In 1991, Steve set apart from corporate America and began blazing a path towards success. He started his business independently. Steve knew it would not be easy. What he had not yet realized was just how many obstacles he would encounter over the next three decades of his career. Starting off in the basement of a bomb shelter building located on First Avenue, his original office was anything but glamorous.
Six years passed in the basement and Steve decided it was time to move forward. He relocated his business to a different building, this time with windows! “This will be the start of something new”, Steve thought. Day in and day out, Steve was working harder than ever, trying to provide for Theresa and his two girls, Alexa and Audrey. Another five years elapsed, and one Saturday morning in July of 2002, Theresa got a phone call from her brother-in-law saying there was smoke coming from the office building. Sure enough, the office building had caught fire which meant another relocation was soon on the way.
Steve had a growing interest of synergy and he sought out people to accompany him on his journey. Additionally, he considered upgrading his office space to accommodate more investment advisors. Partnering together with a few colleagues, Steve joined in establishing Stonefield Investment Advisory, Inc. in 2005. In August of 2005, they partnered together to buy the top floor of Plaza 425, formerly known as the APAC Building. Stonefield continued to expand for three years, when in 2008 a flood devastated the flow of society. Homes were destroyed, many businesses permanently closed, and the community was in shambles. The lobby of the Plaza 425 held seven feet of water. Once again, Steve was left without his office. Upon his return, 40 days and 40 nights had marked his absence due to the flood.
Over the next dozen years, business grew. Steve branched off from Stonefield and independently started Red Cedar Advisory, Inc. in 2018. Come August of 2020, an unforeseen derecho hit Iowa. A derecho is a straight-line wind and thunderstorm causing hurricanic and tornadic forces. The eye of the storm was located in Cedar Rapids with 140+ mph winds. According to CBS2Iowa (KGAN) over 700,000 trees were taken down in the Cedar Rapids area. Homes were destroyed. The community was, yet again, given a dilapidated city to piece back together. Not only was the corner of Steve’s house and roof ripped off, but his office space had also sustained copious amounts of water damage.
Steve attributes Red Cedar Advisory’s substantial growth to the incredible team he has built. Together they serve along side him to continue building for the future. Looking back to the start of his business, Steve could not fathom encountering three natural disasters during his career – a fire, flood, and derecho. His faith and resilience have carried him through the trials he has faced. Setback after setback ensued, but the comeback has always been greater.
Throughout the eras of growth and change, one thing has remained the same, Steve’s need for faith. His determination has only deepened, and most of all, Steve’s unceasing passion and desire to help people financially has only grown stronger over the last three decades. Steve will continue to forge forward – Rooted in Truth, Invested in Growth® – Red Cedar Advisory, Inc.
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