Trott is clear: creativity doesn’t start with thinking inside the lines. It starts with the courage to go upstream of the brief.
In financial planning, it’s easy to default to compliance templates or standard models. But at Town Close, we believe every client deserves more than a formula.
Follow the Spirit, Not Just the Letter
"Real creativity often comes with risk."
When we lead with judgment, not just rules, we find solutions that fit the person, not just the regulation. That’s where real value lives.
- Just because everyone sends 20-page reports doesn’t mean we should.
- Just because a process is industry-standard doesn’t mean it’s ideal.
We ask: What’s the simplest way to help this client see and feel what matters?
Constraints = Creativity
Churchill said, "We have no money, we shall have to think."
When we work within tight budgets, legacy plans, or short timeframes, it sharpens our thinking. We cut clutter. We focus on what counts.
Creativity thrives not despite constraints, but because of them.