Joey Miller, a New Braunfels investment advisor, is known for his straightforward wisdom not just on investing, but on success and leadership. For him, success is not a single achievement but a journey full of growth fueled by continuous learning and adaptation. With an outlook rooted in his experiences, Miller’s philosophy is as practical as it is inspiring.
Never Stop Learning
If you asked Miller for leadership advice, one thing he’d say is “never stop learning.” This simple, powerful principle is his secret to staying relevant and resilient. To stand out in today’s world, Miller believes it’s crucial to specialize and bring something unique to the table. “Do something different than everyone else,” he advises, underscoring that the more specific your expertise, the more valuable you become. He also stresses that embracing change is part of the journey, especially since life is full of surprises and volatility.
Be Patient Through Tough Times
Miller has been around long enough to know that tough times come and go. For him, the key is to keep calm and ride out the storm. He knows that “challenging times are normal and they never last forever,” which helps him face difficulties with a steady, confident approach. This calm patience lets him weather ups and downs, knowing better days are always around the corner.
Turn Feedback Into Growth
One thing Joey Miller takes seriously is feedback. Rather than getting defensive, he listens carefully and looks for actionable advice in even the toughest critiques. If there’s a chance to improve or streamline a process, he’s all for it. By being open to suggestions, he’s managed to continually raise the bar for himself and his business, showing that even tough feedback can lead to positive change.
Make Things Work
Miller sees his strongest asset as his unwavering willpower. He’s the kind of person who finds a way to make things work, no matter how tough it gets. “I don’t give up,” he says. For him, setbacks are just stepping stones, and the only option is to keep moving forward. This persistence has become the cornerstone of his success, enabling him to push through challenges and find solutions when others might give up.
Lead by Example
For Miller, leading isn’t just about giving instructions; it’s about setting an example. He believes that to be a good leader, you should have the mentality of “the first one up and the last one working.” When times get tough, he’s there to set the tone for calm, steady action. He urges other leaders to model values that inspire their teams and remain steady even when challenges arise. He’s also a believer in kindness and forgiveness—traits that he thinks are vital for any leader who wants to earn genuine respect from their team.
Keep a Flexible Approach to Decision-Making
Part of Miller’s method for decision-making is grounded in gathering wisdom from others. He believes in asking questions, seeking advice, and taking time to understand the experiences of those who’ve been there before. When he does make a decision, he’s not afraid to change course if new information comes up. Being flexible, in his view, allows him to stay on the best path as he learns and grows.
Relationships Come First
Though Miller is in the investment business, he sees himself as being in the relationship business. Building trust with clients is the foundation of what he does. “We are in the relationship business of helping clients feel comfortable and solving their various investment goals,” he says. For Miller, success comes not just from good investment strategies but from nurturing authentic, lasting relationships that make clients feel valued and understood.
Stay Inspired
When it comes to personal values, Miller finds a lot of inspiration in literature, particularly in Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. He admires characters who stay true to their values even when they face challenges. “Atlas Shrugged really shows Ayn Rand’s view of a perfect man who never wavers from his values,” he explains. For Miller, sticking to his principles, even when it’s tough, is part of what makes him proud of his work. Holding firm on his values is something he strives to live out in both his personal and professional life.
Put in the Extra Effort
Miller firmly believes in hard work. He attributes his success to consistently putting in extra effort, often “outworking others.” In his approach, he invests alongside his clients, ensuring he’s just as committed to their goals as they are. Every day brings its own set of challenges, but Miller approaches them head-on, always moving forward with the best information he has at hand.
Learn From Role Models
Miller’s journey has been shaped by a number of role models—some who showed him what to aspire to, and others who taught him what to avoid. He’s grateful to his parents, who instilled in him a work ethic, resilience, and a can-do attitude. In his career, he’s seen businesses both succeed and fail, and he credits much of his success to tackling problems while they’re still small. His proactive approach keeps him and his business nimble and ready for whatever comes next.
Handle Life’s Challenges With Patience and Adaptability
Miller’s first job as a young cabinetmaker taught him a lot about patience and adaptability. He recalls working on houses where no wall was perfectly straight and every design had its own quirks. Each job required solving small problems one by one until completion. He remembers a particularly tough experience working through the night to meet a client’s deadline. Despite challenges like power outages, he found ways to keep going, making adjustments along the way. These lessons have served him well in his investment career, where unexpected obstacles are just part of the process.
Be Cautiously Optimistic
Joey Miller, a New Braunfels investment advisor, believes in balancing caution with optimism. He’s a big believer in “keeping some dry powder for the next opportunity” and staying patient as trends come and go. This cautious optimism helps him stay grounded and ready for the right moment, rather than getting swept up in passing fads. His approach is all about measured, strategic progress—an approach that has served him well over the years.
Value People Over Things
If he could go back and share a bit of advice with his younger self, Miller would say, “Don’t live for material items, but focus on relationships.” For him, true success isn’t about material gains but about building genuine connections with others. He believes that relationships are the most rewarding part of life and that success is best measured by the quality of one’s connections.
Joey Miller’s journey shows how far patience, adaptability, and determination can take you. His take on leadership and success is all about pushing forward with a purpose, making thoughtful decisions, and, most importantly, valuing relationships. For Miller, true success isn’t just about hitting targets; it’s about making connections, staying grounded in your values, and finding joy in the everyday challenges and triumphs. His story reminds us that success is most rewarding when shared with the people who matter.