Built for Every Season
How Thoughtful Planning Helps Weather Market Uncertainty
There’s a quiet wisdom to the natural world. Every winter, gardens seem to wither. Trees shed their leaves, and for a moment, life feels paused. But anyone who’s lived through the seasons knows this isn’t the end. It’s a moment of rest, of storing energy for the next season of growth.
At Vance Wealth, we believe the markets work in a similar way. When portfolios pull back and headlines stir fear, it’s natural to worry. But the temporary chill of a downturn doesn’t necessarily mean your financial future is off track. Like a garden in winter, your investments may simply be preparing for their next season of growth.
That’s why we design what we call all-weather portfolios, strategies built to help navigate growth, downturns, and everything in between.
“When markets feel uncertain, that’s when our plans matter most,” explains John Vance, President and Founder of Vance Wealth. “We don’t build strategies for perfect weather. We build them to endure every season.”
Volatility vs. Value
In times of downturn, a powerful fear can set in: “What if this time is different?” It’s a question that causes many investors to act emotionally — selling low, retreating to cash, or stepping away from a well-crafted plan.
But the truth is, while stock prices can fall fast and hard, the underlying value of the companies behind them does not always decline at the same pace.
Volatility is often driven by sentiment, not fundamentals.
Consider March 2009. In the depths of the financial crisis, the S&P 500 had fallen approximately 57% from its 2007 peak. For many, it felt like a collapse. Historically, however, markets have demonstrated an ability to recover over time. For illustrative purposes, a $100,000 investment made near the market bottom would have grown significantly by late 2025, though results vary and past performance is not indicative of future outcomes.
A similar pattern appeared in March 2020, when markets fell sharply during the onset of the pandemic and later rebounded within months.
What these moments illustrate is that while market downturns can arrive quickly, recoveries have often followed — sometimes sooner than expected.
“In those moments, our role is to bring understanding, empathy, and offer perspective,” John explains. “We remind clients they’re not just investing in stocks — they’re investing in businesses with real plans, real leadership, and real value.”
Strength Beneath the Surface
Strong companies don’t sit idle when challenges hit. Like plants in winter, they conserve resources, strengthen their roots, and prepare for future opportunities. Leaders cut costs, refine strategies, and invest thoughtfully, even when conditions are difficult.
During the 2008–2009 crisis, S&P 500 company earnings declined, and dividends were reduced. At the same time, stock prices fell more sharply. That gap between business fundamentals and market reaction has historically created opportunities for long-term investors, though outcomes are never guaranteed.
Because value doesn’t necessarily disappear in a downturn. It can become temporarily obscured, recalibrate, and, over time, recover — often with greater resilience.
“We often tell clients: your portfolio isn’t a number on a screen — it represents ownership in companies working to adapt and grow,” John adds. “That perspective can serve as a powerful anchor when the headlines are loud.”
Staying Invested Through Every Season
At Vance Wealth, we design financial plans to endure not just in favorable markets, but in uncertain ones as well. We build strategies around your long-term goals, not short-term market noise. So when the market enters a cold spell, we’re not caught off guard; we’re prepared.
This is what long-term financial planning looks like. It’s not about timing the seasons. It’s about knowing you’ve planned for them — through an all-weather portfolio approach.
If volatility ever has you feeling uncertain, let’s talk. Let’s revisit your plan, reassess your goals, and make sure your strategy remains aligned with your objectives.
Because the garden always looks quiet in winter. But just beneath the surface, growth is still happening.
Disclosure
Market data referenced is based on historical information from widely available market indexes, including the S&P 500. Examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the performance of any specific investment strategy or client account. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested in directly. Investment strategies, including diversification and asset allocation, do not ensure a profit or protect against loss. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.