SL_Manchester Profile_1122FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 12 / 9 / 22 3 : 59 PM Page 2 William Manchester Administration as Secretary of Transportation . as a partner has been describes Greg Mugnier as “ a great asset and Back then , Lewis was traveling by chauf - a huge advantage . partner to the feur - driven limousine every other day to at - With his background Manchester Group . ” tendboard meetings in New York City . There in accounting and fi - Prior to joining Manchester Group , came a day when the regular driver did not nancialplanning , Greg Mugnier honed his show up , and Manchester was asked to makesfor a great asset knowledge with a play the part . That day became a turning and partner to the Philadelphia - based tax firm that used point in Manchester’s life . Manchester Group . ” innovative strategies “ He was one of the most influential Like Manchester , to sustain and build peopleI’ve ever meet — maybe the most in - Mugnier is an Abing - clients ’ wealth . fluential in my life , ” Manchester says of ton resident who en - Lewis , who passed away in 2016 . “ During joyshelping members those car rides , he and I got to know each ofhis community . Pri - other very well . One day , he asked me to or to joining Manches - wear a suit and join him in his meetings . ter Group , Mugnier The other people in the room didn’t know honedhis knowledge that I was actually his wife’s gardener ; he with a Philadelphia - told them I was his financial advisor . On the based tax firm that way home , he asked me why I wasn’t work - usedinnovative strate - ing in financial services , because he seemed gies to sustain and to think I would have a talent for it . To be build clients ’ wealth . honest , that kind of work wasn’t even on Manchester and my radar at the time . ” Mugnier both enjoy Manchester recalls explaining to Lewis crafting comprehen - that he had three years of experience in sive financial plans for their clients . As part an opportunity to build trust and deepen horticulture from Delaware Valley University of their due diligence , the financial advisors the relationship . ” in Doylestown . He also told Lewis about acquire an understanding of each client’s In a way , life has come full circle for his goal to open a flower shop . risk tolerance and long - term goals , as well Manchester . His journey began behind the “ He said , ‘ That’s great , but you should as the things in life that are most important wheel of Andrew Lewis’s car , learning do that when you retire , ’ ” Manchester recalls . to them — from their children’s education lessons from a client who would ultimately “ He told me I needed to make some money to a stress - free retirement to the ability to become a trusted mentor . While he’s still first and I could do so by getting into the fi - use one’s wealth to create a lasting legacy . spendingmuch of each workday in the car , nancial services business . And he thought I Only then can they put the pieces of the fi - now he’s driving to and from the offices of would like it because I seemed to have a nancialplan together , utilizing products and satisfied clients . real interest in it . ” tools available through FFR , which is head - There’sanother key difference between From that point forward , Manchester quartered in Conshohocken . Manchester past and present in Manchester’s life : Back stopped working as a gardener and went evaluates plans with clients at least once a then he was the beneficiary of his mentor’s about pursuing his financial education ; year , adjusting as needed . generosity and insight . Now he’s the one Lewis even offered to foot the bill . Within “ Those in - person meetings are among who’s providing informed advice to those three years , Manchester earned a degree in themost enjoyable facets of the job , because who need it , setting them up to succeed in ? finance and business administration from we love educating our clients , ” he says . their pursuit of a bright future . Temple University’s Fox School of Business . “ When it comes to financial planning , we He learned a great deal in business school , do our homework to make sure we under - but some of the most important lessons stand what’s important to each individual , The Manchester Group of came to him during those two - hour drives andwe like to educate them so they under - Firstrust Financial Resources , to Manhattan . stand how they can work toward their “ I learned a lot about life and about goals . ” in alliance with Equitable business from [ Lewis ] , and I’ve put just Manchester Group has another area of Advisors , LLC about everything he taught me into my focus : setting up cost - efficient 401 ( k ) plans 15 East Ridge Ave | Conshohocken , PA 19428 practice , ” he says . “ Things like : make lists ; for business owners and their employees . ( 215 ) 919 - 7253 | williammanchester.com strive to be the best at what you do ; be the Employersconsider this service a “ win - win ” first one into the office every morning ; get because they can save money by having us Equitable Advisors , its affiliates and associates involved ; make time for the things that are set up the plans , and their employees get do not provide tax and / or legal advice . important to you ; do your due diligence on the guidance they need to save for the fu - Securities offered through Equitable Advi - every project you undertake . ” ture . sors , LLC ( NY , NY 212 - 314 - 4600 ) , member FIN - RA / SIPC ( Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & “ We want business owners to know TN ) . Investment advisory products and services wecan work with them on setting up these Coming Full Circle offered through Equitable Advisors , LLC , an plans at the lowest cost possible , because Building a team was important to Manchester SEC registered investment advisor . Annuity and insurance products offered through Equitable we want to get in front of and linking arms with a firm that could their employees Network , LLC . Individuals may transact business , help him do so was , in his words , “ a bless - andshow what we can do for them , ” Man - which includes offering products and services ing . ” FFR’s commitment to collaboration chester says . “ We can certainly help with and / or responding to inquiries , only in state ( s ) in which they are properly registered and / or li - andputting clients first both convinced Man - otherthings , too , such as retirement planning censed . chesterthat he had found the perfect partner . or saving for their children’s college education The Manchester Group of Firstrust Financial “ I have always looked for a firm that through 529 plans . I visit the client’s work - Resources is not a registered investment advisor and is not owned or operated by Equitable Ad - cares about putting the client first and utilizes place every quarter to provide guidance for visors or Equitable Network . PPG - 5272056.1 teamwork to assemble the perfect plan for employeeson retirement planning , insurance ( 12 / 22 ) ( Exp . 12 / 24 ) the client , ” he says . “ Having Greg Mugnier or whatever they need . Each interaction is SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 14 ISSUE 3 | 31