{"id":130,"date":"2019-09-11T18:35:26","date_gmt":"2019-09-11T15:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/?page_id=130"},"modified":"2021-07-28T15:39:32","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T12:39:32","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<!-- Stripe section -->\n\t\t<div class=\"stripe stripe-white-bg stripe-right stripe-arrows-bg\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"stripe-upper-bg\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"> <!-- Container -->\n\n<div id=\"pg-130-0\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"1\"  data-grids=\"7\" ><div id=\"pgc-130-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 columns\"  data-cells=\"1\" >\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" >\n<p class=\"lead-text-medium text-primary-color\">Benchmark Strategic is a team of certified financial planners that specializes in strategies to maximize your wealth and financial independence.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n\n\n<!-- Divider -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-divider widget-divider\" data-index=\"1\" >\n<div class=\"small-bar colored-bar margin-bottom-30px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Divider -->\n\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-0-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" >\n<p>Benchmark Strategic was established in 1998 by Richard Smart. The firm was set up because Richard saw there was a real need in the Toowoomba area for affordable, professional financial planning advice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>We are one of a select group of advice practices that are truly independent.<\/strong> We are privately owned. We do not have financial links to any bank or other financial institutions. We have a strict \"no commission\" policy. The only fee's we receive are direct from clients.<\/p>\n<p>Our complete independence means we remain objective and construct financial plans (or financial strategies). <strong>We recommend strategies, not products.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- end Container -->\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<!-- end Stripe section -->\n\n\t\t<!-- Stripe section -->\n\t\t<div class=\"stripe stripe-transparent-bg\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"stripe-upper-bg\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"> <!-- Container -->\n\n<div id=\"pg-130-1\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"2\"  data-grids=\"7\" ><div id=\"pgc-130-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 col-md-6 columns\"  data-cells=\"2\" >\n\n<!-- Single Image -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-single-image widget-single-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"900\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture02.jpg\" class=\"attachment-benchmark-picture-large size-benchmark-picture-large\" alt=\"Picture 2\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture02.jpg 900w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture02-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture02-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture02-540x405.jpg 540w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<!-- end Single Image -->\n<\/div><div id=\"pgc-130-1-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 col-md-6 columns\"  data-cells=\"2\" >\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-1-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-first-child panel-last-child offset-md-left-30px\" data-index=\"4\" >\n<div class=\"note-separator colored-separator\"><\/div>\n<h6 class=\"text-secondary-color margin-bottom-20px\">Our Philosophy.<\/h6>\n<h2>We don't sell products. We provide Financial Advice.<\/h2>\n<p>This means, our strategic financial plans are only influenced by your needs. Our clients are the most important stakeholders to us and are not just a means to an end.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"read-more-link\" href=\"#\">Learn About Our Approach<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- end Container -->\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<!-- end Stripe section -->\n\n\t\t<!-- Stripe section -->\n\t\t<div class=\"stripe stripe-white-bg stripe-left stripe-right-col-colored stripe-right-col-yellow-orange\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"stripe-upper-bg\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"> <!-- Container -->\n\n<div id=\"pg-130-2\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"2\"  data-grids=\"7\" ><div id=\"pgc-130-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 col-md-8 columns\"  data-cells=\"2\" >\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-first-child panel-last-child offset-md-right-40px offset-lg-right-70px\" data-index=\"5\" >\n<h2>What we do<\/h2>\n<p class=\"lead-text-medium text-primary-color\">We can help with all your financial advice needs, whether your situation is straight-forward or out of the ordinary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-40px\">Simply, we work with each client to develop, implement and maintain a relevant and comprehensive financial strategy, assisting clients to grow their wealth, meet lifestyle objectives and protect against risks.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"margin-bottom-40px\">\n<li>We can help you achieve your goals, no matter how big or small they may be<\/li>\n<li>We can assist you to become financially secure<\/li>\n<li>We can help you make smart decisions with your money<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"button-std\" href=\"#\">How We Can Help<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n<\/div><div id=\"pgc-130-2-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 col-md-4 columns\"  data-cells=\"2\" >\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-2-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-first-child\" data-index=\"6\" >\n<h5 class=\"text-primary-color-muted margin-bottom-40px\">Company profile:<\/h5>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n\n\n<!-- Stat Data -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-2-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-stat-data widget-stat-data panel-last-child\" data-index=\"7\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stat-data\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fact-number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>19<sup>yrs<\/sup><\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fact-statement\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>our legacy of providing independent financial advice<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fact-number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>$300<sup>m<\/sup><\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fact-statement\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>assets under our management<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fact-number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>12<sup>+<\/sup><\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fact-statement\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>members in our team<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<!-- end Stat Data -->\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- end Container -->\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<!-- end Stripe section -->\n\n\t\t<!-- Stripe section -->\n\t\t<div class=\"stripe stripe-transparent-bg\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"stripe-upper-bg\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"> <!-- Container -->\n\n<div id=\"pg-130-3\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"1\"  data-grids=\"7\" ><div id=\"pgc-130-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 columns\"  data-cells=\"1\" >\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-first-child\" data-index=\"8\" >\n<h4 class=\"text-light-grey margin-bottom-30px\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Professional Affiliations:<\/h4>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n\n\n<!-- Image Carousel -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-3-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-image-carousel widget-image-carousel\" data-index=\"9\" >\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"picture-boxes top-picture-box centered-content owl-carousel owl-theme\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-items=\"5\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-loop=\"true\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-nav=\"true\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-dots=\"false\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-autoplay=\"true\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-autoplay-timeout=\"5000\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-autoplay-hover-pause=\"true\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-smart-speed=\"400\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-autowidth=\"false\"\r\n\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-item\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"clearfix\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"box-image width-200px\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" target=\"_self\" title=\"\"><img width=\"440\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Logo 1\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-1.png 440w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-1-300x136.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-item\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"clearfix\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"box-image width-200px\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" target=\"_self\" title=\"\"><img width=\"440\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-2.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Logo 2\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-2.png 440w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-2-300x136.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-item\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"clearfix\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"box-image width-200px\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" target=\"_self\" title=\"\"><img width=\"440\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-3.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Logo 3\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-3.png 440w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-3-300x136.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-item\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"clearfix\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"box-image width-200px\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" target=\"_self\" title=\"\"><img width=\"440\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-4.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Logo 4\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-4.png 440w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-4-300x136.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-item\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"clearfix\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"box-image width-200px\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" target=\"_self\" title=\"\"><img width=\"440\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-5.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Logo 5\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-5.png 440w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/logo-5-300x136.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<!-- end Image Carousel -->\n\n\n<!-- Gap -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-3-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-divider widget-divider\" data-index=\"10\" >\n<div class=\"gap margin-bottom-40px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Gap -->\n\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-3-0-3\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-last-child\" data-index=\"11\" >\n<p class=\"width-70pct-centered lead-text-basic text-primary-color-pale\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Benchmark Strategic holds a CPA Public Practice licence dedicated to providing financial planning advice and SMSF administration.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- end Container -->\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<!-- end Stripe section -->\n\n\t\t<!-- Stripe section -->\n\t\t<div class=\"stripe stripe-transparent-bg\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"stripe-upper-bg\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container-fluid\"> <!-- full-width Container -->\n\n<div id=\"pg-130-4\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"1\"  data-grids=\"7\" ><div id=\"pgc-130-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 columns\"  data-cells=\"1\" >\n\n<!-- Gallery -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-gallery widget-gallery panel-first-child\" data-index=\"12\" >\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"gallery-standard gallery-3-cols clearfix\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"gallery-item\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"overlay-enabled\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"900\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-presentation.jpg\" class=\"attachment-benchmark-picture-large size-benchmark-picture-large\" alt=\"Presentation\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-presentation.jpg 900w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-presentation-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-presentation-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-presentation-540x405.jpg 540w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"gallery-item\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"overlay-enabled\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"900\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-meeting.jpg\" class=\"attachment-benchmark-picture-large size-benchmark-picture-large\" alt=\"Meeting\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-meeting.jpg 900w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-meeting-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-meeting-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-meeting-540x405.jpg 540w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"gallery-item\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"overlay-enabled\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"900\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-colleagues.jpg\" class=\"attachment-benchmark-picture-large size-benchmark-picture-large\" alt=\"Colleagues\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-colleagues.jpg 900w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-colleagues-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-colleagues-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture-colleagues-540x405.jpg 540w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<!-- end Gallery -->\n\n\n<!-- Gap -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-4-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-divider widget-divider panel-last-child\" data-index=\"13\" >\n<div class=\"gap margin-bottom-20px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Gap -->\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- end Container -->\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<!-- end Stripe section -->\n\n\t\t<!-- Stripe section -->\n\t\t<div class=\"stripe stripe-white-bg stripe-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"stripe-upper-bg\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"> <!-- Container -->\n\n<div id=\"pg-130-5\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"1\"  data-grids=\"7\" ><div id=\"pgc-130-5-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 columns\"  data-cells=\"1\" ><div id=\"panel-130-5-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_siteorigin-panels-builder panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"14\" ><div id=\"pg-w5d7b48beace05-0\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"1\"  data-grids=\"6\" ><div id=\"pgc-w5d7b48beace05-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 columns\"  data-cells=\"1\" >\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" >\n<h2 class=\"margin-bottom-5px\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Our values<\/h2>\n<p class=\"lead-text-basic text-primary-color-pale\" style=\"text-align: center;\">We have three core values which form the basis for everything we do.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n\n\n<!-- Gap -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-divider widget-divider panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" >\n<div class=\"gap margin-bottom-40px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Gap -->\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-w5d7b48beace05-1\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"2\"  data-grids=\"6\" ><div id=\"pgc-w5d7b48beace05-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-4 col-sm-push-8 columns\"  data-cells=\"2\"  data-ordering=\"swap-cols-sm\" >\n\n<!-- Single Image -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-single-image type-img-step widget-single-image panel-first-child align-only-xs-center float-sm-right width-230px\" data-index=\"2\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"img-step\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"360\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture01-360x360.jpg\" class=\"img-round img-shadow\" alt=\"Picture 1\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture01-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture01-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<!-- end Single Image -->\n\n\n<!-- Gap -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-1-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-divider widget-divider panel-last-child hidden-sm-up\" data-index=\"3\" >\n<div class=\"gap margin-bottom-50px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Gap -->\n<\/div><div id=\"pgc-w5d7b48beace05-1-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-8 col-sm-pull-4 columns\"  data-cells=\"2\"  data-ordering=\"swap-cols-sm\" >\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-1-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-first-child panel-last-child align-only-xs-center\" data-index=\"4\" >\n<h3 class=\"text-primary-color margin-bottom-10px\">1. Independent<\/h3>\n<p class=\"lead-text-basic text-primary-color-pale\">Protecting your financial interests from potential conflicts of interest.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"text-secondary-color\">No custody<\/strong> \u2014 An independent custodian holds our clients' investments and creates an independent, insurmountable barrier between our firm and our clients' portfolios.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"text-secondary-color\">Fee only<\/strong> \u2014 We charge a fee for managing our clients' portfolios; it is our only compensation. We do not earn commissions, transaction fees, or other promotional or distribution fees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-30px\"><strong class=\"text-secondary-color\">No proprietary products<\/strong> \u2014 Since we do not create or sell proprietary products, we are free to recommend only those that deliver the best long-term results for our clients.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-w5d7b48beace05-2\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"1\"  data-grids=\"6\" ><div id=\"pgc-w5d7b48beace05-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 columns\"  data-cells=\"1\" >\n\n<!-- Gap -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-divider widget-divider panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" >\n<div class=\"gap margin-bottom-80px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Gap -->\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-w5d7b48beace05-3\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"2\"  data-grids=\"6\" ><div id=\"pgc-w5d7b48beace05-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-4 columns\"  data-cells=\"2\" >\n\n<!-- Single Image -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-single-image type-img-step widget-single-image panel-first-child align-only-xs-center width-230px\" data-index=\"6\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"img-step img-dashed-curve-right\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"360\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture07-360x360.jpg\" class=\"img-round img-shadow\" alt=\"Picture 7\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture07-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture07-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<!-- end Single Image -->\n\n\n<!-- Gap -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-3-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-divider widget-divider panel-last-child hidden-sm-up\" data-index=\"7\" >\n<div class=\"gap margin-bottom-50px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Gap -->\n<\/div><div id=\"pgc-w5d7b48beace05-3-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-8 columns\"  data-cells=\"2\" >\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-3-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-first-child panel-last-child align-only-xs-center\" data-index=\"8\" >\n<h3 class=\"text-primary-color margin-bottom-10px\">2. Integrated<\/h3>\n<p class=\"lead-text-basic text-primary-color-pale\">Managing your financial affairs with a comprehensive approach.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"text-secondary-color\">Extensive business experience<\/strong> \u2014 Our team members come to the firm from a variety of business backgrounds including public accounting, real estate management, capital formation, debt restructuring, and contract negotiation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-30px\"><strong class=\"text-secondary-color\">Multi-discipline<\/strong> \u2014 Our services extend beyond investment advisory services to include income tax and philanthropic planning and estate work.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-w5d7b48beace05-4\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"1\"  data-grids=\"6\" ><div id=\"pgc-w5d7b48beace05-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 columns\"  data-cells=\"1\" >\n\n<!-- Gap -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-divider widget-divider panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"9\" >\n<div class=\"gap margin-bottom-80px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Gap -->\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-w5d7b48beace05-5\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"2\"  data-grids=\"6\" ><div id=\"pgc-w5d7b48beace05-5-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-4 col-sm-push-8 columns\"  data-cells=\"2\"  data-ordering=\"swap-cols-sm\" >\n\n<!-- Single Image -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-5-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-single-image type-img-step widget-single-image panel-first-child align-only-xs-center float-sm-right width-230px\" data-index=\"10\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"img-step img-dashed-curve-left\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"360\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture04-360x360.jpg\" class=\"img-round img-shadow\" alt=\"Picture 4\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture04-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/picture04-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<!-- end Single Image -->\n\n\n<!-- Gap -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-5-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-divider widget-divider panel-last-child hidden-sm-up\" data-index=\"11\" >\n<div class=\"gap margin-bottom-50px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Gap -->\n<\/div><div id=\"pgc-w5d7b48beace05-5-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-8 col-sm-pull-4 columns\"  data-cells=\"2\"  data-ordering=\"swap-cols-sm\" >\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-w5d7b48beace05-5-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-first-child panel-last-child align-only-xs-center\" data-index=\"12\" >\n<h3 class=\"text-primary-color margin-bottom-10px\">3. Teamwork<\/h3>\n<p class=\"lead-text-basic text-primary-color-pale\">Serving you with a long-standing team of professionals with rich business backgrounds.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"text-secondary-color\">Coordinating with your other professionals<\/strong> \u2014 Accountants, Estate Attorneys, Tax Professionals, Insurance Agents and other professionals necessary to coordinate the best service and advice for our clients.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"text-secondary-color\">Long-time, stable team<\/strong> \u2014 Our team has worked together for almost 20 years.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"text-secondary-color\">Diverse business background<\/strong> \u2014 Our associates include a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and have experience in public accounting, real estate management, bank relations, and construction management.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- end Container -->\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<!-- end Stripe section -->\n\n\t\t<!-- Stripe section -->\n\t\t<div class=\"stripe stripe-transparent-bg\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"stripe-upper-bg\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"container\"> <!-- Container -->\n\n<div id=\"pg-130-6\"  class=\"panel-grid row\"  data-cells=\"1\"  data-grids=\"7\" ><div id=\"pgc-130-6-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell col-sm-12 columns\"  data-cells=\"1\" >\n\n<!-- Text Block -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-6-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-text-block widget-text-block panel-first-child\" data-index=\"15\" >\n<h2 class=\"text-primary-color-pale margin-bottom-40px\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Latest tweets<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- end Text Block -->\n\n\n<!-- Twitter Feed -->\n<div id=\"panel-130-6-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_benchmark-twitter-feed widget-twitter-feed panel-last-child\" data-index=\"16\" >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"twitter-feed tweet-boxes\" data-username=\"TargetMktng\" data-count=\"3\" data-ajaxurl=\"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php\" data-avatar=\"yes\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<!-- end Twitter Feed -->\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- end Container -->\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<!-- end Stripe section -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Benchmark Strategic is a team of certified financial planners that specializes in strategies to maximize your wealth and financial independence. Benchmark Strategic was established in 1998 by Richard Smart. The firm was set up because Richard saw there was a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/130"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=130"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/130\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-merald.com\/themes\/benchmark-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}