What does Sophos mean?
Sophos is an ancient greek word (σοφός) meaning wise or skilled. When I was setting up Sophos Wealth Management and thinking about the core values and principles I wanted the firm to embody the idea of wisdom kept coming to the forefront. One definition of wisdom is the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement. I think that trio highlights some of the key characteristics of a good financial advisor and fiduciary.
My goal is to constantly learn and grow, enhancing my knowledge and experience so that I can provide the most value possible to clients. But neither knowledge or experience alone is sufficient. It takes good judgement and discernment to apply that knowledge to differing financial situations and markets. Remaining humble and avoiding behavioral biases is key in dealing with financial markets. According to Warren Buffett, “Investing is not a game where the guy with the 160 IQ beats the guy with the 130 IQ. Once you have ordinary intelligence, what you need is the temperament to control the urges that get other people into trouble in investing.”
How about the logo of Sophos Wealth Management?
Sophos Wealth Management’s logo is the Adinkra symbol Nyansapo, also called a Wisdom Knot. Adinkra symbols were created by a group of Akan people in modern day Ghana. The Nyansapo symbol expresses the concept that ““a wise person has the capacity to choose the best means to attain a goal. Being wise implies broad knowledge, learning and experience, and the ability to apply such faculties to practical ends.” (Willis, “The Adinkra Dictionary“)
I think that description of the Nyansapo concept better describes what I strive to achieve here at Sophos Wealth Management better than any explanation I could produce.
Scott Caufield, CFA, CPA