The Host of DBDL

Brad Johnson

After spending a two-year hiatus flying under the radar, I’m back. And yes, for those who were wondering, I am alive. During this season, I’ve gotten uncomfortable and experienced more growth than I ever thought was possible.

I grew up in rural Minneapolis, KS on a farm with my parents & brother.

Growing up lower, middle class – money wasn’t always easy to come by. However, this upbringing did instill a couple of principles in me that I still value highly today. Spending many days of my childhood summers throwing hay bales and fixing barbed wire fence, the value of a hard day’s work has never been lost on me.

Another principle I learned was to always treat others as you’d want to be treated.

Sounds simple, but in a hometown where “your parents knew if you’d been acting up before you even got home”, this was ingrained at an early age. I still value this principle and strive to run my business with it in mind.

This small-town Kansas farm kid has always been grateful.

The opportunities I’ve had to learn and work alongside some of the most successful advisors in the country over the past decade and a half have been incredible. As Jim Rohn states, “You’re the average of the five people you surround yourself with”—and I’ve been fortunate to have been surrounded by the very best. Many of the principles I share have been shaped by these very advisors.

As I reflect on my learnings to this point, one specifically stands out.

The industry’s definition of “success” for financial advisors is completely broken — and it needs to evolve. Too often I've seen advisors sacrifice their marriages, health, relationships, and everything else that matters to walk across an industry stage recognizing their "success".

I grew up in rural Minneapolis, KS on a farm with my parents & brother.

Growing up lower, middle class – money wasn’t always easy to come by. However, this upbringing did instill a couple of principles in me that I still value highly today. Spending many days of my childhood summers throwing hay bales and fixing barbed wire fence, the value of a hard day’s work has never been lost on me.

Another principle I learned was to always treat others as you’d want to be treated.

Sounds simple, but in a hometown where “your parents knew if you’d been acting up before you even got home”, this was ingrained at an early age. I still value this principle and strive to run my business with it in mind.

this small-town Kansas farm kid has always been grateful.

The opportunities I’ve had to learn and work alongside some of the most successful advisors in the country over the past decade and a half have been incredible. As Jim Rohn states, “You’re the average of the five people you surround yourself with”—and I’ve been fortunate to have been surrounded by the very best. Many of the principles I share have been shaped by these very advisors.

As I reflect on my learnings to this point, one specifically stands out.

The industry’s definition of “success” for financial advisors is completely broken — and it needs to evolve. Too often I’ve seen advisors sacrifice their marriages, health, relationships, and everything else that matters to walk across an industry stage recognizing their “success”.

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