When Only the Best Will Do

Photos by Nancy Guth  |  Profiles by Sue Cullen

Special Marketing Section.

When it comes to the best, these professionals have earned their place in our town as being tops of in their fields.

Managing Your Wealth

Placing a lifetime’s worth of hard-earned financial assets under someone else’s care to preserve and grow those funds takes more than a leap of faith. The same diligence and savvy that built those assets are invaluable in sussing out the best of the best when it comes to selecting the right financial advisor to manage wealth for the future.

Professional credentials, experience and the ability to deploy the right investment strategies in an ever-changing world are key attributes of any worthy financial advisor, but integrity, passion and caring are just as important as portfolio management. “A close and trusting relationship with each client is the foundation for providing optimal service. Every client is unique and has different goals that we must understand in order to ensure their portfolios are aligned with their objectives and that they have the other support services they need. Everything we do is custom-tailored to each family,” says Aimee Cogan, Managing Director-Wealth Management, Financial Advisor and co-founder of the Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley (941.363.8513). “Our team retains a small number of clients. We get to know each family, become invested in their lives and provide them with appropriate guidance and a very high level of personalized service.”

Wealth management is a highly specialized field and can be complex, particularly for ultra-high net worth families, so specialized training and credentials are vital. Cogan, who has her CFP® and CIMA® designations, encourages all of her team members to regularly pursue such training in their specific areas. “This profession is built on knowledge and trust,” she says, “and we are willing to go beyond that to help clients with many areas if they choose to involve us.” This includes access to Morgan Stanley’s Lifestyle Advisory Services including property and casualty assessment, private health advisory, experiential bespoke travel, art advisory, private aviation, residential staffing, identity theft monitoring, and many other lifestyle areas that affect clients’ lives.

Cogan has earned recognition among Barron’s Top 1200 Financial Advisors in 2009, and every year from 2012 through 2018, as well as Barron’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors from 2011 to the present. Other prestigious recognitions include Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisers in 2013 and 2016, SHOOK Research Top Wealth Advisor Moms 2018, and in 2019 she was named a Forbes Best in State Top Financial Advisor. “The most important thing is having a team so passionate about what we do,” she says, “That means our clients’ goals are our goals.”

Looking Your Best

When it comes to the best in Facial Plastic Surgery there is a reason people come to Sarasota from near and far—Dr. Sumeet Bhanot. Dr. Bhanot, a pioneer in his field, has had the pleasure of serving the Sarasota area for sixteen years. He was born in Chandigarh, India and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of eight for the best in medical care when a severe illness threatened his father’s health. A tumultuous childhood endured at the hands of fate and his father’s ever fragile health fostered his interest in medicine shaping him into the tenacious surgeon he is today. Dr. Bhanot was educated at NYU undergrad followed by ten years at Yale University School of Medicine fulfilling medical school and residency, followed by a coveted fellowship in Facial Plastic surgery and completing two board certifications. Unfortunately, his father was unable to witness his achievement, but no doubt he would be proud.

Dr. Bhanot practices in a solo boutique practice in Sarasota where patients are treated like family by friendly, personable staff in an intimate setting (941.966.3223). Dr. Bhanot personally performs all procedures and takes his time to reassure and answer all questions. Patients often acknowledge his superb surgical skills complimented by a warm, compassionate bedside manner.

Endlessly striving for perfection, Dr. Bhanot’s unique approach to the aging face starts with educating his patients on the changing shape of the face caused by a shifting of the upper facial volume to the lower face. He explains that a SMAS (fascia) facelift, which he used to perform and still is performed by the top respected Plastic surgeons, has limitations. He feels that it inadequately addresses the falling volume in the mid face yet provides a satisfying result in the neck area. The fallen cheeks are often addressed by stuffing volume in the upper cheek and laugh lines. Dr. Bhanot feels that this exaggerates and distorts the natural proportions of the face, without addressing the problem. To circumvent this, he performs a very rare Deep Plane Facelift that addresses aging at the source by re-draping and lifting fallen volume to the upper face. Restoring youthful harmony to the proportions and shape of the face makes patients look 20 years younger yet so natural that no one can guess they had surgery. Not an fan of the stretched and plumped look that seems to be trending nationwide, Dr. Bhanot believes the true art of plastic surgery is dramatic change yet subtle natural results.

Dream Homes

Home is sanctuary. The ultimate luxury is living in an environment that surprises a “wow” from everyone who walks in the door, including you. At the same time, home should evoke a contented hygge vibe that promises your needs will not only be met, but anticipated. It may seem a little counterintuitive that technology is the key to both.

Andrew Guenther helps homeowners create safe, livable and beautiful homes through advanced technology in lighting, home automation, security and audio/video. “If people get us involved early before they do a remodel or start a new home, we can help them create their dream home,” says Guenther, who owns Advanced ESI with his son Andreas (941.554.5000/advanced-esi.net). The place to start is lighting, which with today’s LED lights, has to meld art and science to get it right and avoid pitfalls such as lights that claim they’re dimmable, but really aren’t. Lighting also includes natural light that can be adjusted with automated window coverings. “The majority of houses I see don’t have sufficient lighting,” he says. “You can have beautiful finishes, architectural details and artwork, but if you can’t see them, you’ve wasted your money. It’s like buying the Mona Lisa and hanging it in a closet.”

Guenther was a pioneer of the home electronics industry, starting in 1979, at age 17, by installing high-end security systems for wealthy homeowners. He has made a name for himself in his industry through many high profile/high price tag projects, including a $6.2 million installation in Naples. However, Advanced ESI has options for most budgets. “For instance, Sony has seven 65-inch TV models from $1,300 to $4,500. It’s like going from a Corvette to a Ferrari. They’re all nice, but the higher priced sets have improved performance and features,” he says.

The best way to truly experience what’s possible for today’s home is to stop by the Advanced ESI showroom at 4915 S. Tamiami Trail, Guenther says. Visitors can experience home automation and home theater as well as a strategically lit, fully functioning kitchen, built-in 85-inch TV fireplace, “disappearing” electrical outlets and much more. “When the lighting and home systems are done right, it can greatly improve your lifestyle. If it’s not done right, people never want to do it again because it’s aggravating,” Guenther says. “It all comes down to design, engineering and execution. We design for aesthetics. We either make it pretty or disappear, and engineering ensures everything works together. Having 40 years of experience is what sets us apart.”

Designing Luxury

Designing surroundings that evoke emotion and engender unique experiences are a hallmark of the homes and commercial spaces created by Timothy Del Vescovo. His architectural concepts are first inspired by a site’s espiritu loci—the spirit of the place, whether that is a beachfront, woodland or urban setting. Del Vescovo’s designs also are the product of his education in both architecture and interior design, a comprehensive study program in Europe, and an inquisitive mind that incorporates wisdom gained from sources as diverse as the Old Masters and archaeoastronomy.

“Continuity between the building exterior and the interior creates a coherent, beautiful home that works together harmoniously,” says Del Vescovo, founding principal of architecture and interior design firm, Del Vescovo Design Group (941.806.6933/deldesign.com), which also specializes in multifamily residential, such as Citrus Square and the Courtyard at Citrus as well as hospitality and restaurant design. “We check our egos at the door and start our communication process with clients to understand their needs and lifestyle,” he says. “Then we apply form, materials, texture and techniques for light, shade and shadow to express their lifestyle through the architectural form and interior environment. That’s especially important for our restaurant clients because light is the drama of the place, and we design to create an exciting environment that gives patrons the full social dining experience, such as we did in Element Modern Mediterranean Grill on Main Street.”

A Lido Key waterfront home with nearby neighbors was designed to obscure adjacent structures while a ride up in a clear-sided elevator reveals spectacular water views. A circular central staircase allows light from the roof to fill the home. “Part of the fun and drama is the horizontal progression that reveals the essence of the house over time until you reach the climactic spaces like the kitchen, great room and master bedroom,” he says. “The processional to the house on Lido is across flat-topped boulders in a koi pond. We came up with that idea by listening to the client to turn that lifestyle element into architectural form. We then infused the procession to the house with mystery using focused views, lighting, materials and even sound.”

For the Epiphany Cathedral Perpetual Adoration Chapel in Venice, Del Vescovo used both light and sound to create sacred space. A waterfall outside a stained glass window fills the chapel with warm color while obscuring ambient exterior noise. “The more clients tell me about themselves, the better the outcome. That’s why we are so client-centric,” he says. “Our goal is to evoke emotion and produce unique experiences that exceed our clients’ expectations.”

Unique Treasures

Entering a truly exceptional antique shop and wandering among finely executed treasures from the past is both a treat for the senses and an adventure. Sarasota Trading Company on Pineapple Avenue in the historic Burns Court Historic District doesn’t disappoint. The store’s owners, Andrew Ford and his wife, Elizabeth, scour the nation and the world–not to mention the local area–for fine art, furniture, jewelry, bronzes, silver and art glass.

“This is an opportunity to see a wide ranging, eclectic collection of pieces from 16th century to mid-century modern,” says Ford. “We have the widest selection of paintings from old masters to modern day masters.” These include contemporary paintings by Antonio Carreno, important American Impressionist and 17th century Hudson River School artwork as well as paintings with a local flavor from the Petticoat Painters and Sarasota Artist Colony.

Ford has more than 25 years experience in fine art and has previously owned galleries, including one on St. Armands Circle. He grew up in the antiques business and took it on as a career when he came to Sarasota. Ford has built a reputation for understanding antiques and their value whether acquiring pieces for sale or valuing a treasure someone is passing along to its next owner. He travels extensively to important shows across America from New York City and the Hamptons to Napa Valley and just returned from a trip to Hong Kong.

A recent acquisition includes 2,000 Asian artifacts in a $500,000 Treasures of the Far East collection. “Asian pieces are extremely hot. They are the real height of collecting and are right up there in popularity with mid-century modern,” Ford says. “We have a wide selection of figural pieces including about 200 Buddha figures and a variety of white Chinese porcelain. People are opening up to these influences from Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet and the whole Indo-Chinese area.”

Shoppers at Sarasota Trading Company (941.953.7776 /sarasotatrading.com) may come in on a mission for something particular or just to browse and enjoy the surroundings. “A lot of people come here as something to do with nothing specific in mind. Then, they turn a corner and something catches their eye because of its vibrancy or its opulent appearance,” Ford says. “They didn’t know they needed it until they actually bumped into it.”