Frameworks for Building a Family Office and Sustaining Healthspan

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. 

Warren Buffett

In this newsletter, we

1. detail the the seven dimensions of Family Offices (A Legacy Framework);

2. summarize the exercise routine of a 93-year-old who is as fit as a 40-year-old (A Longevity Framework); and

3. breakdown Rolex, extracting key business and legacy lessons.

Legacy Framework

How to Build a Family Office: 7 Pillars of Excellence

Constructing a Family Office is a privilege few experience. If you’re thinking about creating your own family office or want to understand how they’re built, we’re sharing our framework.

This seven part framework is adaptable.

You don’t have to be building out a formal Family Office to benefit from this framework — anyone who seeks to ensure health and wealth for their family can benefit from considering these seven dimensions: Finance, Governance, Investment Management, Risk Management, Philanthropy, Lifestyle, and Next Generation.

Finance: The Backbone of Stability

Finance is the starting point and the backbone of family wealth.

We view finance through 3 lenses: liquidity, longevity, and legacy.

• Liquidity — how you maintain your current lifestyle

• Longevity — how you improve your lifestyle

• Legacy — how you improve the lives of others

It is critical to get the basic blocking and tackling in place to ensure that the family’s wealth isn't a fleeting chapter in your family's story but rather a lasting narrative.

This means implementing robust systems to track your financial health: cash flow management, tax planning, and financial record-keeping.

Governance: The Compass of Direction

Governance is the compass that guides the family.

It's about making decisions not just for today, but for the generations to come.

This starts with crafting a vision and mission for the family.

It extends to formal structures: trusts, committees, and advisory boards.

The more complicated the family and greater the wealth, the more important it will be to establish clear policies and structures for decision-making, dispute resolution, and succession planning.

Governance is important regardless of your level of wealth and can be as holding regular family meetings and ensuring every voice is heard.

Governance isn't just about power; it's about direction.

Investment Management: The Engine of Growth

Investment management is your growth engine, turning wealth into legacy.

It's essential to develop an investment policy statement and a diversified asset allocation.

This must be paired with actively monitored market analysis and portfolio management.

Understanding secular trends / investment themes and tailoring your investments to benefit from these long term opportunities will produce sustainable advantages.

Risk Management: The Shield of Preservation

Risk management is your shield. It’s about protecting your family and assets, as well as their dreams.

This includes insurance planning as well as a comprehensive understanding of your risk exposure: legal risks, cybersecurity, and physical security.

Depending on the complexity of your family and wealth, this may require a third party. They can analyze your circumstances and develop a risk assessment to prioritize and guide your risk mitigation strategies.

Philanthropy: The Soul of Purpose

Philanthropy is the soul of your wealth. It's what gives your legacy a heartbeat, a purpose beyond numbers.

This involves charitable giving, establishing foundations, and impact investing.

This requires careful coordination for tax and governance.

Lifestyle: The Art of Living

Enjoy the fruits of your labor and enrich your family's journey.

This includes luxury purchases, travel planning, and managing residences.

You may be chartering a boat or plane for travel or managing the complexities of ownership.

You may have a vacation home or multiple residences.

Either way, this requires effort and can be very time consuming. Professional help may be necessary at some point.

Ultimately, this is about creating experiences that become stories that become legends in your family's history.

Next Generation: The Seeds of Tomorrow

Educating the next generation is essential. It's about planting seeds today that will grow into the forests of tomorrow.

This means education, mentorship, and instilling values of stewardship.

Education extends well beyond academics. Wealth education, at a minimum, is essential.

Mentor them to be custodians of your legacy, equipped with wisdom and humility.

Building a family office is not just about managing wealth; it's about crafting a story, your family's story, that hopefully will be told for generations.

Each dimension plays a vital role in this narrative, intertwining to create a legacy that is as enduring as it is dynamic.

Longevity Framework

4 Takeaways for an Incredible Healthspan

The Washington Post highlighted a 93-year-old as fit as a 40-year-old. We’re highlighting 4 keys to achieving this incredible healthspan.

1. Consistency in training is crucial

Establishing a routine that incorporates daily exercise is more than just a fitness goal; it's a commitment to your long-term health.

We believe in consistency over intensity.

Regular physical activity, whether it's a brisk walk, a swim, or a cycle, can significantly improve cardiovascular health, metabolic health, and cognitive function.

The key is to make exercise a non-negotiable part of your daily life, much like brushing your teeth.

2. Diversify your workout intensity

A combination of low, moderate, and high-intensity exercises ensures a balanced fitness regimen.

This mix ensures that you're not only boosting cardiovascular health but also improving endurance and strength.

Low-intensity activities like walking or yoga contribute to overall health and stress reduction.

Moderate-intensity exercises like jogging or cycling are excellent for cardiovascular health — get that zone 2 cardio as Dr. Peter Attia recommends:

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions (zone 5), though shorter in duration, are effective for improving metabolic health and resilience.

Strength training 3x a week is essential.

This diversity in exercise types addresses different aspects of physical health, making your fitness regimen well-rounded and more effective.

Done vigorously it can reverse the age of your heart:

3. Incorporate strength training into your fitness routine

Regular weight training is essential for building muscle strength and enhancing physical power.

As we age, strength training helps us maintain muscle mass and function.

Regular weight training also enhances bone density, improves balance, and supports metabolic health.

Muscle mass is a critical factor in longevity and overall health.

4. Prioritize a protein-rich diet

Adequate protein intake is key for muscle recovery and maintaining a healthy body composition, especially in active individuals.

Protein is crucial for muscle repair, recovery, and growth.

It also plays a key role in maintaining a healthy body composition.

As we age, our dietary needs change, and protein becomes even more critical to preserve muscle mass and function.

Incorporating a variety of protein sources, such as lean meats, fish, legumes, and dairy, ensures that your body gets the essential amino acids it needs to thrive.

Deconstructing a Legacy

I will be deconstructing legacies of some of the best brands, founders, and businesses. I will curate the learnings and add expert insights on tax, estate & generational planning.

This week was Rolex.

Follow me on X to see learn more about longevity & legacy and let me know what you’d like to learn more about.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Justin