Always untie your bow tie at the end of the night to show it was the real thing.

None of that pre-tied nonsense.

And now… here comes the analogy I made up so I could use this photo.

Most people can’t tell whether the advisor they’re talking to is the real deal or a pretender.

It all sounds like gibberish, and let’s be honest - many “successful” advisors are really just great salespeople.

So here are 5 questions you can ask to separate the real bow ties from the pre-tied ones:

1️⃣ “How can you grow my portfolio while reducing my taxes?”

If your portfolio creates more tax bills than tax deductions, that’s a problem.

2️⃣ “What kinds of returns can I expect if I invest with you?”

If they say anything other than:

“It depends on your goals, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and time horizon,”

run.

Anyone can build a 14% expected-return portfolio, that doesn’t mean it matches your life.

3️⃣ “How do you diversify beyond stocks and bonds?”

Hint: private equity ≠ diversification from public equities. Private credit ≠ diversification from public credit.

Real diversification includes:

• Real estate

• Infrastructure

• Low-beta hedge funds

• Strategies that actually behave differently

4️⃣ “Are you a fiduciary at all times? And how do you get paid?”

There are some gnarly fee structures in this industry.

You want simple, transparent, fully-aligned compensation.

5️⃣ “What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?”

If they don’t immediately reply:

“What do you mean? An African or European swallow?”

…they have no sense of humor and you shouldn’t trust them with your money.

A real bow tie takes more effort.

So does real wealth management.

Most people never learn how to tell the difference.