Category: Finance

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Why the Smartest Families Invest Differently with Eric Knauss. (Ep.109)

Why the Smartest Families Invest Differently with Eric Knauss. (Ep.109)

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Are traditional investment strategies enough to secure a future?

Join Brent Mekosh as he sits down with Eric Knauss, Chief Investment Officer at Proteus, a seasoned advisor with over 40 years of experience in major firms like Merrill Lynch and T. Rowe Price. They delve into the nuances of private equity, real estate, and hedge funds, emphasizing their potential to enhance and stabilize financial portfolios.

Eric discusses:

  • The benefits of private investment exposure [00:10:20]
  • Understanding the family wealth preservation [00:11:52]
  • Innovations in private market accessibility [00:21:34]
  • Proteus’ role in democratizing investments [00:30:52]
  • And more

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect with Eric Knauss:

About Our Guest:

Eric Knauss is the President and Chief Investment Officer at Proteus. He oversees Proteus’ overall direction, strategy, and operations, including all aspects of investment management from sourcing and selection to due diligence and monitoring. Mr. Knauss is also the lead on managing the Proteus Model Portfolios and Pools. With more than 40 years of experience in the investment management industry, Mr. Knauss began his career at Merrill Lynch and went on to hold leadership roles at T. Rowe Price, GenSpring Family Office, Lazard Wealth Management, and Sight Capital Advisors. Over the course of his career, Mr. Knauss has managed the asset allocation, portfolio construction and portfolio management of large family office and institutional investors on a discretionary basis and has successfully led the creation of two, de novo open architecture wealth advisory practices. He has significant experience in conducting investment manager due diligence and created one of the first after-tax performance reporting systems in the industry.

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How Venture Capital Meets Philanthropy with Amy Armstrong (Ep.108)

How Venture Capital Meets Philanthropy with Amy Armstrong (Ep.108)

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How can venture capital strategies transform the nonprofit world?

Brent Mekosh sits down with Amy Armstrong, CEO of Social Venture Partners Arizona, to explore the synergy between business acumen and charitable initiatives. They discuss the significance of multi-year giving and trust-based philanthropy, emphasizing the profound impact these approaches can have on supporting charitable endeavors.

Top takeaways include:

  • The venture capital approach to philanthropy
  • Amy’s inspiring story from interior design to nonprofit leadership
  • Why multi-year giving is crucial for sustained nonprofit success
  • How trust-based philanthropy fosters organizational growth
  • And more

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect With Amy Armstrong:

About Our Guest:

Amy is the CEO of Social Venture Partners Arizona, where she has been a partner for 15 years. She was also the founder of Next Generation Philanthropists and Support My Club, two Arizona-based nonprofit organizations. As an active philanthropist in the community, she serves on several boards and governance committees, including Board Secretary and Grant Coordinator for the Kiita Foundation and the Grant Advisor of the Armstrong Family Foundation. She dedicates time to serving college students with foster care backgrounds and recently was co-chair of the ASU President’s Club.

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Making Private Jet Travel Work for You with Brent Wouters (Ep.107)

Making Private Jet Travel Work for You with Brent Wouters (Ep.107)

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What makes private aviation more accessible and appealing today than ever before?  

Join host Brent Mekosh and special guest Brent Wouters, CEO of JetLinx, as they navigate the skies of private aviation in this episode of Smart Money Simplified. They dive deep into the world of private jets, exploring everything from the unmatched convenience of bypassing TSA lines to the strategic benefits of fractional jet ownership.

Brent discusses:

  • The rise of fractional jet ownership and its accessibility to a wider audience (00:10:12)
  • The economic benefits and challenges of owning versus chartering aircraft (00:18:57)
  • How JetLinks manages a diverse fleet offering custom solutions for every need (00:22:31)
  • The evolving role of AI in optimizing flight operations and logistics (00:30:53)
  • And more

Connect With Brent Wouters:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Mr. Wouters is a CEO who specializes in transforming underperforming private equity portfolio companies into high-growth, extremely profitable industry leaders. Mr. Wouters possesses deep experience in aviation, automotive, manufacturing, and distribution. With his diverse expertise in sales, marketing, engineering, finance, accounting, risk management, and regulation, Mr. Wouters overhauls and grows underperforming businesses that require brand, technology, channel, product, and financial transformation.

Brent Wouters transforms and grows companies using a combination of high-touch human interaction and high-efficiency technological innovation to build a Culture of Belief. Mr. Wouters has completed very successful growth transformations in vertical industries including aircraft manufacturing, hybrid electric luxury automobile manufacturing, adventure outdoor equipment, industrial goods, data centers, and other complex global industries.

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Navigating Life’s Twists: The Path to Elite Wealth Stewardship with Ryan Reming (Ep.106)

Navigating Life’s Twists: The Path to Elite Wealth Stewardship with Ryan Reming (Ep.106)

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What does it take to build a successful financial advisory career from the ground up while navigating life’s unpredictabilities and decisions?

Join Brent Mekosh as he sits down with Ryan Reming, an elite advisor and associate partner at The Wealth Stewards. Ryan shares his journey from his early economics studies through the volatility post-financial crisis, to becoming a key player at The Wealth Stewards. 

By tuning in, you’ll discover how Ryan transitioned through various roles and challenges, explaining why a personalized, client-first approach profoundly shapes one’s career and client relationships.

Key Discussion Points:

  • Ryan’s unexpected entry into finance and how a health scare shaped his career path [00:02:00] 
  • Pivoting in his career after an unmet succession plan and the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals [00:06:00] 
  • The transition from broker-dealer to RIA and how building a team culture enriched his professional life [00:11:00] 
  • Insights about technology’s evolving role in finance and how AI is reshaping client services [00:17:00] 
  • Ryan’s perspective on true financial planning versus traditional investment approaches [00:22:00] 
  • And more!

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect with Ryan Reming:

About Our Guest:

With over a decade of experience as a trusted personal CFO, Ryan helps successful families manage their wealth, define their goals, and craft customized wealth strategies to support their long-term security. His expertise covers various life transitions, including business sales, retirement, purchasing dream homes, navigating the loss of loved ones, preparing children for affluence, and fostering community impact.

As lead advisor and associate partner, Ryan is integral to The Wealth Stewards’ operations, helping to enhance efficiency and improve the client experience. Actively involved in investment due diligence, he evaluates strategies to ensure they align with client objectives and the firm’s high standards. As part of the Investment and Marketing committees, he also collaborates with team members to strengthen investment strategies, messaging, and outreach.

Ryan’s dedication to wealth stewardship is rooted in hard work, integrity, and compassion — values instilled by his parents and grandparents. He finds the greatest fulfillment in building deep, meaningful relationships with the families he serves. By working with a select group of clients, he can truly understand their unique aspirations and help align their wealth with a greater purpose, maximizing personal fulfillment.

A Phoenix native, Ryan earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Arizona State University. Now settled in his hometown with his wife and daughter, he cherishes family time. Outside of work, he enjoys playing and watching sports, expanding his extensive record collection, and attending concerts.

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Tariffs, Trade & Trump: Canada vs. the U.S. with Kim GC Moody (Ep.105)

Tariffs, Trade & Trump: Canada vs. the U.S. with Kim GC Moody (Ep.105)

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How is Canada’s approach to tariffs shaping its economic landscape?

Join Brent Mekosh on Smart Money Simplified as he unpacks the complexities of tariffs and trade between the US and Canada with renowned Canadian tax expert Kim Moody, founder of Moody’s Private Client. Dive into a conversation brimming with insights, from the chaotic effects of tariff policies to political shifts in Canada and their implications for the future of North American trade. 

Brent and Kim discuss:

  • The impact of US-Canada tariffs on businesses [00:01:45]
  • Canada’s political climate and its effects on international trade [00:05:14]
  • The future of energy policies in Canada [00:16:40]
  • Tax reform possibilities under different political leaderships [00:28:24]
  • Media’s role in shaping public perception [00:41:40]
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Kim Moody:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest: 

The antithesis of the status quo, Kim is driven to innovate new and better ways to do things for the clients he serves, the advancement of the firm, and other professionals in tax. His relentless obsession with knowing everything in the Tax Act makes him a highly sought-after resource for peers and clients. In March 2020, Kim published his first book, Making Life Less Taxing: Pay Attention To Your Taxes So You Can Pay Less Tax and Build a Strong, Smarter Canada – an Amazon bestseller in a number of categories.

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Beyond the Basics: Cutting-Edge Strategies for Portfolio Growth & Risk Control with Joe Cortese. (Ep.104)

Beyond the Basics: Cutting-Edge Strategies for Portfolio Growth & Risk Control with Joe Cortese. (Ep.104)

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What makes some financial advisors stand out from the pack? It’s time to discover a unique approach to investment management and portfolio construction.

Join Brent Mekosh as he teams up with Joe Cortese from Fiducient Advisors to discuss mastering risk management and improving investment strategies. They share lessons learned, how to incorporate AI in financial advising, forward-thinking insights, and actionable advice.

Key discussion points include:

  • Risk management strategies and unexpected market downturns [00:01:01]
  • Fiducient’s unique approach to portfolio construction and diversification [00:06:10]
  • The role of active and passive management in today’s financial markets [00:22:16]
  • The rising importance of alternative investments and AI integration [00:28:41]
  • Key differences that separate top financial teams from the rest [00:36:42]
  • And so much more!

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect with Joe Cortese: 

About Our Guest:

Joe Cortese joined Fiducient Advisors in 2008. He provides investment consulting services to other financial advisory firms as one of the leaders of Fiducient Advisors’ Financial Institutions practice. Joe also provides consulting services to family offices, high net worth individuals and nonprofit organizations. He gives advice and expertise on all facets of effective investment program design including establishing investment objectives, asset allocation and portfolio design, investment research and due diligence and overall practice management.

Prior to joining the firm, Joe worked for Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management Office and as a Managing Director for an investment management firm implementing a value-focused, long/short equity strategy based on University of Chicago Booth research. Joe earned his MBA with concentrations in Analytic Finance and Accounting from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BBA with a Certification in Entrepreneurial Management from the University of Iowa. Joe is a former member of UNICEF’s NextGen Junior Board and the University of Iowa’s J.P.E.C. Alumni Board, as well as Co-Founder of the Hawkeye Business Development Group of Chicago. Joe is currently serving as President of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Alumni Club of Chicago and as an elected member of River Forest School District 90 Board of Education.

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Why High Achievers Feel Empty & What They Can Do About It with Andy Maurer (Ep.103)

Why High Achievers Feel Empty & What They Can Do About It with Andy Maurer (Ep.103)

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What does it truly mean to pursue wholeness as a leader? 

This week, Brent Mekosh chats with Andy Maurer, a leadership dynamics and emotional well-being professional. Discover how reconciling high performance with emotional connection can transform leadership and personal fulfillment.

Brent and Andy also unravel the complexities of leadership isolation and the importance of emotional maturity. They explore how past trauma can impact present success and why many successful leaders still feel empty. 

Andy Maurer shares insights from his innovative work merging therapy and executive coaching to help leaders achieve true wholeness.

Gain insight as this episode covers:

  • The hidden toll of leadership isolation [00:01:00]
  • Merging therapy with leadership coaching [00:04:30]
  • The paradox of depression and leadership [00:08:00]
  • Identifying and embracing emotional neglect [00:11:00]
  • Breaking free from performance-based identity [00:25:30]
  • Understanding and overcoming self-sabotage [00:29:30]
  • And more!

Previous Episodes of Interest:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

Connect With Andy Maurer:

About Our Guest:

As a former therapist, Andy has combined cutting-edge neuroscience and performance research with executive coaching to develop the Pursue Whole® Coaching Model. His unique framework offers clarity, relief, and growth to high-pressure leaders facing emotional, relational, and mental challenges. Andy is deeply passionate about helping leaders discover their unique identity and purpose, transforming the way they approach life, leadership, and relationships.

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Beyond the Bull Market: Smart Investment Moves for 2025 with Bill Tucker (Ep.102)

Beyond the Bull Market: Smart Investment Moves for 2025 with Bill Tucker (Ep.102)

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What does the future of investing look like in 2025?

Brent Mekosh sits down with Bill Tucker on Smart Money Simplified to tackle the pressing issues shaping today’s financial landscape. From the growing risks of market concentration to innovative asset diversification strategies, this episode delivers key insights for investors navigating an uncertain economy.

Brent and Bill discuss:

  • The fragility of stock market concentration and its potential implications for investors [00:02:56]
  • The rising importance of alternative investments in a changing financial environment [00:05:02]
  • Political and economic shifts shaping 2025, including tariffs and fiscal policies [00:06:48]
  • The impact of the Jobs Cut and Tax Act expiration on estate taxes and business planning [00:15:37]
  • Strategic diversification into international markets and small-cap stocks [00:28:48]

Unlock a wave of financial foresight as the episode dives into themes like the ‘Age of Alpha’ and the changing financial tides under the new administration. Perfect for entrepreneurs, seasoned investors, or anyone keen on understanding the evolving economy—this episode promises a wealth of knowledge wrapped in engaging dialogue. Tune in, stay informed, and prepare for a future full of financial possibilities.

🎧 Tune in now!

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Inside Arizona’s Ultra-Luxury Real Estate Market with Caroline Van Arsdale (Ep.101)

Inside Arizona’s Ultra-Luxury Real Estate Market with Caroline Van Arsdale (Ep.101)

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What’s sparking the Arizona real estate market despite rising interest rates? 

In this episode, Brent Mekosh sits down with Caroline Van Arsdale, a seasoned realtor from Silverleaf Realty, to unravel the dynamics of Arizona’s luxury real estate scene. From understanding the cash-rich high-end market to analyzing the motivations behind homeowners’ shifts due to economic and environmental factors, they paint a vivid picture of the area’s evolving landscape. 

Brent and Caroline dive into:

  • The resilience of Arizona’s luxury real estate [00:03:32]
  • Shifts in housing demands and market influences [00:06:54]
  • California’s impact on Arizona’s housing influx [00:07:14]
  • The evolution of real estate commissions and buyer-seller dynamics [00:14:08]
  • Insights into the broader Phoenix market as a future hotspot [00:12:15]
  • And more

Connect With Caroline Van Arsdale:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Caroline came to Silverleaf Realty in 2021 with more than 15 years of experience in luxury sales and nearly a decade in high-end real estate. Most recently, she led residential home sales and marketing for a boutique commercial and residential real estate company in the Valley. 

Caroline began her career in the service industry and honed her sales skills at some of the most iconic Arizona properties, including the Silverleaf Club and El Chorro Lodge. Her success was largely due to her keen ability to intuit her clients’ needs and visions — a skill her real estate clients find invaluable.

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Celebrating 100 Episodes of Smart Money Simplified With Eddy Augsten (Ep.100)

Celebrating 100 Episodes of Smart Money Simplified With Eddy Augsten (Ep.100)

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How can the right processes transform your investment strategy and elevate client relationships?

In this landmark 100th episode of Smart Money Simplified, Brent Mekosh explores this topic with special guest Eddy Augsten from Concurrent. Together, they delve into crafting cohesive investment frameworks and integrating institutional processes into wealth advisory practices. Tune in and gain an inside look at scaling up your practice, the significance of emotional detachment in the investment process, and how alternative investments can reshape future RIAs. Discover innovative strategies that promise to make your practice more resilient and client-focused.

Eddy discusses:

  • [06:34] Establishing a successful formal investment process 
  • [09:09] Differences in managing institutional clients vs. high net-worth families
  • [21:14] The growing role of alternative investments and private markets
  • [32:36] Enhancing portfolio performance through tax efficiency and direct indexing
  • And more

Connect With Eddy Augsten:

Connect with Brent Mekosh:

About Our Guest:

Eddy Augsten, CIMA, CAIA, MSF, is the Managing Director of Investments at Concurrent, where he leads a small, driven team dedicated to supporting independent financial advisors through funding, technology, and community.

Before joining Concurrent, he founded WealthEngage, gaining valuable experience as an entrepreneur and CIO. This background provides him with deep insight into his current role, allowing him to collaborate effectively with RIAs. His team remains highly attuned to the needs of independent advisors, helping them serve their clients, compete with larger financial institutions, and grow their practices to their desired scale.

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