My financial life started with a grade school paper route and a requirement by my well-intentioned parents to deposit half of my hard-earned paychecks into a savings account. As I put more money in, I learned how important it is to save and how magical compound interest can be.

I met with a financial planner for the first time in high school. My parents attended a free introductory meeting with a financial planner while I sat in the back, absorbing everything he shared. My parents never worked with that financial planner, but the next weekend I was in his office signing paperwork to set up a Roth IRA.

My undergraduate experience at Gonzaga University was full of learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. It was a crash course in real life: credit cards, budgeting, and student loans. I realized how valuable a holistic financial literacy education would have been in grade school or high school before facing real-world decisions with lifelong financial impact.

After graduation, my soon-to-be wife and I combined our meager savings, which included my grade school paper route money, for a down payment on our first house. We turned this project into our first rental property through hard work and sacrifice, which led us down the path of real estate investing and development.

In tandem with the house remodel, I studied to obtain a master's degree in Business Administration from Seattle University and also started a career in financial planning with an established Seattle financial planning firm, Ramsey & Associates, Inc. There, I learned how a financial planning firm operates and how financial planning advice could be delivered on an hourly fee basis.

In 2008, I earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, the standard of excellence in financial planning. The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation represents the completion of rigorous education and training, a commitment to ethical standards, and dedication to serving a client’s best interests. Career aspirations led me to one of the preeminent wealth management firms in the Pacific Northwest, Laird Norton Wealth Management. For almost ten years, I had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of clients, including former business owners, multi-generational families, and trusts.

My wife and I started Madeson Management LLC, a Seattle property management firm, in 2014. Our experience in real estate investing and property management led family and friends to ask us to manage their properties. This eventually grew into a very successful venture, and I transitioned from financial planning to property management with Madeson Management LLC as a Principal in 2018. We continued to grow the firm and successfully sold the business in 2022. The knowledge and experience gained from founding, operating, and then selling a company are priceless.

Having sold our business, I was presented with the opportunity to choose my next career path. My passion for financial planning and my sincere desire to help others led me to found Embolden Financial Planning LLC. I strive to provide inclusive, accessible, socially conscious financial planning for anyone seeking financial well-being.

I am a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) which strives "To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families." Also, the XY Planning Network, an "organization for fee-only financial advisors who are focused on working with Generation X and Generation Y clients." I’m a member of FeeOnlyNetwork.com, a network of fee-only financial advisors committed to a "transparent fee structure with a legal obligation to provide unbiased financial advice." And I’m a member of the Advice-Only Network, a group of like-minded "financial advisors that only charge for their advice."

To embolden someone means giving them the courage or confidence to do something. Embolden Financial Planning LLC is a safe environment to ask questions and plan, so you may pursue your goals informed and prepared. There are twists and turns in the economy (and in life) that may be scary or anxiety-inducing. I can help you navigate the expected and unexpected with confidence.

I was emboldened in my financial life by others. I've had the opportunity to embolden family, friends, and clients in their financial lives. Now, I’m excited to embolden you.