Why I Became a Financial Advisor
At age 14, I made my first investment. Like most kids, I spent my early teen years trading baseball cards and playing video games, but I also started reading The Wall Street Journal. I had been bit by the finance bug, and I found the markets fascinating. I absorbed everything I read in financial publications and investment papers; the more I read, the more I enjoyed it. Here’s the story of how I went from a 14-year-old amateur investor to a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and founder of a financial firm.
Then and Now
With unwavering focus, I continued my pursuit of growing my financial knowledge through high school and then obtained a bachelor’s degree in finance from Hillsdale College. After graduation, I had job offers from companies in places like Detroit and Chicago. Instead, I decided to plant myself and start my financial management career in Traverse City, Michigan, a place I still call home.
I spent several years in various roles in the financial industry — I worked everywhere from a regional brokerage firm to a national bank, and I spent nearly ten years at an accounting firm. What I found was that people needed more than just portfolio management. My clients’ financial lives were multifaceted and needed a personalized touch and comprehensive solutions to make sure every piece of the puzzle was working together to get them to their goals.
From a young age, I had a dream of using my passion for finances to help others, take everything I had learned, and give others the tools, support, and confidence to secure their future. I decided to follow that dream and founded Black Walnut Wealth Management. The rest is history!
Proactive Coordination
Today, with more than 25 years of experience behind me, I am the founder and Chief Financial Officer at Black Walnut Wealth Management. I spend my days serving families, physicians, and business owners through independent financial counsel and fiduciary investment services that are unbiased and free from quotas. My goal is to combine hard facts and sound reasoning with compassion and relationship-building for the long term so that my clients can rest easy, knowing their money and their future are being taken care of. We look at the big picture of your finances to address any challenges or opportunities, then drill down to implement solutions to help protect you from risk and mistakes.
The Best Part
Stress is an accepted part of life these days, but financial stress doesn’t have to be part of your story. The best part of my job is when I get to meet with clients and witness the relief on their faces when they realize they have someone looking out for them who has a clear action plan. I come to work every day committed to helping my clients make better financial decisions that will benefit their future. I strive to take care of my clients and make a difference in their lives both today and all of their tomorrows.
Take the Next Step
Pursuing and achieving goals is much easier when you aren’t alone in the process. A helpful guide and advocate can make all the difference. If you’re interested in learning more about how I serve my clients, I encourage you to contact me for a 15-minute introductory meeting by calling (231) 421-7711 or using our online calendar to get started today.
About Eric
Erickson Braund is the Founder and Chief Financial Officer at Black Walnut Wealth Management. He is a Certified Financial Planner®️ professional and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®️. Eric brings over 20 years of experience working with high net-worth individuals and families, helping them achieve their goals of protecting and growing their wealth for retirement and for generations to come. Because Eric is a CFP®️ professional, he adheres to high ethical standards and engages in at least 30 hours of approved continuing education in the financial industry each year.
Braund is a Northern Michigan native who truly enjoys all that the area offers, including hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, volleyball, and boating. He loves spending time with his family — his wife, Jodi, and his two children — and maintaining a balanced life. To learn more about Eric Braund, connect with him on LinkedIn.
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