A financial services expert with nearly a quarter-century of industry experience, Rusty Tweed has enjoyed a remarkable career while serving as the president and CEO of Tweed Financial Services. In addition to his role as president and CEO of Tweed Financial Services, Mr. Tweed is also the president and CEO of TFS Properties, Inc., and the owner of Mold Zero. Despite the substantial demands these diverse professional endeavors place on his time, Mr. Tweed remains a committed volunteer in support of several important causes and continues to write and publish Tweed Economics, a digital publication focusing on current economic issues and events.
With a career spanning close to 25 years, Mr. Tweed is widely respected by his industry peers and is known as an accomplished professional who has regularly earned national recognition for his extensive expertise in providing financial planning and investment advice to clients of both Tweed Financial Services and TFS Properties, Inc. The longtime resident of the Greater Los Angeles Area is also highly regarded for his depth of knowledge as it pertains to estate planning, mergers and acquisitions, marketing strategy, investment properties, and asset management, just to name a few.
Mr. Tweed’s clients appreciate the comprehensive approach he has long favored as the president and CEO of Tweed Financial Services. A dedicated and detail-oriented financial services professional, Mr. Tweed has always emphasized the importance of a client-centered philosophy in which each and every investment plan is designed according to the specific goals and objectives outlined by the client.
How did you get started in this business? What inspired you to start this business?
Finance is an inherently complex subject, so I was inspired by the opportunity to start a business in which I could help people cut through the complexities and create a plan designed to yield their short- and long-term financial objectives.
How do you make money?
There is no denying that my industry is exceptionally competitive. I’ve thrived because I have always made a commitment to developing a personal understanding of the needs of my clients. This has required a significant investment of time and energy from my staff and I, but I’m quite certain that the profitability of my company is directly related to the service-oriented approach I have always advocated.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
My first company took considerably longer to become profitable compared to my more recent endeavors, but that is the benefit of almost 25 years of entrepreneurial experience.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
Absolutely, but I ultimately learned to ignore any external criticisms and instead sharpened my focus on the plan I created and believed in.
How did you get your first customer?
I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others through any available medium, and several of my initial clients reached out to me after reading one of my articles and looking up my contact information.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
Since finance is such a complicated subject, I regularly host educational programs and seminars for anyone interested. Although it is not my intention, these programs often generate new business
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
Guiding clients through the process of estate planning involves a lot of tough decisions for both my clients and I, particularly when my clients are uncertain about their goals and objectives and look to me to help them make such consequential decisions. This is why I strive for a detail-oriented and comprehensive approach to financial planning.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
At this point in my career, my experience is certainly a key component of my continued success.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Building Tweed Financial Services from the ground-up and watching it grow through ups and downs over a quarter of a century has been immensely satisfying for me.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
Working with clients and helping them achieve their financial goals always brings me the greatest joy and excitement.
What business books have inspired you?
“Meditations,” by Marcus Aurelius. It is a book every aspiring leader should read again and again.
What is a recent purchase you have made that’s helped with your business?
The potential applications of data analytics has long been a source of fascination, so I regularly invest in software and other programs designed to enable my companies to get as much as possible out of the data available to us.
Is there a specific quotation from “Meditations” that you believe is particularly relevant for aspiring entrepreneurs?
My personal favorite emphasizes the importance of taking meaningful action: “Put an end once and for all to this discussion of what a good man [or woman] should be, and be one.”