Let me tell you about my recent decision to join a new gym last week.

Not the most obvious topic for a blog from a wealth manager, but bear with me, there’s a point to this.

I was a member of a national brand gym, and thought that the reassuringly high monthly fee, expensive premises and fancy coffee bar would guarantee a good experience. I was satisfied, but had a niggling feeling I was missing something. One of my contacts mentioned they’d joined a small place just around the corner. I’d never heard of it, but decided to take a visit. Seconds after I walked in, I decided to join. It’s proven to be a good decision. The new place has got all the really important features of the national brand, but there’s lots more besides – namely an enthusiastic and dedicated team and the feeling of a company fuelled by a passion for their chosen work and a desire to meet a client need rather than just to make a profit. The improvement versus the competitor isn’t something you can see. It’s an energy you can feel. An energy you can only experience by trying it out.

That’s the story of my new gym. But it’s also almost word for word the story of my decision to join Strabens Hall. For me, 2017 has been about discovering the power of the hidden gem. But Starbucks is still my favourite coffee – some things never change…