Chad Brown

I believe in the power of creating a life plan where financial planning is just one part of a larger vision of freedom.

My role is to help clients bring that vision to life, whether they're growing a business or planning for personal milestones. For business owners, this includes enhancing business value to support their life plan now and during any future transitions. Each person has one life, and I am dedicated to making it truly meaningful for them. It's incredibly rewarding to witness clients enjoy what matters most, knowing I contributed to their journey. My path into financial advising was unexpected. After the '92 election, my original field became saturated with highly experienced military veterans, prompting me to explore new opportunities. Initially, I took on financial advising part-time, eventually committing to it full-time a few years later. Growing up in a blue-collar family, I wasn't initially versed in business or finance. However, early business pursuits sparked my interest in personal and professional success. I am often struck by how biases and misinformation shape financial decisions. Many people trust "expert" advice from media personalities without a proper framework to evaluate it. Our education system falls short in equipping individuals with the knowledge to integrate their financial lives effectively. People often do the opposite of what's beneficial, thinking they're on the right path. Just as one would seek expert opinions for medical advice, financial decisions deserve the same diligence. Working with a professional with demonstrated competency and dedication to the profession (i.e. advanced degrees and designations) can help avoid these pitfalls. I specialize in five areas. I guide clients to align their financial plans with their deepest aspirations through a process known as life planning. Another area of focus is late-stage (i.e. high school age) college planning, where saving ON the cost of a college education takes priority over saving FOR it due to the limited remaining time frame. I'm also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor®, skilled in aligning business, personal, and financial goals for business owners. With a Master of Science in Financial Planning degree with a concentration in Retirement Planning as well as a number of other professional designations, I bring a high level of technical knowledge to my practice. I have found that modern consumers value this level of professionalism over working with a less-qualified "advisor" down the street, so we have ramped up our virtual wealth management practice to be able to serve clients anywhere, anytime from the convenience of their living rooms. Finally, I am engaged in a variety of financial education initiatives, including workshops, webinars, vides, blogs, and personalized guidance, to empower people with financial knowledge that can lead to informed decisions - simplifying complex financial concepts and equipping them with the tools to take charge of their financial future. Having lived in the Ashland area for over 25 years, I appreciate its small-town charm and shared values. My wife and I have raised four children here, all of whom graduated from Hillsdale High School. Our family is spread across Wooster and Mansfield, with our youngest serving in the Army National Guard. In my free time, I enjoy beekeeping, ministry, camping, hunting, and music. These passions, alongside my professional journey, shape who I am today.