Even advisors need advice, and when they do, they turn to the team from Advisorist.com. This incredible team offers a wealth of advice that can double business potential. We take a look at the firm, and its remarkable CEO Jeremiah Desmarais, to discover how he has been able to achieve the incredible accolade of CEO of the Year, 2021 – Massachusetts, the USA in CEO Monthly.
Today’s market is a million miles away from the world of thirty years ago. Businesses can move more agilely with teams that value a strong connection between their personal beliefs and the direction of a company. It’s essential, for organizations to thrive, to continue looking forward at all times. The team behind Advisorist have made it their mission to help insurance and financial advisors succeed in today’s ever-evolving market.
Leading from the front of the firm, however, is Jeremiah Desmarais. He is more than just an entrepreneur, thanks to a commitment to sharing what he has learned and what he has earned. He is a valued Forbes contributor; TED Talk speaker; and philanthropist – all these incredible achievements reflect his amazing ambition, not simply for his firm, but for the people he works with.
When Jeremiah established Advisorist, it was to act as a force for good in the world at large. His passion for the sector and knowledge of the insurance industry is what has allowed the team to achieve such overwhelming success. He and his wife founded the company together, with both buying into making something different from the norm that could revolutionize the advisory game.
Advisorist was Jeremiah’s first company and while he started out with minimal experience, he brought an enormous hunger that couldn’t be matched. The business is 100% bootstrapped, with no outside funding, but has grown into a tremendous success story. Jeremiah started with a unique knowledge of the insurance niche, and the limited way in which it had engaged with the digital world, he moved the business in that direction. In a sector that is typically reticent to change, there will always be a need for an advisory firm that is on the cutting edge of what the market has to offer. Jeremiah created a business that did things differently to any of the competition.
While inexperienced, Jeremiah soon found a way of working that benefitted him and his team greatly. Once a hands-on manager, he found better results through the development of core values. These values, presented to the company at large, have guided the way in which the business has developed. More than simply platitudes, these values are the standards to which the team hold themselves at all times.
“Despite most of us having never met in person before, there’s a deep sense of camaraderie and togetherness. I think that speaks to the fact that every single team member has a clear understanding of what the mission of the company is. Being a “force for good” isn’t just something we talk about – it’s something we each personally believe in. That makes it a lot easier to show up each day engaged, and focused,” – Sky Richardson
It was the trust which the strength of these values imparted that gave Jeremiah the confidence to put a working from home policy into place. Working virtually has proven to be a major boon for Jeremiah and his team, developing a culture of results as opposed to presence. His team of self-organized and driven people push each other every day. With no office space to unite them, the decision was made from the start to provide a daily space to discuss work with teams, as well as monthly team hangouts that eschew the formalities of the workplace. This decision was not brought about through trial and error, but through detailed consultancy with an organizational psychologist who advised Jeremiah on how to develop a team that could work in a way that was united but virtual.
Jeremiah’s elite training programs have made an enormous difference to so many clients around the globe, with a team of 22 individuals working across 7 different countries. Before the rest of the world learned the value of virtual working, the team at Advisorist were built on this principle. Working internationally has allowed Jeremiah to access the best that the industry has to offer, regardless of where they live. It has also opened up exciting new avenues which the competition simply cannot match.
As the firm established itself, and its unique way of working, it became clear that while Jeremiah knew there was a role for his business, many in the community at large did not see things that way. The way forward was creating partnerships with other organizations, and through these partnerships to spread the word of what the team did. Over the years, Jeremiah has always been on the lookout for ways to build relationships with those who have a fresh audience and the desire to help.
“force for good” isn’t just something we talk about – it’s something we each personally believe in. That makes it a lot easier to show up each day engaged, and focused,” – Sky Richardson
It was the trust which the strength of these values imparted that gave Jeremiah the confidence to put a working from home policy into place. Working virtually has proven to be a major boon for Jeremiah and his team, developing a culture of results as opposed to presence. His team of self-organized and driven people push each other every day. With no office space to unite them, the decision was made from the start to provide a daily space to discuss work with teams, as well as monthly team hangouts that eschew the formalities of the workplace. This decision was not brought about through trial and error, but through detailed consultancy with an organizational psychologist who advised Jeremiah on how to develop a team that could work in a way that was united but virtual.
Jeremiah’s elite training programs have made an enormous difference to so many clients around the globe, with a team of 22 individuals working across 7 different countries. Before the rest of the world learned the value of virtual working, the team at Advisorist were built on this principle. Working internationally has allowed Jeremiah to access the best that the industry has to offer, regardless of where they live. It has also opened up exciting new avenues which the competition simply cannot match.
As the firm established itself, and its unique way of working, it became clear that while Jeremiah knew there was a role for his business, many in the community at large did not see things that way. The way forward was creating partnerships with other organizations, and through these partnerships to spread the word of what the team did. Over the years, Jeremiah has always been on the lookout for ways to build relationships with those who have a fresh audience and the desire to help.
“Jeremiah has opened my eyes to a vision of myself I never thought possible. His management style leans toward mentorship. He tells me where I’m strong, gives constructive criticism and insight into his creative methodology and thinking process,” – Jazmine Cooper
As time has gone on, this approach has allowed Jeremiah to gain the respect and support of several major companies. These relationships are built on trust and respect, because both sides know the value of the other. While Jeremiah is proud to now be influencing high-level companies through his own, the door is always open to new approaches and ideas. While Advisorist helps wealthier individuals to thrive, the team is always looking to reach beyond that and bring awareness and assistance to disadvantaged communities. It means the team are looking at supporting companies that are trying to get off the ground, as well as ensuring that even higher levels of clients can be reached.
The power of working in this way is one which positioned the team perfectly for the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most advisors have grown their businesses in a way which is exclusively face to face, which meant that the industry was ill-prepared for how to change its way of working. Jeremiah had published a book on the topic in 2017, advising businesses on how to effectively transition to a digitally powered organization. The book became incredibly important for many during the crisis. Similarly, Advisorist saw a huge demand for its services as businesses explored various options that would secure them success in the long term.
The future looks bright for Jeremiah and his team, with their impeccable advice leading to better decisions in a variety of different circumstances. There is a real need for businesses to understand how to grow a business digitally, and not just in 2021, but for success in the future. The power of remote working cannot be limited now. The team at Advisorist are planning more comprehensive programs that generate independent workers who will drive a company forward and a sales model that sells to people as opposed to selling products. In the virtual space, this is key to developing a repeatable sales process.
When Jeremiah started Advisorist, it’s clear that he wanted to create a space where the impossible became possible. When many were ignoring digital techniques, he was forging ahead into a bold new arena and establishing the groundwork. Now, as people have been forced to work online, his team have proven more than capable of meeting the inherent challenges in the system. We celebrate his tremendous success, built on his astonishing leadership, and look forward to what he has in store in the weeks and months to come.
For further information, please contact Jeremiah Desmarais or visit advisorist.com
