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The advisor who sailed off grid and found a new business model for his $550-million RIA on the way

The head of a latter-day Swiss Family Robinson has been running his firm from a 50-foot catamaran for more than two years -- with unexpected results

Author Lisa Shidler August 13, 2012 at 5:43 AM
12 Comments
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Scott Leonard (pictured with his wife Mandi and three sons) is discovering that the race does not always go to those in the fast lane.

David Canter

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Scott Leonard

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Christopher Van Slyke


TradePMR - Frederick Van Den Abbeel

TradePMR - Frederick Van Den Abbeel

August 13, 2012 — 4:50 PM

Congratulations to Mr. Leonard — he is truly taking mobile office and operating in the clouds to a whole new level!

Josh Meyer

Josh Meyer

August 13, 2012 — 5:28 PM

I love hearing about this guy’s story, so awesome!

Maria Marsala

Maria Marsala

August 13, 2012 — 5:51 PM

This is a story that I’m going to send the many FAs I know who won’t delegate but have BIGGER goals than working 80 hour work weeks!

Maria Marsala

Maria Marsala

August 13, 2012 — 5:55 PM

P.S. I should have added the link to this story about getting started in delegating! http://www.riabiz.com/a/13336391/how-a-change-in-mindset-and-business-structure-can-get-you-off-the-hamster-wheel

Brooke Southall

Brooke Southall

August 13, 2012 — 6:01 PM

I suppose if an advisor’s job is to help you realize your dreamy goals and he or she is working 80 hours a week then you have to question whether or not you have the right advisor to get you past x’s and o’s. Somebody on turtle patrol will make you a believer.

Brooke

Maria Marsala

Maria Marsala

August 13, 2012 — 6:10 PM

I certainly hear you Brooke! :) I’m off the next few days going to the lake as the cold will come to the Pacific NorthWest soon!

It’s just amazing how many FA’s hire cheap — and get cheap, of course, if they hire anyone full time at all. The answer to “so tell me again why are you doing that?” is usually met with the usual … it takes too long to train someone, I don’t want to have to pay more in payroll fees, I’ll hire them when I make “x” dollars etc. just boggles my mind.

This article shows them the end result of delegating and hiring so that your business can be run w/o you.

If not, one day the pain of not living life in firefighter mode — putting out the fires that come from not delegating — will get to them — if a heart attack or divorce doesn’t do it first.

Brooke Southall

Brooke Southall

August 13, 2012 — 6:14 PM

It sounds like column topic: Why delegating can build your practice and save you medical and divorce-lawyer fees in the bargain

Maria Marsala

Maria Marsala

August 13, 2012 — 6:17 PM

he, he. Maybe the hamster wheel article I wrote should get changed. It was about delegating and running around in circles working — vs. working and enjoying life more.

Maria Marsala

Maria Marsala

August 13, 2012 — 6:21 PM

I do thank you for this article because if someone can see someone else living an extraordinary life — their way they can picture themselves doing that, too. And vision is the first step in turning dreams into reality.

TradePMR - Frederick Van Den Abbeel

TradePMR - Frederick Van Den Abbeel

August 13, 2012 — 6:24 PM

Mr. Leonard’s location on the water….now THAT is definitely the headquarters of the RIA world!

:-)

Robert Boslego

Robert Boslego

August 14, 2012 — 1:43 AM

Great story that makes a lot of sense! Here’s something anyone can try without having to sail the South Seas: try quieting your mind in meditation. Concentrate on breathing. (Being in nature helps.) Once your mind is still, watch your creativity soar with new ideas! It usually takes being OUT of the office to realize the best results!

Maria Marsala

Maria Marsala

August 17, 2012 — 10:16 PM

Robert,
You are so right about quiet time. Whether it be meditating, spending time away from all technology for a few hours or days, sitting in your yards — whatever floats your boat — it’s so important to find ways to reenergize.

For some of us more introverted types that energy comes from being away from folks; and for the extroverts in the world, that energy comes from being with other people. Generalizations? For sure.


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