A financial advisor or wealth manager is a professional who helps individuals and families manage their finances and plan for their financial future. This can include everything from investing and retirement planning to estate planning and tax strategies. The goal is to help you achieve your financial goals and build long-term wealth.

Our team holds multiple advanced designations, including the CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™), CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst®), and RICP® (Retirement Income Certified Professional®). Together, these credentials reflect rigorous training in financial planning, investment management, and retirement income strategies. For clients, this means you benefit from a breadth of expertise—financial planning depth, institutional-level investment knowledge, and retirement income specialization—all working together to help you achieve your goals.

A fiduciary is a person or organization that acts on behalf of another person and is legally and ethically bound to put their client’s interests first. In the context of financial advice, a fiduciary must provide advice and recommendations that are in the client’s best interest, regardless of how it affects their own compensation. This is the highest standard of care in the financial industry.

Compensation for financial advisors can vary. Some advisors are paid through commissions on products they sell, while others, like us, are fee-only. Fee-only advisors are paid directly by clients for their advice, which helps to ensure our recommendations are always in your best interest and not tied to selling specific products.

We primarily work with people who are close to retirement, already in retirement, and business owners. That said, we also work with clients in a variety of situations—particularly those facing complex tax planning needs or navigating wealth management challenges that benefit from professional guidance.

It’s never too early to start planning for retirement, but for many people, the most critical window is in the 5–10 years before they plan to stop working. This is when we help clients optimize Social Security, tax strategies, and portfolio positioning to maximize income in retirement and plan for a generational legacy.

The amount you need depends on your lifestyle, income sources, health care costs, and longevity expectations. We help clients run personalized projections so they know exactly what’s required for their situation.

A retirement income plan maps out where your money will come from once you stop working—Social Security, pensions, investments, and more—while managing taxes and market risk. We specialize in building sustainable income strategies for retirees.

Markets change over time, and your plan should adapt with them. We actively manage portfolios and update financial plans to help clients stay on track during both strong and challenging markets.

Business owners have unique opportunities to reduce taxes and build wealth. Strategies may include setting up specialized retirement plans, optimizing business entity structure, deferring income, or using succession and exit planning to minimize tax burdens when selling or transitioning a business. We work closely with business owners to integrate these strategies into their broader personal financial plan.

We believe financial planning works best when all your professionals are aligned. We collaborate directly with your CPA, estate attorney, and other trusted advisors behind the scenes—reducing the need for you to relay messages or coordinate separate strategies. This creates a white-glove, hassle-free experience where your financial team is seamlessly connected.

Protecting and growing wealth requires a balance of risk management and growth-oriented strategies. We help clients build diversified investment portfolios, use insurance strategically, and implement tax-smart planning—all designed to preserve wealth during market downturns while still pursuing long-term growth.

Fee-only fiduciary advisors are legally bound to put your interests first and are compensated solely by you—not through commissions on financial products. This creates a relationship of trust and transparency.

We help families design estate plans, trusts, and gifting strategies to transfer wealth efficiently, minimize taxes, and ensure your legacy reflects your values.

Ask about their experience, credentials, compensation, investment philosophy, and whether they act as a fiduciary. We welcome these conversations to ensure a strong fit with each client we serve.

Financial planning is crucial because it gives you a road map for your financial life. It helps you set clear goals, understand your current financial situation, and create a strategy to get from where you are to where you want to be. Without a plan, you may struggle to save for retirement, pay for your children’s education, or handle unexpected financial challenges.

Starting is simple. Contact us to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting—either in person in St. Joseph or virtually. We’ll discuss your goals, review your financial picture, and outline how we can help you move forward.

Our investment philosophy is rooted in long-term, goal-based planning. We build globally diversified portfolios designed to align with your specific financial goals and risk tolerance, rather than chasing short-term market trends. Our focus is on a disciplined, tax-efficient approach to help your wealth grow steadily and sustainably over time.

The frequency of our meetings is based on your individual needs, but we typically schedule at least one or two formal review meetings per year. During these reviews, we assess your progress toward your goals, discuss any life changes, and adjust your financial plan or investment strategy as needed. We are also always available for additional check-ins whenever you need them.