You don’t have to be rich to create your own financial team. In fact, doing so is a relatively inexpensive, yet distinct way to becoming rich.

NGLCCIn many of the larger cities of this country, we have LGBT Chambers of Commerce ready to serve the needs of business owners and their referrals. Where I’m from, the Portland Area Business Association (PABA) consists of over 300 LGBT small business owners as members by offering a network in which to operate. This includes leads groups, monthly luncheons and after-hours gatherings. Many of the members are not only sound professionals, but also accountable to each other.

Take advantage of this opportunity!

By contacting your local LGBT Chamber of Commerce, you will have access to a “One-Stop-Shop” of financial planners, accountants, attorneys (among many other businesses from which to choose) and, quite often they know, like and trust each other. What’s great about this is that you only need to find one in order to have access to many others. If you cannot find a local LGBT Chamber, contact the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber by visiting their website.

The significance of this is when the right hand knows what the left hand is doing, your financial picture can appear much clearer.

I work alongside a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in my community as well as an estate planning attorney. The advantage I give to my clients is the trusted connection to qualified professionals who can coordinate our contributions in order to continue to maximize the best possible financial situation for our clients.

Example: I often work with small business owners. I help them setup retirement accounts such as the 401(k) or payroll-deducted IRA for themselves and their employees as a low-cost benefit. My CPA helps those business owners establish what business model would be most conducive to the tax deductibility of these plans. For instance, C-Corps offer certain tax credits that S-Corps may not and vice-versa.

Because I know, like and trust this accountant and he is accountable to me, we can communicate as to what is the best possible retirement account for the best possible business model. When we bring the estate planning attorney into the mix, he/she can help with the business succession plan, along with a will or living trust in order to pass the business on to heirs in the most tax-advantageous manner. This team was compiled with synergy, with the client’s best interests at heart and without the Wall Street price tag.

All of this builds solid business relationships, community, helps improve your financial situation, creates jobs, increases the tax base and develops more respect for business.

Now that’s teamwork!