Celebrating Four Years of Entrepreneurship
A short reflection on building Antešić Family Wealth – and what I’m aiming for in 2026.
Dear reader,
It’s been four years since I began the adventure of building Antešić Family Wealth. More precisely, I registered the business on December 6, 2021. When everyone was in “sleep mode,” preparing for Christmas, I entered “hustle” mode.
It’s been a wonderful journey. I only quit once. I needed the silence to hear what I actually wanted to build.
How it started
I started the business under the name “Antešić”, later changed to “Antesic.com”, and then finally to “Antešić Family Wealth” as I found my focus. But honestly, once the name becomes widely known in the finance world, I might return to simply “Antešić” as my family name. We…shall…see.
The name change reflects a lack of business focus in the first years of my business.
In the early years, I worked as a freelancer providing financial research and analysis to businesses. I also advised individuals on Bitcoin. It paid well (especially for a 23-year-old), but I felt like that wasn’t “it.” I wanted to do something else.
In 2023, I temporarily stepped back to reflect on where I really want to build. I reflected on my wishes, my skills and the market demand. It took me a few tries. In the end, the road led to where I ended my Master’s studies – to the “family wealth” concept.
My 2021 Master’s thesis was titled "Family wealth and bitcoin: sound money as the basis for the creation of generational wealth." (If you are of the curious kind, you can check the thesis here.)
How I stumbled upon the family wealth concept is a story in itself–an emotional one for me–, and it will be a topic of another article.
I realised I wanted to (1) focus on investing, (2) help people build wealth, and (3) build my own family wealth. Alas, Antešić Family Wealth was born.
(For my beloved American clients and readers: my family name is pronounced “Ante-shitch”— š = “sh” (as in “ship”) and ć ≈ “tch” (as in “match/catch”). It’s a Croatian/South Slavic surname. I was advised to use “Antesic” and drop the Slavic letters since most of my clients are American, but I think the letters add a special touch.)
Antešić Family Wealth provides investment stewardship to families, individuals and fellow financial advisors. I’ve leaned into this focus over the past two years. So far, so good.
I’m writing this to reflect on 2025 and set goals for 2026. I also advise clients on building their businesses, so I thought it might be useful to share how I’m building mine. I enjoy reading other entrepreneurs who “build in public,” so I’m starting to do more of that too.
Recap of 2025
2025 was a “good year” – steady progress and better focus.
Some highlights:
I stopped pursuing side business projects and fully committed to building Antešić Family Wealth.
I renewed contracts with existing clients and increased income by 31.8% (in USD terms).
I passed the Series 65 exam in London (after failing my first attempt in Rome).
I registered as an Investment Adviser Representative in Texas, California, and North Dakota through a partner firm.
I completed another U.S. tax season with another client firm, improving my tax preparation knowledge (which also strengthens my comprehensive financial advising).
I redesigned and launched this website.
I restarted consistent content creation.
I invested in better equipment (monitor, camera, microphone, lighting, etc.) and settled into a new office.
I began studying for CFA Level I.
I started networking with investors.
From all of these, the most important accomplishment is that I quit other business ideas I was pursuing and decided to fully focus on building Antešić Family Wealth into a “wonderful business.” Focus is a precious commodity in today’s world, and it’s a competitive advantage to those who master it.
This leads us to 2026. So what’s cooking?
The goals for 2026
Publicly writing goals can be intimidating, as you can easily be painted as a “failure” if you don’t accomplish them. However, I am building family wealth, which requires long-term thinking. I see my planning horizon as 100 years. Therefore, I use these annual goals as guiding points and motivators to keep pushing, but not as set-in-stone targets. I advise my clients like this as well.
Here are my goals for 2026:
Strengthen my relationships with current clients.
Improve the internal investment processes for current financial advisor clients.
Pass the CFA Level I exam.
Publish one article and one video per month.
Post weekly on social platforms (YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Substack, Facebook).
Begin deeper networking with families and advisors.
Travel to the United States.
My goals are clustered around four segments:
Improve my service with current clients
Improve my financial/investment knowledge
Start building an online community through content
Start building an offline network
Since I am based in Europe but I work mainly with Americans, most of my networking will be through online channels. However, I still see that as an “offline network,” since my definition of online communities is “people with whom you interact online but never have 1-on-1, even if through a video call.”
I don’t have many goals. Well, at least compared to what I see online from others. And most of my business goals are slow-building. This is intentional, as I look to build family wealth holistically, taking into account other aspects of life, such as family situation. I want to be there for my family, so I would rather achieve my high-end goals in five years than in two. Again, my horizon is 100 years, not 2, 5, or even 10 years.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy. It takes risks, and it takes a family that supports you. My family supports me, and for Christmas, I wish that your family supports you as well.
If you know someone who is trying in business, share your support with them. They will appreciate it, trust me.
Dear reader, I hope your family flourishes in 2026 – and that something you read here helps you steward what you’re building.
To your family,
Dorian Antešić