News from the Home Team

As promised, here are a few more actionable ideas for 2026 meant to help you grow your business while letting us do the heavy lifting, and little to no cost. 

Customizable Advisor Website and Client-Facing Brochures

We are thrilled to announce that our new template advisor website program is officially live!

Our goal was to create a high-quality, professional digital presence for our advisors that is both cost-effective and fast to deploy. We’ve already successfully launched our first site, and we’re ready if you would like to do the same. Check out Cantella-BryanKuskie.com to see how Bryan has customized the template while maintaining the Cantella branding. Please note that you can also opt to use a DBA name instead of using the Cantella name. We’ve streamlined the process to take the heavy lifting off your plate.

• Rapid Turnaround: Your site can be live in approximately 5 weeks
• Domain & Branding: We’ll walk you through obtaining a domain and can help you get a professional logo quickly and inexpensively if you are operating under a DBA
• Custom Content: Assistance in customizing your Bio/Team section to reflect your value proposition

Template Site Offering:

1. Your cost is $500 for development
2. Choice of standard hosting options (Generally, the $60 per month option will be sufficient, given there aren’t too many changes that can be made to the site)
   1. $60/month – Cambridge provides backend hosting and trains you how to make edits to the site
   2. $100/month – Cambridge provides backend hosting and an hour of developer time each month to make any requested site edits for you
3. You are required to get your own DBA domain (if using Cantella name, can do something like this: https://www.cantella-bryankuskie.com/)
4. You can customize:
   1. Logo
   2. Business name throughout the site
   3. Contact info (phone, email, address, Google Maps, etc.)
   4. Opening Bio/Team section on the About page and headshot or team photo
   5. Color scheme (will adjust site color scheme to match logo provided)

Customizable Client-Facing Brochures – The Ecosystem of Your Support

We’ve refreshed and enhanced our client-facing brochures to help you explain to your clients how all of us – you, Cantella, Cambridge, and Fidelity or Pershing – work together to support them. The pieces outline our respective roles, responsibilities, and relationships, and how we work together to service accounts, safeguard assets, and support clients in achieving their financial goals.

There are four versions available:

• Ready-to-use, compliance-approved Fidelity and Pershing versions
• Customizable Fidelity and Pershing versions that allow you to add your logo and a personalized section about your business and services. These are also built so that with Adobe, you can do the customization yourself. This is a great way to easily build a nice brochure to showcase your team.

Please reach out to us for the customizable versions. We will be posting the ready-to-go versions on www.cantella.com. If you choose to use a customizable version, please be sure to obtain compliance approval prior to distribution.

Opportunity of the Month

Cantella Private Client: Advanced Financial Planning Initiative

Often advisors think of financial planning as a cumbersome process that requires an 80-page, $10,000 deliverable which they do not have the time to produce, not to mention being unsure of their clients’ appetite for that cost. However, for high-net-worth clients, the needs are rarely about "running out of money" and more about solving complex, specific problems and generally helping them manage their financial life.

This is one of the resources we have been very excited to roll out to you. We’ve worked with Cambridge to design this program to help you manage these complexities and generate additional revenue, without adding a heavy administrative burden to your practice. This group effectively acts as an extension of your office, including joining you on client calls.

We have several advisors who leverage this team now. Many of you have accounts, households, or small businesses with invested assets of at least $3 million dollars, and we think this may be a benefit to you as well. 

The Advanced Planning team will partner with you to provide modeling, analysis, and reporting services, utilizing Advanced Planning CLIC Advisor, as well as participate in client calls/video meetings as needed. The scope of work can include such things as:

• Cash Flows and Income Taxes
• Estate/Wealth Transfer
• Retirement and Insurance
• Risk Management and Major Expense Planning

Team Resources: Cambridge Client Solutions

Troy Bender, MSM, MSFS, AEP^®, CLU^®, ChFC^®, NQPC^TM, QPA^TM, QKA^® is the Cantella advanced planning resource assigned to this initiative. Prior to joining Cambridge over 10 years ago, Troy served in corporate advanced planning roles for Prudential and Allstate. He also served as the president of regional insurance and mortgage subsidiaries of a large midwestern bank and as a branch manager for a national financial planning firm.

Portfolio Point

As a reminder, we’ve added the Franklin Templeton Core Multi-Manager Models to Cantella’s Team Directed advisory offering. These models are designed to seek high levels of total return consistent with distinct risk profiles. They utilize a blend of ETFs and mutual funds, allowing for strategic exposure. The inclusion of ETFs in the models is designed to provide cost-effective market exposure in asset classes where the goal is to get broad beta without relying on a manager's ability to generate alpha.

https://www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/model-portfolios/explore-models#core-multi-manager-etf-portfolios

Franklin Templeton is one of the largest and most diverse independent asset managers in the world. They’ve been around since 1947, starting out in New York City, and today they’re headquartered in San Mateo, California. With a global footprint – clients in over 160 countries and offices in 32 – they manage over $1.3 trillion in assets.

Franklin Templeton represents more than 10 investment managers, including well-known names like Putnam, ClearBridge, Royce, Brandywine, and Western for public markets, and Lexington Partners (private equity secondaries), Clarion Partners (real estate), and Benefit Street Partners (private debt) on the private side.

Please reach out to us for more information.

Compliance Corner

This is a reminder that FireLight and Document Supervision have officially launched. Cambridge partnered with FireLight to streamline annuity submissions and built a Document Supervision application to work seamlessly with the platform. With this integration, FireLight applications will flow directly into Document Supervision, eliminating the need to review annuity documents in Trade Review.

If you missed the introductory FireLight webinar last December, the recording along with additional information and FAQs can be found on this page: https://www.cir2.com/investment-choices/offerings/annuities-new/firelight/

FireLight Benefits:   

• Simplifies the process of submitting annuity paperwork and reduces errors   
• Consolidates required Cambridge and sponsor company paperwork into a single experience^*   
• Approved applications are sent directly to the sponsor companies for processing   
• Allows users to import basic client information from CLIC^® into FireLight

^*A RightBRIDGE integration is in development. Currently, RightBRIDGE reports must be completed and signed outside the FireLight application.

Save the Date

• Franklin Templeton – Get to Know our Latest Team Directed Strategy – TBD
• Annual Conference - July 14-15 – Cantella’s Annual Conference is back in Boston at the Encore Boston Harbor! We will also be hosting a hands-on financial planning workshop where you will get expert hands-on assistance from logging into CLIC Advisor (powered by eMoney) to entering client information to leaving with a plan for your client. 
• New Jersey Community Advisor Lunch - TBD

Recipe of the Month

Garlic Butter-Seared Ribeye Steak

• Ribeye Steak: (2 steaks, about 1-1.5 inches thick) – The star of the show, ribeye is prized for its rich marbling and flavor. Choose steaks that are well-marbled for maximum tenderness and taste. The thickness ensures a good sear without overcooking the inside.
• Unsalted Butter: (4 tablespoons) – Butter is the foundation of our flavorful sauce, adding richness and helping to create a beautiful golden-brown crust on the steak. Unsalted allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
• Garlic: (4 cloves, minced) – Fresh garlic is essential for that pungent, aromatic flavor that complements the beef so perfectly. Mincing it finely releases its flavor into the butter as it melts.
• Fresh Thyme Sprigs: (2-3 sprigs) – Thyme adds a subtle herbaceous note that elevates the garlic butter sauce. Fresh thyme is preferred for its brighter flavor, but dried can be used in a pinch (use about 1 teaspoon).
• Olive Oil: (2 tablespoons) – A high smoke point oil, like olive oil, is used for searing the steak. It helps to prevent the butter from burning and ensures a crisp, even sear.
• Salt: (Kosher salt or sea salt) – Essential for seasoning the steak and enhancing its natural flavors. Kosher salt is preferred by many chefs for its coarse texture and even seasoning.
• Black Pepper: (Freshly ground) – Freshly ground black pepper adds a pungent, aromatic spice that balances the richness of the steak and butter.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Searing Ribeye Steak to Perfection

Step 1: Prepare the Steaks (30 minutes before cooking)

Begin by taking your ribeye steaks out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to cook them. This crucial step allows the steaks to come closer to room temperature. Bringing the steak to room temperature before cooking ensures more even cooking throughout, preventing the outside from overcooking before the inside reaches the desired doneness. While the steaks are resting at room temperature, pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is a vital step for achieving a beautiful sear. Excess moisture on the surface of the steak will steam in the pan rather than sear, hindering the browning process and resulting in a less flavorful crust. Season the steaks generously on all sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning! A well-seasoned steak is a flavorful steak. The salt not only enhances the taste but also helps to draw out moisture from the surface, further promoting a good sear.

Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter

While the steaks are resting and coming to room temperature, prepare the garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, and fresh thyme sprigs. Make sure the butter is softened but not melted; this will make it easier to mix in the garlic and thyme evenly. Use a fork or a small spatula to mash and combine the ingredients until they are well incorporated and the garlic and thyme are evenly distributed throughout the butter. Set the garlic butter aside at room temperature until you are ready to cook the steaks. Having the garlic butter ready to go will streamline the cooking process and allow you to add it to the pan at the perfect moment.

Step 3: Heat the Pan for Searing

Choose a heavy-bottomed skillet, preferably cast iron, for searing the steaks. Cast iron skillets are excellent for searing because they retain heat exceptionally well and distribute it evenly, creating a consistent cooking surface. Place the skillet over medium-high heat on your stovetop. Allow the skillet to heat up gradually. It’s crucial to get the pan screaming hot before adding the steak to achieve that perfect sear. To test if the pan is hot enough, you can flick a tiny drop of water into the pan; if it sizzles and evaporates almost immediately, the pan is ready. Once the skillet is sufficiently hot, add the olive oil. Swirl the oil around the pan to ensure it evenly coats the bottom surface. The oil will help to prevent the butter from burning and contribute to a crispier sear.

Step 4: Sear the Ribeye Steaks

Carefully place the seasoned ribeye steaks into the hot skillet. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan, as this can lower the pan temperature and result in steaming rather than searing. If your skillet isn’t large enough to comfortably fit both steaks without overcrowding, sear them in batches. Leave enough space around each steak to allow for proper heat circulation. Sear the steaks for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust the time according to your desired level of doneness and steak thickness. The key to a good sear is to resist the urge to move the steaks around too much. Let them sit undisturbed in the hot pan to develop a rich, brown crust. You’ll know it’s time to flip the steak when it releases easily from the pan and has a deep brown sear. Use tongs to flip the steaks; piercing them with a fork will release juices and dry out the meat.

Step 5: Add Garlic Butter and Baste

After searing the steaks on both sides, reduce the heat to medium. Add the prepared garlic butter to the skillet. As the butter melts, it will infuse with the garlic and thyme, creating a fragrant and flavorful basting liquid. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to continuously baste the steaks with the melted garlic butter. Basting is crucial for adding flavor, keeping the steaks moist, and promoting even cooking. Continue to baste for another 2-3 minutes, or until the steaks reach your desired internal temperature.

Step 6: Rest the Steaks

Transfer the seared ribeye steaks to a cutting board and tent them loosely with aluminum foil. Resting the steaks is absolutely essential! It allows the muscle fibers to relax and redistribute the juices evenly throughout the steak, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final product. Rest the steaks for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. During this time, the internal temperature will continue to rise a few degrees, reaching your target doneness.

Step 7: Slice and Serve

After resting, remove the foil and slice the ribeye steaks against the grain. Slicing against the grain shortens the muscle fibers, making the steak even more tender and easier to chew. Serve the sliced garlic butter-seared ribeye steak immediately while it is still warm and juicy. Drizzle any remaining garlic butter from the pan over the sliced steak for extra flavor and richness. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired, and enjoy your perfectly cooked and incredibly flavorful ribeye steak!

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