Ten years ago, I took a leap of faith and launched Oaks Wealth Management. It doesn’t feel like a decade has passed—it seems like just yesterday I was stepping out on my own, fueled by a vision of serving clients in a way that aligned with my values and principles. Looking back, I realize just how much has changed and how many unexpected turns this journey has taken.
Learning from a Mentor
I was fortunate to have had an incredible mentor in my stepdad, who has been in this business since 1979. Working alongside him for nearly eight years gave me invaluable insight into asset management and, more importantly, how to conduct business ethically and with integrity. The financial industry is not always structured to serve people’s best interests—manipulation, control, and abuse of trust happen too often. But watching my stepdad do the right thing, day in and day out, shaped my perspective and the foundation upon which I would build Oaks Wealth Management.
Lessons from the Financial Crisis
One of the most defining experiences of my career was witnessing the financial crisis of 2007-2008 firsthand. I had a front-row seat to a meltdown that was fundamentally a fixed income crisis. Observing the turmoil from start to finish was like earning a PhD in fixed income, and it reinforced my belief in the importance of transparency and long-term planning.
Building a Holistic Financial Planning Firm
When I founded Oaks Wealth Management in 2015, my focus was on holistic financial planning—broadening my approach beyond fixed income trading to provide a comprehensive strategy for my clients. In the early years, I experimented with different business models, including commission-based and transactional services. Over time, I moved away from that and fully committed to a fee-only advisory model, ensuring my clients receive sound, objective advice.
Discovering My Niche
One of the biggest surprises along the way was discovering my niche. Initially, I assumed my ideal client profile was something completely different. It wasn’t until a colleague challenged me to analyze my top clients that I realized a common thread—they were primarily women, widows, or households where the woman was the key decision-maker. This revelation changed everything. I began to lean into financial therapy, seeking to understand why my approach resonated so strongly with women. It was an organic and unexpected shift, but one that felt completely natural in hindsight.
Gratitude for the Journey
Reflecting on these ten years, I feel incredibly lucky and blessed. I have the privilege of working with clients I genuinely love and respect, and that feeling is often mutual. Not everyone gets to wake up every day and do work they truly enjoy, but I do. And while I might not love the bookkeeping and compliance aspects, the relationships I’ve built and the trust my clients place in me make every challenge worth it.
The Future of Oaks Wealth Management
Looking ahead, the next decade holds exciting opportunities. This year, we welcomed Thomas, our new paraplanner, to the team. As our assets under management continue to grow, I anticipate adding a full-time planner, a junior advisor, and potentially a fractional chief investment officer to enhance our capacity and expertise. These additions will allow us to continue providing top-tier service while expanding our reach and refining our offerings.
Commitment to Growth and Excellence
Today, we manage about fifty families, and we are mindful of our growth. We want to ensure that every client receives the depth of financial planning and asset management they deserve. With the right team and technology in place, I am confident that Oaks Wealth Management will continue to evolve while staying true to our core mission: optimizing wealth and well-being.
As I celebrate this milestone, I am filled with gratitude—for my clients, my team, and the experiences that have shaped me. This journey has been one of growth, learning, and countless moments of reflection. If the next ten years are anything like the first, I can’t wait to see what’s in store.