From the CEO: Barney Hellenbrand

I wanted to take a few days to organize my thoughts and impressions regarding our recent training event in Tucson. There were many highlights and special moments, and the most obvious impression to me is the overwhelming affection that our entire organization feels towards each other. The main comments to me after the event included the thought that we need to continue to hold these training meetings on an annual basis. The event exemplified what we have referred to as “being in business for yourself, but not by yourself” It is rewarding to hear from the various vendors and money managers that our meetings are so different from others they attend in that our organization is more like a family of sorts, rather than a corporate entity. Richard Jones’s recent article described the difference beautifully, having so many takeaways to implement in his already successful business.

Due to this closeness among the team, sharing ideas with each other and supporting each other is such a critical component to individual success. Knowing you have a friend or friends, just a phone call away, that is willing to try and help you with a possible solution to a complicated or difficult case can mean the difference in winning the day. It is genuinely heartwarming to be part of an organization where there is so much collaboration and so little evidence of ego.

An example of this collaboration was accomplished when Joe Bonanno set up round tables with each table discussing different ideas or marketing plans. This was by far the most impactful and enjoyable aspect of the training portion of the event to me. I and everyone else present were so engaged, as we learned so much. It is important to note as well that our vendor presentations were outstanding and the enthusiastic response to their presentations was invaluable. I particularly enjoyed having Governor Scott Walker, President of YAF, Young America’s Foundation, address the group on the importance of supporting young people in school today.

Lastly, the emotions that so many of our advisors displayed as they told their stories on the way to building life-changing businesses was extremely moving. They included an overall theme of how worth it was and continues to be to have attained their level of success, regardless of the price they paid to get there.

We will diligently work to continue holding these events in beautiful locations. The Westin La Paloma in Tucson turned out to be an amazing venue, and I think everyone was delighted with the service and accommodations at the resort. If you were there, I hope you agree. If you missed this event, I urge you to try and attend the next one, as there is something special about being with the great people of HBW