Growing Up in the Orchard: Hard Work, Real Conversations, and Early Direction
When I was about twelve, we moved out to the orchard. And I know everywhere else, people call them “all-monds”—but where we produce them, we call them “ah-monds”. I think we’re the only ones who do, and I can’t explain why. But here’s the fun little saying: they’re “almonds” on the tree and “ah-monds” off the tree because when you shake them off, you shake the “L” out of them.
Growing up on that orchard was really cool. It was one of the first places I truly worked hard. When we moved out there, the trees were old, so we pulled them out and replanted. My summers were spent cutting, stacking, and splitting firewood. I worked right alongside the guys in the orchard, and those moments shaped me.
I remember sitting at lunch with them one day. One of the workers looked at me and asked, “Are you planning to go to college?” I was twelve, so I shrugged and said, “Maybe. I don’t know.” School wasn’t always fun at that age. He told me, “You need to go to college. You need to go get an education because you don’t want to be my age doing what I’m doing.”
I’d heard my dad talk about education many times, but hearing that from someone else flipped a switch. Sometimes the same message hits differently depending on who says it. That experience taught me the value of an outside perspective—something I now offer to the families who work with me.
Understanding Growth: Why the Path Is Never a Straight Line
That orchard taught me hard work. But it also taught me something else: growth rarely happens in a straight line.
The same is true with growth stocks. Their path upward is volatile. The challenging part isn’t when the market rises. It’s when it declines. And in those moments, people have often heard for years that they should “hang on” during downturns, but applying that is another matter.
That’s where my work becomes meaningful. During declines, I walk families through what’s happening and why. We talk through the data, the context, and the broader picture. Sometimes we adjust positions. Sometimes it’s a moment to pause and reflect. I tend to view those periods as opportunities because certain positions may become lower-priced compared to where they were. Not guaranteed to rise again, of course—just less expensive than before.
Investors who don’t have someone guiding them often feel fear when the market drops. They see the headlines and think the world is collapsing. They forget markets are cyclical. And with the right understanding, a downturn can sometimes open the door to strategic moves that fit a family’s long-term plan.
Long-Term Planning: Staying Steady Through Cycles
Growth—real, measurable, long-term growth—never follows a clean 45-degree line. We all experience ups and downs and cycles. That’s why long-term planning matters so much.
When I create a plan with a family, we set goals long before market volatility shows up. We know their objectives, we know their allocation, and those choices guide us through the highs and lows. Sometimes we move from less-volatile holdings into more-volatile ones that have dropped in price. Sometimes we make other adjustments. Every move depends on the family’s plan, timeline, and circumstances. The goal is to strengthen their overall approach, step by step.
This is the perspective I watched my dad model. He opened his business in 1982. Since then, he’s experienced the worst market declines since the Great Depression—five times. And each time, the market eventually recovered. That historical pattern naturally brings up the question: “If major declines eventually recover, how do people lose money?”
The answer usually comes down to fear. Panic selling. Letting emotions drive decisions.
That’s where I step in.
My role is to explain what’s happening and why, without hype or alarm. News outlets often emphasize the negative because panic draws clicks and views. But families deserve clarity, steadiness, and context—especially when emotions run high.
Steady Guidance Through Emotional Decisions
When people are stressed, the thinking part of the brain often shuts down and emotions take over. That’s why market drops feel like doomsday when headlines start flashing red.
Every family I serve has a different plan. A different set of needs. A different timeline. They deserve guidance that fits their specific situation—not generic advice from a TV personality or an internet pundit.
That’s why I encourage people to reach out when something concerns them, whether it’s the market, a life change, or something that feels unclear. That conversation is the foundation of how we navigate together.
Generational Continuity: Why Our Firm’s Experience Matters
One of the most meaningful advantages our firm brings is a generational perspective. My dad has more than forty years of experience. He’s been through multiple cycles. He has deep historical context. And he’s still here.
Meanwhile, I’m the next generation. I’ll be here for decades to come.
I had a client recently tell me he chose our firm because of that combination. He valued my dad’s long experience, and he also valued that I would be here throughout the rest of his life. He saw the strength in having both perspectives working together.
That’s the heart of A Prosperous Family. It’s not about quick results or shortcuts. It’s about long-term thinking, planning, and stewardship across generations.
Looking Ahead
If you want to read the full story, you can get a copy of A Prosperous Family at aprosperousfamily.com. When you’re ready, we can sit down and talk about your own story—your family, your goals, your version of the almond orchard.