1 – Q) Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/cities.
A) Western Reserve Capital Management, LLC is an independent, fee-only registered investment advisory firm located in Hudson, Ohio. We provide financial planning services with a focus on helping individuals and couples who are approaching or in retirement. Our planning approach integrates investment management considerations, tax planning, and retirement income strategies.
As a fee-only firm, we do not earn commissions on any products or services we may recommend, which helps align our interests with those of our clients. We work with a select group of clients who are seeking comprehensive financial planning relationships. Our team of three professionals provide personalized attention to each client relationship.
2 – Q) Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
A) I graduated from the University of Akron in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in Financial Planning and Services. I began working in the financial services industry immediately after graduation and have focused on building the expertise necessary to provide comprehensive financial planning advice.
I earned my Enrolled Agent (EA) designation with the IRS in 2018, which allows me to represent taxpayers before the IRS. In 2019, I achieved both my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification and my Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation. These credentials require significant study and continuing education to maintain.
With 9 years of experience in the financial industry, we officially launched Western Reserve Capital Management in 2024. Establishing an independent registered investment advisory firm that operates under the fee-only fiduciary model represents a significant professional milestone.
3 – Q) What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
A) The decision to launch Western Reserve Capital Management came from a desire to provide financial advice in an environment free from conflicts of interest. The fee-only, fiduciary model was important to me because it means clients pay us directly for advice rather than us earning commissions on products. This structure can help ensure that recommendations are based on what we believe is appropriate for each client’s situation.
I also recognized that many people approaching retirement face complex financial decisions involving Social Security claiming strategies, portfolio distribution approaches, tax planning, and coordinating various accounts. These decisions benefit from comprehensive planning, and I wanted to build a practice focused on addressing these interconnected issues.
4 – Q) What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
A) First, invest in developing genuine expertise before launching your business. I spent several years earning professional credentials, building knowledge, and learning from experienced advisors. When I launched Western Reserve Capital Management, I had the foundation necessary to serve clients appropriately. Taking time to develop expertise is important.
Second, consider growing sustainably rather than rapidly. We self-funded our launch and did not take on debt or outside capital. This approach required patience and careful expense management, but it allowed us to maintain control over how we built the practice. Sustainable growth can be valuable.
Third, build your business around your core principles. I structured our practice as fee-only because I believe it’s the right way to deliver financial advice, even though it presents certain challenges. Having clarity about your values makes decision-making more straightforward.
5 – Q) What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
A) Discipline is important. Building a business, particularly in a regulated industry like financial services, requires attention to numerous details including compliance requirements, client service protocols, and operational systems. Maintaining standards consistently matters.
Communication skills are valuable. As a financial advisor, my role includes helping clients understand complex financial concepts. This applies broadly to entrepreneurship, you need to communicate your services to potential clients, coordinate with your team, and build relationships through clear dialogue.
Adaptability is useful. The financial services industry evolves continuously, from regulatory changes to new planning approaches to shifting client expectations. Being able to adapt your business while staying true to your core principles can be beneficial.
6 – Q) How many hours do you work a day on average?
A) I typically work 9-10 hours per day during regular business periods. The workload varies throughout the year, with tax season and year-end planning periods being busier. I try to maintain a sustainable work schedule that allows me to serve clients effectively over the long term.
7 – Q) To what do you most attribute your success?
A) I attribute my progress to a commitment to continuous learning and to structuring my practice around the fiduciary principle. Early in my career, I pursued rigorous credentials, the CFP®, EA, and RICP® designations, which provided a strong knowledge foundation.
Choosing the fee-only model was also significant. This structure can help build trust with clients because it minimizes potential conflicts of interest. I also credit my colleagues, James Sexton and Megan Leet, who contribute significantly to our firm’s operations.
8 – Q) How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
A) Much of our client growth comes from education and community involvement. I participate in speaking opportunities and create educational content about financial planning topics. This approach tends to attract clients who value expertise and are looking for financial planning relationships.
We maintain a professional website and online presence, but we focus on demonstrating our knowledge and our fiduciary approach rather than aggressive marketing tactics.
9 – Q) Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
A) We self-funded the launch of Western Reserve Capital Management and did not take on outside investors or business debt. This was an intentional choice that reflected our desire to maintain independence.
Self-funding required careful planning and expense management. We kept our initial overhead modest and invested in the essential technology and compliance infrastructure needed to operate appropriately. The practice has grown organically from there.
This approach provides independence; we answer to our clients rather than to outside investors or lenders.
10 – Q) What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
A) Long-term success requires consistency and integrity. In financial services, firms that maintain client relationships over decades tend to be those that genuinely work to serve their clients’ interests and build trust through their actions over time.
I believe in focusing on providing quality service rather than maximizing short-term business metrics. Our practice structure, our fee-only model, our focus on comprehensive planning, our commitment to ongoing education, is designed around serving clients appropriately, which we believe supports business sustainability.
Investing in systems and processes that ensure consistent quality is also important. As a firm grows, documented procedures and regular training help maintain service standards.
11 – Q) Where do you see yourself and your business in 5-10 years?
A) In 5-10 years, I hope Western Reserve Capital Management will continue serving clients with the same commitment to financial planning and fiduciary principles that define our practice today. I anticipate thoughtful growth of our client base, working with clients who are appropriate fits for our planning approach.
We may expand our team to include additional advisors, which would allow us to serve more clients while maintaining personalized service. I also plan to continue developing my expertise through ongoing education and professional development, as the financial planning field evolves continuously.
Success for me means maintaining strong client relationships built on trust, while operating with the integrity and independence that are central to our practice.
12 – Q) Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
A) I appreciate organizations that have helped make financial services more accessible and transparent. Companies that have championed low-cost investment options and put investor interests at the forefront have had a positive impact on the industry. The principle that you can build a successful business while genuinely working to serve clients’ best interests is one, I find compelling.
13 – Q) How important have good employees been to your success?
A) Having capable team members is essential. James Sexton brings valuable experience and client relationship skills, and Megan Leet ensures our operations function smoothly and our clients receive professional service. Financial planning involves significant detail work, and having a team you can trust to handle important responsibilities is critical.
In a small firm, every team member’s contribution is important. We’ve been intentional about building a team that shares similar values around client service and fiduciary responsibility.
14 – Q) How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
A) I try to be persistent when I believe in a goal, while remaining open to adjusting my approach based on results. Some worthwhile objectives take considerable time to achieve. Earning professional designations required sustained effort over multiple years. Launching an independent firm required patience and planning.
I’m willing to work through challenges when I’m confident about the objective, but I also believe in adapting methods when evidence suggests a different approach might be more effective.
15 – Q) What motivates you?
A) I’m motivated by the nature of the work we do. Retirement represents a significant portion of people’s lives, and financial planning decisions made during the transition to retirement can have meaningful impacts. When we help a client work through their financial questions, that’s satisfying work.
I’m also engaged by the analytical aspects of financial planning. Every client situation involves different goals, assets, tax situations, and circumstances. Creating financial plans that address these various factors requires problem-solving.
Building a practice that operates with integrity and serves clients appropriately is also meaningful to me.
16 – Q) How do you define success?
A) Success means having clients who trust our advice and feel confident about their financial planning. It’s reflected in the quality of client relationships and our ability to provide helpful guidance.
Success also means maintaining integrity in how we operate. We’ve structured our practice around the fee-only, fiduciary model because we believe it’s appropriate for delivering financial advice. Maintaining those principles is important regardless of business metrics.
On a personal level, success means building a sustainable career. I want to continue doing this work long-term, which requires maintaining reasonable boundaries and building a practice that doesn’t depend on unsustainable hours.
17 – Q) How do you build a successful customer base?
A) We build our client base through service to existing clients and by being selective about client relationships. Our practice is designed to work with individuals and couples who are approaching or in retirement, who value comprehensive planning, and who are looking for ongoing advisory relationships.
Being clear about the type of clients we work with allows us to serve them more effectively. We’re not trying to serve everyone; we focus on situations where we believe we can provide meaningful value.
We also maintain professional relationships with attorneys, accountants, and other advisors who work with clients who may benefit from comprehensive financial planning. When these professionals are familiar with our approach, they can be referral sources.
We emphasize education rather than sales. By sharing knowledge about financial planning topics and demonstrating our expertise, we can attract clients who value the type of relationship we offer.
18 – Q) What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
A) My favorite aspect is the ability to build a practice that reflects my professional values. In launching Western Reserve Capital Management, I made deliberate choices about how we would operate: fee-only compensation, focus on financial planning, and an emphasis on quality service. I have the autonomy to structure the practice according to these principles.
I also appreciate the direct connection between our decisions and our results. When we serve clients well, we see the impact. When we make sound operational decisions, we benefit from those choices.
19 – Q) What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
A) Officially launching Western Reserve Capital Management in 2024 was a significant milestone. It represented years of preparation, earning credentials, building expertise, and developing a clear vision for the type of practice I wanted to build.
Beyond that specific moment, some satisfying experiences come from helping clients work through major financial decisions. When planning helps someone gain clarity about their retirement transition, those are meaningful interactions.
20 – Q) What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
A) Entrepreneurs bear direct responsibility for their decisions and outcomes. When you work for someone else, you operate within existing structures and systems. As an entrepreneur, you create those structures, and you experience the consequences of your choices directly.
This creates both greater risk and greater autonomy. You can build something that reflects your vision, but you also cannot deflect responsibility when things don’t go as planned. That level of ownership requires comfort with uncertainty and willingness to trust your judgment.
Neither path is inherently superior. Different people thrive in different environments. The key is understanding which environment allows you to contribute most effectively.
21 – Q) What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
A) Our culture emphasizes professionalism, client focus, and continuous learning. We take our fiduciary responsibility seriously, our decisions, from fee structure to client communications, are guided by considering what we believe is in clients’ best interests.
We also value ongoing education. The financial planning field evolves continuously, and we’re committed to staying current on planning approaches, tax law changes, and industry developments. We expect team members to pursue professional development.
We established this culture by being intentional from the start about our principles and by modeling expected behavior. We chose the fee-only structure, invested in earning multiple credentials, and prioritizing service quality. When actions consistently align with stated values, it helps set the tone for the organization.
This culture helps attract both clients and team members who share these values.
22 – Q) In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
A) Purposeful.
My decisions as an entrepreneur connect to a clear mission: helping clients navigate retirement planning while operating with integrity. That sense of purpose makes the challenges manageable and the work meaningful.
23 – Q) If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
A) I’m generally satisfied with the path I took. Earning the EA, CFP®, and RICP® designations early in my career provided a strong foundation. Gaining experience before launching my own firm helped ensure I was prepared to serve clients appropriately.
If anything, I might have been even more intentional earlier about developing professional relationships. Strong professional networks are valuable and take time to build. Starting that process earlier could have been beneficial.
24 – Q) What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
A) My greatest concern is not serving a client well, missing something important in their financial situation or providing advice that doesn’t prove appropriate. I address this concern through preparation and systems. We have thorough planning processes, we document our recommendations and reasoning, and we work to stay current on planning strategies and industry developments.
25 – Q) How did you decide on the location for your business?
A) Hudson, Ohio made sense for several reasons. The Northeast Ohio region has professionals and business owners approaching retirement, the demographic we typically serve.
The location also keeps overhead reasonable compared to major metropolitan areas, which supports our business model. Being in the same region where many clients live makes in-person meetings convenient when clients prefer them.
26 – Q) Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
A) There are common elements, though I’m hesitant to call it a formula since every situation differs. Many successful entrepreneurs share certain characteristics: they’ve developed expertise in their field, they’ve identified a specific need they can address, they’re willing to work diligently and be patient about results, and they operate with integrity.
In financial services specifically, success seems to require technical knowledge combined with relationship skills. You need to understand financial planning complexities, but you also need to communicate effectively and build trust with clients.
27 – Q) Who has been your greatest inspiration?
A) My greatest inspiration comes from observing experienced advisors serve their clients with integrity and skill. Watching seasoned professionals navigate complex planning situations while genuinely prioritizing client interests showed me what this profession could be. Those examples influenced my vision for the type of practice I wanted to build.
I’ve also learned from thought leaders in the financial planning space who demonstrated that you could build a practice while minimizing conflicts of interest.
28 – Q) What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
A) Early in my career, I sometimes focused heavily on technical details without ensuring I was communicating clearly with clients. Financial planning involves complex strategies, but clients primarily need to understand the recommendation and feel confident about the approach. Learning to communicate complex ideas accessibly was an important skill to develop.
I’ve also learned that not every potential client is an appropriate fit for our practice. I’ve become more thoughtful about working with clients whose needs align well with our expertise and service model. This ultimately serves everyone better.
29 – Q) How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
A) Prevention involves systems and processes. We have planning procedures that include review steps. We document our recommendations and reasoning. We work to stay current on regulations and best practices. We maintain appropriate professional liability coverage. These approaches help reduce the likelihood and potential impact of errors.
When issues do occur, transparency and prompt action are important. Address the situation directly with the client, take responsibility, and work to resolve it. In a profession built on trust, how you handle problems matters significantly.
30 – Q) What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
A) I value time with family and friends, which helps maintain perspective outside of work. I stay active through various recreational activities, which helps manage stress and maintain energy.
I’m an avid reader, particularly of business and financial planning topics, though I also read for enjoyment. Continuous learning is something I genuinely find interesting. Reading broadly, even outside my specific field, often provides useful insights.