Name Your Mountain

Welcome to this week's edition of The Weekly Trail Report, where we share,

1 Story, where real stories of architects and engineers meet tailored financial strategies,

1 Actionable Tip, to provide actionable insights and guide you towards financial success,

1 Financial Term, to demystify key concepts and empower your decisions.

Whenever you’re ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:

1. Want to Experience Financial Abundance? Download the Guide!

The Wealth Blueprint: The Architect's and Engineer's Guide to Financial Peace, Confidence, and Abundance

This guide serves as a roadmap, helping you lay the financial foundation that supports not only your business success but also the life of freedom and fulfillment you deserve.

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2. Ready to Transform Your Financial Future? 

Schedule a complimentary consultation to unlock your financial potential. 

During our call, we will explore personalized strategies to help you overcome your financial challenges and achieve your goals. 

Your path to financial freedom starts with a deliberate choice today.

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1. Story: From Studio to Summit

For as long as she could remember, Lacy had wanted to climb Denali.

The highest peak in North America. 20,310 feet of unforgiving ice, unpredictable weather, and breathtaking beauty.

It wasn’t about checking a box on some bucket list, it was about proving to herself she could do something that scared her, pushed her, and inspired her all at once.

But running her own 6-person architecture firm had a way of putting those kinds of dreams on hold.

Deadlines loomed. 

Clients demanded attention.

Employee needs piled up. 

Even when the firm had good years, there was always some reason it wasn’t the right time to step away, especially for a month-long expedition that would cost tens of thousands of dollars.

When Lacy and I first connected, Denali didn’t even come up. What came up was her exhaustion. The constant feeling that she was working harder every year, yet never feeling financially secure enough to take a big leap whether for her personal life or her business.

We started small.

First, we fixed the foundation. Building a business cash flow system so she knew exactly what was coming in, what was going out, and what could be set aside. We put her personal finances on autopilot, with savings and investments happening every month without her having to think about it.

Then, we created a “Life Goals Fund.” Unlike retirement savings or operating reserves, this account was for one thing only, funding big, meaningful life experiences. And Denali went at the top of the list.

At the same time, we tightened her billing processes, implemented better project budgeting, and worked with her team so the firm could run smoothly without her in the day-to-day.

Two years later, I got a text message with a photo attached.

It was Lacy, standing on Denali’s summit ridge, cheeks wind-burned, eyes shining, a handmade cardboard sign in her hands: 

Worth every step.

When we caught up after her return, she said something that stuck with me:

“The climb was incredible. But what made it even better was knowing my business, and my finances, were solid back home. I didn’t just reach the summit. I came back to a life I didn’t need a vacation from.”

Lacy’s story isn’t just about a mountain. It’s about building a business that fuels your dreams, instead of holding them hostage.

Whether your “Denali” is an actual mountain, a sailing trip around the world, or just more time with your family, the right financial plan makes it possible, not someday, but sooner than you think.

2. Actionable Tip: Name Your Mountain

Big goals don’t happen by accident.

If you want to make a dream real, whether it’s climbing Denali, buying a vacation home, or taking a year off to travel, you have to start by naming it.

When your goal is specific, it shifts from “maybe someday” to something you can plan for. You can figure out the cost, the time commitment, and the steps you’ll need to take to get there.

A clear goal gives your financial plan purpose. It’s no longer just about saving or investing, it’s about funding your mountain.

So, what’s your mountain? 

Name it. 

Write it down. 

Then start building the path to get there.

3. Financial Term: Purpose Capital

Too often, people see their money as something that exists only to pay the bills, cover emergencies, and (hopefully) fund retirement. While those are important, they’re not the whole picture. The real power of money comes when you assign part of it a purpose, a job that connects directly to the things that matter most to you.

Purpose Capital is the portion of your wealth intentionally set aside to make those dreams a reality. It might be funding a once-in-a-lifetime expedition, like climbing Denali. It might be enabling you to take an extended sabbatical, support a cause you care about, or create unforgettable experiences with your family.

The point is this: without a plan, those dreams tend to stay “someday” goals. Life’s other demands quietly take over, and the years pass. But with Purpose Capital, you give yourself permission, and the means, to pursue what lights you up. It becomes part of your financial plan, tracked, measured, and protected, just like your retirement accounts or emergency fund.

When you see a dream on the horizon, Purpose Capital is what allows you to say “yes” without hesitation. It transforms money from a source of stress into a source of joy. And when it’s aligned with your values, it’s not just spending, it’s fulfillment in action.

Happy Trails,

Ryan

Disclaimer: We employ fictional characters to illustrate financial concepts faced by individuals in the architecture and engineering industry. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental. While the stories are inspired by our experiences, the specific details, circumstances, and outcomes mentioned are entirely fictional and created for educational purposes only. Real client information is strictly confidential and never disclosed without explicit consent. Our aim is to provide relatable examples for educational purposes, respecting the privacy and confidentiality of our clients. This information is presented for educational purposes only and is not to be considered financial, tax, legal, or investment advice.