Anthony Pellegrino has spent the most of his career in the Top 1% of Safe Money Specialists in the country and was named one of the Top 10 Advisors in America in 2013. He has helped over 2,500 clients manage and achieve their financial goals.
Anthony recently had the honor of sharing the stage with former President George W. Bush at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, DC. Anthony Pellegrino co-hosted Securing Your Financial FutureTM on WLS890 AM, one of Chicago’s most popular financial and economic radio discussion shows, which is now accessible on iTunes and Soundcloud. Anthony considers himself fortunate to be regarded as a financial expert in the Chicagoland area. He was rated a Five Star Wealth Manager in Chicago Magazine in 2010 and 2011, as selected by his clients and peers.
An award in the financial services industry given to wealth managers.
What is Goldstone Financial Group all about?
Goldstone Financial Group is a wealth management firm that provides financial planning and investment management services to individuals, families, and businesses. We work with our clients to develop customized financial plans that aim to help them achieve their specific goals, whether that’s retirement planning, estate planning, or anything else. We also offer professional asset management services through a diverse portfolio of actively managed accounts and securities.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
I started my company many years ago with the goal of helping people plan for their financial future and achieve their desired results. I’m a fiduciary, which means that I have a legal responsibility to put my clients’ needs ahead of my own, and I’m held to a higher ethical standard than non-fiduciary advisors. I’ve helped more than 2,500 clients bridge the paycheck gap during retirement by utilizing accounts with lifetime income features to guarantee earnings and create a paycheck for life.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
- First and foremost, I believe that you need to be passionate about what you’re doing. If you’re not passionate about your business, it’s going to be very difficult to succeed.
- Secondly, you need to be disciplined and have a strong work ethic. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart – it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to make it happen.
- Lastly, you need to be able to take risks. You can’t be afraid to fail – sometimes you just have to go for it and see what happens.
What are your plans for the future, how do you plan to grow this company?
We are always looking for ways to better serve our clients and grow our business. In the future, we plan to continue offering comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to help our clients reach their financial goals. We will also continue to diversify our portfolio of investments to help mitigate risk and provide potential upside for our clients.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
I think there are a few key things that set us apart from other wealth management firms. First, we are a fiduciary, which means that we are legally bound to put our clients’ interests first. Second, we have more than 25 years of experience helping clients achieve their financial goals. And third, we offer a comprehensive approach to financial planning that takes into account all aspects of our clients’ lives, not just their investments.
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
- Not having a clear vision or mission statement from the outset. It’s important to know what your goals are as a business and to communicate those goals to your team and clients.
- Not being organized or efficient with your time. When you’re starting a business, there are a million things that need to be done, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s important to prioritize your tasks and create a system that works for you.
- Hiring too quickly. It’s tempting to want to grow your team as quickly as possible, but it’s important to take your time and make sure you’re hiring the right people.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process, what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the most successful marketing strategies vary depending on the business and its goals. However, some general tips that have worked well for us include building a strong online presence, developing relationships with key influencers in our industry, and creating targeted content that speaks to our ideal clients.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge we face is attracting new clients. In a competitive industry like wealth management, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd and get noticed. We’ve overcome this challenge by focusing on creating quality content that highlights our unique strengths, and by building strong relationships with referral sources.
What are you learning now? Why is that important?
I’m always learning new things, but one of the most important things I’ve learned lately is the importance of delegation. As a business owner, there are only so many hours in the day, and you can’t do everything yourself. It’s important to learn to delegate tasks to your team members and trust that they will get the job done.
If you started your business again, what things would you do differently?
If I could go back and do things differently, I would probably spend more time on marketing and business development. When we first started out, we were so focused on providing great service to our clients that we didn’t really focus on growing the business. As a result, I think we could have grown much faster if we had been more proactive in marketing and business development.
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
One of the best productivity tips I can offer is to set aside time each day for uninterrupted work. Whether it’s an hour in the morning or a couple of hours in the evening, it’s important to have a block of time where you can focus on getting things done without distractions. For me, this is usually early in the morning before my kids wake up.
Can you recommend one book, one podcast, and one online course for entrepreneurs?
- The book that I would recommend for entrepreneurs is The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. This book is all about how to start and grow a successful business, and it’s full of great advice for entrepreneurs of all levels.
- The podcast that I would recommend is How I Built This with Guy Raz. In this podcast, Guy Raz interviews some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and talks to them about how they built their businesses. It’s really inspiring and informative, and I always learn something new when I listen to it.
- Finally, the online course that I would recommend is Start-Up Nation: The Course by Jerry Colonna. This course is designed specifically for entrepreneurs, and it covers everything from starting your business to raising capital and scaling your company. It’s a great resource for anyone who is looking to start or grow a business.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
If I only had $1000 to start a new business, I would probably spend it on marketing and advertising. I would start by creating a website and then investing in some online advertising to drive traffic to the site. I would also create some printed materials (e.g. business cards, flyers, etc.) to hand out to potential customers. And finally, I would use some of the money to attend industry events and meet potential clients face-to-face.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
There are a couple of things that help me stay motivated in my business. First, I love what I do and I’m passionate about helping my clients achieve their financial goals. Second, I’m constantly setting new goals for myself and the business, so there’s always something to strive for. And third, I have an amazing team of people who work with me and support me in everything I do.
What is your favorite quote?
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
– Abraham Lincoln
This quote is a great reminder that we have the power to shape our own destiny. We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond to it. And by taking proactive steps toward our goals, we can increase the chances of achieving them.
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
If you’re thinking about starting a business, my best advice would be to just go for it. Starting a business is a lot of hard work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. It’s an opportunity to create something that is yours and that can have a real impact on the world. So if you have an idea for a business, don’t wait – just go for it.
Who should we interview next and why?
I would recommend interviewing Tim Ferriss. He’s an incredibly successful entrepreneur and author who has a lot of great advice for entrepreneurs. He’s also a really interesting person with a lot of fascinating stories to share.
What is your definition of success?
To me, success is about more than just financial achievement. It’s about living a life that is fulfilling and meaningful and making a positive impact on the world. It’s about doing what you love and being rewarded for it – both financially and emotionally. So to me, success is about more than just making money – it’s about living a life that you’re proud of.
How do you personally overcome fear?
I think the key to overcoming fear is to remember that fear is just an emotion. It’s not reality. And once you realize that, it’s much easier to face your fears and overcome them. For me, the best way to overcome fear is to take action. When I’m faced with something that scares me, I force myself to do it anyway. And usually, once I’ve taken that first step, the rest is much easier.
How can readers get in touch with you?
The best way to get in touch with me would be through our website and the contact us section.
