Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Smith.
Hi Greg, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been in the financial advisory business since 2008, and my path into this profession was anything but traditional.
I graduated college two years early and, for the first time in my life, moved away from Florida—heading to Indiana to work on dilapidated homes. During my final semester, I took out a student loan and invested it into real estate. Unfortunately, this was right before the market crash. I essentially worked for free for nearly two years.
In hindsight, I look at that period as another form of education. Instead of paying tuition, I labored to learn. I picked up valuable skills rehabbing homes, but more importantly, I learned that this wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. And yes—I still had to pay that loan back.
One day, while I was installing flooring, an Edward Jones financial advisor knocked on my door. At the time, I was living far from home, had no real social life, and spent my evenings reading books on economics and investing—topics I was deeply passionate about. That short conversation was a turning point. I realized I knew more about the financial world than I had given myself credit for, and I knew this was the direction I wanted to go.
I decided to move back to Florida, where I had family, friends, and warmer weather, and began my career as a financial advisor. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, we’re one of the largest offices in the Raymond James system, with locations in Newberry and Winter Park, Florida. We’re fortunate to work with an incredible group of clients and their families. Our mission is to help them build, maintain, protect, and transfer their wealth.
What truly differentiates us is that we help our clients write a better life story—and ultimately experience a better life outcome. We do this by asking better questions and having deeper, more meaningful conversations. What’s important to our clients is important to us. We ask tough—but necessary—questions that help people visualize what they truly want out of life, and we guide them through a process that brings greater clarity and satisfaction. Our clients are incredibly appreciative of that approach.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road.
When I started, I was a broke 24‑year‑old, not far removed from sleeping on mattresses on the floor. I drove a car covered in bondo and wore suits from thrift stores—often mismatched in size—just trying to look the part of a young advisor asking Baby Boomers to trust me with their life savings.
I was so embarrassed by my car that I used to hide it when meeting prospective clients. I still remember one person asking if the car parked behind a fence around the corner was mine. I admitted it was—and I never followed up with that prospect.
The early years were financially brutal, which is ironic considering I was a financial advisor. Of the twelve people I trained with, only two are still in the industry today. Many had far better connections than I did—NFL players, wealthy business owners, respected professionals—and almost all of them left the business.
What helped me survive was simple: I didn’t need much to live on, I was passionate, and I was persistent. That allowed me to weather the early years while building my knowledge, prospect list, and trust within the community. Over time, that foundation turned into a business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Today, about 80% of investors say they want tax planning, but only 20% feel they’re actually receiving it. That gap is a major focus of our practice, especially since we work primarily with high‑net‑worth business owners who demand that level of planning.
Much of our work centers on helping clients craft their story and define their legacy. While investment management is essential—and frankly, table stakes in this business—what our clients consistently find most valuable is the deeper planning process.
We ask questions most people aren’t asking:
If you died tomorrow, what would you regret not doing today?
What would make you truly happy three years from now?
What financial lessons did your parents teach you that you want to pass on?
What mistakes do you want the next generation to avoid?
Those conversations allow us to understand who someone really is and what they value most. From there, we build a financial roadmap designed to keep them aligned with those goals.
We’re also supported by an outstanding partner in Raymond James, which provides robust resources, education, and a wide range of solutions. Our toolbox includes traditional investments, fixed income, private equity, private placements, structured products, and more—allowing us to help clients pursue their goals in ways they’re comfortable with.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Persistence and passion.
We’re passionate about what we do and the people we serve. And we’re relentless about getting better—constantly improving our skills, our process, and the experience we provide to our clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.raymondjames.com/gregsmith
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063945674264
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-smith-cfp%C2%AE-64a012a0/
