“We can’t change the past. All we can do is look forward and build something better.”
That’s Rob Wolf of Wolf Financial Advisory in St. Joseph talking about how first meetings oftentimes go when someone talks with him or one of his financial advisors to map out their retirement. Wolf says people often think they’ve waited too long to meet with a financial advisor.
“The longer they wait, the more apprehensive they are about what they might learn. But I can tell you, after their first meeting, many people say, ‘I wish I would have met you 10 years ago.’ I tell them, ‘Well, we’re meeting today. We’re going to do whatever we can to make your future as good as possible from today forward.’”
Now celebrating 30 years of experience in the industry, Wolf tells people who have questions about their financial position to, ‘ask the question.’
“Ask the question. Just ask the question, and if you don’t like the answer, let’s meet.”
The “question” Rob’s talking about is, “Do I have enough money to retire the way that’s comfortable for me?”
Once you decide to seek professional advice, Wolf describes the first meeting with a financial advisor at Wolf Financial Advisory as an information-gathering session.
“We’re looking for relationships with people who choose to partner with us. I’m not necessarily interested in doing a financial transaction where somebody buys something from us. You could buy something from anybody. We’re looking for somebody that’s looking to have a meaningful relationship – somebody that knows us personally and knows we care about their success. My satisfaction is seeing our clients grow emotionally and financially, and we celebrate their success with them.”
The growth Rob Wolf mentions has to do with clients feeling both financial security and the freedom to enjoy life. He recalls a client who wanted to take his family on a trip to Disney World but didn’t think he had the wherewithal during retirement.
“I showed him he comfortably had the resources for the family trip, in part because of the financial strategy we put in place years prior. He took his family on that trip and created amazing, happy memories – for both him and his loved ones. Unfortunately, a couple of years later, that client passed away, but not before knowing he had created memories that live on to this day.”
The first meeting with Wolf Financial Advisory is called a FIT meeting – talking about your Family, Interests, Timeline. At the FIT meeting, Rob says potential clients just need to bring themselves.
“We’ll just talk so we can gain a general understanding of what’s going on in your life. Just be willing to share your story. Be willing to be open and honest. There’s no judgment as to where you’re at. Don’t feel that you should be better off than you are. You are where you are, and we’ll work through that. Come as you are. Share your story, and let’s see if there’s a way that we can work together.”
Wolf Financial Advisory employs nine people with offices in St. Joseph. Their team focuses on wealth management, tax-focused financial planning, legacy planning and charitable giving, and cash management. You can contact Wolf Financial Advisory at 269-982-1988 or visit their website at WolfFinancialAdvisory.com.
Robert Wolf, James Koenig, Sara Wolf, and Michael Rock are investment advisor representatives of, and securities and advisory services are offered through, USA Financial Securities. Member FINRA/SIPC. Additionally, Amanda Opulskas and Adam Wallace are registered non-solicitors of USA Financial Securities, A registered investment advisor. 6020 E. Fulton St., Ada, MI 49301. Wolf Advisory Services and Wolf Financial Advisory are not affiliated with USA Financial Securities.