Dave 🧊

I wrote a message to my team at @beckandstone this morning and it was suggested I share here. So here it is: Beck & Stone has grown significantly over the past few years, thanks in large part to a unique moment in our nation's political story. The "vibe shift" culminating in the 2024 election blew favorable winds to us as a firm that understands these waters and helps our clients navigate it. Every space we work in has this dynamic and politics has been one. After last night, the winds seemed to change. But did it really? Or did it just blow harder? Even without digging into public sentiment data on specific policies or the technicalities of any particular race, one fundamental insight arises that should be obvious to everyone here: Americans want the national revival they've been promised. Period. Genuine, not fake. Fast, not slow. They have run out of patience and sympathy for taking America backward or even standing still. The "business as usual" paradigm for both politics and culture is a recipe for… well, for last night's results. A complete capsize of a political armada after two years of seemingly effortful sailing of many ships, big and small. …except for ours. I know this team's ability to create what is new, to remain ahead of the cultural curve, and to offer our clients this foresight as a specialty service will be the reason our company sails on, rocked by changing winds but more alert, more experienced, and with more opportunity for disruption. We will perceive what others squint to see. We will take the risks others are unwilling to. And we will not give up on our people or our mission. This was demonstrated last night when one of those people, our client and friend, Jace Yarbrough, was elected to represent Texas' 32nd District in Congress. When Jace and I met, nobody would have expected that Congress was in his future. Good men are exceedingly rare in politics. And Jace is a good man. Who provides for five children and works for his countrymen when Americans trend alienated and self-centered. Who keeps his word and remembers his promises. Who loves his country and seems to never grow weary in fighting for her. I am proud that in the midst of a stormy night when other ships were lost, Jace Yarbrough’s—with many of us aboard—emerged victorious. In him, many now see a glimmer of hope of this promise of revival being fulfilled, as did I when we launched his ship into the dark unknown. These fundamentals guide all of Beck & Stone's insights and investments. These stories are the ones we yearn to tell. We know from experience that transcendent virtue and hard work will end in victory. Because it’s not about trusting the plan, it’s about trusting the man. And we have so many good men among our friends and clients and in this firm itself. We were made for times such as these. So if you are wondering what’s next, let me encourage you to just keep looking forward. Then you'll know. You will see: this mighty, terrible wind is with us! It drives us, propels us! Faster! Further! Onward!