Douglas Boneparth: Advisors Can Learn a Lot From Clients
Because the economic challenges we are facing are new, the way we approach them needs to be new sometimes also, Douglas Boneparth, president of New York-based RIA Bone Fide Wealth, points out at his firm’s website.
Bone Fide Wealth “equips our clients with the tool they need to approach today’s reality and succeed,” the RIA says, asking clients and prospective clients to not confuse the firm with “glorified brokers interested only in managing your assets and what products we can sell you.”
Boneparth was a broker for Ameriprise from 2004-2012 and then Commonwealth Financial Network from 2012-2019, before focusing on his own RIA.
Via email, we asked a series of questions that touched on how he is helping his clients to overcome market volatility and inflation challenges, as well as his experiences with clients and hiring, and why he chose the client niche he did.
THINKADVISOR: How are you helping clients with market volatility in 2022?
DOUGLAS BONEPARTH: The best part about leading client relationships with financial planning is that [it helps to] control their expectations regardless of market conditions. They know there are going to be times when things get wild and that the good times don’t last forever. Also, a strong client service model ensures that we are staying connected on a regular basis. It’s helpful to be a constant in their financial lives. It builds a strong investment discipline.
How are you helping retired clients with inflation/financial planning in 2022?
We’ve been doing a good job addressing which investments are being used in the fixed income portion of client portfolios. It’s important to see what kind of protection we can provide, like examining the average duration/maturity of their bonds. Inflation is here and rates are going up, so there’s little need [to] stand on the tracks when a train could be coming at you.
How did you meet your biggest or most influential client or best client? Who is this person/family/group?
I met one of my biggest clients as the relative of a childhood friend during the holidays more than a decade ago.
What makes this client so special?
They gave me an opportunity to prove what I was capable of at the early stages of my career and that’s certainty something I am forever grateful for.
What lessons did you learn from working with this client?
It’s not what I learned from working with them. It’s more like what didn’t I learn. Their financial situation was the most dynamic that I had ever encountered at that point in my career, so I continue to work extra hard to ensure that I am delivering advice and service that’s above and beyond what’s required. I learned that your best relationships are not just about solid financial plans and sound investment portfolios. You have to put yourself in their shoes, understand their interpersonal relationships and what makes them happy.
How are you able to replicate the way you met them and/or the way you work with them?
That’s a good question because sometimes I feel like it’s so special how can it happen again? But, if it did, I would have to pin it on surrounding yourself with not just the right people, but good people.
How did you meet your most recent client associate/administrative assistant or business partner?
