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What sets Just a Conversation apart from other financial planning firms?
My mission is simple: to raise the bar in your wealth management journey.
Flat-fee pricing No percentage-based fees reducing your portfolio. Just transparent, fair pricing designed to provide you with cost-effective financial advice.
I limit the number of clients I engage. There may be a wait to schedule your first appointment, as I book up quickly.
Fiduciary commitment Your best interest is always my priority no exceptions.
Tax-smart strategies A proactive, strategic tax approach built around your financial goals.
Exceptional client experience You work directly with Brian in a highly responsive, collaborative relationship. One CFP® relationship you work with the same person throughout your entire experience, and you still work with Brian in the future, you still work with the same person.
Nationwide accessibility Wherever you are in the country, I work with you.
Evidence-based investing Decades of academic and practitioner experience guide the approach built for you. The focus is on what matters most to you: reducing your fees, guiding you to construct or optimize your investment portfolio(s), estate planning tips and techniques, strategic tax planning, existing insurance and annuity analysis as necessary and encouraging you every step of the way that YOU’VE GOT THIS! Your success is what we are committed to.
Note: We do not sell financial products of any kind. You receive no surprise fees we receive no ongoing investment management fees and no commissions. Just thoughtful advice based on decades of experience in the financial advisory and planning fields, focused entirely on you.
What happens during the first discovery conversation?
The Discovery Meeting is all about understanding your concerns, questions, priorities, and areas of your financial situation where you seek understanding, guidance, and education.
I take a collaborative, client-centered approach—there is no sales pitch, nor the uncomfortable pressure you might feel with advisors who receive commissions, or ongoing investment management fees. The Discovery Meeting is an opportunity to explore what matters most to you, and for me to understand what your financial picture looks like currently. During this conversation, I’ll also gather key information to help shape the framework for the advice I give you during our second meeting. At this stage, no formal recommendations are made—instead, I focus on understanding your needs so I can provide meaningful insights in the next step of the process.
What happens during the second coaching/implementation conversation?
Meeting Two: Customized advice/coaching – what you need to do to optimize your investments, life insurance, any annuities you may own, strategic tax planning, and estate planning – and how to execute on this advice yourself.
What happens during the third follow up conversation?
Lingering questions, concerns, and additional help with implementing my coaching/advice from meeting two are covered in this meeting. This is also my opportunity to cover anything I did not cover in meeting two, based on time constraints.
What types of clients do you work with?
I work with individuals and families who are seeking help, encouragement, and coaching to manage their own financial situation, and avoid expensive annual management fees – my clients generally seek experience-based advice about investments, insurance policies, annuities, workplace retirement plans, estate planning, and smart strategic tax planning. There are other areas where I can help too. Many of my clients have shied away from working with a financial advisor in the past for any number of reasons, including reluctance to face sales pressure, ongoing annual fees, and generally, a confidence level that they can manage their finances on their own, or learn how to do so. I often serve as a “second opinion” advisor for those seeking to optimize what they have already accomplished themselves.
Most traditional financial advisors seek to engage high net worth clients. The higher the net worth of a client, the larger portfolio sizes tend to be, and thus the higher the annual fees (a percentage of your total invested portfolio, known in the industry as AUM (Assets Under Management). I level the playing field – whether you are a high net worth individual/couple, have a few hundred thousand dollars, or are just getting started on your financial planning journey, I can help. You receive the same flat fee regardless of your client profile.
Do you work with clients nationwide?
Yes! I work with clients across the country. Generally, my introductory call, and three subsequent meetings are conducted by telephone – I endeavor to keep things stress free and easy for my clients.
What does your ongoing relationship with clients look like?
An ongoing relationship is an option – for some clients an annual check-in, or review meeting provides an additional level of comfort. We can discuss options for you to engage me for ongoing assistance on a case by case basis.
Do you provide tax planning and filing services?
I provide strategic tax planning advice – tailored to the particulars of your situation. I do not provide tax return filing services.
Can my adult children be included in our meetings?
Generally I discourage clients from telephone circles where more than two individuals are on telephone calls. The practical reason for this is that more than two individuals may have questions or otherwise engage in the discussion – this takes up time, and I may not be able to finish the totality of my advice in the time allotted.
However, I can absolutely facilitate meetings with adult children in a separate meeting, or series of meetings for that specific purpose, at additional cost. I can discuss this topic with you on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if I decide not to move forward after the initial meeting with you?
No harm no foul. I offer a “right fit,” 20 minute introductory meeting to determine whether or not I can help you, and whether or not you want to work with me. I do not give advice during this meeting, understandably, as this takes place during the second conversation in my process.
How does your flat-fee pricing work?
Simple – $1,500 paid up front for a series of three meetings. See other areas of my website to compare my fee vs. the cost of engaging a traditional financial advisor/planner. The savings will astound you.
Note: In between conversations one and two, I will analyze and reflect thoughtfully on your unique goals/concerns/questions. I will then create a customized checklist to respond to these, and other items I think you need to be aware of, and that need attention. My behind the scenes work is also included in my flat fee.
How does your flat fee compare to traditional annual fee based financial advisors?
Traditional, percentage of assets-based annual fee models are generally far more expensive than my fee model.
For an illustrative example, in a traditional fee model, a $300,000 portfolio charged a 1% fee equates to a $3,000 fee every year. A $500,000 portfolio charged a 1% fee equates to a $5,000 fee every year. A $1M portfolio charged a 1% fee equates to a $10,000 fee every year.
Do you provide investment management as part of your services?
No – I coach and advise you about how to build and manage your own investment portfolio(s). It’s not as complicated as you may believe – YOU’VE GOT THIS!
Can you help manage my employee stock awards?
Yes – there are many ways highly valued employees and partners can receive stock awards. I can help with those. Whether you’re planning to exercise options, sell shares, or integrate stock awards into your long-term financial plan, I provide personalized advice to help you make informed decisions.
How do you help with retirement income planning?
I help you create a sustainable retirement income plan by balancing your spending goals, legacy goals, investment strategy, and strategic tax planning.
Rather than focusing on the fear of running out of money or limiting your lifestyle, I emphasize aligning your spending with pension and social security income, along with sustainable investment portfolio withdrawals over time.
Do you provide estate planning services?
I don’t draft legal documents, but I do provide estate planning guidance. Estate planning does not have to be complicated. Most people, even with well laid plans, leave a maze of confusion for their children, at death. Additionally, I find that many beneficiaries end up going through an expensive, time consuming, and confusing probate process. This does not have to be the case. I can help.
How do you help me manage risk in my portfolio?
Managing risk starts with understanding your unique goals, time horizons, risk tolerances, and risk capacities to invest in a manner that accomplishes your goals. While investing, like anything in life, comes with uncertainty and risks, I help reduce fear and uncertainty, while coaching you to build and maintain a portfolio you’re comfortable with, and that gives you the maximum potential for returns, based on your risk tolerance.
Importantly, I also focus on behavioral risk – helping you stay disciplined and avoid emotional decisions that can harm long-term outcomes.
Do you invest the same way as your clients?
Simply put, I eat my own cooking. The same evidence-based strategies and approaches I recommend to clients guide my personal investments. However, just like my clients, I tailor portfolios to individual circumstances such as goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. While specific investments may differ, the core principles – like diversification, disciplined rebalancing, and focus on long-term results are the same and often use the same underlying strategies. This alignment underscores my belief in the strategies I recommend, ensuring that my advice is not only impartial but also rooted in how I apply it to my own financial future.
Are you a fiduciary?
Yes, I am a fiduciary. This means I am legally and ethically obligated to always act in your best interest. My recommendations are based solely on what’s best for you, with no hidden agendas.
Do you accept commissions?
No, I do not accept commissions. I am compensated solely by the flat fee you pay me. This means I don’t receive any kickbacks, commissions, or other incentives from financial product providers or companies. My advice is aligned with your best interests.
Are you affiliated with any specific financial products or companies?
No, I am not affiliated with any financial products, companies, or proprietary investments.