Grounded in Gratitude:
Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of Baldassari Advisory
It's a momentous milestone to mark 25 years in business. As I reflect on the past 25 years since I took that leap of faith to start Baldassari Advisory, what comes to mind and what I feel above all else is a genuine sense of profound gratitude.
I'm grateful
for the wonderful clients who became friends and family and vice versa whom I've had the pleasure of guiding through all stages in life. I've been fortunate to guide and witness first-hand the realization of their life and financial goals, from growing businesses to purchasing second homes to comfortably retiring. Participating in and celebrating countless life events with my clients that span generations brings me much joy. I'm also proud to share my business acumen with the business owners and entrepreneurs I serve. I'm forever grateful for the professional trust each client has in my fiduciary advice and guidance, and I'm honored to know I'm one of the few people clients call when making life decisions. These meaningful interactions spanning nearly three decades with my clients and their friendships are what I treasure most and find deeply fulfilling.
I'm grateful
for those who have partnered with me along the way, providing their knowledge, experience and support. Such a circle is my go-to 'village' of expanded expertise. These experts allow me to provide and offer an even greater breadth of knowledge in financial planning, estate planning, legal and tax advice and accounting and lending services.
I'm grateful
for my parents. Although I'm celebrating 25 years of Baldassari Advisory, the work really started for me nearly 50 years ago when my parents honored me as a young boy by regularly engaging me on what was going on in our small family business, transparently sharing the good and the bad. These conversations were instrumental in building my own business acumen, a business vocabulary, perseverance, and an ability to work through issues that inevitably arise in the real world. My parents led and guided with compassion. They were true and honest role models who made it clear that not everything goes perfectly all the time and demonstrated that there are no straight lines in nature. My parents led by example with integrity, integrity of character as well as integrity of motivations. I proudly carry their lessons with me today and remain forever grateful to my mom and dad!
I am most grateful to and for
Liliana, my wife of nearly 20 years. Her boundless love and support are priceless, and she shared with me my greatest and most cherished treasures - our three children, Pierpaolo (16), Alessandro (13), and Valentina (7). These beautiful children are the greatest responsibility of my life and bring me the greatest joy! Our young princess and her brothers, who are already young men, bring an immeasurable amount of love and joy to our family. Their passion for school, their immersion in extracurricular activities from sailing to learning languages, and their love of their friends and family make me deeply honored to be their father.
I am also grateful for a life well-lived - the life of a client and friend whose passing in January at the age of 95 I continue to grieve. We began working together 23 years ago. Like many of my clients, she came to rely on my support far beyond financial advice, and I cared for her as if she was family. While this is the first time I experience the loss of a client and the deep sadness that accompanies this loss, I am at peace knowing that I was instrumental in continuing her legacy. We planned together in ways that enabled her to fund her grandchildren's college education and honored her wishes for her family's future. I am happy to continue working with her family as we grieve together.
Guided by this gratitude, and at this milestone 25th anniversary of Baldassari Advisory that is the perfect opportunity to bridge past, present and future, here's what I know for sure:
Whether we count the years in business as 25 or 50, I still consider myself “in training.” Life teaches me every day, and I learn every day with my clients, as we walk through life together. And, as we walk together, we acknowledge that life (and the path) is not linear, and we adjust along the way. What's important for the journey is hope and optimism, and I look forward to traveling together with you for another 25 or 50 years!