'Affect positive change in the life of every client'
Q: Describe your company.
A: TC Wealth Partners | Trust Company of Illinois is a wealth management company that partners with individuals, families and business owners, helping them plan their financial future and manage transitions, planned or unplanned, that may affect them financially.
Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
A: We are always looking for wealth advisors who have the same commitment to care for clients as we have.
Q: What will your company's main challenges be in the next year?
A: It will be a challenge to continue working in a Covid restricted environment. We will also focus on leveraging technology and communication to give our clients the care and attention they deserve.
Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?
A: I think in most industries right now it is working remotely, Zoom calls, etc. Whether those are trends or not is hard to say, but they have become an integral part of work life today and weren't significant a year ago.
Other trends include dependence on digital collaboration tools that are critical in the WFH environment, social media marketing, and not least of all diversity, a very important trend.
Q: If you had one tip to give to a rookie executive, what would it be?
A: Do not forget the reason you are in this business (wealth management) - to serve every client, understand their needs and help them meet their goals. Your energy should come from wanting to help people. One extra tip: Find mentors who have strong values and listen and learn from them.
Q: Do you have a business mantra?
A: Yes, affect positive change in the life of every client we work with and in every community we serve.
Q: From a business outlook, whom do you look up to?
A: Our founder, Greg Osko. He created a company that has been successful and, more importantly, created a culture with strong values that has lasted since it was founded in 1993.
Q: What is one interesting fact about you or your company that most people may not know?
A: We serve clients in 38 states.
Q: Was there a moment in your career that didn't go as you had planned? What lesson did you learn from it?
A: I think there were many throughout my 30 years. I learned to take ownership for the error or mistake, learn from it and not beat myself up.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: My favorite thing to do is snowboard and ski with my family in Colorado. We all love it.
Q: What book is on your nightstand?
A: There are two: Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankel, and The Power of Moments, by Chip and Dan Heath.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Everything keeps me up at night. I have never slept well, unfortunately.
Q: If you were not doing this job, what do you think you would be doing?
A: My father and three sisters are teachers so maybe a teacher. The difference they make in so many young lives is inspiring.
Q: What was your first paying job?
A: A baseball umpire in middle school.
Q: If you could put your company name on a sports venue, which one would you choose?
A: Instead of a venue I would prefer an event. The Olympics. So many great stories of hard work and sacrifice that span the globe bringing people of all different backgrounds, beliefs, and culture together.
Q: Two people to follow on Twitter and why. (besides your company)
A: Richard Branson. I love his advice on business along with life. He continues to challenge himself and learn even at his level of success. Sara Blakely on Instagram, a successful young CEO. With my two daughters entering the workforce, I love her story and messages for young women.
Bill Giffin
CEO
TC Wealth Partners, LLC / Trust Company of Illinois
1901Butterfield Rd, Suite 1000, Downers Grove, IL 60515
630.545.2200
tcwealthpartners.com
Industry: Wealth Management
Number of employees: 31
Age: Company founded in 1993. My age 52
Family information: Married to Margaret for 27 years. Three college-age children: Maddie, Grace, Carson
Hometown: Trenton, Michigan