Learn How to Invest Money Wisely With Brandt Kuhn From Beacon Pointe Wealth Advisors
Written By: Lynne Eodice
Photography Provided By: Beacon Pointe Wealth Advisors Invest Money Wisely
As Managing Director and Partner of Beacon Pointe Wealth Advisors, 33-year-old Brandt Kuhn is a most deserving recipient of Investment News’ prestigious “40 Under 40” Award. For the past six years, this investment news source for financial advisors has honored 40 young rising stars in its industry. The publication pared 1,000 nominations down to 40 based on their accomplishments and leadership this year. What was the deciding factor for Kuhn? “I think that being a Managing Director and partner with a firm like Beacon Pointe was important,” he says. “Also, my tenure of 13 years at age 33 is rare.”
Early Inspiration
Before getting into the industry, Kuhn knew that many people made bad investments or didn’t invest their money at all. “Across all socio-economic statuses, many people don’t have a good handle on their finances,” he remarks. “Taking on loans, debt or repaying student loans are things that people don’t have a good grasp on—and it’s really not their fault. I think that when it comes to money, we have a poor educational system in schools and in our country in general.”
His career path began with an inspiring mentor when he was in college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “I sat in on client meetings, helped with investments, began making trades and became a sponge in my mentor’s office.” He later moved back to his native Palm Desert area and started working with a financial advisor. After gaining experience with several investment firms, he and his business partner began looking for a company to fit their ideals. “Beacon Pointe turned out to be that firm, and we joined in July 2017.”
Tailored to the Individual Invest Money Wisely
“I take a financial planning approach,” Kuhn says when asked how he educates his clients. “There are a lot of different investments out there and not all of them are right for each person.” He learns about the client’s individual financial situation. “Then we figure out what investments make sense for their particular goals,” he says. Saving for retirement is a different investment objective than saving for their kids’ college tuitions, for example.
“In many cases, our clients are business owners,” Kuhn explains. “They’re usually being pulled in many directions and we try to pull those strings together in one organized ball, so they have a good understanding of where they’re going.” He specializes in retirement plans, helps the company save tax dollars and assists employers and employees in their retirement goals. “Life happens, and changes are going to happen,” he says. “We need to be there with all the information we have so that when something changes, we can give sound advice from a knowledgeable place about what their next step should be.”
Investment 101 Invest Money Wisely
For neophytes just starting out in finance and investing, Kuhn advises, “The internet is a fantastic source, and so is a website called Investopedia. You can Google investment terms, like ‘What is a stock or bond?’” Once one learns a little about these concepts, the investing world won’t seem nearly as intimidating, according to Kuhn.
Company Direction Invest Money Wisely
“We’re on a major growth trajectory,” Kuhn notes. “We’re one of the largest independent Registered Investment Advisory firms.” Beacon Pointe is registered directly with the Securities and Exchange Commission and doesn’t have their own product to sell. “We’re utilizing independent and specialized investment managers out there, and making sure that we have the best managers for our clients.” Beacon Pointe never accepts payments from any of their investment managers. Beacon Pointe’s entire investment committee oversees these managers and assets throughout their branches across the country. “When we utilize the committee’s knowledge, then it’s across the entire firm,” says Kuhn.
Family Support
He’s been married for six years, and the couple has a baby and a black lab mix named Abby. Kuhn says he gets a lot of support at home. “My relationship with my wife gives me a lot of confidence,” he says. “I’m also a fairly new father with a 19-month old, which is a fun and exciting time, as well as being tiring.”
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Native Knowledge
Beacon Pointe has just over 130 employees across the nation with 14 office locations. The company has been expanding steadily since it was founded in 2002.
Over 50 percent of Beacon Pointe’s employees are women, including their CEO—Shannon F. Eusey.
Beacon Pointe has been consistently ranked in the top 50 investment firms in the country.
The company is 100 percent employee-owned.
Beacon Pointe
73833 El Paseo Dr, Ste 102
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.237.8970
Lynne Eodice is an accomplished writer & photographer. She is the former Features Editor for Petersen’s PHOTOgraphic magazine, and has contributed her writing and/or editorial expertise to Photographer’s Forum, Rangefinder, DoubleExposure.com, California Tour & Travel, Family Photo and Adorama’s Learning Center. She is also the author of Photos That Inspire: Photo Workshop, an instructional book that’s illustrated with more than 200 images by various photographers, published by Wiley & Sons.
