David Nilssen’s Post

Happy birthday to my best friend and business partner, Jeremy Ames. It’s hard to believe we started Guidant Financial just six months after meeting—what a wild leap of faith that was. Jeremy is an exceptional human being. I admire his discipline and commitment to getting better every single day. His natural curiosity and obsession with learning continue to inspire me (and overwhelming me with book recommendations). And, like any great partnership, he invests in our relationship like a marriage. For decades, we’ve made space not just to think about the business but to strengthen our bond—ensuring that when challenges inevitably happen, we weather them together. Through it all—starting three businesses, investing in a few more, surviving near-collapse, and celebrating a successful exit—I’ve always known Jeremy looks out for my best interests as much, if not more, than his own. That’s rare. We’ve navigated life-changing events—divorce, marriage, children, relocations—and through every chapter, Jeremy has remained a humble, disciplined, and brilliant friend. I’m grateful for the experiences we’ve shared, the lessons we’ve learned, and all the laughs along the way. Happy birthday, my friend. Here’s to many more years of adventures.