GDS Weath Management’s Growth Means More for Community
Significant growth in recent years has allowed CFP® professional Glen D. Smith and his GDS Wealth Management team to expand their community involvement while prioritizing client and philanthropic partnerships. It has long been a goal of the company to emphasize servant leadership, and it embodies that consistently through its contributions to the local community. And for Smith, who has been a longtime Flower Mound resident, along with his wife Gisella and two kids, it’s a personal commitment.
“I believe most firms spend about 10% of their revenue on marketing,” Smith said. “We turn that on its head. We spend a small fraction of that on marketing, but we prioritize things that help the community and our clients instead of putting our faces on a billboard. We don’t know if we’ll get any business out of it, but it makes us feel like we are giving back to the community that’s been such a blessing to us.
“We do a lot of small events, from cooking classes and sourdough bread making classes to AI cybersecurity webinars, and we also host one big event every year for our clients. This year, we’re planning a big client appreciation event at Globe Life Field in February. Four singer-songwriters are flying in from Nashville and singing songs they’ve written for Keith Urban, Walker Hayes, Jordan Davis, and many others.”
GDS has also been involved in RockPointe Church’s Feed the Hunger initiative. Employees have volunteered their time to put together food packages for impoverished communities, and GDS has financially supported the organization for several years. GDS has also collaborated extensively with other local organizations, including Christian Community Action (CCA), Refuge for Women, Ranch Hands Rescue, and Autism Speaks Walk. GDS is a proud sponsor of tomorrow’s leaders and financially contributes to Coram Deo Academy, Liberty Christian School, and Flower Mound High School football.
“It’s super important to our company to get involved in community service events,” said Marketing Manager Kaity Nash. “We’re always looking for ways to be more involved. It’s been special to be part of the Flower Mound community.”
The GDS team is more involved than ever now that it is celebrating its first year in its own building in Flower Mound’s Lakeside District. The space was required to house the 26 staff now working there.
This expansion marks the fulfillment of one of Smith’s goals for the company.
“We now have five CFPs and manage about $1.2 billion,” he said. “Just 24 months ago, it was half of that.”
The company offers wealth management investing, legacy planning, retirement income planning, and more services to individuals, families, retirees, business owners, professional athletes, and others.
Such success has allowed the company to continue as a major sponsor of Flower Mound’s Rhythm of the Riverwalk. It was also a main stage sponsor of Flower Mound’s Independence Festival, and in December, it will be part of the Lakeside Holiday Event.
In the next few years, Smith plans to continue growing the company while maintaining the personal touch it has become known for.
“We’ve always marketed Texas, but now we are expanding to market Florida and Oklahoma,” Smith said. “This has been great from a growth standpoint. We’ve been able to do even more in-depth service in planning with more financial planners on the team.
“We feel there’s a need for fee-only fiduciary financial planners in North Texas. Many of our competitors are not fee-only advisers; they are fee-based. We’re trying to fill that need. There are a lot of people moving into North Texas who want a local financial adviser who’s a true fiduciary. We are excited to provide that option for them.”
As its clients and territories continue to expand, GDS is committed to preserving its personal touch. It will continue to host events, both for clients and the larger community, and will continue to prioritize philanthropic endeavors.
Next month, GDS is hosting two events that are open to the public. The first, an online seminar on Nov. 12, will focus on cybersecurity. Eric O’Neill, a former FBI member and cybersecurity expert, will speak about his experiences and the advent of AI.
On Nov. 20 from 4-8 p.m., GDS will host an event featuring Christmas photos with Santa, live reindeer, and other amenities in front of its building. Stop by, get your Christmas card pictures taken, and learn a bit about what makes this company so special.
To learn more about GDS’s upcoming events, visit gdswealth.com/future-events.
GDS Wealth Management is an investment adviser in Flower Mound, TX. GDS Wealth Management is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission. GDS Wealth Management only transacts business in states in which it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration. A copy of GDS Wealth Management’s current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC, which discusses, among other things, GDS Wealth Management’s business practices, services, and fees, is available through the SEC’s website at: adviserinfo.sec.gov. GDS Wealth Management is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions, products, or services of RockPointe Church, CCA, Refuge for Women, Ranch Hands Rescue, Autism Speaks, Coram Deo Academy, Liberty Christian School, Flower Mound High School, Lewisville Morning Rotary Club, or Eric O’Neill.
