Ten years ago, Ambrose Advisors began as a simple idea: build a firm that does good work, does it the right way, and treats every business owner and every employee with respect.
Looking back now, I see clearly that this journey wasn’t just about transactions or growth. It was about stewardship — of opportunities, relationships, and the trust that clients place in us during one of the most important decisions of their lives.
As we close out our tenth year, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons, blessings, and responsibilities that have shaped Ambrose and shaped me. Here are a few that stand out.
1. Be faithful in the little things.
If you do the small, unseen things well — returning calls, meeting deadlines, honoring commitments — people learn they can trust you with the big things.
2. Put the client’s interests above your own.
“Love thy neighbor” applies just as much in finance as anywhere else. Good advice isn’t always the most profitable advice in the short term. But it’s always the right advice.
3. Getting a deal done is the baseline. The experience is what clients remember.
Owners don’t just want a successful outcome — they want clarity, responsiveness, and a team that reduces stress, not adds to it. How people feel during a transaction matters.
4. ESOPs genuinely change lives.
I’ve seen people who never imagined retirement become able to plan for — and actually retire well because they participated in ownership. That impact keeps me committed to this work.
5. The “Ownership Mindset” transforms companies.
When employees feel like owners, they behave like owners. Pride rises. Waste decreases. Cultures strengthen. ESOPs are more than structures — they’re a shift in identity.
6. Not every deal is a deal we should take.
If a transaction isn’t sustainable or right for the owner, employees, or the future of the company, we walk away. Discipline is part of integrity.
7. Immigration taught me resilience.
Arriving in the U.S. speaking almost no English forced me to grow quickly. That journey shaped my work ethic and the gratitude I carry into every opportunity.
8. God has a purpose behind every season.
There were twists in the path, and times I didn’t understand the next step. Looking back now, I can see the purpose, the timing, and the grace in every chapter.
9. Lead differently in an industry surrounded by greed.
It’s easy to lose your way in finance. Integrity is a daily choice — and it’s the only way to build a reputation that lasts.
10. Success is a blessing, not an entitlement.
My wife and I see everything we have as something entrusted to us. Stewardship determines how far a blessing can reach.
11. Culture is the multiplier.
A strong team with the right values becomes the engine behind every client outcome. Culture determines execution.
12. Not all business decisions are financial decisions.
Selling a business is emotional. Owners deserve empathy, patience, and clarity — not pressure.
13. ESOPs are part of the American Dream.
As an immigrant who benefited from opportunity, I believe deeply in ownership. ESOPs allow every employee to participate in that same dream.
14. Patience builds better deals.
Time kills deals, but rushing kills trust. The right pace — diligent, steady, and thorough — leads to better outcomes.
15. Gratitude is fuel.
I’m grateful for our clients, our team, my partners, my wife, and the opportunity to help owners transition well. Gratitude keeps you centered. It keeps you grounded. And it keeps you moving forward.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The past ten years have reinforced something simple but powerful: employee ownership works. It strengthens families, communities, and companies.
In 2026, I plan to share more stories of owners, employees, and the lessons this journey continues to teach me — professionally and personally. My hope is that these reflections help more leaders make confident, thoughtful decisions about their next chapter.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I’m excited for what’s ahead.
— Phillip