By Greg Mattacola, Esq., CFP®, ABFP® | Senior Advisor, Strategic Financial Services
I didn’t set out to become a financial advisor. For nearly twenty years, I practiced law. When I was ready for a new challenge, I was fortunate to find my way into a profession built around the parts of law I loved most—service and community.
When people ask why I made the leap, the answer is simple: I connected deeply with the values this firm was built on—Serve. Grow. Live. Serve each other and your community. Grow as people, professionals, and a business. And live—because our mission is to help people live great lives, and that has to start with our team.
People ask us all the time what makes Strategic different. It starts with good people. And good people attract good people. Over time, you build a community grounded in shared values and a shared mission. But none of that happens by accident—it takes intention.
For the next generation of leaders in the Mohawk Valley, my advice maps back to those same three values.
Serve—intentionally. Get involved in your community. Volunteer. Join a board. Find organizations you care about and show up for them. Take advantage of the incredible young professionals’ groups this region offers. These are the places where you’ll find your people—the ones who challenge you, support you, and inspire you throughout your career. Your community is out there. Go help build it.
Grow—continuously. We’re living through extraordinary change. Artificial intelligence is reshaping entire industries in real time. The leaders who thrive won’t have all the answers—they’ll keep asking better questions. Find the gaps in your knowledge, your team, and your field, and lean into them. Growth lives in that discomfort. And remember: the right people around you will always take you further than you can go alone.
Live—with intention and gratitude. We’re incredibly lucky to call the Mohawk Valley home. This is a place full of good people, real opportunity, and a community that shows up for itself. Don’t be so focused on the climb that you forget to look around. Build a career that reflects your values, not just your ambitions. Show up fully—for your clients, colleagues, and family. Helping people live great lives starts with actually living one yourself.
The Mohawk Valley is a special place to build a career and a life. Strategic has called it home for more than 45 years—not because we got lucky, but because good people kept finding good people and showing up together. For the next generation stepping into leadership here, that same community is waiting. Lean on it. Invest in it. And keep growing.
Disclosure: Strategic Financial Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Past results are not indicative of future performance. This article is sponsored content paid for by Strategic Financial Services.
