This week, your favorite Laptop Capitalist officially registered as an Investment Advisor Representative in the U.S., in the states of Texas, California, and North Dakota.
As a European, this is how I imagine myself hustling in Texas 😎
(Note: This is AI-generated; I am much more handsome in real life ;) )
This registration is one of the steps I’m taking to develop my business, Antešić Family Wealth, which provides investment and other financial advice to families and individuals.
In 2025, I decided to fully dedicate myself to building this business and set a five-year “laser-eye focus,” as Michael Saylor would say.
That plan began by pausing my other project, Apostollo, since it required more time than my business partner and I were ready to give. To build a successful business, you need focus and determination. Determination fades when focus is lost.
After that, I concentrated on deepening relationships with my existing clients to secure better contracts and allow myself more room to focus on investing. That effort paid off — and now, alongside financial growth, I’m gradually taking over the management of investment portfolios for a few dozen households. It will take some time since I still need to prove myself to clients, but I’m getting there.
Next, I applied to take the Series 65 – Uniform Investment Adviser Law exam to obtain a license to operate as a financial advisor in the U.S. My clients and I wanted me to move from the “back office” to the “front office.”
I passed the exam on my second try. The first time, I took it in Rome and scored 68.5%, just short of the 70.8% required to pass. I hadn’t started studying U.S. securities law early enough, so that part hurt me. The second time, I took it in London — and passed.
Currently, I primarily work B2B, collaborating with other financial advisors, but I’m also considering expanding into B2C, working directly with families. We’ll see where the market leads.
I’ve also started offering YNAB budgeting workshops, since I believe budgeting is the first fundamental step a family needs to master in building family wealth. So far, I’ve held one workshop and have another one coming up soon. Even though my primary focus remains on investing — that’s still the “higher plan.”
The next step in developing the business is continuing education. I’ve started the CFA adventure, and we’ll see what God brings my way.
Some upcoming steps include finishing the new website (coming soon!), writing essays on building family wealth, and building a network of collaborators to support my clients.
Since I don’t believe a person can truly separate personal and professional life, part of developing my business also involves growing my family life and my prayer life. I’m working on greater prayer discipline and on building and preserving a strong family identity.
My approach to investing is holistic, as part of a broader concept of “family wealth” — which consists of intellectual, human, and financial capital, following the teachings of James E. Hughes Jr. If I want to be a good investor, I have to invest in all aspects of family wealth, because each one is interconnected and ultimately reflected in the overall investment portfolio.
Antešić Family Wealth is growing nicely, step by step. This is a long-term game. My investment horizon is 100 years — and I shape my investments accordingly.
In two months, it will be four years since I officially (that is, legally) began my entrepreneurial journey.
I love reading about other people’s business paths, plans, and how they evolve, so I’m writing this for those who are like me. Reading stories like that always sparks creative thoughts in me, so I hope this one does the same for you. The road to (business) success is long, and persistence is key.
“A man plans his path, but the LORD directs his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9