In every profession, there’s a difference between doing the work and knowing the work.

Over the years, I’ve seen the same pattern play out: those who take shortcuts rarely last, while those who build on integrity, discipline, and original thought continue to earn trust and respect.

Our field isn’t about flash or noise — it’s about credibility. You can’t outsource that. You can’t copy and paste it. And you certainly can’t fake it for long.

After 25 years and 10,000 valuations, I’m comfortable letting my work speak for itself. Because at the end of the day, the record tells the story.

In an industry built on objectivity, integrity is still the rarest competitive advantage.

Original thought and professional integrity are still the most underappreciated competitive advantages.