What’s Going on at GDS – August 2026

August was a month worth celebrating at GDS Wealth Management. From honoring local educators to earning national recognition for our growth, this month reflected the same mission that drives everything we do: helping families build financial confidence through thoughtful planning, genuine relationships, and ongoing education. 

Here’s a look at what happened at GDS in August, and how it connects to the work we do for our clients every day.

A Night at the Ballpark: Our Frisco RoughRiders Client Event

This month’s client appreciation event took us out to the ballpark for a Frisco RoughRiders game. Clients and the GDS team spent the evening together enjoying baseball, conversation, and each other’s company. 

Why do we invest in events like this? Because financial planning isn’t just about spreadsheets and projections; it’s about the relationships built along the way. Evenings like this give us a chance to connect with clients outside the office and celebrate the milestones, big and small, that got us here together.

GDS Wealth Management was recognized on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies, driven by 169% three-year revenue growth. What does this recognition mean for GDS clients? It reflects the firm’s continued growth and allows us to keep investing in the people, tools, and resources that support the quality of service our clients expect. 

Read the full article

Best Financial Advising Firm in Denton County, Five Years Running 

For the fifth consecutive year, GDS has been named Best Financial Advising Firm in Denton County. The award was determined through community nominations and voting, and we are grateful to our clients, neighbors, and team for their continued support. Five years in a row is a milestone we don’t take for granted, and it motivates us to keep raising the bar. 

Discover more 

Glen’s New YouTube Channel Is Live

Glen D. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, has launched a new YouTube channel built specifically for people approaching retirement with more than $1 million saved. 

What can viewers expect? Practical, straightforward guidance on:

• Creating a clear income plan for retirement 

• Tax planning in retirement 

• Making the most of the assets you’ve built over a career 

If you’re within a few years of retirement, or helping a parent or loved one think through theirs, this channel is designed to provide practical information, not just theory. 

Subscribe to Glen’s channel 

GDS Unplugged: Financial Confidence at Every Career Stage 

In one of this month’s episodes of GDS Unplugged, Andrew Schmuhl, CFP®, ChFC®, CEPA®, sits down with former Stryker HR leader Traci Young to talk about how financial confidence shifts throughout a career. 

Topics covered in this episode: 

• Making the most of workplace benefits 

• Navigating career transitions with confidence 

• Managing financial stress at different career stages 

Whether you’re early in your career or navigating a transition, this conversation offers perspective on building financial confidence at every stage, not just retirement. 

Watch the full episode 

Retirement Blueprint: 5 Mistakes to Avoid Before Selling Your Business 

Selling a business isn’t just a deal problem; it’s a planning problem. Once the sale closes, certain decisions around taxes, estate planning, and income replacement may become difficult or impossible to change. 

Who should listen to this episode? Business owners who are even a few years out from a potential exit (or anyone who knows someone in that position) will find this episode worth their time before those decisions are made for them. 

Watch the episode 

Welcoming the New School Year with a Thank-You to Local Teachers 

Every August, teachers across our community prepare to welcome a new class of students. As a small way of saying thank you, GDS kicked off the month by giving YETI tumblers to faculty at Coram Deo Academy and Liberty Christian School. 

It’s a small gesture, but one that reflects a bigger belief at GDS: strong communities are built by people who show up for others, year after year, whether that’s in a classroom or in a financial planning meeting. 

Looking Ahead

Every month brings new opportunities to celebrate our community, recognize the people who make GDS possible, and share resources that help families make confident financial decisions. Thank you to our clients, our neighbors, and our team for another memorable month. 

If there’s ever anything we can do to help you or your family plan for what’s ahead, we’re always here.