Distinctive Thoughts

I am so honored to help such strong and powerful women with their financial health. The moral of the story is that as women, we all come to realize that our lives don’t always go as we planned them to when we were little girls. Unfortunately, tragedies, that we could have never predicted, happen to us all

Throughout the year, I find myself reflecting and recognizing all that I am grateful for, and like most of us, I seem to do it more often during the holidays. Although nothing is ever perfect, and we all have our “stuff”, so to speak, I feel fortunate to have a family that I love, and a profession that at allows me to help others, work with an amazing team and incredible clients.  And looking back on the year,

 So, as I think about family, friends and colleagues - there seems to be an infinite list of those that inspire me.  With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, it only seems fitting that I share with you Abby’s journey.  Abby inspires me.  She is my stepdaughter.  She is beautiful.  She is strong.  Stronger than I ever thought possible. 

After an exciting career with a major hotel chain, I sort of “stumbled” into financial services as a profession.  I liked math, helping people and wanted flexibility in my schedule to raise my children.    

Becoming educated about an exit planning process is ‘core’ to any successful business owner transaction. Without an owner learning what they do not currently know, it is impossible for that owner to make a fully informed decision for their own business exit.     

For the past 10 years, I have had the opportunity to work with many of you through my role at the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County. I will forever be grateful for my time at the Foundation, not only in having the privilege to get to know all of you, but humbled in appreciation for the devotion of our nonprofit community and the generosity of the people in Westmoreland County. We are part of an amazing community.

Most businesses start with an idea that is brought to market.  Customers purchase the product or service and the business begins to grow.  Eventually, if the company grows enough it acquires ‘value’.  

Every family and their needs are unique. For couples with children from prior marriages, a better approach is to organize what’s “yours, mine, and ours” and plan accordingly so neither your spouse nor your children are unintentionally disinherited.

Whatever your motivation for selling your business, you’ll only get one chance to maximize the return on your years of hard work. Do it the right way and you could get the price you want and reduce the impact of capital gains and estate taxes. Do it the wrong way and you might end up with a hefty capital gains tax bill and estate planning headaches. 

Each day, we face unprecedented attempts targeting our data through phishing, malware insertions, and social engineering campaigns. Protecting your personal information is the best defense against these types of attacks.