Why We Exist – Mission Statement:
“Charles Michael Financial LLC is offering principled guidance and practical education which provides financial CONFIDENCE and builds RESILIENCY to outside interference during the walk toward peace and purpose.”
Why we exist is a great question. Let’s jump back in time just a bit. When I was a kid, we had a little home gym in our basement back in Baltimore, Maryland. I vividly remember the red plastic cushion that covered the workout bench. It was as shiny and unwelcoming. Much like that giant, single piece of plastic that covered the couch at your grandparents’ house in the 70s. No coffee stains getting through that plate of armor!
But I also remember working out with my Dad one day when I was about 15 years old. It’s the earliest memory I have of my Dad and I discussing money. He was telling me something about an IRA (Individual Retirement Account). He mentioned how it would help me in retirement. I heard just enough of what he said to recall the conversation to this day. I knew at the time that retirement was multiple decades away for me. But that day’s money lesson was the first of many that Dad helped me with over the years.
Fast forward through a blessed and adventurous career of first being an accountant. Then a Federal Agent fighting money crimes. Finally, then being a U.S. Marshal finding bad guys through money trails. Yes, I’ve amassed quite a bit of off-the-beaten-path financial experience. Couple that finance background with an undergraduate degree in Accounting and a Master’s Degree in Financial Planning. Now you can start to see where the seeds of the firm were planted.
I’ve also lived and learned through a bunch of my own money mistakes. And some money successes. Woven through all of that has been a passion for personal finance. I just have a deep desire to help those who’ve earned my loyalty. By now, you can definitely start to see how this firm took shape. The ingredients that went into baking a financial planning firm to specifically serve Feds becomes clear.
You see along this beautiful, sometimes painful, journey of life lessons I’ve finally learned to see money as something I deploy to make wealth act in the best interest of my family. Money is a tool that my family uses. Not the other way around. This is a big part of why we exist.
So as the sun sets on my current career as a U.S. Marshal, I’ve built out the second chapter of my work life. And this one is purely about being a guide for those who are daring enough to take a walk that is a bit off-the-beaten-path. I’m starting this firm because I have a passion to help other Federal Agents, along with their friends and loved ones if they’ll so have me.
I started this firm because too many of us leave our law enforcement academies a bit unprepared. If I had to guess, I’d say we spent about 15 minutes going over human resource paperwork. We selected a few TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) funds and maybe some life insurance. Perhaps we picked a health care plan as well. But then we had to report to PT (Physical Training) to run 5 miles. How much thought did we really give those onboarding financial decisions?
The next thing you know, it’s 15 years later. Someone on the firing range mentions that maybe you should take that “retirement seminar” because you are within 5 years of eligibility. Wait, what? Did it go by that fast? Answer: Yes it did! And any bumps that knocked you off your financial course were quietly magnified tenfold over the years if you didn’t course correct your finances along the way.
From all that I’ve learned, I wanted to start a firm that genuinely cares about your success…about your being the hero with money for your family. So…in short…why we exist is pretty simple. I set out to create a firm that embodied the values of a trustworthy financial guide for you and yours:
“Charles Michael Financial LLC is designed around the virtues of St. Michael. Considered a guardian and a healer, this spiritual warrior offered sage, insightful advice and fought valiantly for good in the battle against evil. In a world full of misdirection and challenges, we are passionate about educating and partnering with clients to provide clear financial guidance and build their resiliency to outside interference. We offer pragmatic solutions that build your financial armor. Welcome to the battle to regain control of your money, create wealth and live an inspired life…”
