This weekend, July 4th, think about the choices our Founding Fathers made when putting together the Declaration of Independence. What does independence mean to you? Kristine takes us through the meaning of Independence – no, “Fiercely Independent” as it relates to Stiles Financial. It’s in the way we advocate for our clients. It’s in the way we choose to remain free to think and act to make the right investment choices without anyone telling us to push product or quotas. It’s why we remain a privately owned, woman founded, free-thinking, RIA that always puts client’s interests first. For over 25 years and beyond. If you want to hear what “Fiercely Independent” looks and sounds like, then click and watch this week’s Financial Flash. Have a safe, happy and prosperous July 4th.

Have a safe, happy and FIERCE – July 4th!

Did you know that Stiles Financial Services was recognized as a 2025 Newsweek® Top Financial Advisory Firm in the United States?!  And we have you, our clients, to thank!

A “Fiercely Independent” July 4th Edition transcript:

As we look ahead to the Fourth of July, it’s a moment not just to celebrate our country’s independence, but to reflect on the meaning of independence itself—and what it looks like here at Stiles Financial Services.

At its core, the Fourth of July commemorates a bold choice: the decision to think differently, to act decisively, and to stand firmly for a vision of the future. That same spirit—the spirit of fierce independence—is woven into the fabric of who we are as a company.

At Stiles, fierce independence isn’t about going it alone. It’s about leading with conviction. It’s about showing up for our clients with clarity, confidence, and an unwavering sense of integrity. It means we are not swayed by trends, pressured by noise, compensated by quotas, or guided by anything other than what is right—for our clients, our team, and our purpose. 

We don’t follow a script—we write it. Our advice is grounded not in groupthink, but in thoughtful analysis of our diversity of resources and decades of experience. We believe that true partnership comes from having the independence to speak the truth, even when it’s not the easiest path forward. 

And as a team, fierce independence means we empower each other to think critically, take initiative, and bring new ideas to the table. We challenge norms, not for the sake of being different, but because excellence demands it. That’s why we set aside time twice a year for strategic planning and have team meetings every week because consistency is also a keystone of excellence. 

Fierce independence is not just a statement—it’s a mindset. You can see it in the way we show up every day. In the trust our clients place in us. And in the way we hold ourselves accountable—not to popularity, but to principles. We pride ourselves on being fiduciaries – always. 

So as we celebrate this Fourth of July, let’s remember: the pursuit of independence does not end at a moment in history or a date it is declared. Susan founded this firm 25 years ago, and fierce independence was a core value then and continues to be now. We know that it’s a way of operating, a way of thinking, and a way of being. 

Happy Fourth of July.