Designing Tomorrow’s Financial Landscape
The Visionary Leadership of Thomas Hamlin and the Evolution of Somerset Wealth Strategies
Longevity in financial services is never accidental. It is built through discipline, tested through volatility, and sustained through conviction. For Thomas Hamlin, Founder and President of Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC, the path from a young advisor with no prior industry experience to the leader of a diversified financial enterprise has been defined by resilience, independence, and an unwavering belief in doing what is right for clients.
A Humble Beginning with Relentless Drive
Thomas Hamlin entered the financial services industry in 1990, joining an independent firm in Los Angeles that specialized in marketing annuities nationwide through newsletters, well before the internet transformed communication and distribution. At the time, he had no prior experience in the field. What he did have was persistence, discipline, and an appetite to learn.
Within just over a year, he became the top producer among thirty five agents. Rising to the number one position so quickly was not simply a professional milestone; it revealed a deeper entrepreneurial instinct. He was not content merely participating in someone else’s vision. He wanted to build something enduring.
Despite his success, long term ownership or equity participation was not available within the firm. That limitation planted the seed of independence. Alongside his mentor and another top producer, Hamlin explored opportunities with larger organizations. One corporate transition proved especially difficult, reinforcing a critical lesson that would shape his career: never sign an agreement where the client does not retain the right to choose their advisor.
That experience crystallized his philosophy. Client choice would always come first.
Building an Independent Foundation
In May 1997, Hamlin founded Somerset Wealth Strategies as an independent insurance agency. The firm’s name carries personal meaning, inspired by the county in England where his father was born. It reflects heritage, legacy, and a long term perspective that continues to guide the organization.
Early affiliation with Raymond James Financial Services provided institutional infrastructure and credibility. However, Hamlin’s vision extended further. He sought greater flexibility and fiduciary alignment.
To expand capabilities, he established Somerset Wealth Management, LLC, a fee based wealth management firm operating under a fiduciary standard. Later, he acquired Bay Colony Securities, a fifty year old broker dealer headquartered in Boston. This acquisition strengthened regulatory oversight and allowed the firm to control its own compliance environment.
Each structural evolution was intentional. Rather than expanding for prestige, Hamlin focused on building a platform that empowered advisors, protected clients, and maintained operational independence.
The Entrepreneurial Reality
Running a financial firm is far from glamorous. Hamlin speaks openly about the pressures of entrepreneurship. Covering payroll, managing compliance costs, staying ahead of regulatory scrutiny, and continuously generating business require stamina and resilience.
Regulatory burdens in financial services have intensified significantly over the past three decades. Oversight is constant, documentation requirements are extensive, and expectations continue to rise. Hamlin acknowledges candidly that had he known the full weight of regulatory responsibility, he might have hesitated before launching his own companies. Yet entrepreneurship often requires moving forward despite uncertainty.
He believes that entrepreneurs are driven not simply by ambition, but by conviction. They accept discomfort in pursuit of autonomy and the opportunity to serve others on their own terms.
Leadership Rooted in Accountability
Unlike many executives who step away from direct production, Hamlin remains actively engaged in client relationships and revenue generation. He is responsible for more than two thirds of the firm’s revenue, ensuring that leadership decisions remain closely aligned with client realities.
Surrounding himself with strong lieutenants has been essential. Several senior team members have been with the firm for over a decade, and some for more than twenty years. Combined, the leadership group represents over one hundred years of shared experience within the same organization.
Talent development is approached with patience. High turnover is costly and disruptive. Once the firm identifies individuals who align with its mission, it invests deeply in mentorship, training, and long term growth. The addition of Hamlin’s son, Brian, into the business signals a generational vision, reinforcing stability and continuity.
Innovation Balanced with Discipline
Balancing innovation with stability is one of the most challenging aspects of leadership. Hamlin believes that failure is part of progress. If a company is not occasionally failing, it is likely not pushing boundaries.
At Somerset, new initiatives are tested thoughtfully. Projects that fail to gain traction are evaluated quickly and refined or discontinued. Capital is not wasted, but experimentation is encouraged. This mindset allows the firm to evolve without losing its foundation.
Technology plays an increasingly central role. Artificial intelligence, advanced financial planning software, and digital infrastructure are integrated to enhance analysis, streamline operations, and improve client communication. Hamlin views technology as a force multiplier, enabling a lean organization to deliver capabilities often associated with much larger institutions.
Evolution of Products and Strategic Focus
Over the course of more than three decades, Hamlin has experienced significant shifts in product strategy. In the early years, annuities accounted for more than ninety five percent of business. As markets evolved, the firm expanded into mutual funds, life insurance, fee based wealth management, alternative investments, and private placements.
Experience ultimately brought clarity. Today, Somerset focuses primarily on two core pillars: annuities and fiduciary fee based wealth management, complemented selectively by life insurance and supplemental long term care.
Annuities remain foundational because of their risk mitigating properties. While frequently misunderstood, properly structured annuities can provide income guarantees, principal protection, and competitive performance relative to traditional fixed income benchmarks. Historically, the firm has averaged approximately one hundred million dollars in new and repeat annuity premium annually.
Fee based wealth management has grown steadily, generating recurring revenue well into the seven figures, with ambitions to reach eight figures within five years. This balance between transactional and recurring revenue strengthens stability and long term sustainability.
Navigating Volatility and Learning from Adversity
From the downturns of the early 2000s to the financial crisis of 2008 and the unprecedented disruptions of the global pandemic, Hamlin has navigated profound market volatility. Not every strategic initiative delivered ideal outcomes. Certain real estate related private placements faced challenges during the pandemic era.
Rather than retreat, the firm recalibrated. Exposure to vulnerable sectors was reduced, risk management practices were strengthened, and infrastructure was reinforced. Hamlin often describes the organization as having rebuilt itself to withstand a Category 6 hurricane. Preparation for future disruption is viewed as essential rather than optional.
Rethinking Portfolio Construction
One of Somerset’s distinctive approaches lies in blending traditional equity exposure with structured annuity solutions. Registered Index Linked Annuities can provide participation in major indices while offering defined downside protection. This enables clients to potentially allocate more toward equities while maintaining risk controls.
Multi year guaranteed annuities have also provided attractive yields during higher interest rate environments, enhancing fixed income positioning. Guaranteed lifetime income solutions, particularly during periods of elevated rates, have delivered substantially higher payouts compared to previous low rate years.
The objective is not aggressive speculation. It is intelligent allocation, reduced volatility, and reliable income that supports retirement confidence.
Shaping the Future of Financial Security
As artificial intelligence, demographic change, and regulatory evolution reshape the industry, Hamlin remains focused on preparation rather than prediction. Financial security today extends far beyond a single retirement milestone. It is an ongoing process that adapts to life stages, economic cycles, and evolving client goals.
Somerset continues integrating advanced analytics, AI driven modeling, and streamlined compliance systems to enhance both operational precision and client experience. Yet the firm’s guiding principles remain constant: independence, disciplined risk management, and a client first commitment.
Designing tomorrow’s financial landscape requires courage to evolve without abandoning foundational values. Through persistence, strategic clarity, and visionary leadership, Thomas Hamlin has built more than a financial firm. He has built a resilient platform positioned not merely to endure change, but to lead within it
