Small Business Spotlight: The Valley Group at Raymond James

April 29 through May 6 is national Small Business Week. To celebrate, we’re highlighting local small business owners/entrepreneurs.

Name: Ron Hodge

Business Name: The Valley Group at Raymond James

Business Address: 7205 State Road 46, Terre Haute, IN 47802

Business Website: www.myvalleygroup.com

How many years have your been in business?

We started The Valley Group 8 years ago and our financial advisors and office staff h ave a combined experience of over 26 years in our industry.

Tell us about your business and what you do.

I have an amazing career-I assist clients in preparing for their future through financial planning and investing.   With a common background in education, our family enjoys taking complicated matters in our client’s lives and distilling them down into a comprehensive plan.

Our industry can be somewhat crowded, but we have been able to set our practice apart by taking a wholistic approach to financial planning. Our office provides retirement planning, investing, tax preparation, and insurance of all types. When we pair these with the impressive resources we have with Raymond James our clients are really able to gain financial confidence knowing we are managing their entire plan. Working with a national firm like Raymond James brings access to opportunities that most wouldn’t expect from a local firm. When you can combine local service with national resources and knowledge, the client wins.

In recent years we’ve really seen the importance personally and professionally of being involved in the community. We have different opportunities from involvement at our local school with weekly volunteer hours to membership at Lion’s Club, Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, Terre Haute Young Leaders, and other organizations. This has given us a real sense that not only are we succeeding professionally but that our family is making a difference here where we live.

Bringing clarity and vision to all the financial decisions in life is simply what we strive to do, but as most small businesses can attest to, this is much more than even that. This is our livelihood and passion-we would not want to be doing anything else.

Do you have any advice for someone starting their own business?

Research, research, research – know your market and know your business. Be the source of knowledge in your field. Think of yourself as an educator for whatever it is you do. If people come to you for knowledge, they’ll stay to be your client.

Get out into the community. Depending on your industry, sitting behind a desk or making cold calls is probably not going to feed you beyond your first year. You need to meet people. It will help you professionally and personally. As the saying goes, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Work to make your community better and count on it helping your business in the long term.