We’re certainly proud of what we have accomplished because we know the effort and dedication it took to get here—starting out 20 years ago from an entrepreneur’s idea of what a financial planning firm should be. But our honors represent more than just a job well done. We feel they reaffirm our clients’ decisions to trust us with their financial futures. And that’s the real reward for us.
In addition to our advisors’ professional achievements, such as being one of a select handful of independent advisors nationwide to serve on Schwab’s National Advisory Board; serving on the ValMark Securities, Inc. National Advisory Board; and other individual honors, financial advisory board appointments and college professorships, below is a listing of some of our firm’s current national and local honors:
Wealth Manager Magazine’s Annual Top Advisory Firms
This ranking recognizes the top advisory firms nationwide. Eligible firms must be a Registered Investment Advisor with their own IARD/CRD number. Half of the clients must be individuals, and firms must offer financial planning services. Banks, broker-dealers and trust companies are not eligible.
Cascade Capital Corporation Business Growth Award
This program honors small businesses located in Summit, Medina, Portage, Wayne, Ashland and Holmes counties that have prominently increased sales and/or employment over the past five years. Winning companies’ sales must have increased by 100% or $5 million during the year, and the company’s full-time employee total must have increased by 50% or 25 employees.
Weatherhead 100
The Weatherhead 100 designates more than 100 of the fastest growing companies in northeast Ohio based on revenues from the previous four years. Award criteria includes: Net sales and figures for 2005 and all subsequent years must represent a full 12-month period of sales operation; 2005 net sales must be at least $100,000; company must be headquartered in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Summit, Medina, Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Portage, Richland, Erie, Huron, Ashland, Wayne, Stark, Trumbell or Mahoning county; company must not have been a subsidiary of another company any time during the period 2005-2009; franchise headquarters located in northeast Ohio are eligible for consideration (individual franchise operations are not); company must be for-profit.
NEO Success Award
The NEO Success Award annually recognizes the top-performing companies in northeast Ohio. Eligible companies must have shown growth in either revenue or number of employees over the last three years, while not having lost more than 5% in the other category. Criteria for 2011 were adjusted slightly to account for the tough economy.
Crain’s Cleveland Largest Investment Advisors
Managing 1,500 local accounts, Sequoia ranked #13 on Crain’s 2011 list of largest investment advisors. Advisers on this list are ranked by assets under management locally.