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Episode 258: The Why Behind the Work

 Thomas Block of Duncan Advisor Resources

“You have to know your why. You have to know what puts you present into the job you’re doing right now and how that connects with the clients that you’re working with and the community that you belong to.”
— Thomas Block

In this episode of Cambridge Stronger, Thomas Block, Associate Director of Business Development with Duncan Advisor Resources, shares why building a meaningful professional presence begins with understanding what you stand for. Reflecting on the career opportunities that helped him find his fit, Thomas offers a practical perspective on taking initiative, remaining open to unexpected paths, and creating a role around the work you are most passionate about.

The conversation explores why advisors should focus on building trust rather than manufacturing a brand. Thomas discusses ways to develop an authentic voice, teach more than sell, remain consistent, and use technology to create more time for relationships, not replace them.

Thomas also shares how his daughter’s experience with childhood cancer brought his own “why” into sharper focus and made community involvement a non-negotiable. His perspective offers a thoughtful reminder that purpose can shape not only how advisors serve others, but how they approach their businesses, relationships, and legacies.

Episode 258: The Why Behind the Work offers insight into:

  • Building trust through authenticity, consistency, and a clear point of view
  • Using technology to remove friction while preserving personal relationships
  • Connecting your professional work to a deeper sense of purpose and community

About Thomas Block, AAMS AWMA CRPC®

Thomas Block grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated from George Mason University with a BA in Communication. Not long after leaving GMU, he began his career in the financial services world accepting a job offer with American Express Financial Advisors (now Ameriprise) in late 2002 and began working with clients in April 2003. With his Series 7 and 66 in hand, he spent a decade building his book of business and learning about insurance and investment management. After that, he went to Mass Mutual to become the agency’s Investment Director and earned his Series 24 in the process. An opportunity in Richmond, VA brought his family to Central VA where he continued running his practice with a OneAmerica agency. In June 2018, he decided to “retire” from being in personal production and work towards compliance and practice management. Prior to coming over to Duncan Advisor Resources, he was the Financial Planning Services Department Director for Northwestern Mutual’s Virginia Agency where he got the most experience in compliance and risk management.

Thomas lives in Midlothian, VA with his wife Beth and his two children Grayson and Charlotte. He is a big advocate for childhood cancer research funding and helping out families who are dealing with this awful disease.

https://duncanar.com/

Registered Representative, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge and Duncan Advisor Resources are not affiliated. This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting, investment, financial or other professional advice on any matter.

The opinions expressed are those of the interviewees and do not represent the opinions or views of the interviewer and/or Cambridge.

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