One of the joys of parenthood is passing wisdom on to the next generation (even if kids aren’t
ready to listen just yet!). Growing up, my father and I would go fly fishing together, where
the lessons seemed to flow out of him like the ripples of the river. Lessons like: Have a legacy.
Don’t be average, be excellent. Strive to achieve the impossible. And my favorites: Make a
footprint. Make the world a better place when you leave it. Find your passion. If you are
passionate about something, it won’t feel like work.
My parents imparted many life lessons, but to sum them up in one simple phrase, the best
lesson would be: Be different by making a difference.
A Little About Dad
Dad played football at The Ohio State University. As a short, undersized, half-blind, slow, third-
string right guard, he was told by Coach Woody Hayes to concentrate on an education: “Make
the most of the opportunity, son.” It was great advice and Dad never looked back. After playing
for four years, graduating, and going off to medical school, he became a prominent orthopedic
surgeon in a small town. He used an opportunity to commit a life to helping others: his
difference was healing through medicine.
Dad found a great wife at Ohio State; she became a nurse, and they built a life together, raising
three great sons (of course I’m the best of the three, the most handsome and the middle child).
Growing up, we would go out to eat as a family, I watched in amazement as we walked through
the restaurant. It seemed like everyone knew my dad. He had set that child’s broken arm, he
had replaced that elderly lady’s broken hip. It was almost comical at times. To me my dad was
cooler than Mick Jagger.
A Little About Mom
The year was 1977, Jimmy Carter was president, and my dad was five years into his practice.
Inflation was 17%, CD rates were 13%, a good mortgage rate was 21%, and the top tier income
tax was 70%. On his own as an entrepreneur, Dad just wanted to practice medicine. Business
was not his forte, and he was oblivious to the fact that taxes were killing him. On the other hand,
my mom knew something had to be done. She enrolled in night tax classes at local Wittenberg
University to understand tax code; however, her real passion was investing.
I grew up with the dining room table covered with stacks and piles of legal pads listed by stock:
IBM, GE, Ford…this was her investment portfolio. Mom would track the daily closing prices and
write them down on the legal pads almost every night. (Obviously, this was way before stocks
could be filed on an app.) Brokers who called the house always asked for the doctor in the
house. They never knew that Mom ran everything. Dad got a $20 allowance every Sunday and
that was it for the week. One broker from Columbus, Ohio, called and asked for Mom—and she
worked with him for over 20 years. She had found her difference.
And she passed this difference in finance on to all three sons. Today Mom is 83 and we still talk
stocks almost every day.
My Difference
I played college football, once had the sack record as an All Big Ten Defensive End at Indiana
University, and graduated Kelley Business School with a degree in—of all things—finance. I
quickly made my way to the derivative pits of the Chicago Board of Options Exchange (where I
literally played football every day), and my difference turned into 13 years of great success,
trading the .com boom and .com bust, devaluation of the peso, and many other stories. With
partners that I trusted, my difference built a multimillion-dollar firm into something anyone would
want—anyone except me.
Among the many lessons taught by my parents, I was advised not to take, but to give. With
trading you just take. I was unhappy. So I sold my firm and started a new life. I stayed in
finance, and rather than just taking, I began to give. I really found my difference, my passion.
Now I am a financial concierge to a select number of affluent families. Like my dad helped
people heal physically, I help others heal financially. I help them invest their money, grow their
money, preserve their money, distribute their money during their lifetime, and distribute after
death. I am not only helping individuals but generation after a generation. I am making the world
a better place and leaving a footprint. Although I practice in a small town, we are a national firm,
currently in 21 states and growing. I have three great kids and a great wife…and none of it feels
like work.
A Different Approach
If this sounds like a different approach, it is. We are different. Our clients are different. If you are
different or you want to be treated differently, we’d love to connect with you to discuss your
financial goals and how you can make the world a better place before you leave it.
Call our office at 219-246-2516, email [email protected], or schedule a complimentary
consultation online. Be sure to visit our website to learn more and connect with us on LinkedIn,
Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
About Greg
Greg Farrall is CEO and owner of Farrall Wealth, an independent, boutique wealth management
firm that is dedicated to helping women and business owners create customized financial plans
that allow them to grow, protect, preserve, and distribute their wealth. Greg is known for being a
problem-solver who walks his clients through whatever life throws at them. He prioritizes
building long-term relationships and is passionate about going the extra mile for his clients so
they can pursue their goals and live the lives they want. Greg has a bachelor’s degree in
international business from the University of Wollongong in Australia and a bachelor’s degree in
finance and marketing from Indiana University Bloomington. He is a Professional Plan
Consultant® (PPC®) and a Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®) professional. And he recently
received his Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®) designation. You can listen to him on his
financial literacy and business topic podcast, Money Matters with Greg, on iTunes, Google and
Spotify. He’s also on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook at @FarrallWealth.
Greg is a pillar of his community and served as the 2013-14 co-chair for the United Way
campaign, through which he helped raise $1.8 million for 38 nonprofit organizations across
Porter County, Indiana. He also served as president of the Valparaiso Rotary Club. Currently,
he is on the advisory board for the Kelley School of Business and Dean of Students’ board at
Indiana University. He also holds a position on the Culver Academies parents’ board.
When he is not working, you can find Greg spending time with his family or investing in one of
his many passions, which include cooking, Spartan races, fly fishing, and meditation. To learn
more about Greg, connect with him on LinkedIn.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor.
Member FINRA/SIPC.
