Indianapolis, Indiana | Wealth Management
Most advisors are focused on helping you choose investments or protect yourself with insurance and other products. We take a different approach: We focus on helping you identify what you want your future to be like (your Vision for the future) so you can more confidently determine your goals. And if you can’t accurately name your goals, how can any advisor help you build a plan to achieve them?
You need to know that you have a plan that makes sense for you, and that’s why our trademarked planning process starts by clarifying your vision and values. Then we help you identify goals that will move you toward that vision. Once they’re clear, then we can build a plan that adds up, and serves the only goals that matter; yours.
The Wealth Optimization System™ follows a simple flow: Discovery, leads to Clarity. When you have Clarity, it leads to Decisions. Decisions lead to Results. And when you get results, it leads to Confidence.
There are four quadrants to our process: Discovery, Creative Solutions, Strategy Deployment and Results Management.
First, it’s probably useful to know that we’re part of a bigger group that is a real powerhouse. The Watermark Group has four teams; our CPA Group, us (Watermark Wealth Management), our Risk Management group, and The Watermark Group Charitable Fund. From financial planning, investment management, risk management, tax, audit, merger and acquisition and forecasting, to projections, cash flow analysis, financial statement trends, benchmarking, and charitable giving, we really bring a lot of muscle to the planning table.
How I knew Watermark was the place for me
After meeting Rick, Jeff, and Mark, I felt right at home. One will quickly feel welcomed and part of the Watermark family. The firm’s Midwestern values show in their actions to help people and to put others first. The Watermark Group Charitable Fund is one example that I learned about out in our conversations and the research completed online.
Favorite aspect of what I do
Hearing about what inspires, motivates, and connecting with other people. Learning is also another activity I enjoy about the financial services industry. As rules, trends, and tax code change, helping families preserve and optimize their financial resources feels good.
What inspires me, or what am I passionate about
Meeting people and learning about where they come from, where they are going, their current challenges and helping them move forward.
When I’m not at work I’m probably…
– Spending time with my family
– Working on wood project
– Fishing
– Convincing my wife why I need a sailboat
My Credos or favorite quotes
“When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?” Thich Nhat Hanh
Kolbe Index: 7-7-3-3
Top 5 Strengths:
Learner
Context
Input
Analytical
Achiever
Connect with me:
Email Nathan
Phone: 317.805.0805
Why I knew Watermark was the place for me
Several years ago, I commented in a career planning session that my goal was to “work to live” and not “live to work.” The response I received was that if you truly enjoy what you are doing, your work becomes part of who you are, part of why you live. At Watermark, my passion for our WHY, “to inspire others…”, permeates my various roles as an adviser, mentor, husband, parent, friend and volunteer. It gives me my overarching reason for being.
Favorite aspect of what I do
We rolled out a “Dream Manager” program at Watermark in 2011 as a way to encourage our staff to become more engaged in their lives by pursuing those things that truly matter to them. Since then, I’ve become a Certified Dream Manager, introduced this life-changing engagement concept to countless business owners and individuals, facilitated numerous “dream-storming” sessions for clients, staff, friends and family members, and heard firsthand the stories of elation, satisfaction and personal growth as told by many who have discovered, pursued and achieved dreams never previously imagined or thought possible. For me, it doesn’t get much better than that, and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to enter into these inspirational conversations with our clients.
What inspires me, or what am I passionate about
I find inspiration in many things including random acts of kindness, the miracle of child birth, lessons I’ve learned from my children about compassion and stewardship, the courage demonstrated by someone willing to pursue a dream or take a stand for a core belief, a well-delivered motivational speech, eulogy or homily, or the perseverance of an underdog in any competition.
My passions include spending time with my family and friends, my faith, the well being of my parish, high school and college communities, leaving a legacy through Watermark and spreading the Dream Manager concept.
When I’m not at work I’m probably…
Spending time with my wife, Angie, and children, Claire, Olivia, Margaret, and James
Searching for a VRBO property in our dream trip destinations
Reading a book or watching a movie or documentary about World War II
Listening to or attending an Eric Church concert
Walking the shores of Lake Michigan in Charlevoix, MI in search of the perfect Petoskey Stone
Volunteering at Marian University, Roncalli H.S., St. Roch, Brooke’s Place or Center for Global Impact
Grilling on one of my 5 grills
Participating in a 40 Days for Life campaign
My Credos or favorite quotes
“The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” Michelangelo
“The true worth of a man is measured by the things he pursues.” Marcus Aurelius
“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” Forest E. Witcraft
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein
Kolbe Index: 4-3-8-4
Top 5 Strengths:
Belief
Developer
Empathy
Adaptability
Connectedness
Connect with me:
Email Jeff
Phone: 317.805.0805
Why I knew Watermark was the place for me
I was looking for a company that was team-oriented and shared my business ethics and values to partner with. First I explored The Watermark Group website and was inspired by the staff profiles and business philosophy of the company. That led to the next step, which was meeting with the partners to discuss the possibility of a business relationship. After meeting with Mark Vollmer and Jeff Curtis it didn’t take long to realize this was the place for me. They immediately made me feel like a part of the team and right at home.
Favorite aspect of what I do
Serving people and helping them achieve their financial goals and objectives. I really enjoy developing long lasting business relationships, which often turn into long lasting friendships.
What inspires me, or what am I passionate about
What inspires me is the confidence and trust my clients have in me as their advisor and fiduciary. It’s very humbling and inspires me to not just say I will act in their best interest, but actually do it.
When I’m not at work I’m probably…
Spending time with family and friends
Spoiling my grandchildren
Attending a soccer game with my sons and grandson
Vowing to play more golf and do more fishing
My Credos or favorite quotes
“Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.” Proverbs 13:11
“People should be more concerned with the return of their principal than the return on their principal.” Will Rogers
Kolbe Index: 7-7-2-3
Top 5 Strengths:
Harmony
Developer
Achiever
Responsibility
Connectedness
Connect with me:
Email Rick
Phone: 317.805.0805
Our wealth planning process helps you find clarity before you take action. Having an Investment Philosophy lets us do the same.
There are three governing thoughts to our investment approach for our clients:
You worked hard to create your wealth. Investing it with a plan that makes sense, makes sense.