Thank You Isaac Saffold!

This fall, we had the pleasure of working with Isaac Saffold, an intern from Georgetown University. Isaac joined us through a meaningful connection — he was referred by the Georgetown football coach, as SJS Senior Advisor Andrew Schaetzke also played on the team. It’s a great example of how strong relationships open doors and create opportunities.

At SJS, we believe in the power of connection and in helping young people gain real-world experience and practical life skills beyond the classroom. We invited Isaac to share what he learned during his time with us in the letter below. We’re grateful for his contributions and support, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.

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My time at SJS has been nothing short of amazing. From my very first day, everyone I met showed exceptional hospitality and a genuine interest in my growth. I had the opportunity to meet most of the team members, all of whom were eager to explain their roles, share their career paths, and answer even my most basic questions. Although my internship was hybrid and I was only in the Sylvania & Perrysburg offices once a week, I learned far more than I initially anticipated. The team consistently made an effort to support me, expose me to new experiences, and ensure I was learning something meaningful throughout my time here.

With the amount of knowledge and advice I gained over the past three months, narrowing my experience down to the top three lessons was difficult.

1. First and foremost, I learned that the financial advisory business is built on relationships. Clear, consistent communication—reassuring clients, keeping them informed, and maintaining transparency—is essential to building trust and growing the business organically through long-term client relationships and referrals.

2. The second key lesson I learned was the importance of staying informed by following economic and financial news. During a significant portion of my internship, the government shutdown contributed to market volatility and uncertainty around inflation and potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Staying up to date provided valuable context for market movements and helped build confidence in investment decision-making.

3. Lastly, I gained insight into the firm’s day-to-day operations and how each role contributes to the bigger picture. Seeing how associate advisors support advisors and how structured systems and models guide investment decisions made the field feel far less intimidating. SJS showed me that investment advising is a disciplined, model-driven process focused on long-term strategy rather than short-term performance.

This experience reshaped how I view the industry and gave me valuable clarity around my own interests and career direction. While my future is not fully defined, this internship confirmed that this is a field I genuinely enjoy and can see myself pursuing long-term. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a knowledgeable and supportive team.

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Important Disclosure Information:

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.

Statements contained in this article that are not statements of historical fact are intended to be and are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements include expressed expectations of future events and the assumptions on which the expressed expectations are based. All forward looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on various expectations and assumptions concerning future events and they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected.

The Power of Moments: Creating Meaningful Experiences in Life and Wealth

By Robert J. Schaefer, CFP®

At SJS Investment Services, we believe the client experience is about more than numbers on a page. Our mission is to empower you to build better lives. Recently, our internal SJS Book Club explored The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip and Dan Heath, a book that examines why certain experiences stand out — and how we can intentionally create more of them for our clients, colleagues, and communities.

Defining Moments Do Not Happen by Accident
The Heath brothers highlight that defining moments — the ones we remember long after they occur — rarely happen by chance. They are built. According to the authors, powerful moments often share four key elements:

1. Elevation: Experiences that are uplifting beyond the everyday routine.

2. Insight: A sudden realization or new understanding – an “aha” moment.

3. Pride: Recognition of effort, achievement, or growth.

4. Connection: Deepening relationships and things we both care about.

These principles apply as much to our personal lives as they do our professional and client relationships.

Creating Impactful Moments at SJS
The discussions within our SJS Book Club reinforced how closely these ideas align with the work we do. Each relationship represents an opportunity to create defining moments that bring clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

We strive to design SJS Moments for our clients including:

• Moments of Elevation: Celebrating progress when you achieve long-term goals, such as selling a business or reaching retirement readiness.

• Moments of Insight: Helping you see the complete financial picture with clarity, turning uncertainty into understanding.

• Moments of Pride: Recognizing the discipline and decision-making that build lasting wealth and secure legacies.

• Moments of Connection: Building trust and long-term relationships grounded in shared purpose and transparency.

Why Meaningful Moments Matter
The essence of The Power of Moments is simple yet profound: how people feel during an experience determines how they remember it. For SJS, that insight is especially relevant. Every client interaction — from a planning conversation to a portfolio review to talking about the family dog — has the potential to create a lasting impression.

By being intentional about those experiences, we aim to ensure you feel supported, informed, and confident at every stage of your financial journey.

Building a Culture of Learning and Connection
Our book club discussions reflect our commitment to continual learning and improvement for the benefit of our clients and our team. As we deepen our understanding of what makes certain experiences special to who we serve, we strengthen our ability to create a meaningful, lasting impact through our work.

At SJS Investment Services, we do not just manage wealth — we help build moments that matter.

If you’d like to learn more about creating meaningful moments in your life, we encourage you to read the The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath.

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Important Disclosure Information & Sources:

The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact. Chip Heath & Dan Heath, 2017, Simon & Schuster.

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.

Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.