For the last twenty-five years, Rich Smith has been a mainstay in the Forney business world. His office, Smith Wealth Management and Smith Financial and Associates PC, which offers retirement and financial planning as well as tax preparation, has played a part in the financial well-being of countless individuals, families, and businesses in the area.
Rich’s heavy sports involvement from childhood through young adulthood cultivated a spirit of dedication and hard work in him that has carried over seamlessly into his business life. This work ethic was cemented through the guidance of his parents, specifically his father, who always ensured that Rich was able and willing to work for everything in his life. “Dad had high standards – for sports and work alike,” Smith remembers. “That has played a big part in my work ethic. Between parents and coaches, they’ve impacted me.”
Though the sports dreams of his early years didn’t pan out, Smith quickly found his true calling in a different field. While searching out his path in life, a loss in his family resulted in clarity and inspiration for Rich. “My grandad died when I was in high school,” he explains, “and they didn’t really plan. My grandmother lived off of just social security and had to sell almost everything. Later on, I was working on my master’s in college, and it got me interested in this business.”
Rich goes on to say that his goal in this role is to take a look at each client’s unique situation and provide the best and most impactful guidance available. He encourages people who are considering seeking the help of a financial advisor to “always make sure that their best interest is being looked out for.” He continues, “People need to make sure the advice they’re getting isn’t cookie cutter, that it’s personalized. Each situation is different and having a human touch is very important.”
From those deciding moments in his high school and college years until now, Rich has been certain that he wants to use his efforts to help those around him prepare for whatever life may bring their way.
In 1999, Smith became a partner in his financial planning business and then bought out his partner in 2001, becoming the sole owner of Smith Wealth Management. At the time, Smith Wealth Management had one other employee besides Rich, a small team that served the relatively small town of Forney well. It was around this same time that Rich and his wife, Sherrie, decided to make Forney their hometown. Over the years, Rich has been busy building his business, while he and Sherrie also built their family, which now includes two daughters and twin grandsons.
With Smith Wealth Management situated in the fastestgrowing section of one of the fastestgrowing counties in the nation, things have been on a track of continual growth since the beginning – with no signs of slowing down now. “The [city’s] growth has been good for business,” he comments. “The last 10 years especially, the growth has been almost untrackable at times because it’s happened so fast.”
Much like the planning that is required to navigate the inevitable traffic congestion in our ever-expanding town, Rich knows that proper financial planning can make a noticeable difference in the quality of his life journeys.
Now with six employees – and their dogs Wrigley, Taco, and Judge who frequent the office – Smith Wealth Management is diligently working to provide the means to financial security for people in our area. While they juggle the challenges of managing assets in a less-than-stellar market and maintaining the focus and consistency needed to help clients achieve their goals, Smith and his team know that every bit of the challenge is worth it.
The best part of this line of work, according to Rich, is knowing that he has helped clients make their dreams a reality. “I get emotional and kind of tearyeyed when people tell me, ‘If it weren’t for you, then I couldn’t have retired or accomplished what I did.’ When people tell me that, that’s one of the best satisfactions I get. Doing what I do, you know you have that person’s whole world in your hands. The pressure can get to you, but when they thank you, that makes you feel good and makes the pressure worth it. Helpclients’ ing people overshadows any money to be made.”
“It’s a business of planning ahead,” Smith states. If you are interested in learning more about how Rich and the Smith Wealth Management and Smith Financial and Associates PC team can help you plan ahead, reach out to the office through their website (www.smithfinancialonline. com), give them a call at (972) 564-4011, or simply stop by the office at 411 North McGraw Street. The team will be there, ready to create a game plan to help you achieve your goals.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.