The Picture You’re Painting: It’s about what YOU want

Seek first to understand, then to be understood is a great quote from author Stephen Covey. However, many in the financial world have it backwards. Too often advisors seek first to be understood (sell their product). This “sale” becomes the focus and the goal. As a result, they often fail to take the time to understand who you are, your retirement goals, dreams and concerns about current or future economic conditions. As a result, then may not allow you the time to “Paint Your Picture”. Some seem to forget that retirement is one of the biggest transitional times in your life and therefore the development of a solid plan should not be rushed into. It should take time to develop over several meetings.

Bryan Rich has been serving clients for over 30 years. He strives to teach a balanced approach to retirement while highlighting both the positives and negatives of options available. He began his financial services career in North Carolina in 1992 upon graduating with honors with a Business Finance degree from Liberty University. After working for over a decade for a national financial planning company he decided to pursue his own career. As part of that decision, in 2005, he assisted experienced insurance and investment professionals from the Roanoke, VA and established Secure Financial Group, Inc. Later opening a office in Cary, NC. Since its founding Mr. Rich became the face of Secure Financial after speaking to thousands of “50 and Uppers” throughout Virginia & North Carolina in presentations and educational workshops. Now, as President of SFG since 2008, he has continued to develop strategic relationships with attorneys, CPA’s and other experienced professionals in order to provide a holistic approach to financial and estate planning. These NETWORK Partners share in SFG’s desire to fully inform and educate each and every prospective client.

Bryan is proudly an independent advisor when it comes to meeting the insurance and lifetime income needs of his clients. In 2007 Bryan passed his Series 65 Exam and is currently an Investment Advisor Representative for Brookstone Capital Management www.brookstonecm.com. When dealing with the risk portion of your portfolio, along with BCM Bryan provides fiduciary advice. This helps promote a balanced approach to retirement…it is not one-size fits all. Risk based options provide more upside potential, while protected options offer peace of mind. Your best interest is always the primary objective…matching your goals with the math.

PEOPLE FIRST, MONEY SECOND is not just a motto; it is the way SFG chooses to do business by taking the time to get to know you and the “Picture You’re Painting” for this stage of life before we ever start talking about the “products”. The “products” are important, but they are simply the tools. How do we know what tools to use until we know what you want to build?

Let’s dream a little first. Then, once your goals for retirement are understood we help you implement the ABC PLANNING PROCESS. This process is designed for the Conservative & Moderate Investor who doesn’t want to simply leave retirement to “I HOPE IT WORKS” -- or “IT SHOULD WORK” – well, as long as the stock market does what I want it to do. Risk investments certainly have their place and are a major part of the ABC PLANNING PROCESS. But, first we must ensure our Liquidity and Income needs, then chase risk for greater return potential. So, the key question is not, “What kind of returns might I get?” Nor is the question, “Can I afford to retire now?” No, the key question should be: “Am I in a position to retire and most importantly…STAY RETIRED?” All with a level of risk that if the market has a major decline you can step back and say, “I’m still okay”.

Investment advisory services offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC (BCM), a registered investment advisor. BCM and Secure Financial Group are independent of each other. Insurance products and services are not offered through BCM but are offered and sold through individually licensed and appointed agents.

Ed de la Rosa of Solid Ground Financial founded his practice with a unique approach. He sets out to help families find money they are losing unknowingly and unnecessarily. Then, Ed uses the found dollars to help solidify their financial future, preferably without impacting their current lifestyle. Ed wants to help regardless of whether you are in your working years, accumulating for retirement, or already in your distribution years. Ed recognizes that opportunities to minimize both market risk and tax risk can be lost and could jeopardize your retirement without a retirement plan. By providing financial education, he can help those preparing for that next step to acquire the tools they need for a more secure path forward.  

Ed recognizes that people have worked hard for their money and that there is more to be gained by preventing the losses than choosing the winners. As a Certified Financial Fiduciary, he has embraced a higher standard in always serving his clients’ best interests.

Ed and his wife are avid hikers and take several trips per year to ‘conquer’ Mt. Rainier.

Jeremy Sparks is a Certified Financial Fiduciary® and a proud partner of JD Mellberg Financial, the nation’s leading retirement income planning firm. He continues to be named by multiple organizations as one of the top Safe Money and Income Experts in the Nation.

Since 2017, Jeremy has protected MILLIONS of dollars in client retirement savings. He has a passion for life and protecting the hard-earned money that people have acquired over the years. Jeremy specializes in removing his clients’ money from market volatility and has helped countless individuals avoid the significant retirement losses that many experience year after year due to market uncertainty. Due to his success, Jeremy’s expertise and knowledge are heavily sought after.

Jeremy is licensed in multiple states and works with a wide variety of clients located all across the country. Jeremy takes a customized approach with each and every client he works with to build a retirement plan that consists of SAFETY, SECURITY, and GUARANTEED LIFETIME INCOME. He lives happily in Austin, Texas with his girlfriend Melissa and their 6 year old French Bulldog Chaparro.

Jeremy loves knowing that none of his clients have ever lost a dime or missed a lifetime income payment due to market risk, helping to reduce some of the most common fears of today’s retirees.

Being raised by a single parent with two children, I learned the value of a dollar and the importance of making wise decisions with finite resources early in life. Growing up I had numerous part-time jobs and learned how to budget my money for the things I wanted in life. When it became time to choose a career I was introduced to the world of finance and the opportunities it provided. I have spent years learning about money and how it works. In turn, the wealth-building ideas and strategies I teach my clients are the same principles I practice in my own life. They work; I started from scratch financially and have been able to build a successful financial life for my family through patience, discipline, smart common sense investing and financial management. 

Eric is a published author, has been on television multiple times, and is a 26 year veteran in the financial industry. 

Matt started his career over a decade ago while serving as a Military Police Officer in the Army and graduating from Iowa State University. Upon starting his career, he focused on Medicare and retirement age clients and knew right away that this was for him as he had a natural connection working with individuals and families in the retirement age group. After a couple of years, he knew that while helping seniors with Medicare and Long-Term Care strategies was very fulfilling and beneficial to seniors… there was so much more he could do to help them have the retirement they had worked so hard for and deserved!

So, for the last 10 years Matt has been helping thousands of clients build and protect wealth with zero principal risk and achieve their financial and retirement goals utilizing cutting edge insurance concepts. Using these strategies, Matt has been able to help his clients eliminate all the guesswork.

Matt is a National Social Security Advisor Certificate holder, NSSA® and has his life, health and accident insurance licenses.  He is also the host of Safe Money Radio on WHO radio.  Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, his wife and their 4 children, which usually consists of kids’ games and activities. He also enjoys working out, bicycling, and being outdoors. He and his wife Megan also enjoy going out to dinner, golfing, meeting up with friends and vacationing.

Derrick is a native of Kansas City, KS, where most of his family still resides. He attended Highland Community College on a football scholarship before receiving another scholarship to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

During his college years, Derrick played Defensive End and Outside Linebacker. He has also served as a team captain on multiple football teams in the past and was a member of the Players Association in college. After returning to Kansas City, he became a member of the advisory board for Black Excellence of Kansas City, a nonprofit organization focused on connecting, developing, and retaining talent in the city. He was also part of a select group called the Loop of KC, which aimed to connect unique minds that are professionally driven and build genuine friendships to positively impact Kansas City. Derrick's passion for helping people has led him to Greater St. Louis, where he hopes to make a significant impact on the community's lives.

Derrick's finance and sports backgrounds provide him with a unique perspective and skill set in the financial industry. He stated, "I genuinely believe that my purpose is to assist others in understanding how to utilize their money to empower their goals." In his spare time, he enjoys reading, sports, and spending time with his family, especially his daughter, Londyn.

Helping people is an integral part of who God created me to be. Whether it's through volunteering with various organizations or working with retirees and pre-retirees. I find great joy in supporting and guiding individuals through processes and learning about their life stories. As a Certified Financial Fiduciary, I am committed to going above and beyond what is in the best interest of each and every one of our clients. I take a holistic approach to financial education and planning, meaning our team and I want to look at every aspect of a person's financial situation and makeup.

We specialize in working with older, Conservative-minded Investors who wish to enjoy their retirement without the stress and worries of market volatility. My holistic approach aims to truly understand each client's financial knowlede, risk tolerance, and retirement goals and dreams, in order to safeguard their retirement income and lifestyle. Our team aims to exceed our client's expectations and always put their best interests first, with full transparency. We want to understand your passions, your concerns, and your dreams... for your future, this is what drives us.

Daniel J. Goldstone has been a financial planner for over 40 years.

Mr. Goldstone received his Bachelors Degree in Economics from Oakland University. Mr. Goldstone is a Certified Financial Fiduciary which means he agrees to abide by the code of conduct and the fiduciary pledge of Good faith, care and loyalty to our clients best interest.

He has also attended the Tax institute at Purdue University. He believes in the safe money concept and that retirement should be stress free and how not to outlive your money.

One of his proudest achievement in life is how he cured his own cancer with holistic medicine and published a book that has helped people Globally.

He has raised two children, one is a MD Physician in internal medicine.

Evan Sussman is honored to serve as Senior Vice President for IFW.  Evan has been a successful financial professional for over 17 years.   On December 24th 2019, Evan was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer, and is currently on the road to full recovery.  He is forever indebted to the doctors, nurses, and staff that took care of him.  Evan has dedicated his career to helping people secure their financial health and well-being. 

Prior to IFW, Evan was an Agency Sales Director at MassMutual South Florida from 2012 to 2019.  Evan began his financial services career in 2003 with AXA Advisors in Los Angeles, CA. He immediately became a role model and leader in helping his clients effectively meet their financial goals for retirement, college and insurance planning.  In 2006, he moved to South Florida and joined John Hancock in Miami as one of their top financial advisors and later transitioned to Mass Mutual.  

Evan attended Bernard E. Baruch College in New York where he studied finance. His licenses include FINRA series 6, 63, and a 2-15 (life, health and annuities). He was raised in Huntington, New York, with his twin sister and two older brothers. He has lived in several cities but South Florida is truly his home. “Family is extremely important and I am grateful to have them all here living in Florida so close to me". 

Evan's main charitable focus is now supporting other cancer patients and survivors.  Additionally, he is an active volunteer and business partner in the Dade and Broward County Schools.  An outdoor enthusiast and traveler, Evan spends his free time enjoying boating, wakeboarding, tennis, mountain biking, and skiing. His greatest joy is spending time with his two nieces, Sophia and Olivia, and nephew Asher.  He recently has added a new member to the family. A Miniature Schnauzer named Mia.

Cristian Nicolescu is a seasoned financial services professional who has been dedicated to this industry for the past 15 years. He has an impressive track record of success and has achieved the prestigious Chairman's Club award for six consecutive years. Cristian holds the title of Certified Financial Fiduciary and is also certified in Long Term Care.

As the founder of Sunstone Financial, Cristian's firm specializes in providing comprehensive retirement planning, asset preservation, social security planning, and long-term care strategies to his clients. He strongly believes in educating and guiding his clients with compassion and integrity, always putting their best interests first.

Cristian's commitment to client education is further exemplified by Sunstone's educational workshops for retirees, aimed at helping them make informed decisions about their financial future. With Cristian's expertise and personalized approach, his clients can rest assured that their financial goals and aspirations are in good hands.