Your future’s best friend.
Financial & Insurance advice and planning
It is personal. That’s just the way it is.
Putting your trust into an advisor is not easy. You want someone to take this as seriously as you do, and to put your interests first. Think of me as your personal financial watchdog.
Who I help
The Beginners
Maybe you are interested in starting to invest. Maybe you need life or disability insurance. Maybe you just need a little bit of help figuring out where to start.
The Established
You’ve already started investing. You probably have some insurance. You’ve worked with an advisor before. You’re looking for a new advisor or a second opinion.
The Complex
Just like it sounds. You’re beyond established. You have significant assets and insurances, maybe inherited more than expected, luckily won the lottery, or are just looking for a more comprehensive advisor. You probably have other types of advisors and need an advanced planner to coordinate with the rest of them.
FAQs
I live nowhere near Wake Forest, NC, how can we work together?
As long as you live in the United States I can help you. In fact, most of the people I work with live somewhere else in the country. Everyone has a cell phone and access to a computer, so we can easily communicate, and transfer documents securely. If your needs require a face to face meeting, we can probably find a way to make that work too. Thankfully, there is an airport not too far from me. If I am not licensed in your state currently, I can add that state upon request.
What is my ideal client?
I’ve spent years pondering that one. Really, the simple answer is: nice people. Life is short, and with that limited time I prefer to work with nice people. Sure, complicated may be more exciting to me than simple, but I would take 50 simple clients that are nice over one complex person that is unpleasant.
What are all of those letters after your name?
In the financial world there are a lot of acronyms. I spent years with my head in books, taking tests and licensing examinations. I believe I have taken more than 27 professional examinations to date. The work I do is complicated, and I have gone far beyond the average advisor in terms of education because I want to be ready to handle any topic.
So, what exactly do you do for your clients?
Retirement accounts and a simple life insurance policy? Easy. Need me to analyze your 9 old retirement accounts? Sure. Complicated trust owned life insurance policies? No problem. Medicare supplements? Yup. I do all of that too. Don’t forget an audit of your Property and Casualty insurances. Dreaming of something special in retirement? Let’s find a way for that to become reality.
What exactly is an independent advisor?
An independent advisor runs their own practice, without a bank, investment company or insurance company mandating their every move. Being independent affords me complete flexibility to serve my clients the best way possible - with my client’s priorities driving the process.
How private is it being my client?
My wife didn’t even know I was helping her mother until her mother told her. (I received permission to mention this information.)
How do I charge?
The vast majority of my work is fee based. We can work out an arrangement that is mutually beneficial. My investment management fee varies based upon the quantity of work involved. If you are complicated and need more time, then I charge accordingly. My fees are appropriate, and they allow me to make unbiased decisions for my clients. I keep it pretty simple and transparent.
Why don’t you have the CFP designation?
To be an advisor you only need 1 or 2 licenses. I have 6 licenses, a masters in financial services, 2 credentials that cover advanced financial planning and advanced insurance planning. On top of that I have completed all of the required coursework to sit for the CFP exam. I just do not see the value in taking one more test and paying one more ongoing fee, just to take another test, to add one more set of letters behind my name. My education goes far beyond that of the CFP designation, and I’ve sworn I would behave ethically dozens of times, and proven that throughout my career.
What is your investment style?
I do not have a style, assuming you mean tactical /strategic, or passive/active. My personal belief is that every client I encounter has different needs. Depending upon their tolerance and capacity for risk I have to create a personal plan for each person or couple. Each style can be useful in different situations. Think of it more like having a tool box. Which tool is going to be needed for this project?
Do you work alone?
While I am a solo advisor I actually work with dozens of other professional across the country. Since I cover such a wide range of offerings, I rely on my Broker/ Dealer’s staff, a supervisory group, multiple investment companies, as well as various insurance brokerage houses, and certain insurance companies directly. I definitely do not work alone, although most of my clients only know me.
What if I have an advisor and just want a second opinion?
That is fine and I respect that. Second opinions are fee based work. Depending on how much analysis I need to do will determine the cost.
What is with the dog theme?
I’ve had dogs around me my entire life. My experience has always been that dogs are man’s best friend. My goal has always been to offer that level of loyalty to my clients. Also, most financial websites are extremely boring in my opinion. I hope you found the images enjoyable.
Check the background of this financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck