Called to Build Together: How Dave & Trina Stone Grew First Rate From a Kitchen Table

Called to Build Together: How Dave & Trina Stone Grew First Rate From a Kitchen Table

Author: The Capital Chart Room September 18, 2026 Duration: 41:57

Dave and Trina Stone started First Rate, Inc. in 1991 from the dining room of a rented house in Arlington, Texas — with $18,000 in savings, no clients, no employees, and three kids under the age of five. Today, First Rate is one of the most established independent wealth technology firms in the industry, spanning four continents, and serving major U.S. banks and custodians.

In this episode of the Bigger Than Business Podcast, Dave and Trina share the full story: the vision that kept them in Texas, the eight brutal months of selling before their first client finally said yes (still their largest client 35 years later), and the decision — made the weekend they launched — to give away 10% of revenue, a commitment they held even when revenue left the firm and layoffs were on the table.

They also get honest about marriage and business. Forty-four years married, decades of working side by side, and their advice comes down to one rule: stay in your lane. They talk boundaries between home and office, accountability couples, what to do when one spouse wanders into the other's territory, and why they're building employee-led governance so First Rate is never for sale.


Hosted by The Capital Chart Room, Bigger Than Business moves past spreadsheets and strategy to explore the core motivation that drives people to build something of their own. This isn't a theoretical discussion; each episode is built around a candid conversation with a business owner from somewhere around the globe. You'll hear the unvarnished details of their journey-the pivotal wins, the inevitable setbacks, and the personal convictions that guided them through it all. The focus here is on the human element behind the enterprise, examining how a clear sense of purpose becomes both a compass during uncertainty and a source of resilience. For anyone building a career, leading a team, or marketing a vision, this podcast offers a rare look at the intersection of personal values and professional execution. Tune in for authentic stories that reveal how understanding the "why" behind the work can shape a more meaningful and enduring path forward, proving that a venture's impact is often about much more than its bottom line.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 49

Bigger Than Business
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