Business - Trekadvisors.com

TrekTalks: Trekking Forward

An Interview with Justin Young, CEO, Trek I PULSE Q1 2026

Time is catching up to us. Just when we feel like we can take a breath, the next "thing" is here, and we are scrambling to make sense of the various versions of that thing. But when the world is moving at breakneck speed, business can inadvertently slow down.

We are advancing at an unprecedented rate. From artificial intelligence and automation to blockchain and quantum computing, new innovations are reshaping industries and transforming the way we live and work. The pace of technological change has created immense challenges for all of us.

In our generation, we have witnessed incredible change including breakthrough technology such as the Internet, cloud computing, and big data analytics. Furthermore, the convergence of technology across fields has accelerated innovation even further.

However, in a world where technology disruptions are the norm, falling behind can have significant impact on businesses. Those that fail to adapt to new technologies risk losing competitive edge. The impact can also be amplified by the fact that technology is not just an enabler; it also shapes customer expectations.

In an era of instant gratification and seamless user experiences, customers demand innovative products and services that are efficient, personalized, and accessible across multiple platforms. Businesses that fail to meet these expectations risk losing relevance and alienating their clientele.

Q: What are your recommendations for how to stay the course and keep pace with change?

Justin: Embrace change and engrain it in your organizational culture. This industry is highly competitive and becoming more so by the minute. So, it’s more important than ever to discover the ways you are different, and then mesh that into the culture of your business. This means identifying your value proposition, customer experiences, and innovative solutions, and then building that into everything you and your team do.

Q: What do you believe is the core of a successful business in the age of rapid change?

Justin: Agility and flexibility is the foundation of being able to sustain change. It’s important to have processes that are nimble and adaptable because we all need to be ready for quick movements of innovation. If we have agile methods and an open mind, we can all easily adapt to frequent change or new releases.

Q: Who should be responsible for making change and making change digestible?

Justin: It’s really important to recognize that no single player in the game has full control over innovation. This is why we partner with our advisors and collaborate with them, rather than dictate to them. Together we can discover new ways to create change and enhance customer experience. No one person can do that alone.

Q: What do you think is the biggest mindset shift advisors and teams will need to make over the next five years?

Justin: I really think its moving from being performance or product-driven to being people-driven. And not just for clients, but for teams as well. The next phase of growth is going to come from how well we listen, adapt, and build trust, not necessarily how many solutions we can offer.

Q: What do you see as the biggest opportunity in the financial services industry right now?

Justin: I’d say opportunity is in the space between advice and understanding. It’s really going to be about who is able to help clients make sense of everything. And there is a huge opportunity in s

Q: How do you balance leading with vision versus reacting to the next big innovation?

Justin: Our advisors and their teams are collaborators in this world. Through supportive and continuous skill development, advisors can ensure everyone is prepared to embrace the next “thing.” It’s important to always encourage and live in a learning mindset. And supporting a team in this way can only help advisors that much more.

Q: In your view, what defines a future-ready advisor or firm?

Justin: We always say here at Base Camp, “Help your future self out.” I love this because it reminds me that if we all get things in order now, our future selves can enjoy the fruits of our labors more. Building a business at a good pace just leaves us time to thrive in our endeavors down the road. It may seem hard to change now, but if we don’t put in the effort, change will speed past us, and at a certain point we will never be able to catch up.

Q: How do you see the advisor’s role evolving as clients become more tech-savvy and information-driven?

Q: Many advisors feel overwhelmed by the constant rollout of new tools. How can they focus on what truly matters without getting lost in the noise?

Justin: It’s really important to recognize that no single player in the game has full control over innovation. This is why we partner with our advisors and collaborate with them, rather than dictate to them. Together we can discover new ways to create change and enhance customer experience. No one person can do that alone.