I’m Sharing My Secret to Smart Financial Decisions

As April comes to a close, I know a lot of small business owners are either breathing a sigh of relief—or maybe scrambling a bit—after facing those hefty tax bills. It’s that time of year when we all start thinking, “How do I avoid this next year?” In order to address that, let’s talk about your board of advisors.

A while back, my mentor Garret introduced me to a concept that completely shifted my thinking: building an “accredited network.” To him, this was about creating a personal board of advisors—people who are experts in areas you need support in, like an attorney, an accountant, a marketing pro, or anyone else who can help your business grow. Some of these folks Garret hired to work with him, but others were just part of his trusted network—people he could turn to when he needed a fresh perspective.

I love the idea of this “board of directors” for your life. Think about it: just like any successful company, you need people around you who can offer guidance when you’re facing challenges that you don’t have all the answers to. These are the people who can point out things you might be missing, challenge you when you need it, and give you that outside perspective when you’re stuck.

t reminds me of what Eleanor Roosevelt said: “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” If you’re sitting around wishing for success, you’re missing the critical step—actually planning for it. This is where having a solid group of advisors comes in. You stop wishing, and you start making things happen.

I’ve seen this firsthand. For the past year and a half, I’ve been serving on the board of directors for the Clinicians Report, which is a big deal in the dental and orthodontic world. I’m not a dentist, not an orthodontist, and I don’t own a dental practice. But they asked me to join because they wanted an outside perspective—someone who wasn’t stuck in their world and could offer fresh ideas. It’s amazing how much you can miss when you’re too close to something.

That’s why having a solid board of advisors is so important. You need people who will challenge you, keep you honest, and make sure you’re staying on track with your goals. People who will give you advice that’s focused on your success.

As we wrap up the month, think about who’s on your board when it comes to managing your money. Do you have someone who really understands the financial side of things? Someone who can spot opportunities you might miss when you’re too close to the details?

Garret has always emphasized the importance of having a trusted group of people you can turn to when you don’t have the answers. Their guidance could make all the difference in helping you move forward.

So, who’s on your board of advisors? If you don’t have one yet, now’s the time to start building it.

To your financial freedom,

Dino