Alan J. Perlowitz’s Post

Thanksgiving hits different when you're carrying on a family legacy... You know what's wild about family businesses? The lessons never stop coming. Watching the family around our Thanksgiving table, something hit me... I'm living both sides of the story now. Taking the reins of what Dad built at McLean Company while building my own family's future. It's a unique position to be in. Those fundamental principles he established years ago? The ones about never cutting corners? About earning trust, not expecting it? They mean something different now that I'm in this position where I am making decisions, not only for the company but for my own family. Every choice matters more.  Every project carries more weight.  Every client relationship feels more personal. Because it's not just about maintaining what was built... It's about growing it.  Building upon it.  Making it even stronger. You know what's interesting? When he started this business, he was probably in the same position I am now. Young family.  Big dreams.  Huge responsibility. The difference is... He had to figure it all out from scratch. I've got the benefit of his experience.  The foundation he built.  The reputation he earned. But that comes with its own pressure too. When you're carrying on a legacy, you've got to balance two things... Respecting what worked in the past while adapting for the future. I wanna know what you're thankful for this year. Tell me in the comments!

I recently returned from the Front Row Dads Fall Retreat at the Hyatt Lost Pines outside of Austin, TX, and it was an experience that will stay with me forever. There’s something incredibly powerful about a group of men coming together in authenticity, vulnerability, and a shared commitment to becoming better fathers and husbands. Here are some key insights that profoundly impacted me: •Self-Love is the Foundation: The only way I could come to know God was to learn to love myself first. In order to see others through the eyes of God, I must first see myself through the eyes of God. •Understanding Emotions: Anger is often the protector of deeper feelings like fear, shame, and guilt. Recognizing this helps me respond more compassionately in challenging moments. •Presence Over Words: Kids don’t just hear words; they feel and read emotions. When my kids look at me, do they see a man that loves himself? •Healthy Conflict Resolution: If you have an argument with your wife in front of your kids, it’s important to apologize and make up in front of them too. This shows what healthy conflict resolution looks like. •Connect to Source Before Technology: Each day, for you and for your children, connect first to SOURCE (ground, light, energy) before connecting to technology. The journey to becoming a better father is truly a path to becoming a better man. It’s about confronting our deepest fears, practicing forgiveness and acceptance, and continuously striving for personal growth. I’m excited to share more about my experience and the transformative lessons learned. 👉 Check out the comments for a link to my full blog post detailing the retreat. If you would like to experience the MAGIC that comes from these retreats, I encourage you to attend the Front Row Dads Live event coming in Austin December 4-6. My first FRDL event two years ago was hands down the MOST TRANSORMATIONAL event I have ever experienced. You can use the code GOFRDL for 50% off your registration (no, I don’t get any kickbacks; I simply want you to experience what I was able to experience). https://lnkd.in/gwUJn9s6 #Fatherhood #PersonalGrowth #FrontRowDads #SelfLove #Authenticity

Gratitude changes everything! This Thanksgiving season, start your meetings and family gatherings with BIG Wins—Begin In Gratitude Let’s make joy and connection the norm. What’s your BIG Win today? Share below! 👇 #Gratitude #Thanksgiving #BeginInGratitude #BusinessOnPurpose

Halloween may be over, but the holiday season is just getting started. November is all about gratitude, and I’m so appreciative of the support I’ve received throughout my journey of owning my own business. Thankful for every client, colleague, and friend who’s been a part of it all. What are you feeling grateful for as we head into the holidays? Share below! #NovemberGratitude #ThankfulHeart #BusinessJourney #CostingChaosController #ManufacturingFinance

Proposal Warriors: Thanksgiving May Wait, But Deadlines Don’t! It’s Hump Day, and while the holidays are calling, the RFPs are piling up! 🍂 Deadlines don’t care about Thanksgiving plans, but neither do we when it comes to delivering results. Fueled by coffee and determination, we’re powering through the midweek grind—because proposals don’t write themselves. The finish line (and the pumpkin pie) is in sight, but first, we conquer the pile. Here’s to all the proposal warriors turning chaos into success, one response at a time. Let’s finish strong! 💼☕ #ProposalLife #HumpDay #ThanksgivingReady

Happy Independence Day! As your Certified Financial Planner professional, I think a great way to celebrate this day is by sharing an overview of the numbers that shape our celebratory experiences: 🍴$9.5 billion - The estimated amount Americans spent on 4th of July food in 2023 — about $93.34 per person. 🌭 150 million - The number of hot dogs consumed each 4th of July — enough to stretch from D.C. to L.A. more than five times. (I'm putting myself down for at least one of these). It’s also the number of American flags sold in the U.S. each year. 📺2 million - The number of people who tuned in to watch 2023 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest champs, Miki Sudo and Joey Chestnut, consume 102 hot dogs combined. 🍻$3 billion - The estimated amount of dollars Americans spent on beer and wine for the Fourth of July in 2023. If you partake, just remember to enjoy responsibly! 🎇$2.3 billion - The total U.S. consumers spent on fireworks in 2023. 🚗50.7 million - The number of people who traveled 50+ miles from home for the 4th of July, up 4% from 2022. Whether your day includes travel, hot dogs and hamburgers, fireworks — or something else entirely — we’re wishing you a day filled with fun and relaxation!

Thanksgiving isn't just about turkey and stuffing. 🦃 It's a time for us to pause and really think about what matters most. In the hustle of real estate, especially when working with seniors or handling estate sales, it's important to remember the real reasons we celebrate. Here's what Thanksgiving means to me in our field: 1️⃣ Gratitude: Take a moment to thank the people who trust us in their life transitions. Their stories and journeys belong right at the heart of what we do. 2️⃣ Family: Whether it's ensuring a smooth estate sale or finding that perfect nest for a new family, it’s always about bringing people together. 3️⃣ Community: We're privileged to be part of the community here in Toronto, where every house and commercial space has its unique charm and story. ❤️ 4️⃣ Reflection: Every deal, every happy client reminds us of our journey and why we chose this path. It fuels us to continue helping others. As we gather around the table, let’s reflect on these values that go beyond just real estate. Building trust and fostering connections is a reason to give thanks every day. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? 🔍🍂 Let's celebrate more than just the meal!

🦃 Happy #Thanksgiving to you and your family from all of us at Strat First Inc. | Art by Ken Letander, BSW, MBA Growing up, #Thanksgiving was always about bringing our #family together. Relatives would travel from the #city to our small reserve, and my grandmother was the glue that held us all close. There were no official phone calls, social media invites, or #calendar reminders—we just knew it was Marina’s Thanksgiving at the #Lake. It was a special time to pause, #laugh, eat, and share stories before heading back to work. My #grandfather, who often worked seven days a week from 6 AM to 9 PM running his #tourist camp, would even take a moment to enjoy it. I remember him sweeping his #store in the early mornings, sipping his #coffee, and then joining us for the #meal - he’d toss off his hat, slouch back in his chair, eat, share #stories, and #laugh with the #family. Let’s all take a moment to do the same today—#connect, #listen, #laugh, and #appreciate our loved ones. #Business is important, but Thanksgiving only comes once a year, and it’s a chance to create #memories that are lasting and #meaningful. Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to all my #clients, #friends, and LinkedIn network! ➡️ Art by Ken Letander, BSW, MBA from Strat First Inc. | www.artbyken.ca | www.stratfirst.ca | All Rights #Reserved #2024. ➡️ #Commissioned “TurnKey” Art ready for all your #corporate needs. ➡️ Description: #Turkey, created without the use of AI #Thanksgiving #FamilyFirst #Gratitude #Memories #Art #Community #CorporateArt #CommissionedArt #CustomArtWork #Family #Culture #Stories #Listen #FamilyHealth #FamilyStories #BusinessTomorrow #HealthFirst #AppleiPad #ApplePencil #AdobeFresco Apple Adobe Strat First Inc.

Gratitude Post #7 The promised land is not "a one-day phenomenon." The promised land, that place we want to get to one day, is happening right here and right now. Whatever breakdowns, challenges, and setbacks you're having...that's all part of the gift of the promised land. There's always something positive out of every situation. (Yes, even in that situation that seems like a complete disaster.) I know this can sound easier said than done. To me, the world wasn't fair; all these unfortunate things were happening to me, and people were out to get me (that was the story I was telling myself). For this gratitude post....I'm thanking the breakdowns, challenges...the times that don't go as planned. Every situation, no matter how bad it seems, also has a lesson. Flowers come from dirt. And this gratitude post is for that dirt. Whatever is not going the way you want to go .... be thankful for it because it's bringing you lessons and future results that wouldn't be possible otherwise. The dirt I'm thankful for today is timing. This week I started posting on social media after being radio silent on here. But the truth is: I've been planning on coming on here for quite some time to create the positive and uplifting space I was envisioning. One delay led to the next delay, and "the dirt" was frustrating, to say the least. And here we are today, on this platform here together. I'm grateful for all the setbacks because this is the perfect timing. Right here and right now. These gratitude posts during my birthday week weren't planned. And given divine timing, I get to spend my birthday week with all of you during my "week 1" of being here. And for that, I'm grateful. Embrace the journey—the promised land lies in the ups, downs, lessons, and growth. Breakthroughs and good times emerge from discomfort. You're in the right place; you'll get through this. 🌟 #JourneyOverDestination

Date nights used to be a joke (or so I thought).  Now, our date nights are the secret weapon to building a life we love together. ❤️ I used to believe "Date Nights" were a joke... until I learned about the 𝗥𝗥𝗣 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮.  My wife and I head to a small pub in our neighborhood every Thursday. She’s my rock, soul mate, business partner, coach, and best friend. We’ve also worked side by side for 30 years running our business. Over dinner and a glass of wine, we: • 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Start with wins—what went right this week? What are we grateful for? • 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁: What lessons did we learn? What needs to change moving forward? • 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻: How do we tackle what’s next? What’s our plan to overcome the possible challenges?  How do we hold each other accountable? This ritual keeps us aligned—whether it’s celebrating our family, managing finances, or dreaming of our next adventure. The best part is that it’s a reminder to slow down, look around, and appreciate what’s right in front of us. Sometimes, the best things in life are already yours.