Happy New Year from Retire to Abundance and QED Wealth Solutions!
I read this morning it’s officially too last to say that anymore, but I’ve never been one to care for stuff like that…
With 2024 wrapped up and diving headfirst into 2025, I can’t help but look back on the year that was and on now two full years of owning my own firm. It begs the questions, is it everything I thought it’d be? It’s certainly been full of growth, learning curves, and, most importantly, a ton of gratitude. So, let’s take a moment to reflect on it all.
Business Growth—But It’s More Than Just Numbers
I won’t lie—seeing the business grow always feels great.
This year, we saw a pretty amazing 143% increase…in other words, QED is nearly 2.5 times larger than where it started the year. I like to think that this growth can be mostly attributed to my rugged good looks and shiny bright smile! Okay, maybe that isn’t it, but I truly do believe that it shows we are doing a great job providing a valuable service for our clients, as many of our newest clients come as referrals from our OG’s. All in all, it’s not the numbers that make me proud. It’s the relationships we’ve built and the way you’ve put your trust in us. That’s what really keeps me going.
One of the biggest highlights this year came from helping a client retire years earlier than they had expected. After digging deep into their finances, we found ways to align their assets so that they could make the leap into retirement sooner than they thought possible. And I have to tell you—when a client tells you they learned more in one meeting with me than in 15 years with their old advisor, it’s like getting a high-five from the universe.
The growth of our blog readership and newsletter subscribers also reminds me of how lucky we are to work with such awesome people. And honestly, being able to share these little nuggets of wisdom and watch our community grow is a pretty humbling feeling.
Gaining National Exposure—A Surprising Journey
What started back in November of 2023 with me responding to a few reporters’ questions has grown into something I never anticipated. Over the past year plus, I’ve been quoted in over 30 national publications and featured in nearly 70 articles. These opportunities have not only provided a great deal of exposure for Retire to Abundance and QED Wealth Solutions but have also led to relationships with incredible journalists across the country.
This experience has been both humbling and exciting. It’s another reminder that taking small, consistent steps—even ones that feel outside your comfort zone—can lead to big opportunities. I’ve enjoyed being able to share insights with a wider audience, and it’s rewarding to see how these efforts align with our mission of helping people retire with confidence and abundance.
2025 Is Looking Bright (And We’ve Got Big Plans)
Speaking of growth, we’re already preparing for the year ahead, and I’ve got a few exciting updates for you. Our team (mostly Liz 😊) has been hard at work behind the scenes, putting together a brand-new website and resources that are going to provide some fantastic educational insights for a certain demographic…I know this is vague, but I promise we will have more information to release soon. Is it as fun as a summer road trip? Maybe not. But it is another step on our journey, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
The process of building these different sites is always a challenge, and to be honest, it mostly falls on Liz’s shoulders. She truly is the unsung hero here at QED, taking on many of the behind-the-scenes projects that help to keep the business running smoothly. We have tried to continually remind ourselves that every new skill we tackle now—no matter how hard—pays off in the long run. It’s that growth mindset that drives us to push forward and provide the best possible outcomes to our clients.
It’s funny, though. Looking back at how much we’ve learned building the original QED site, as well as other things learned throughout these first two years such as SEO and making media connections, we’d never be in this position if we hadn’t put in the time. The things we’re working on now will help make QED Wealth Solutions even better, and that’s exactly what we’re all about—providing you with the best tools and resources to navigate retirement.
Family—The “Adventures” We’ll Never Forget
Now, onto the good stuff—the Meyer family adventures. 2024 was definitely a year of “adventure,” sometimes more than we bargained for. Take our trip to Moab, for example.
Picture this: pouring rain and a cold (low 30’s), wet tent to house all 8 of us, bundled up in layers upon layers with sleeping bags everywhere, trying to stay away from the edges of the tent that are soaked
It seems inevitable in all of our longer trips that at some point, Liz and I look at each other and ask, “Why do we do this to ourselves?” Let me tell you about this year’s version.
One evening, we were setting up our tent in the Needles District of Canyonlands with not a single soul in sight and wondering “What does everyone else know that we don’t?” Turned out “everyone else” knew there was going to be a foot of snow at the top of the mountain that night. Luckily, we were far enough down the mountain in elevation that it was just a full night of cold rain for us.
Two days later, after a full day of battling the rain at Canyonlands National Park (and another night sleeping in a cold, wet tent) we ended up at Mass, giving us some reprieve from the rain—at one point, it was raining so hard that the sound made it difficult to hear the priest. After Mass, the weather had still not cleared up, so we ended up choosing to go out to eat at Pizza Hut…an extremely rare luxury for our kids, especially on one of these trips (we plan all of our meals ahead to allow us to stay on the go). This felt like a treat despite the less-than-perfect day. We lingered at Pizza Hut for quite a while…and I’m not gonna lie…I was scrolling different Airbnb options while we were there, but ultimately we ended the evening back in the cold, wet tent.
Sometimes on our trips, the weather can be perfect…other times, not so much. In the end, I am reminded of “why we do this to ourselves”: quality family time. They are beyond a doubt some of our best family memories.
As I reflect on those moments, it’s funny how shared challenges like that actually pull us closer together. Sure, we were cold and wet, but we were also together. And that’s what made it so special.
Balancing Work and Family—And Why I Wouldn’t Change It
There’s a lot of juggling that happens when you’re trying to run a business and raise a family, but that’s exactly what makes it all feel so rewarding. I wouldn’t change the flexibility of owning my own firm for anything. Being able to coach my kids’ sports teams, have dinner together at night, and be there for the little moments—that’s priceless.
Before QED, I had a lot of evenings away. Now, I get to be present in ways that simply weren’t possible then, and I’m more grateful for that than I can put into words. And professionally, it’s the same deal. I’m able to make decisions based on what’s best for my clients, without anyone telling me I have to do things a certain way. It’s empowering, and it’s also what makes running QED such a fulfilling experience. These are two of the main reasons I started QED in the first place, and I’m so thankful to see they’ve come to fruition like I knew they would.
Looking Ahead—More Growth, More Adventure, More Memories
As we move into 2025, I’m excited for what the future holds—for the business, for our clients, and for my family. We’ll keep growing, keep learning, and, of course, keep working hard to help you retire with confidence and abundance. Could I ask for more? Maybe fewer rain-soaked tents—but I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thanks for being part of an amazing year. We’re so grateful for your trust and support, and we’re looking forward to another year of working together and building something even bigger.
Here’s to 2025—let’s make it even better!
This post is for education and entertainment purposes only. Nothing should be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice.