Building Trust, Fueling Growth

Cake Partnership’s Journey to Becoming an Agency

Making the decision to start your own agency can be intimidating. Will you secure enough funding? Will your peers see the potential of your ambition? Is your business model unique enough to stand out in the crowd? Despite these challenges, Phil Graham of Cake Partnership sought independence and found an invaluable ally in James Wong and The Founder’s Chair. Phil’s story is one of growth, trust, and the transformative power of mentorship.

Specializing in serving and advancing the community of advisors, Cake Partnership stands apart by offering expert-level knowledge of financial solutions. With a commitment to exclusivity, they operate by referral only, exemplified by its tagline, “unapologetically not for everyone.” This bespoke approach ensures a focused dedication to providing top-tier financial services and solutions to a select group of advisors committed to achieving unparalleled success.

 

Why The Founder’s Chair?

Phil partnered with James because he saw beyond a transactional relationship; he needed a mentor with honesty, experience, and the ability to provide strategic advice. James not only believed in Phil’s vision but went a step further, offering contracts based on potential rather than immediate volume, enabling Phil to increase his opportunities from day one.

 

Navigating Challenges, Maximizing Opportunities

Competing with larger organizations and needing to expand contracts were some of the main challenges Phil faced. The solution? Turning to James where he could aggregate volume from the start. Phil’s business skyrocketed to nearly $100 million in sales in just three years with only two part-time employees.

What sets James apart for Phil is trust. “I unequivocally trust James to be honest and take care of people,” explained Phil. “This trust has allowed me to confidently recommend others to seek guidance through James and The Founder’s Chair. At the end of the day, I know they will receive the same level of care and strategic support as I did.”

 

The Excitement for Founders Chair

Beyond the success of Cake Partnership, Phil’s enthusiasm extends to the future of The Founder’s Chair. Eager to give back, Phil looks to participate as a mentor and, eventually, a funder. His excitement revolves around innovative ideas, the prospect of being around intelligent and successful individuals, and the desire to expedite the growth of startups.

 “James has been the driving force behind Cake Partnership’s success,” added Phil. “His belief in my vision and the strategic support he provides are unparalleled. I trust him implicitly, and that’s why I’ve referred others to him.”

The Founder’s Chair is not just a platform; it’s a community where mentorship and collaboration redefine the path to success. Phil’s journey exemplifies the essence of The Founder’s Chair—fostering growth, building trust, and creating a community where success is not only achieved but shared.

Cake Partnership Logo

"I'm so eager to give back. I'm hoping to participate in TFC as a mentor and, eventually, a funder."

Est. 1919 · Des Moines, Iowa

HOTEL FORT DES MOINES

A century of stories, one remarkable address

Famous Guests
Scandals & Secrets
Firsts & Innovations
The Beginning
1922
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1922

Helen Keller rang in the New Year here, staying at the hotel while in Des Moines for performances over New Year's Eve.

1927
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1927

Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig had breakfast here before an exhibition game. Two of baseball's greatest, at the same table, in Des Moines.

1927
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1927

Charles Lindbergh hosted a banquet here after his famous transatlantic flight. The menu featured boneless squab — reportedly a rare Des Moines delicacy at the time.

1933
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1933

Amelia Earhart visited the hotel to speak about her solo flight across the Atlantic — a rare chance for Iowans to hear her story firsthand.

1947
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1947

Mae West stayed here during her performance of "Come on Up" at the KRNT Radio Theater. One imagines she made an impression on the staff.

1959
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1959

Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev occupied the Presidential Suite during the height of the Cold War. This hotel has seen history made.

1960
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1960

JFK, LBJ, and Hubert Humphrey all attended dinner here and held a meeting on farm policy — three future or sitting presidents under one roof.

1980
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1980

Elizabeth Taylor stayed here during a Des Moines appearance. Hollywood glamour, right here in the heartland.

1980
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1980

Elizabeth Taylor stayed here during a Des Moines appearance. Hollywood glamour, right here in the heartland.

2003
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2003

Cher requested her own personal mattress be placed in room #1025. The hotel obliged. Room 1025 has never quite been the same.

2008
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2008

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton both stayed here during the Iowa caucuses — rivals for the presidency, sharing the same address for a night.

1939
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1939

Police raided the Log Cabin Room on the 11th floor, seizing liquor and gambling equipment. The tip reportedly came from the men's own wives.

1927
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1927

When Lindbergh dined here post-transatlantic flight, he reportedly insisted on serving boneless squab, an extravagance that raised eyebrows across Iowa.

1959
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1959

The FBI monitored Khrushchev's stay closely. Guests on nearby floors reportedly had no idea who was sleeping down the hall.

1971
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1971

President Nixon greeted supporters in the lobby during his stay — a reminder that this hotel has always been where Iowa's political drama plays out.

1919
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1919

When it opened, every single room had a bathtub, purified chilled circulating water, and a window. Unheard of luxury for its era.

1938
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1938

The hotel announced the first air-conditioned guest room in Des Moines, a genuine technological milestone that made front-page news.

1953
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1953

100 rooms received TV sets in what was reportedly the largest single installation of televisions in Iowa at the time. The fee to operate yours? 25 cents.

1982
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1982

Governor Terry Branstad nominated the hotel to the National Register of Historic Places, cementing its place in Iowa's official history.

1919
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1919

The hotel opened on July 15, 1919, built for approximately $1.5 million and designed by the architectural firm Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson.

1919
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1919

Its opening was a statement of ambition: every room had a private bathtub, purified water, and a window. In 1919, this was genuinely extraordinary.

1974
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1974

Ronald Reagan attended WHO Radio's 50th anniversary celebration at the hotel, proof that Fort Des Moines has always been Iowa's premier gathering place.

2021
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2021

After major renovations, the hotel reopened as part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, a century of history, restored for the next hundred years.