What We Learned - Year 2
As we wrap up our second year at North River Wealth Advisors, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on our journey, share what we’ve learned, and give you a preview as to what is next for our business. Our second year has been one of growth, learning, and adapting. Here’s a look at our experiences and insights from year two.
What Changed?
New Hire: We hired our first employee, Amanda Gray! Amanda is fully dedicated to improving our client experience. She is focused on client onboarding, strengthening client relationships, and keeping things organized behind the scenes. When you are a small firm, you do a bit more on the hiring side (creating job description, screening candidates, etc.), but we were able to leverage some good friends and business relationships to help make the process a little easier.
Office Space: We added permanent office space in the north hills of Pittsburgh. One of the benefits of a post-COVID working environment was it allowed us to run our business mostly remote in year one. At the same time, we knew we needed a space for us to collaborate as a team and have client meetings. While we continue to offer both online and in-person meetings, our new office enhances our efficiency and provides a comfortable setting for clients who prefer face-to-face interactions.
Technology Additions: We added to our technology stack to improve the advice offering for our clients. Our younger executive clients often focus on saving for retirement, maximizing tax efficiency, and funding college education. Meanwhile, those nearing or in retirement prioritize risk management, tax strategies, and spending plans. Our new technology improves retirement and tax planning scenarios for both groups, enabling us to provide even more tailored and effective advice. We are committed to continuously finding ways to strengthen our client relationships and delivering exceptional service.
What Stayed the Same?
Personalized Service: Our dedication to providing personalized, unbiased financial advice has not wavered. We continue to prioritize understanding each client's unique situation and goals, ensuring that our strategies are as individualized as possible. Our personalized approach has built stronger trust and more open communication. Clients are more engaged in their financial planning processes, which has led to better outcomes for them and a more fulfilling experience.
Core Values: Our core values of integrity, simplicity, and gratitude have remained in place since day one. These principles are the foundation of our practice and guide every decision we make.
What We Are Proud Of
Great Clients: We really do have an amazing and diverse group of clients. Seeing our clients achieve their life and financial goals is extremely rewarding. Whether it’s saving for retirement, buying a new home, or starting a business, being a part of these milestones is why we do what we do.
Continued Growth: Year two has seen accelerating growth and the deepening of our client relationships. We are now proud to work with approximately 70 households, and continually seek ways to enhance our services. Much of our growth has been driven by referrals from satisfied clients and business partners. It’s incredibly rewarding when someone speaks highly of our team and feels confident recommending us to their closest friends and colleagues. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with each of you and appreciate your trust and support!
Community Involvement: This year, we increased our community outreach efforts. Through youth sports, coaching and community outreach we continue to commit our time outside the office to strengthening the areas where we work and play.
What’s Next?
Improving Efficiency: Our focus remains on enhancing the client experience and adding new clients that are a good fit. As we continue to grow, we are constantly looking at ways to improve. One of our main goals is to simplify the lives of our clients and we focus on this each week. Every Monday our team meets to discuss strategic initiatives, outstanding items and what we want to accomplish next.
Adding to the Team: For us, finding the right people who share our values is paramount. We are actively networking and engaging with potential candidates who could be a great fit for our team. Although the hiring process takes time, each new addition is crucial to the success of our clients. Based on our growth and demand, we anticipate bringing on another investment advisor or financial planner by the end of 2025.
As we move into our third year, we are filled with gratitude for the trust our clients place in us and excitement for the opportunities ahead. Whether you are a client, family member or friend: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for being a part of North River Wealth Advisors. Cheers to another year of growth and success!
Authored by Stephen Blahovec and Michael Rausch of North River Wealth Advisors. We are an independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm located in Pittsburgh, PA servicing clients locally and across the country. To learn more, contact us here.
This content is developed by North River Wealth Advisors from sources believed to be providing accurate information. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.