Adam Weiner is the Founder of Freedom Financial Team, a Troy, Michigan-based company that provides investment and retirement planning to individuals and families across the United States.
Freedom Financial Team leads with education. The best way to understand something is to help build it. While Freedom Financial Team helps navigate with their hands on the wheel, clients are confident decision-makers choosing the route taken.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here, we sit down with Adam to learn more about his journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. How did you get started in business? What inspired you?
Adam: My journey as an entrepreneur started with my desire to find professional happiness. After spending 18 years in uniform, 4 years at the Naval Academy, and 14 years as a Navy SEAL, transitioning to corporate America was difficult as good leadership was lacking. After trying a couple of corporate positions, I made the leap to build my own business. While my profession is financial planning, my passion is coaching and speaking on mindset, character, and leadership.
Q. What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive?
Adam: While I’ve found no tricks, I haven’t looked for them either. Effort and productivity are not necessarily a linear relationship. Sometimes, things get done efficiently, and sometimes they’re a grind. I simply focus on getting the work done. As an entrepreneur, I’d say the 80/20 rule applies in that 80% of my days are a grind.
Q. How do you stay organized with such a busy schedule?
Adam: I stay organized by spending time that focuses on organizing! I am thoughtful about my priorities and work to align my behavior/activities to that end by scheduling them. While there is no hack, in my opinion, two ideas helped me evolve for the better in this manner;
- If every week is different, then why would your weekly schedule be the same? Spend time every Sunday building a schedule that flows with the priorities that week presents, including personal/family priorities.
- Be careful about using BALANCE as the mark of success in your schedule. The world and our life requirements are not balanced. Accept that some weeks will be out of balance. Rather, aim for an overarching HARMONY that addresses your life’s priorities over a longer time horizon.
Q. If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
Adam: I would name it “Journey Greatly.”
Q. What motivates you?
Adam: Trying to align my behavior with my values is what keeps me motivated.
Q. What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?
Adam: Despite being ‘long in the tooth’ with 14 years of active duty military service and six years away from a lifetime pension, I transitioned out of the Navy to invest in being a better husband and father. One year after making that move, our third child was born. Had I not transitioned out of the military, it’s unlikely we would have had our third child. If you ask my wife, I’ve made improvements – though still a ways to go!
Q. What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs invest their time in?
Adam: Many times, entrepreneurship demands more time for business. Consequently, there’s less time available for other things. I’d offer that entrepreneurs take stock of their hobbies and work to include something that nurtures their physical and mental health.
Q. What is your ‘one-sentence’ piece of advice you’d like to give to someone who wants to become an entrepreneur, coach, or business owner?
Adam: While you should not confuse your value with profitability, you cannot lose sight of your financial livelihood.
To keep up to date with Adam and his journey, connect with him on LinkedIn.