10 Lessons in 10 Years: What Founding Mosaic Wealth Taught Me about Building Something That Lasts
Earlier this year, we celebrated a major milestone — 10 years since the founding of Mosaic Wealth. In 2015, we set out with a vision to do things differently and, in many ways, declared our own kind of independence. What began as a bold idea has grown into something far more meaningful than I could have imagined. As we mark this July 4th and reflect on the deeper meaning of freedom and perseverance, I’ve been thinking about what it truly takes to build something lasting, purposeful, and significant.
Here are 10 lessons that continue to guide and ground us on the journey.
1) Siegfried & Roy or Blue Man Group? A mentor asked me this early on. If you’re old enough to remember, when Roy was taken out, the show ended. But I’ve seen Blue Man Group in four cities, and it’s the same magic every time. The takeaway? Build a business where the show goes on, even when one person steps off stage.
2) Right People, Right Seats (RPRS). Talent matters. But alignment matters more. When the right people are in the right roles, everything changes.
3) Life (and business) isn’t linear. Just like America’s founding story, your business plan will zigzag. That’s not failure, it’s progress.
4) A sense of humor is required, especially with #3 (above). Laugh, learn, and keep going.
5) Indecision is the enemy of momentum. You’ll never have perfect information. Do your homework, make the call, and move. Freedom favors the courageous.
6) Systems = Survival. Most businesses don’t fail from lack of effort. They fail from lack of structure. Scalable systems are your Constitution. Don’t wing it.
7) Know your “hedgehog.” You can’t be everything to everyone. Do what you’re uniquely called to do and do it with excellence.
8) Play the long game. True independence isn’t about a quick win; it’s about enduring value. “What matters most is what lasts the longest.” – Greg McKeown
9) Culture eats strategy for lunch. As Danny Meyer says: Culture = what you celebrate minus what you tolerate. That equation shapes everything.
10) Delegate & Elevate. Hire people who are smarter than you and then truly empower them. Let them lead, let them learn, and yes, let them fail. You can’t scale freedom — or build something truly significant — if you’re holding onto everything yourself.
This July 4th, I’m incredibly grateful for the people, the lessons, and the freedom to build something meaningful.
As the President of Mosaic Wealth, Scott Highmark, CFP®, leads the strategic direction of the firm to ensure that the firm is adequately positioned to anticipate and serve the needs of our clients. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Scott also works closely with our clients to define a long-term vision of success in their financial lives and beyond. He brings more than two decades of experience to the firm, with additional tenures as Executive Director at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Vice President–Wealth Management at A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. He is proud to have created a team of like-minded, like-hearted, talented people to help execute his dream of building Mosaic Wealth.
Scott decided to enter this field because he values the ability to positively impact a family’s life through the platform of wealth management. He loves connecting with clients, inspiring them to see a brighter future, and leading them down the path of true Significance.