Q & A
Ultimately, the biggest differentiator is the people you’d be working with. We have a demonstrated commitment to formal education and continual learning, and bring wisdom and provide perspectives gained through three decades of experience as independent advisors. We are also independent thinkers with curious minds who dislike dogmatic answers.
We seek to provide value beyond just the investing relationship and want to enhance your life through working with us by providing access to expert points of view, and through serving as your thinking partner to foster good decision making.
We have a particular interest in helping drive your happiness through encouraging a life well-lived. Your life goals and successes are truly at the heart of what we do. We always keep in mind that we are working with real people who have hopes and dreams.
We are an independent fee-only financial advisor firm which means that we don’t earn commissions or fees from any third parties for any recommendations we provide. We are paid only by our clients and we adhere to the strict fiduciary standard, which means that we act in our clients’ best interests and put their needs ahead of our own.
Investment and wealth management services are provided under either a fixed annual retainer or are based on the amount of assets under management (AUM). The specific fee is determined after reviewing the complexity of your finances, the scope of services that you desire and the size of the managed portfolio.
Financial planning services are provided on an hourly basis, with the total fee based on the level and complexity of the services performed. The minimum fee for initial engagements with new clients is generally $2,500. After a discussion with you and a review of your data we can usually provide an estimate of the fee in advance of beginning our engagement.
We understand that becoming wealthy – or accumulating as much money as possible – is not the real goal for most people. We view money and wealth as the tools and means to help you achieve your real dreams and goals, such as maintaining your and your family’s desired lifestyle throughout your lives, buying your dream home, making a difference in someone’s life or traveling to Paris . . . or Patagonia!
Over time we have learned that we work best with people who share our belief that money is a tool, and who possess the following characteristics:
- The desire and motivation to improve their financial situation and decision making
- A willingness and the ability to take action
- The ability to communicate openly and honestly
We work with clients of varying demographics, but most of our clients are:
- Working or retired professionals and executives
- People going through life transitions, such as retirement, a change in marital status (through marriage, divorce or widowhood)
- Women on their own
- Retirees
To get started, we will have a complimentary phone conversation with you to learn about you, your goals and objectives and to mutually determine whether we can help you. If we agree that we should move forward, then we’d ask you to provide more qualitative and quantitative information to us so that we can determine exactly how we can help you, and what the cost might be based on what you’ve shared with us.
This process takes some of your time and ours, but it helps us determine if we communicate well – and would work well together – before fees are incurred.
