Most of my clients are surprised by the fact that I grew up in a small, rural, Texas town. I assume its because of the suit and tie, or the MBA, or the big New York firm I work for. But its true. I grew up in a town of 603 people that was forty miles from a grocery store. Growing up in that small town taught me foundational truths that I use every day. Between my parents, my friends, and those dirt roads, I learned to work hard, help others, make friends, and dream big. The town was so small it meant sacking groceries or flipping burgers weren't summer job options. To earn my spending money, I was hired by neighbors to mow grass, clean tack, or run fence line in the Texas heat. I learned fast that how hard I worked mattered to people, and even a skinny teenager could feel a sense of satisfaction in a job well done. There is no substitute for hard work. You cant out-smart a hundred-foot trench. You just need to dig. I get to thank two universities, several great mentors, and decades of professional experience for the abilities that allow me to manage money for clients. More importantly, however, I lean on my small-town roots to give me the passion and purpose to serve my clients every single day. 