What to Expect When You Work With Us

We often get asked what our process looks like when someone decides to work with us. The truth is, it’s not a simple checklist or a one-size-fits-all plan. Every person who walks through our doors has a different story — different goals, challenges, and dreams for their future. That means every plan we create is unique.

As Duane put it best, “That’s the entire reason you use an advisor — our job is to understand where you’re trying to go and help you get there.”

Starting With What Matters Most: You

The first step in working together is all about understanding you — your current situation, what you value, and what you want your financial life to look like. This usually means gathering information: tax returns, account statements, and anything else that helps us understand your financial landscape.

“It can take a little time,” Rilee explains, “because we ask for a lot of details up front — but that’s what helps us build something that actually fits your life.”

The more we learn about your goals and circumstances, the better we can help identify opportunities and potential pitfalls. Whether you’re planning for retirement, saving for education, or looking to pass on wealth efficiently, we start by getting a full picture of where you are today.

Building a Plan Around Your Goals

Once we’ve listened and learned, that’s when the real planning begins. Duane and Rilee both emphasize that financial planning isn’t about selling a product or sticking to a template — it’s about problem-solving.

Using the seven steps of the financial planning process, our team develops recommendations tailored to your goals and life stage. That could mean exploring tax-efficient strategies, evaluating insurance coverage, planning charitable giving, or preparing for transitions like retirement or widowhood.

Rilee describes it as “putting all the pieces of the puzzle together.” Each area — tax, estate, education, or insurance planning — connects to the others. Adjusting one piece can impact the rest, so we look at the whole picture before making any recommendation.

Collaboration Makes the Difference

Behind the scenes, collaboration is a big part of how we work. “We want to know who your CPA or tax preparer is,” Rilee says. “If it makes sense, we’ll reach out and make sure everyone’s on the same page.”

Duane adds, “When you engage with the other professionals in a client’s life, the plan isn’t just theoretical — it actually works in the real world.”

That kind of communication helps avoid surprises and ensures your financial strategies are aligned across the board.

An Ongoing Partnership

Your plan doesn’t end once it’s built. Life changes — and so should your financial strategy. We continue to review, adjust, and update your plan as needed. Whether that means taking advantage of a new opportunity, preparing for retirement distributions, or revisiting goals after a major life change, we stay with you through every step.

As Duane put it, “Once you’re comfortable with the path forward, implementation becomes easier and easier as you move forward every year.”

At the End of the Day

There’s no “cookie-cutter” process here. Every client journey is unique because every person is different. Our role is to listen, analyze, and guide — helping you make informed decisions that support the life you want to build.

Or, as Rilee summed it up perfectly, “At the end of the day, we just try to be problem solvers. If we can help someone get a problem solved, we’ll dive in and figure it out.”