Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Swan.
Hi Christopher, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been in the financial industry for over a decade. I’ve worked with some of the largest investment firms in the country. During my time with these firms, I have helped hundreds of people and families invest millions of dollars and make hugely impactful financial decisions for themselves and their families. I love my profession. I love helping people find peace of mind with their money management. My experiences in the industry have taught me a few things. 1. Great financial planning and wealth management decisions happen at key moments in people’s lives. Those moments normally occur when people receive an inheritance or some type of lump sum of money, when people get promotions or see an increase in their income, or when people begin preparing to stop working and live on passive income in retirement. 2. There is still a conflict of interest between people’s best interest and financial professionals’ incentives in the financial industry. Recognizing that there is a better way to align my incentives with my clients and that I have the freedom to be there for them when they need me the most is what prompted me to start my firm Swan Capital Financial Planning. I had always intended to run my own firm. And after years in the industry, it was finally time. I now run a fee-only financial planning and investment management firm that has removed conflicts of interest between the financial planner and their clients.
Our firm focuses on providing holistic fiduciary financial planning. We are only paid by our clients. We don’t receive commissions from different investment or insurance products. In fact, we work to bring together the best low-cost or no-cost insurance and investment strategies to our clients. We do this to make sure that our incentives align. The reality is that a lot of times it’s in our client’s best interest to pay off debt, or to fund an emergency savings account, or to wait for another opportunity, or to shop the market for better rates before investing into the market or buying an insurance strategy. We provide our clients with cutting-edge technology and solutions that help them keep overall cost low, reduce risk, and improve your overall returns. I absolutely love the way we help people. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing I helped someone achieve financial independence and leverage their wealth towards positively contributing to their families and their communities.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I reflect on my journey through the industry to where I am today, I would say my biggest obstacle has been working in environments that didn’t quite fit me and how I best contribute. I think most people go in to the profession to better understand the financial industry and to help themselves and others take advantage. And when you actually get involved in the industry, it becomes obvious that there are clear conflicts of interests between financial professionals and the client. Especially in the front lines of personal wealth management. Most products and solutions available have trickled down from ultra-high networth needs. And by the time these strategies reach the middle class, they are being pushed and sold without context. And that’s the industry.
Products and solutions pushed to the masses without being adjusted or clarified for the masses. That has been my biggest obstacle in the industry. Working to justify and clarify to the people I work with and to myself why they may need certain strategies over others, all while still making a living. It reminds me of when I had to play power forward and I was a shooting guard. I did it to give my team a chance to win, but it was exhausting and miserable. And no matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t a power forward. As you work for people and bring an energy that is committed to helping and contributing, that happens often. You get put into situations that really aren’t the best fit for you. It’s difficult. There are a lot of financial professionals that aren’t able to endure the journey and leave the industry. There are a lot that have opted for concluding this is the way it is and they prolong these conflicts. And now, thanks to technology and the sharing of information, there is a movement of financial planners and advisors that are pushing a new business model that better aligns the financial planner and the client. That’s what we do at Swan Capital Financial Planning. I am happy I found the opportunity and the energy to execute on opening my own firm. I know I make a difference.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Swan Capital Financial Planning?
Swan Capital Financial Planning is an independent, boutique, fee-only financial planning and investment advisory firm. We specialize in helping families and entrepreneurs navigate through financial events that include receiving a large lump sum (inheritance, settlement, winnings, buyout, etc.) realizing a substantial increase in total income (i.e. promotion, sales revenue growth, bonus, etc.) and preparing to live on passive income in retirement. Our firm offers solutions and advice in areas such as financial planning, investment management, tax planning, retirement solutions, ongoing fiduciary financial advice, estate planning, risk management and other wealth management solutions. We differentiate ourselves by adhering to a clear wealth-building financial plan with each of our clients that stresses financial independence, implementing an investment strategy that includes a combination of a core strategic allocation and market beating investment strategies, and creating clear plans and purpose for your estate and charitable giving.
We implement this overall strategy while maintaining focus on ensuring our strategies are tax favorable, push towards reducing risk and improve overall returns. We pride ourselves on creating a financial planning and investment management firm that is truly in alignment with our clients. We curate some of the best financial technology, strategies, and solutions into one place to help our clients manage and achieve financial independence. We also promote helping our clients leverage their wealth to better their families, communities, and passions. Our firm was founded out of necessity. Too often, we encountered people having to settle for a solution they weren’t quite comfortable with because there was no other option. Swan Capital Financial Planning is committed to helping people gain peace with their wealth management so that they can live their fullest lives.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
First, the Covid-19 crisis has truly been a trying time. It has transformed my world and the way I do business. It has redefined how I connect with my family, my community, and my clients. Covid-19 forced us all to embrace a world where we couldn’t meet in person. Going digital was already something we were leaning towards, but the pandemic truly accelerated that process. The biggest lesson I have taken from this experience is to continue to be flexible and responsive. My nature is to strive for control. And life has continued to show me over and over again that no matter how many variables I consider, I don’t actually have true control. This Covid-19 crisis is another hard slap on the hand that has reminded me to do my best and be ready for anything. Another basketball analogy, no matter how good my cross-over move was, I had to be ready to double back in case the defender jumped the move. The best players have to be flexible and quick to respond. That’s how you win in life and live with lower stress. Try your best and adjust accordingly.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@swancfp.com
- Website: www.swancfp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swancfp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwanCFP
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/swancfp
