2021 was an exciting year at SJS. We celebrated our 26th anniversary, welcomed three new Team members, and had the pleasure of meeting with many of you in-person more than in 2020.
To offer you an SJS perspective on 2021, we asked four SJS Team Members across the country to look back on 2021 to describe what they will remember, and discuss what they are excited about for 2022. We hope you enjoy reading their individual takes on the past year, and we look forward to seeing you in 2022!
Scott Savage; Founder & CEO; Sylvania, Ohio Office; Founded SJS in July 1995
Thank YOU for another year of partnership! We continue to be grateful and humbled by the faith and trust you place in Team SJS. We will never take your faith and trust for granted.
It is our custom at the end of the year to reflect on the previous 12 months and look forward to a brand new year. What did we learn? What are we worried about? What opportunities can we seize?
2021 will be known as year two of the Coronavirus pandemic. Early in 2020, a friend of mine who understands viruses and pandemics said to me, “COVID is going to be a marathon.” I can only hope that we are in the last painful miles - weary, legs heavy, and closing in on the finish line. In my opinion, we have been in this together, whether we realize it or not.
Ironically, many of the world’s equity markets rose, fueled by accommodating central banks like the Federal Reserve.[1] Global bond markets, plagued by low interest rates and eye-popping inflation, generally disappointed investors.[1]
We continue to evaluate the world’s investable markets that we believe will reward you over the long-term for the risks being assumed. We remain cautiously optimistic that 2022 will see the supply chain disruptions ease, labor shortages abate, inflation slow, and economic growth persist.
Jennifer Smiljanich, CFP®; Managing Director & Senior Advisor; Scottsdale, Arizona Office; Started at SJS in August 2010
One of the things I enjoy about coming to work every day is that I get to really know people: who they are, what they want, and what is important to them. I also am fortunate to have an opportunity to make a difference to you when you call on SJS. Finding a solution to a problem, taking away a worry, listening, showing you whether you are progressing towards a goal, and helping you to live a life that is meaningful to you. So as much as SJS manages investments, all of these other responsibilities are just as important.
Living in our current world has helped bring clarity to many people about what is most important to them. It might not be working in a job that historically has comfortably paid the bills. For some, their work has become more stressful with more to do and fewer hands to help. For others, income may not be as compelling given considerations of health, family dynamics, and fulfillment. This year, I’ve had the opportunity to help several clients review whether they could make a job change, move to part-time work, and even retire early to spend more time with loved ones. Providing guidance to someone who is wrestling with these kinds of decisions is rewarding. We are glad to help co-think the financial and other considerations of these life changes.
There seem to be no lack of pulls on our time. Like you, I find my inbox is always full and the “to do” list is never quite done. I appreciate being able to help you find time in your day to do the things that are important to you. So whether it’s helping you make sure you’ve done everything you need to do before year-end (from charitable giving, to distributions, to contributions), co-thinking options for financing or refinancing a home, figuring out how to get tax documents to your accountant securely, or helping you to consolidate your accounts on MySJS so you can view your financial status in a single place, we are glad to help!
Finally, while many people have been challenged in so many ways in 2021, you have cared. You care about your children and grandchildren. You care about your communities. And you give generously of your time and money to the people and causes you care about. I’ve spent many hours chatting with you about different ways to support the people and causes you care about, whether it’s giving to charities in tax-smart ways, helping support children or grandchildren though 529 plans or gifts, or in Arizona, making use of the state tax credits that support different organizations. As we head into a new calendar year, I am energized to help you potentially accomplish the things that matter to you, so you can focus on living your life to its fullest!
Tom Kelly, CFA; Chief Investment Officer; Chicago, Illinois Office; Started at SJS in June 2018
Reflecting on 2021, I am most struck by the resiliency of the human condition. Amidst continued uncertainty, trials and tribulations, the ups and downs, we are resilient. I was inspired by stories of resiliency of families, communities, and economies. One in particular (perhaps especially captivating after hearing my wife’s stories as a NICU Nurse) is Curtis Means, who was born 132 days premature at just 21 weeks and one day.[2] After round the clock care for nine months by the UAB medical team, Curtis was discharged and eventually named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Most Premature Infant to Survive.[2] Resiliency of a child to fight, medical professionals to care, and a family to love!
In my life this year, one of the biggest accomplishments was the addition of diversified alternatives to our portfolios. While investment performance is not guaranteed, we believe many of the underlying strategies will provide some resiliency against forces of inflation, low-yields, and extended valuations, as well as potentially get stronger during times of market stress. Personally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the blessing of our new baby, Oliver, at the end of the year – hopefully I’m developing resiliency to a little less sleep.
2022 will surely bring new challenges and new opportunities, and I am most focused on ensuring our portfolios are staying up to date with new research and strategies that are MarketPlus worthy. Additionally, I am excited to move into our new office at 55 W. Monroe in downtown Chicago, so next time you are in the Windy City, please stop by and say hi. We can toast to resiliency!
Katie Floyd; Associate Advisor; Sylvania, Ohio Office; Started at SJS in September 2021
After another year of ups and downs, the rollercoaster of 2021 came and went in the blink of an eye. Never knowing what turn the year might take next, I started to evaluate what was most important to me and realized that life was too short to wait for the “sign” to change. So, I stopped measuring my successes by the title of my job and more about how I felt each night before bed. I knew that I wanted to give more back to my community and leave the world a little better than how I found it. And then I found SJS Investment Services.
Starting over is always scary, but I felt the reward would far outweigh the risk. Although I’ve only been here for a few months, I feel like I’ve known my co-workers for years and have comfort that I made the right choice to change my career. At SJS, I feel empowered to explore the unknowns around me and take a chance at something new, and I encourage you to do the same. During my first few months, I’ve been able to meet with some of you and help prepare financial analyses and presentations to help you plan for your future. Additionally, I’ve assisted with marketing efforts and continue to help shape the future of SJS.
Looking to 2022, I’m excited to continue expanding my career with the amazing resources SJS has to offer, as well as getting to know you better, the people who make coming into work worthwhile. There is so much out there for us to discover, and I’m happy that I get to be a part of that journey with you. I hope that this next year brings you nothing but health, wealth, and normalcy, and when you aren’t sure what turn the year will take next, just know that we are here for you.
Important Disclosure Information & Sources:
[1] “SJS Weekly Market Update“. SJS Investment Services, 27-Dec-2021, sjsinvest.com.
[2] “Curtis Means, Alabama boy weighing less than a pound at birth, is world’s most premature surviving baby“. The Associated Press, 10-Nov-2021, al.com.
There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market.
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