Investing in You

Why Stewardship Advisors is choosing people over private equity 

If you’ve followed financial industry news lately, you’ve probably noticed a trend: private equity firms are buying up independent advisory practices across the country. For many advisors, these offers can be hard to resist. The numbers are big, the process can be quick, and the promise of “scale” sounds appealing. 

We’ve been getting those calls, too. 

But at Stewardship Advisors LLC, we believe it’s worth pausing to ask a deeper question: What happens to the client when a firm sells to private equity? 

Often, the focus shifts. Decisions that were once guided by long-term client relationships and shared values can start revolving around growth metrics and private equity returns. The culture changes. Advisors who used to answer only to their clients now have new stakeholders — and that can make a difference in the kind of advice you receive. 

For us, independence isn’t just about ownership. It’s about purpose. It’s about being free to make decisions that serve you — not outside shareholders. 

That’s why we’re taking a different path. Rather than selling to investors, we’re investing in people. 

We’re building a future at Stewardship Advisors that centers on continuity, mentorship, and shared values. That means training and developing the next generation of advisors — professionals who care deeply about our clients and embrace the same principles that have guided this firm from the start: integrity, stewardship, and genuine relationship. 

Succession planning isn’t a buzzword for us; it’s part of our responsibility. We ask ourselves tough but essential questions: 

• If something happened to one of our advisors, who would continue caring for those clients? 

• How do we make sure every client and their families remain strong for years — even decades — to come? 

Those questions shape how we hire, train, and mentor our team. It’s why we invest significant time and resources into developing talent internally — not just in technical skills, but in the heart of what makes this work meaningful. 

Our clients trust us with their life savings, their retirement dreams, and their family legacies. That kind of trust can’t be outsourced. It has to be nurtured by people who know you, who listen, and who understand that your plan is more than numbers on a page. 

So, while the trend toward consolidation continues, we’re choosing to stay rooted in what matters most — long-term relationships and personal care. We want our clients to know that the same thoughtful guidance you receive today will be here tomorrow, carried forward by advisors who share the same calling to serve. 

In the end, we’re not planning for a sale. We’re planning for you. 

Because real stewardship isn’t about building something to sell — it’s about building something that lasts. 

W Lee Shertzer – Managing Partner