Success Story: Jordan Dechtman

Father's Passing Leads Dechtman to Commit Himself to Others

Jordan Dechtman’s first career goal was to be a professional basketball player for the New York Knicks, but he learned early that he lacked the necessary skills and talent. So after high school he left New Jersey to attend the University of Arizona for a finance degree, not really expecting to spend the next 27 years in the financial industry.
 
His first semester, freshmen year, the unthinkable happened. Dechtman’s father passed away leaving behind his mother and four children, of whom Dechtman is the oldest. With his world turned upside down, he was determined to finish his schooling. Upon graduation, he committed himself to be in a position to help others from a financial standpoint and took on his first client – his mother.
 
“It’s been my mission since to help others plan properly and make smart decisions so they can be properly in place for the inevitable,” Dechtman said.
 
Dechtman is now the owner of Jordan Dechtman Wealth Management in Centennial, Colo.
 
“Money is a very highly emotionally charged situation, and clients can be subject to ‘irrational exuberance,’” Dechtman said. “It’s our job to keep the clients from jumping from the ledge and make sure they are sticking to the plan and sticking to the strategy that we put in place.”
 
Dechtman joined Securities America in 1995. “I saw them as a very innovative and creative group,” Dechtman said. “And to my pleasure, they have continued to make changes and improvements ever since. Now 16 years later, I still feel the same way in spite of all the challenges that have gone on, and I am hopeful and encouraged that we will emerge and become an improved organization down the road.”

Dechtman said the key to his success has been a never-ending search for ways to improve and learn from others.
 
“The best ideas are borrowed from other successful people; if it’s been done before, it can be replicated,” Dechtman said. “So education in seeking out new and better ways to improve has become important to me. We’ve done just about every training program out there and continue to seek more to improve our practice to better serve our clients.”
 
Dechtman and his team of four assistants have participated in many of Securities America’s programs, including the first Next Level Coaching Program and practice management workshops.
 
“The Next Level program had a tremendous positive impact on my business such that it really transformed into what it is we’re doing today,” Dechtman said. “Having been an advisor for years, I’ve attended many different programs, but this year-long program really helped pull everything together from internal operations to best practices to investment thinking philosophy. What I learned helped transform our office in a positive way.”
 
Dechtman was also impressed by the individualized coaching he received when a practice management consultant came to his office to advise on operations and structure and help formalize his business. Dechtman has also sent his assistants to Securities America’s Assistant University so they can expand their knowledge in areas of technology, compliance operations and practice management. 
 
Dechtman’s office is a collaborative effort where all the assistants work together with him as a team.
 
“Everyone is cross-trained and involved in the whole operation of the practice,” Dechtman said. “That is vital so that when someone takes time off, there is never a gap. The team has a very high level of service attention and focus, so nothing falls through the cracks.”
 
Dechtman said getting to know clients before they are officially clients is a must. “We want to gather all the facts, the financial information and all the softer – but equally important – facts such as tax and income needs, goals and objectives.”
 
Dechtman said once the office has a full and proper understanding of each client’s situation, he provides recommendations for plans and strategies and time for the client to study the information and make decisions.
 
“This is a relationship business,” Dechtman said. “It’s more important now than ever to have the proper rapport with the client and to know that you are going to be a good fit and be able to work with them for many years to come. Time and time again, clients tell me that we are doing all the right things. Each client is different and each portfolio is customized based on their situations, whether it’s being able to stabilize their investments, improve their performance or minimize their risk. Widows come into my office and are tearful and grateful that I am helping them and that is very rewarding.”
 
Dechtman has been very successful over the past 27 years working in the financial planning industry helping clients plan for the inevitable, and he knows other advisors can be just as successful if they follow his same business philosophy.
 
“Work hard, never give up, always do the right thing and always put the client first,” Dechtman said. “Start today by building the business you want to have in five, 10, 15 years down the road. The short-term pain will be worth the long-term pleasure, and you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.”

For more information about how Securities America can become Your Business Growth Expert, call our Branch Office Development team today at 800.989.8441.