My financial journey began with a grade school paper route. My parents encouraged me to save by asking that half of every paycheck go straight into a savings account. That simple habit taught me the importance of saving early and showed me the power of compound interest.

In high school, I attended my first meeting with a financial planner. My parents scheduled a free introduction meeting, and I tagged along—quietly listening from the back. While they chose not to work with him, I was inspired. By the next weekend, I was in his office opening a Roth IRA of my own.

At Gonzaga University, I gained lessons both inside and outside the classroom. College was my crash course in real life with credit cards, budgeting, and student loans. Looking back, I realized how powerful early financial education could be in helping students make smarter, lifelong money decisions.

After graduation, my soon-to-be wife and I pooled our modest savings, including what I had earned from my paper route, for a down payment on our first home. With effort and sacrifice, we transformed that house into our first rental property. That experience sparked our journey into real estate investing and development.

While remodeling our home, I earned my MBA from Seattle University and began my career in financial planning at Ramsey & Associates, a respected Seattle firm. There, I gained hands-on experience in how a planning practice operates and saw firsthand how quality advice can be delivered on an hourly, fee-only basis.

In 2008, I became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, the recognized standard of excellence in our field. The CFP® designation represents rigorous education, strict ethical standards, and a fiduciary commitment to serving clients’ best interests. I then joined Laird Norton Wealth Management, one of the leading firms in the Pacific Northwest, where I spent nearly a decade working with business owners, multi-generational families, and trusts.

In 2014, my wife and I founded Madeson Management LLC, a Seattle-based property management firm. What began as helping family and friends manage their homes grew into a thriving business. By 2018, I had transitioned full-time from financial planning to property management as a Principal. We grew the firm and successfully sold it in 2022, an experience that gave me invaluable insight into starting, operating, and eventually exiting a business.

After selling our business, I had the chance to choose my next chapter. My passion for financial planning and my desire to help others inspired me to create Embolden Financial Planning LLC. My goal is to provide inclusive, accessible, and socially conscious financial planning to support anyone seeking financial confidence and well-being.

I’m proud to be a member of several organizations:

NAPFA
(National Association of Personal Financial Advisors)
The beacon for independent, objective financial advice.

XY Planning Network
Supporting fee-only advisors who focus on Gen X and Gen Y clients.

FeeOnlyNetwork.com
Committed to transparency and unbiased advice.

Advice-Only Network
A group of advisors who charge only for their advice.

To “embolden” means to give someone the courage and confidence to act. At Embolden Financial Planning LLC, I create a safe space to ask questions, explore options, and plan for your goals. Life and the economy can take unexpected turns, but with the right guidance, you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Others once emboldened me in my financial journey. Over the years, I’ve been honored to do the same for family, friends, and clients. Now, I look forward to emboldening you on your journey.