SOURCE: Commercial Executive Magazine
In a recent Wall Street Journal Poll, 69% of Americans stated that they currently do not have any confidence in the stock market, yet that is exactly where many advisors put their client’s retirement funds. But there are other options; in fact J.P. Dahdah discovered that there were virtually unlimited options. His company, Entrust Arizona, currently has over 2,600 IRA accounts under administration that are worth over $250 million and since its inception, his organization has had an average annual revenue growth of 48%.
“We are the company or the avenue that can serve as the conduit to tap into the trillions of dollars that are in the IRA market. The biggest difference between us and your traditional broker is that we DO NOT LIMIT your investment choices,” states Dahdah. In June 2004, Dahdah founded Entrust Arizona, LLC, an affiliate of The Entrust Group. Entrust Arizona provides self-directed retirement plan administration and record keeping services to individuals and small business owners who wish to include non-traditional assets, such as real estate, as part of their tax-deferred and tax free portfolios. The company essentially enables clients to invest in all the permissible investment choices allowed by the United States IRS code. “We want to help people make the right financial moves; it’s my passion to help people build wealth,” states Dahdah.
Promoting Financial Literacy
Whether you are a successful business owner, a widower, or a stay at home mom, financial literacy is crucial for every individual to have, and Dahdah’s business model is set up to promote it. Walking in to his company’s offices, one is immediately struck by The Knowledge Center. An upscale, modern classroom appointed with plush lounge chairs that are both comfortable and practical – they have built in wooden writing peninsulas similar to those found in grade school classrooms. The company holds numerous complimentary financial literacy workshops and because they are not commission based, there is no selling involved. The curriculum is strictly educational and Dahdah comments, “We’re seeking control freaks, people who want to be in control of their investments, whether you have a large portfolio or are just starting out.” Empowering others is what Dahdah does best. He hosts a weekly radio show on KFNN Financial News Radio every Wednesday from Noon-1pm called “Talk Real Estate: Wealth Wednesdays. Dahdah encourages listeners to take control, and for some, to bail themselves out. Because so many real estate investors feel stuck right now, and they don’t like the volatility of the stock market, Entrust Arizona put together a REALTOR® tool kit. Included are non branded materials to help real estate professionals tap into the trillions of dollars found within retirement accounts. He believes that if an investor puts their money where they feel comfortable – where they have the most knowledge, they will have a higher probability of reaching the desired return.
Invest in What You Know
“I see so many people who feel they have to be in the stock market, but their business, what they really understand, has nothing to do with stocks,” comments Dahdah. Some of his best clientele invests in real estate using their IRA. “A broker who is seeking investors to purchase commercial real estate now has a tool to help accomplish that, tax free.” Doug Diehl, Executive Director of the Private Venture Group for Cavan Real Estate Investments states, “J.P. and the staff at Entrust are knowledgeable, professional, and place client service as their top priority. I have confidence that the clients I send to Entrust will be well served.”
Most Americans have the majority of their wealth in their retirement plan. While the stock market reports all focus on the current volatile climate, many investors would prefer to purchase property or land, especially while prices are at an all time low. However the majority of traditional financial institutions limit their client’s choices to stock market investments. Dahdah recommends investing in what you know, understand and control. “Agents and Brokers are excited to find out they can use their own money to buy into a deal, they like the freedom of being able to make money on transactions in their own area of expertise.” Ross Guttler, Senior Associate with Logan Commercial Advisors notes, “Everyone I’ve sent to JP, myself included, has had incredible experiences. The strength of Entrust is born from JP’s entrepreneurial nature. He astutely sees such varied perspectives that he’s always able to find the most appropriate and advantageous solutions. When you couple this with his affable personality, it’s easy to see why he’s had such success”.
Finding the First Deal
After graduating from the University of Arizona with a dual degree in finance and marketing, Dahdah began his professional career as a financial advisor with American Express Financial Advisors, Inc. In 1999, he founded Dahdah Global Wealth Management, LLC, a comprehensive wealth management company which specialized in working with business owners. During that time he was attempting to help his father invest in Guatemalan real estate, and his brother kept pushing Dahdah to find a way to help his dad invest without incurring all of the taxes that pulling money out of his IRA would require.
A chance lunch appointment with an attorney friend who specialized in offshore asset protection led to the discovery of the Entrust Group. Upon further investigation, Dahdah discovered that the organization, founded in 1981, had over $3 billion in assets under administration. He explains, “When I found The Entrust Group, I felt like all my dreams came true, this was exactly what I had been looking for, I couldn’t imagine why I didn’t know about it sooner.” Not long after, Dahdah purchased the Arizona territory and embarked on the next phase; educating, providing options for investors who seek diversity in their retirement plan portfolio and a commitment to excellent account administration. Even though Entrust Arizona is a local office, they can serve clients through a nationwide network of local offices.
International Reach
Born in Guatemala, Dahdah spent his first few years there, but moved to the United States during his formative years, learning English at age eight. His father became a Cardiologist and set an example of achievement, but Dahdah credits his mother for infusing him with a philanthropic desire. As a result, Dahdah serves as Executive Director of Advance Guatemala, a nonprofit organization he founded in 2007 to provide aid to Guatemala’s poverty stricken population. “My parents came here seeking opportunity and hope. That feeling is alive in the U.S. and I want to help change the mindset in other countries to a belief that they too can succeed,” states Dahdah. Dahdah also co-founded Capital Field Business Corporation (“CFB”) in 2005, a Latin American real estate investment company. CFB’s mission is to stimulate capital growth throughout Central America, primarily Guatemala, by creating investment opportunities in the real estate sector. Having a foot in both cultures has always been an important aspect of who he is, and the corporation fulfilled the need to giveback and respects his roots.
Locally, Dahdah is also a member of Arizona State University’s School of Global Management & Leadership Dean’s Advisory Council, Treasurer for the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Young Leaders Group, and he volunteers his time to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arizona. In 2007, he was selected as a “40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40” award recipient, presented by The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Univision Radio.
In September 2008, Dahdah became a U.S. Citizen, and he was thrilled to be able to vote in his first election. Although the event meant much more than that; the ability to choose resonates because that is exactly what his business promotes, choice. Entrust Arizona doesn’t sell or endorse product, they don’t get you into investments, and they don’t advise. Rather, they provide account administration and IRS reporting for Self-Directed Retirement Plans. Dahdah’s company allows unlimited investment avenues and with no investment minimums. Dahdah explains, “I have people who invest in horses, wineries, even a music teacher who purchased instruments to create rental income for his IRA.” Dahdah adds, “There is nothing more gratifying to me then when a client tells me, ‘I made a $100 thousand on my last deal and I didn’t have to pay taxes – thank you!’ But I didn’t do the deal; I just gave them the vehicle.”