A Personal Note | Gratitude, Family, and the Journey That Changed Everything
Every once in a while, life hands you a moment that changes how you see everything. For me, that moment came about 25 years ago. An investment that once felt sound unraveled. It wasn’t everything—but it mattered. And when it was gone, it left me with a question: Is there a more thoughtful way to invest… one that doesn’t rely on hope, prediction, or unnecessary risk?
What followed wasn’t a quick fix. It was a journey. I spent years studying what actually works—grounded in evidence, not opinion. Over time, a different approach took hold. One built on discipline, diversification, and the understanding that markets reward patience far more than prediction. That path ultimately led me to Dimensional Fund Advisors.
Earlier this month, I returned to Austin for the Dimensional Advisor Foundations Conference—my first time back in 16 years. While I’ve been fortunate to attend many Dimensional conferences and spend time with their PhDs and professionals more times than I can count since 2010, it was especially meaningful to be back at their headquarters for this foundational experience.
This time, I was there with two of my three adult children, Samantha and Matt. That made it special.
In the early days, I had the opportunity to hear Gene Fama and Ken French speak directly. Sitting there then, it felt like I was learning something foundational and amazing. Today, I hear those same ideas echoed through a new generation of academics and investment professionals—many with PhD, CFA and CPA credentials—carrying forward the same discipline and respect for the science. The message remains simple and powerful: markets work, prices reflect information, and you don’t have to outguess the market to be successful. What stands out about Dimensional is not just the philosophy, but how consistently they’ve applied it over decades.
Colleen and I built our financial life around these ideas. We chose to be intentional with our earnings rather than reactive. Over time, that created something meaningful—a life with flexibility, opportunity, and independence. Not just a portfolio. A life.
Seeing my kids in that room brought everything full circle. It took me back to our home in Chicago and the early days of Camp Norwood—the backyard summer camp the kids built with friends and ran for 13 years. They were 10 when they started earning money. They were learning discipline, patience, and how wealth is built over time.
To now see them lean into these ideas on their own was a proud moment. Not because they were told to—but because they see the value.
I’m incredibly grateful. Grateful for the people who advanced this way of thinking. Grateful for the clarity it brought to my life. Grateful to share it with the families we serve. And especially grateful to pass it on to my children.
At some point, the focus shifts. It moves from What can I make? to How do I grow and extend what I’ve built? It becomes less about the next year and more about the next decade—and beyond.
That’s what this is really about. Building a foundation that lasts. One that allows you to live with purpose, navigate uncertainty, and create a life on your own terms.
Michael Evans
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