What’s In A Name?
"What's in a name?"
Almost a decade ago, I learned that there there is quite a lot.
At the time, my wife was pregnant with our first daughter and we had started to face a major parenting decision ... choosing her name.
In our pursuit, we jotted ideas in a baby journal, sent shortlists to each other via texts, and engaged in frequent discussion. Along the way, my wife became involved in an online community entirely dedicated to the art of naming! It fundamentally changed our search. The meaning of our daughter's name moved to the forefront. We sharpened our focus to a name with connections to the things we held dear: family, important places in our story, music, and literature. Ultimately, we landed on the right one a few weeks before her birth:
Susanna Lake
We followed the same pattern when news of our second daughter arrived. There was an ease to the process this time, we started with our values, shared ideas with one another, consulted the community of naming artisans, and discovered another beautiful name:
Eliza Sage
Fast forward to April 2021
After years of daydreaming, preparation, and crafting an action plan, I was ready to launch my independent financial planning firm. However, a series of crucial steps in setting up my business relied upon a single task ... choosing a name for my firm. Luckily, I'd developed an understanding of the path to a meaningful name and I set out to find one.
In reviewing a pencil-sketched brainstorm list one morning, I noticed a pattern. Several of the names made reference to beloved jazz albums and songs. Immediately, an image of the album art from my favorite 1960s jazz records came to mind.
They were recorded on the Blue Note label.
Blue Note ... Green Beat ... Greenbeat Financial!
As a musician & avid reader of album liner notes, I knew that Greenbeat Financial had the meaning and depth I sought. And, there is so much more to the Blue Note records if you look closely & listen. Greenbeat Financial shares these essential characteristics:
Diligent Practice: Countless hours of practice occurred before these Blue Note recordings were tracked. The same can be said for the years of learning and practice that happened before working with clients at Greenbeat Financial.
Collaboration: On the Blue Note recordings, the whole is greater than the sum of its players. At Greenbeat Financial, we prioritize collaborating with clients to define and pursue their unique personal and financial path(s) forward.
Listening!: Every recorded track on the 1960s Blue Note recordings captures masterful listening amongst the musicians. They are able to react deftly, in the moment, through intent listening. Simply, at Greenbeat Financial, we listen to our clients!
'Speak No Evil': One of the greatest jazz recordings of all time by Wayne Shorter and a legendary line-up of musicians (i.e., Herbie, Elvin, Freddie, & Ron Carter). At Greenbeat Financial, we strive for excellence in our work and partner with the best practitioners in planning. Also, we are bound to a 'Fiduciary Duty.' We act in our client's best interest, always, & 'Speak No Evil.'
Bringing Our Best Selves: Many of the Blue Note records were recorded in producer Rudy Van Gelder's living room in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. The musicians only needed to bring their instruments, scores, and best selves. Red recording light glows. Downbeat. GO! Each day at Greenbeat Financial, we are dedicated to bringing our best selves to the financial planning work. The important work in personal financial planning demands it. We consistently rise to the occasion.
"What's in a name?"
A lot, when you look closely and listen.
P.S. If you happen to know of a graphic designer that can recreate the Greenbeat Financial graphic in the spirit of the 1960s Blue Note records, please facilitate an intro!
