Acknowledgments

I used to say that writing a book was a male's version of having a baby. Then in the middle of working on this project my wife and I actually had a baby—our first. I was there from the very beginning all the way through labor—and I no longer relate writing a book to having a child. Writing a book is much easier, and I'd take it any day over morning sickness, 24 hours of contractions, and delivery—especially delivery! We are now blessed with a baby boy named Ben, and I realize that parenthood is the coolest thing in the world.

In the meantime I'd like to thank my wife Lynne who has already proven to be a tremendous mother and advocate for my work. She has endured many a sleepless night so that I could be fresh for work the next day and has kept our household running strong despite countless book deadlines and Sunday morning radio shows. Ben is a lucky kid.

Work

I work at a big company, actually a huge company—one of the largest investment firms in the world. Despite their conservative nature and responsibility for more than seventy thousand employees, the structure is nimble enough to support my efforts as a financial advisor, an author, and radio host. It says a great deal about the people in charge. So in that same vein, I would like to thank Jerry Johnson and his charming and supportive staff. Jerry is the ultimate example of how someone can find extraordinary success as an entrepreneur and as an employee in the corporate world.

I would also like to thank the people I work with on a daily basis:

Steve Meadows for always helping me to "worry less" and encouraging me to "make more."

Dan Moss and Tim Jeffrey for being extraordinary business partners—the three of us have been through a great deal together, and I could not be blessed with two more honest and genuinely good people to work with. I appreciate their continued input, creativity, support, and hard work as we continue to expand our wealth management practice together.

Jenna Hooton, my famous client service associate who keeps the engine running smoothly, keeps our clients happy, and ensures that I'm the most organized and efficient person in Atlanta.

Ryan Ely for being an intern mogul—from running spreadsheets for investment analysis, to brainstorming on concepts for this book, to helping produce my investment radio show—this kid gives students at Georgia Tech a good name.

Outside of Work

The following people are truly one in a million:

Judy Potwora, who has been an extraordinary partner on this project—I thank her for her coolness under pressure, her creativity under fire, and her ability to make the impossible happen. I'm thankful every day for having met her and having the opportunity to work with her.

Lilian Raji of the Lilian Raji Agency, who is one of the few PR people in Atlanta not afraid to get into the trenches and get things done. I thank her for her diligence and persistence.

Jon Maylsiak, my version of Jerry Maguire, who is always looking out for me and finding the right people to work with.

The right people to work with: FT Press. Thank you Martha and Tim for believing in my quest to help people really "make more" of anything, and "worry less" about everything.

Lastly I would like to thank all of the amazing participants interviewed for this book. Thank you for your valuable insights and for breathing life into this project! I am eternally grateful.