Ross Schmidt

A little thing called the Internet introduced Ross Schmidt to Cambridge Advisors and Bert Whitehead. The year was 1996 and the Internet was still called the World Wide Web. Ross was a district sales manager for a Fortune 500 company selling computers to Wall Street. He was helping an employee with his taxes and saw a business opportunity. Ross said, “I made a list – If I were a financial planner this is what I would do – and I thought, surely someone else has thought of the same things. I got on Netscape, entered all the things on my list, and the first result that popped up was Cambridge Advisors. I called Bert Whitehead and I joined.”

Opening his first office in California and eventually moving to Colorado, Ross has always been a solo practitioner. But he has never really been alone. ACP has been there every step of the way. “First, ACP taught me how to be a planner,” he said. “In terms of building a practice, one of the things I benefitted most from was brainstorming with others about how to build my practice. When you run in to a problem you can reach into the community, access the brain trust, and get answers. Over time you learn what different people specialize in and you know who to tap for answers. I think that pays for the price of membership, hands down.”

A group instructor for more than 10 years, board member for more than four years, and member of the marketing task force, Ross encourages all members to consider running for the ACP Board of Directors. Ross said, “I really enjoyed teaching group instruction. It kept me fresh. The thing I enjoyed the most, though, was serving on the board. As a board member you really get to see the inner workings of ACP and you have an opportunity to understand the challenges the organizations and the members are dealing with. I wish everyone who has been a member for three years or more would consider running for a position on the board.” Ross believes in the power of community. He has volunteered in other organizations all his life. Getting involved in the ACP community was second nature for him.

ACP’s mission statement continues to be Ross’s true north. “This is a community of like-minded, fee-only planners who really help the solo or small practice planner be successful.” His business acumen combined with the support of his ACP community have enabled Ross to build an ideal practice that mystifies his colleagues. He travels the world, having most recently returned from a trip to China – during tax week. An early adopter of technology, he has remote clients he has never met. He moved his practice from California to Denver and retained almost all his clients. How does he do it? “I have a unique practice. I’ve learned you need to be creative in terms of how you maintain a presence with your clients so they don’t forget you. I know that I can accomplish everything I need to take care of my clients over the phone.” Want to know more? Just ask. He’s happy to share with the ACP community and future ACP members.