Quantitative research study finds most Americans need life-planning and management education

MarketLab Research online survey sponsored by Matters at Hand finds that most middle-class and wealthy Americans don’t know enough to protect their assets, health, estate and families

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 16, 2008 – In a nationwide research study polling men and women whose household income exceeded $100,000 annually, Matters at Hand^TM found that most respondents feel they need to get their wealth and life planning affairs in order.

“Our market research survey exposed critical findings indicating that most Americans realize they don’t know enough to ask the right questions to get the right products from the right advisors,” said Camille Jayne, Matters at Hand founder. “Many don’t even realize that their affairs are out of whack.”

Matters at Hand, a company that facilitates wealth-management advisory services and provides educational tools, retained MarketLab Research to conduct the online survey in May 2008 polling 550 Americans between the ages of 25 and 70. Among the findings, Jayne said the respondents believe they don’t know enough to manage their life-planning matters.

Celebrating Matters at Hand OCBJ Supplement Luncheon

It’s funny how the theme of so many blogs seems to be building multi-connected relationships with people! Last week First American Trust hosted a luncheon at its campus headquarters to celebrate our OCBJ supplement “Keys to Wealth Management.” I thought this would serve as an excellent opportunity for everyone in the supplement to meet each other and network. It was a huge success, and I know many wonderful ventures will come out of it! I am extremely grateful to Richard Reisman and Laura Garrett of OCBJ. The supplement was Richard’s inspiration, and Laura has been the brains behind much of it. Thank you both!

Among the attendees were the supplement sponsors such as Matt Brown, Kathy Mericle and Vanessa Gregor of Brown & Streza, LLP Attorneys at Law. This firm is amazing and gave Matters at Hand our first volume reorder of kits! Melissa Pollard and Craig Henton from Comerica Bank also attended. Melissa, who is the founder of the Comerica Women’s Business Symposium (WBS), gave our What You Need to Know Kit^TM to all the WBS panelists, and sits on the board of Girls Inc with me.

Dean of the number one executive MBA program in the state was luncheon attendee Andy Policano, of UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business, and leader of Merage’s Center of Investment and Wealth Management. Dean Policano has asked me to teach the first ever wealth management course for MBAs at UCI.

Family Changes Seeking Security

As we encounter life transitions, such as marriage, divorce, children, or the death of a loved one we are often overwhelmed by the event and sometimes overlook one of the most significant aspects of the change – our wealth. I had the opportunity to have lunch recently with Lisa Hughes, JD, CPA Partner at Hughes and Sullivan, LLP – family law attorneys. As one of the most prominent family law attorneys in Orange County, Lisa is a visionary in wealth management for her clients.

As we ate and visited at their absolutely stunning offices in Tustin, our conversation turned to the vital importance of updating and managing our life affairs when life throws curveballs. It became quite evident during our meeting that Matters at Hand needs to update the “What You Need to Know Kit’s” resource binder to include family attorneys as a critical member of anyone’s wealth management team!

As you experience life changes in your family, don’t go it alone. Seek the experience and resources of your family attorney to ensure your wealth and family are protected. Of course, I highly recommend Hughes and Sullivan, LLP. They work with a highly skilled team of attorneys and superior support staff.

Michael Gerber presents “Systemize Your Success: Strategies for Small Business Growth” at NAWBO-OC September 9th

As you know, one of my passions is bringing people, resources and organizations together. One of the many connections I have made was introducing Michael Gerber to NAWBO. After meeting, NAWBO asked Michael to join them by giving a presentation focusing on his specialty, how to succeed as an entrepreneur at a NAWBO-OC dinner meeting, September, 9^th at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine.

Many of you are familiar with Michael but for those of you who are not, he is the number one small business guru, creator of “The Dreaming Room,” author, speaker and, of course, entrepreneur! He also has a best selling book The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It. His presentations change lives and reach worldwide!

I encourage each of you to attend the NAWBO event as Michael Gerber presents “Systemize Your Success: Strategies for Small Business Growth” on Tuesday, Sept 9. Michael will educate attendees about what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur, and beat the statistics! Learn how he and his organization, E-Myth Worldwide, have created more successful entrepreneurs than any other small business experts or organizations. Dream Big!

For more information on how to attend the event visit the NAWBO-OC web site at www.nawbo-oc.org. Tickets will go fast to make sure to register online before September 8^th!

Creating Connections, Building Business and Innovative Ideas

As I mentioned in previous blogs, I think building relationships is fundamental to any business success. Connecting people who can unite to make a difference and build their companies is always a rewarding experience! Earlier this week, I had an opportunity to introduce two business entities to each other that have great influence in the wealth management community: First American Trust’s President Dan Banis and Vice President Kimberly Dwan-Bernatz met with Dave Solie, author of the revered and informative book, “How to Say it to Seniors.” Dave is an expert on Baby Boomers and has taught thousands of people how to transform their marketing to appeal to that generation.

Success! The meeting was a hit. First American Trust is eager to have experts, like David, meet with its Baby Boomer-generation clients. David can help these clients address the unique issues facing them and their parents and how to talk to them and deal with the “soft” issues. First American Trust helps them achieve financial stability and manage their wealth, and both help people manage through life transitions.

David and I now are working on how to combine his lectures with our wealth management “What You Need to Know Kit.” For many Baby Boomers, our tagline, “Do You Have Your Act Together?” hits home. Together, David and I are working on how prepare the Baby Boomer generation! There no better feeling than being prepared.

I can’t wait to see how these partnerships help clients as they expand the reach of both First American Trust and David Solie.

Volume IV, February, 2008 – Keys to Wealth Management

Do You Have Your Act Together?™

Who understands the difference between which advisors do what, or the designations & certifications they should have to be considered “qualified” in their area of expertise? At times, it looks like they have alphabet soup after their names, but better to be over than under qualified.

“Territories” are getting blurred as some advisors want to be your one stop shop. Beware if they want to sell you insurance, do your taxes, write your trusts, manage your investment portfolio, etc., but will they do windows?

October 2007 (Volume 1) – Keys to Wealth Management

Do You Have Your Act Together?^TM

Welcome to our monthly column on Wealth Management. If you’re anything like our Matters at Hand clients you are great at what you do, and successful at making money. But do you have your act together when it comes to making sure:

1. your money is invested the right way?
2. half your life insurance benefits won’t go to the government versus your kids?
3. you have enough liability insurance to protect your net worth if someone sues you?
4. if you get married that your assets are protected to stay yours when half of us get divorced down the road?
5. you’re not paying too much in taxes now –­or after your death?
6. your trust has everything in it?

Didn’t score so well? Don’t feel bad-you’re not expected to have your act together on all the myriad of wealth management issues on your own. There’s a growing epidemic that as our lives get busier, we spend less time managing and protecting our wealth, putting at risk our ability to enjoy the best life now and leave a secure situation for others.