '05 Ford GT would be my very favorite!

Solution on Page 4

THAI MINCED PORK SALAD

INGREDIENTS • 5 tbsp uncooked Thai sticky rice • 1 lb ground pork • 1/2 tbsp chili flakes • 1/8 tsp sugar DIRECTIONS • 1/2 tbsp fish sauce • Juice of 1–2 limes, to taste

• 4 small shallots, thinly sliced • 4 green onions, thinly sliced • Cilantro leaves, to taste • Mint leaves, to taste

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR IN 2021 AS WE MOVE TOWARD SUMMER?

My excitement for 2021 holds the hope that life will get back to what we used to call normal. And if that happens, I very much want to take another motorbike tour with my good buddy Tony. We often go to British Columbia, great roads, great scenery, and very good people!

1. First, make toasted rice powder: In a frying pan over low heat, dry-roast the rice, stirring continuously until it turns golden brown and smells fragrant, about 15 minutes. 2. Let toasted rice cool, then grind into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor. Set aside. 3. In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, fry pork, breaking it into small pieces as you go, until fully cooked. 4. Remove from heat and add 1 heaping tbsp of toasted rice powder along with all other ingredients. Stir to combine.

5. Taste and adjust, adding more lime juice and herbs to suit your palate. Serve with rice.

Inspired by EatingThaiFood.com

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Inside This Issue 1 | Goodbye, Gold Mining. Hello, Investing! 2 | 99-Year-Old Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity

2 | Inside Financial Architects: The Q5 Experience

3 | Chat With a Client

3 | Thai Minced Pork Salad

4 | Could Vaccine Passports Open Doors for Travel?

Could Vaccine Passports Open Doors for Travel?

Are you hoping to travel this summer? Not like how you “traveled” from your bedroom to your living room couch all this past year, but really travel — get out and see the world beyond your hometown. With the COVID-19 vaccines finally available, millions of people are becoming immune to the virus that has ravaged the global economy, especially in the areas of tourism and hospitality. Industry leaders in these sectors are understandably eager for the vaccine to bring back tourism. Some are hoping vaccine passports will play a part in jump- starting tourism around the world. Vaccine passports are a means by which someone can prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and are, therefore, free to travel internationally. Some countries are eager for the sort of verification these passports could bring, should they exist. The Seychelles, Cyprus, Romania, and other countries have all said they would welcome tourists who could prove they were vaccinated. Now, you might be sitting on the same couch you’ve sat on for the past year, thinking, “Well, I would like to travel internationally after I get vaccinated!” However, this proposal is not without concerns. Firstly, health care officials still don’t know if vaccinated people can transmit the virus. So, even if they’re vaccinated, they could still spread it to unvaccinated people around the world.

Another concern is a vaccine passport’s potential to create classes of “haves” and “have nots” among travelers. Many developing countries won’t receive the vaccine for another few years. Should they be barred from returning to normal? Similarly, could the vaccine passport be abused domestically, enabling private businesses to bar customers from their spaces without proof of vaccination? Finally, what form would these passports take if they were to exist? Would they be on a smartphone app? A laminated card? A verified doctor’s note? So, while the prospect of traveling far and wide this summer after getting vaccinated is exciting, it might be better to temper your expectations for now and hope for clearer guidelines in the near future.

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