With March Madness behind us, and with the ups and downs, wins and losses, it reminded me that the “Madness” of life and the Market are intertwined.

When life is good and our finances are flourishing, we are on top of the world and can’t wait to see what the next day will bring. But when our life or finances are not winning, we tend to feel the weight of the world and dread the next day. What everyone needs is a good “Coach” in their corner- educating, instructing, cheering us on, and holding our hands if necessary. 

As a young child, my father introduced me to the game of basketball and inspired me to play the game. I loved the competitiveness, but most importantly, the sportsmanship and team camaraderie. What I learned the most from these experiences was how both parts, play and life were “Coached”. I watched on a weekly basis how the legendary Dean Smith coached and influenced his team on and off the court.  They worked hard as a team to celebrate wins together and also to learn and reflect on the losses. Just like basketball, the market has its good days of winning, it also has its days of losses.

There are several objectives good financial coaches should guide their clients to attain.  Among these initiatives are: to identify what your achievable financial aspirations are; to devise and define clear objectives to meet those aspirations; to educate them in basic “money” subjects of importance; to ensure their clients are engaged in the investment process; and, to encourage questions and solicit feedback from them as their client’s progress toward their goals.   

In our business, we see many types of clients seeking our advice. Some people would say that there are two types of clients, the un-coachable group and the coachable group. I personally don’t think that there are any “un-coachable” clients. We do have some that have never seen a budget or know how to balance a checkbook, but with their trusted advisor and gentle coaching, they learn how to live within their means and the parameters of their trust agreements. 

The coachable clients who come to our office have an idea of what they want but don’t know how to execute the plan. ONST will work with them and the other members of their trusted team of professionals to guide them in the right direction and supply them with the technical expertise that they need. From the very first meeting, to creating a plan, to executing it to the end and beyond, we are coaches to our clients. And when our “coaches” retire, we do have “assistant coaches” that are trained to step in seamlessly to continue the path that was set before. Just like a game, plays do change and need to be adjusted, so make sure to keep your advisor updated with any change in your life or your families. 

At ONST, we are a team that works together to coach our clients through the wins and losses of their finances and have a smart plan in place for the future. A quote to leave you with by Coach Dean Smith sums up quite nicely what ONST strives to do for each client every day. “The most important thing in good leadership is truly caring. The best leaders in any profession care about the people they lead, and the people who are being led know when the caring is genuine and when it’s faked or not there at all.”

Old North State Trust, LLC (ONST) periodically produces publications as a service to clients and friends.  The information contained in these publications is intended to provide general information about issues related to trust, investment and estate related topics.  Readers should be aware that the facts may vary depending upon individual circumstances.  The information contained in these publications is intended solely for informational purposes, is proprietary to ONST and is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete or timely.  

As Marketing Director, Alyce works to develop, budget, and implement marketing plans, which include advertising, coordination of conferences, special events, and development and maintenance of marketing materials. She also oversees the company’s website, in-house articles, and fostering community initiatives within the organization. Alyce received a BS degree in Interior Design from East Carolina University with a concentration in Business Administration and obtained her teaching certification from UNCW. Old North State Trust professionals have many years of experience and for over a decade have assisted clients in identifying and reaching their financial goals. For more information, visit www.oldnorthstatetrust.comor call 910-399-5470.