Animal metaphors are all over the business world. There are cash cows and fat cats and top dogs—oh my! 

And maybe you’ve heard of bull markets and bear markets? Bulls swipe their horns up to attack; bears swipe their paws down to attack. Bullish investors are preparing for prices to rise; bearish investors are preparing for prices to fall. These terms are common in investment and market news, but as you’ve learned with us, we don’t like to follow the herd. (See what we did there?) 

We don’t need an animal mascot that’s ready to “attack.” Business isn’t war. We’re trying to grow something here. 

But we could use an animal that’s flexible, light on its feet, and can think for itself. It should be a strong climber, too—ready for all the ups and downs of investing! 

And if we’re picking our own mascot, would it really be so bad if it also happened to be adorable? 

Enter, the red panda.  

Maybe you’ve already heard of these little cuties, but did you know how unique red pandas are? Red pandas are sometimes confused with foxes, traditional panda bears, and even racoons, but they are none of those things! In fact, they are the only species within their genus. They’re one of a kind.  

At first glance, you might also think most financial advisors would all be alike. But once you get to know us, you might find out we’re more like the red panda. It’s hard to put us in anybody else’s category. We’re unique, and we can’t help but be ourselves. 

As for the other qualities? Red pandas hit the mark.  

They’re fabulous climbers, easily scaling mountains and getting up and down trees and bamboo forests. They aren’t afraid to climb down headfirst, nearly vertical (it’s like they know that even the steepest drops won’t go down and down and down forever!). Red pandas have adapted over time and have a “false thumb,” an extra little feature that helps them grip as they climb all over. Flexible? Check.  

On their feet, red pandas have special hairs on the soles so that they don’t sink in the snow, even when they’re running and have to change directions. Their bushy tails also help them stabilize, keeping their balance as they walk along tree branches. Light on their feet? Check. 

Red pandas prefer solitary thought to group-think, so we know they won’t be getting caught up in any herd mentality or stampedes. 

And to top it off, did we mention that red pandas are a symbol of good fortune in some cultures? 

No guarantees, of course, but beyond the bulls and the bears… red pandas might be the animal mascot we’ve been waiting for. 

Clients, what do you think: is it time for 228 Main to adopt an animal friend for a mascot? Call or write in, any time.