My grandfather’s birthday was in late November, often falling on the same weekend as Thanksgiving. It’s not uncommon for me to find myself thinking of my grandfather while I am also counting my blessings. It has been nine years since my grandfather passed away, but a piece of wisdom he gave me when I was 16 years old rings in my ears nearly every day I step into my office here at Gregory FCA. You see, when I was evaluating colleges nearly 20 years ago, his advice was, “Go find something you love doing and then make sure you can do that within the hospitality, technology, health care or financial realm.”

He went on to explain to me that those four industries were most likely to survive and thrive in a globalizing economy and that, if my skills were polished to work in – or serve – these industries, my career would be on the right track. In his own way, he was giving me license to be a dreamer but letting me know it was possible to do what I wanted while contributing to my own prospects for economic success.

Today, as we are on the cusp of 2015, it is clear to see that my grandfather was on to something when he saw the potential for growth in technology and financial services. As the US economy continues to pick up steam, the forces of innovation have brought a renaissance to the financial industry.

The consuming public for financial services can thank technology for bringing about meaningful reductions in the cost of investing, the arrival of portable consumption of financial services and the wide variety of innovative financial products that allow investors to tackle a myriad of financial objectives. The dawn of the robo-advisor, the maturation of the exchange-traded fund market and mobile app access to one’s investment accounts have all made the consumption of financial services more accessible to the masses.

Financial firms have more tools at their disposal to attract and engage their customers. Digitally enabled investment and financial firms are in front of more potential clients at times when they are more likely to be receptive to ideas, referrals and recommendations. More accessibility, lower costs, more information, greater versatility of service offerings and greater product selection… it all adds up to a boom for the industry.

The prospects for firms who want to introduce the next great ETF idea or found the savviest advisory firm have never been better, despite the fact that competition is fierce. Here at one of the nation’s top financial PR firms, we have the privilege of being at the forefront of how these stories get told and how new investment strategies come to market. We consult on the marketing and communication strategies that help our clients take better advantage of the tools at their disposal. We can help them monitor and measure the impact of their communications and PR strategies better than ever.

The growth for the industry in 2015 and beyond looks good. We’ve never been in a better position to help that along. As Thanksgiving approaches and we find ourselves counting our blessings, I can’t help be grateful for the advice my grandfather shared with me. I’m doing something I love and it happens to be at the service of the financial industry.​