We had the good fortune of connecting with Darien Bonney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darien, how do you think about risk?
I usually don’t think of risk in the traditional sense. This means that I look at risk in a more calculated manner. I ask myself, “What’s the risk involved in a decision and how does it effect your overall plan and goals?” If the short term risk helps you with your long term goals, then I would say it’s a good thing! We live in a “now” society, where quick information and instant gratification have taken over but the people who truly have success in the long-term, understand the power and importance of the long-game. The “get rich quick” schemes and pyramid schemes have run their course and it’s time that we get back to being patient. Patience requires gathering and vetting the information and planning to mitigate the risks involved in life and in investing. Personally, I’ve gone through periods of high-risk investing when I was younger and had less at stake, but after having my children my approach to risk changed quite a bit because I no longer had just my future to think about. I do however believe that you have to have some form of risk in your life: I always tell clients to metaphorically test the waters, to make sure that it’s deep enough, and then consider the benefit of diving in head first! Once you’ve assessed all of these factors, the risk might be worth taking! I always ask myself 2 questions: 1) “If I lost it all, would my loved ones and I, be okay?” 2) “Do you trust the source of your “risk” and do you have all the information to make the right decision?” Once you can get past these two hurdles you can calculate and control your risk easier than most people. Not all deals, investments, or calculated risks are going to go as we predicted, but if you have the support of an expert and work tactically, you’ll find you will have great success in life, investments, and your future.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I get people to stop financially procrastinating. It should be that simple, but it ends up being very complex because money is personal and emotional. Once I am able to get a client to stop looking at their decisions as money-driven and more objectively and goal driven, they begin to feel the long-term security attached to my unique planing methods. My strategic approach to planning has made my clients succeed for multiple generations in their family legacy and estates. Implementation of my strategies has lead to multiple generations of wealth and a dynamic understanding of how families view their wealth. It has not been an easy road to success. I have put in decades of commitment to my clients because I treat them as an extension of my own life and family, like I mentioned, money is personal and emotional and you cannot build success for generations without being invested in all of the intricacies that make it what it is.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was born and raised in Monterey, California but I mostly reside in Scottsdale, Arizona. When frequenting California, I like to: 1) Golf – At Pebble Beach, Spyglass, and Cypress are my three overall favorite golf courses 2) Eat – At Nobu in Malibu, Francine’s in Scottsdale, Mastro’s City Hall in Scottsdale, Cafe Monarch in Scottsdale 3) Shop – At Christian Louboutin, Ferragamo, and Rolex and hit Rodeo (no matter how touristy it is)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have always felt that it is important to have proper mentor-ship in life. I personally saw the importance early on and sought out advice from people in my immediate family and circle to provide me with the appropriate guidance to achieve the knowledge and experience that I lacked. My father was this for me. My father, William Bonney, was an advanced military mind and principled teacher, I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. He molded most of the decisions that I have made throughout my personal and professional life and those decisions were the foundational building blocks to get me to where I am today.

Other: Email: darien@dfgadvisors.com Contact me: (480) 538-2915

Image Credits
Photos by The Eclectic PR: @TwentyOneNorth, Hayden Van Hulzen

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