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www.HartfordBusiness.com • May 6, 2019 • Hartford Business Journal 19 www.HartfordBusiness.com • May 6, 2019 • Hartford Business Journal 19 C-SUITE AWARDS 2019 rities, but do commit to putting the client's needs first. Four years ago, the firm even added a director of workplace culture who sees to it that clients are content and employees are engaged. Leahy is proud of his team of 17 and his strategic business sense. The firm's number of clients has nearly tripled, to more than 300 today, assets under management have grown to $850 million, and its client-retention rate is 99 percent, he said. Approached by a number of orga- nizations recently about joining the firm, Leahy said, "We have said, 'No' to several because they don't fit our core values. (But) we are actively talking with a firm we've known for a long time and does fit our core values. Our model and culture appeal to them, so we're actively exploring what that might look like." Today, Leahy and Horrigan attri- bute their success to adherence to a few guiding principles, laid out in the firm's mission statement. Besides a commitment to excellence and professional development, CT Wealth Management pledges to provide finan- cial advice that is "always in the best interest of our clients" while making "no ethical compromise." Their "holistic" financial-planning approach involves helping clients with investments, taxes, estate plans, insur- ance, savings for college, and retire- ment plans — and doing so from the perspective of having no conflicts of interest, Horrigan said. In addition, clients assigned to a smaller team of advisors have access to all of the firm's advisors so company resources are uniformly available. The decision in 2015 to promote original team member Tanya D'Addio to the role of "director of firm cul- ture" also is proving prescient, Leahy said. About a quarter of her job is traditional marketing, but the rest involves enhancing the workplace environment. Whether that includes infusing the air with a pleasant, popular aroma dis- covered at a hotel during a conference — something clients say they appreci- ate — or putting recycling into place companywide to reflect co-workers' core values, D'Addio makes sure clients and employees alike are content. She also serves as a confidential sounding board for employees. "She's continuously taking the tem- perature of our teammates and ensur- ing that we're living by our standards, that people are truly happy, not burnt out, and see themselves moving along a career path," Leahy said. The firm recently added a gym with personal trainers and yoga instruc- tion, and hired a consultant last spring to define job functions more clearly. "Knowing (now) what my role is in the company," Horrigan said, "I don't get tempted to go to meetings (in which) I'm not adding a ton of value, whereas in the past I wanted to be involved in everything." An office bulletin board with clients' notes of thanks and invitations to weddings and retirement parties re- flects how far the firm has come. "I can't tell you how humbling it is," Leahy said, "to have someone you've been serving in a business capacity become a genuine friend." ON THE JOB Guiding business principle: Culture eats strategy. Best way to keep your competitive edge: Exercise and free time to think Best business decision: Becoming an entrepreneur Worst business decision: Underestimating our potential. Biggest missed opportunity: We try to focus on what is in front of us, and not worry about what is behind us. Goal yet to be achieved: To educate Connecticut business owners and corporate executives as to what financial planning truly is. Personal touch in your office: Building a gym and providing a trainer and yoga classes to the team PERSONAL SIDE: City of residence: Durham Favorite way to relax: Going away on vacation Hobbies: Working out, golf and keeping up with my wife and kids Last vacation: Cayman Islands Favorite movie: "The Usual Suspects" Currently reading: "Leaders Eat Last," by Simon Sinek Favorite cause: HeartOverHunger. com (the charity my 17-year-old daughter founded when she was 15) Second choice career: Soccer player Quality Construction Builds Repeat Customers www.borghesibuilding.com © 2011 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing™ is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. 2155 East Main Street • Torrington, Connecticut 06790 Mozzicato Retail, Rocky Hill, CT | 2014 | Renovation — 6,000 sq. ft. Mozzicato Bakery/Retail, Plainville, CT 2010 | 4,700 sq. ft. Farmington Bank, Plainville, CT 2010 | 2,700 sq. ft. Contact us at 860-482-7613 or visit us on the web. MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER NMLS #459028 Find your [ business loans of all sizes] place. If your business has a capital need of almost any size, Liberty Bank is your local lender, with the rates and products to match. y Loans, lines of credit, owner-occupied and investment mortgages up to $50,000,000. y Customized loan structures to meet your business's needs. We also offer services to better manage and protect your deposits, including: y Remote Deposit Capture allowing you to make deposits from your office. y Fraud Protection services to keep your money safe. Start growing your business today. Contact Renee Cote at 860-344-7224.