Happy New Year: Reflecting on the Journey, Embracing the Future
Wow, what a journey it has been. Three years ago, I stood at a crossroads, staring into the unknown, uncertain of what lay ahead but knowing I had to move forward. I found myself making one of the toughest decisions of my life. Walking away from a business I co-founded with my former partner, a mentor who taught me so much, was both terrifying and liberating. It was a moment when I realized that growth often requires stepping out on your own. As with many mentor-mentee relationships, ours had to end. While it was difficult to communicate this decision, it marked the beginning of a new chapter.
At the time, I did not have a clear vision of what the future held. I only knew it was time to explore, to push myself into the unknown. That leap was an emotional rollercoaster and far from straightforward.
Initially, I ventured into buying a business (any business), then looked more specifically into acquiring an insurance agency as a source of cash flow and client base from which to build a financial services organization, which was derailed when my intended insurance partner chose a different direction. By then, I recognized I was already in the deep end on the financial services side, and there was no turning back. I had to make a choice, keep swimming, or drown. I chose to swim. 😉
In the process, I discovered something profound: I am an entrepreneur.
By leaning into the core values instilled in me by my dad: work hard, do the right thing, and always put others first, I knew that no matter the business, those principles would guide me. But ultimately, my passion drew me back to where I belonged: wealth management. I love helping people preserve and grow wealth; beat the tax man within the rules; and, most importantly, building a structure and team where the client always comes first.
And that’s how Members’ Wealth was born.
A Journey of Growth and Transition
We have come a long way since those early days. Year 1 was about stepping into uncertainty and laying the groundwork. But the real transformation began when the right people joined the journey.
It started with Tim Thomas, whose expertise in operations, compliance, and advisory set the stage for our future. Next, Colleen Mahoney came on board as our Client Service Concierge, ensuring that every client interaction was seamless and exceptional. Marie Feindt, JD, our Estate Attorney, brought invaluable experience and a client-first approach that has become the cornerstone of our planning services.
The turning point, however, was when Tim Macarak, CFP joined as Partner, Head of Wealth, and co-owner of Members’ Wealth. Tim’s leadership, strategic vision, and deep commitment to our clients have been instrumental in taking us to the next level. His partnership has truly elevated everything we do. Without him and the rest of the team, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
Brian Carr, CFA, with his sharp investment acumen, and Stu Caplan, our Wealth Strategist with a focus on taxes, risk, and financial planning, rounded out our team. Each member has played a critical role in shaping Members’ Wealth into a firm built not on any one individual but on a collective commitment to excellence.
As we enter Year 3, I’m reminded daily that this is not my journey, it’s our journey. Every success we’ve achieved is because of the extraordinary team we’ve assembled and their dedication to putting clients first. Together, we’ve built a foundation I couldn’t have envisioned alone, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.
Looking Ahead to 2025
This year, our goal is to double the quality and quantity of communication to our clients and to double the size of our business once again. But it’s not growth for growth’s sake. We grow to continue to improve client service and to attract and retain the highest-quality people who can provide the best possible care for our clients.
As we grow, our mission remains clear:
Growth is uncomfortable. It requires change. But as my former mentor once told me, “Maintaining a business is easy. Growing a business is hard.” Every day, we get up and commit to doing the hard things.
A Call to Action
To our clients: thank you for being part of this journey. Your trust fuels everything we do. As we work to grow our service to you and our client base in 2025, we ask just two things:
The Road Ahead
This journey started long before Members’ Wealth officially launched. It has been shaped by years of relationships, challenges, and lessons learned. And while I’m proud of what we’ve built so far, I’m even more excited about what’s to come.
In 2025, we will be enhancing our communications with Weekly Insights from two of our most regarded team members. Wealth Strategist Stu Caplan will be covering investments, taxes, planning, risk, and insurance and Marie Feindt, JD, will be focused on estate planning and its overlap with tax strategies and investment planning. These will complement the messages and insights you have come to expect from me over the past two years.
We write these for you, our clients, and love hearing what matters most to you, so please do not hesitate to suggest ideas or topics you would like to hear about.
Our mission remains focused on preserving and growing wealth, managing risk, and building strategies that align with your goals.
Here’s to a prosperous 2025. Let’s grow portfolios, keep taxes down, protect assets from creditors, predators, and liabilities, and build successful businesses and families together.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far. Let’s make 2025 unforgettable.
With gratitude and excitement,
Dane Czaplicki, CFA
Founder & CEO, Members’ Wealth
Dane Czaplicki is CEO of Members’ Wealth, a boutique wealth management firm that offers a comprehensive approach to serving individuals, families, business owners, and institutions. The firm’s goal is to preserve and grow its clients’ wealth to endure over time, while thoughtfully evolving its strategy to suit an ever-changing world. With over 20 years of wealth management experience, Dane and the Members' Wealth team thrive on bringing clarity and confidence to clients' unique situations. He believes everyone needs sound financial advice from someone whose interests are aligned with theirs, and is determined to put service before all else.
Dane received his MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University. Outside work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, hiking and camping, reading, running, and playing with his dog. To learn more about Dane, connect with him on LinkedIn.
To get in touch with the Members’ Wealth team today, I invite you to email info@memberswealthllc.com or call (267) 367-5453.
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This commentary reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of the Members’ Wealth, LLC employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Members’ Wealth, LLC or performance returns of any Members’ Wealth, LLC client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing in this commentary constitutes investment advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Members’ Wealth, LLC manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results
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