Interviewed by Jason Hescock
Brian Korienek is a fiduciary advisor who holds a Series 7 and 66 license as well as an Illinois life and health insurance license. He is the vice president of wealth management at Goldstone Financial Group and a partner. Korienek has made appearances on the Securing Your Financial Future radio show on WLS 890AM and Fox 32 Chicago. Before assuming his current job as Vice President of Wealth Management at Goldstone Financial Group, Korienek worked there for more than nine years as a Senior Associate Advisor. Before working at Goldstone Financial Group, he was a financial counselor at McAdam Financial Group and an analyst at the Chicago Board of Trade.
Brian Korienek began his work in a role requiring numerical analysis in relation to commodities pricing after getting his Bachelor of Business Management from Depaul University. Korienek liked what he did, but he knew he would be more productive in a position where he could talk to clients directly. He needed to work for a company that would provide him the autonomy and resources he required to provide the best service to his clients. Because they act as Registered Investment Advisors at Goldstone Financial Group, the consultants are held to a higher threshold of accountability than non-fiduciary advisors (RIAs). Law mandates them to give clients’ needs priority above adhering to a set list of corporate goals. To help their clients achieve their objectives they must make use of all financial resources. Brian Korienek assists his clients in creating strategies for a rewarding retirement and achieving financial independence by focusing on risk management and wealth preservation.
For Brian Korienek and his family, supporting various social causes is vital. He actively supports charities like the American Cancer Society, I Understand Love Heals, and the Alzheimers Association. Due to the associations Goldstone Financial Group has established with a variety of charitable organizations, Korienek is also able to help a sizable number of local and national non-profit organizations. When he has free time, Korienek enjoys bringing his wife on holidays. He enjoys a good round of golf, whether it be with friends or clients. Additionally, he enjoys exploring the Chicago food scene.
JASON: What inspired your career change and move to Goldstone Financial Group?
BRIAN: After receiving my Bachelor of Business Management from Depaul University, I started out in a role that required numerical analysis in relation to commodities pricing. While I did enjoy this work, I knew it wasn’t quite the right fit for me long-term. I wanted to find a position where I could directly talk to clients and use my financial knowledge to help them achieve their goals. Goldstone Financial Group seemed like the perfect place for me because they are registered investment advisors, which means they have higher standards for accountability, placing the client needs first and having access to an extensive array of resources.
JASON: Could you tell us about Goldstone Financial Group’s approach to helping clients?
BRIAN: Goldstone Financial Group focuses on helping our clients reach their financial goals by taking a risk management and wealth preservation-oriented approach. We create strategies tailored to each individual, based on the objectives they wish to achieve, whether that’s retirement planning or investing in stocks and bonds. Additionally, Goldstone Financial Group has established relationships with various charities so I am able to help a greater number of non-profits through my work.
JASON: What do you enjoy doing during your free time?
BRIAN: When I have some spare time, I like taking trips with my wife or playing golf with friends and colleagues. I also love exploring the Chicago food scene – there are so many amazing restaurants and recipes to try! Supporting various social causes is also a priority for me and my family, so I make sure to dedicate time to supporting charities like the American Cancer Society, I Understand Love Heals, and the Alzheimer Association.
JASON: What advice would you offer to someone considering a career in financial advising?
BRIAN: My best advice for anyone looking to become a financial advisor is to make sure you are comfortable with the company you work for and the services they offer. Find an employer that places their client’s needs first, makes use of all available resources, and provides autonomous working conditions, as these are all essential components of successful financial advisors.
Additionally, stay current on economic trends and regulations and hone your communication skills – it’s important to be able to explain complex situations in simple terms that clients can understand. Lastly, establish relationships with different charities or organizations so you can help those who need it most while simultaneously doing rewarding work.
JASON: What impact do you hope to have as a financial advisor?
BRIAN: As a financial advisor, I want to use my knowledge and expertise to help clients reach their goals. Goldstone Financial Group is dedicated to doing this in the most ethical manner, and I am proud to be part of an organization that puts its clients first. Moreover, Goldstone Financial Group’s relationships with various charities allow me to make an even greater impact on society – whether it helping families affected by cancer or assisting those living with Alzheimer’s. My main goal as a financial advisor is not only to help people manage their money but also to leave a positive lasting impression on the world.
JASON: What sets Goldstone Financial Group apart from other financial groups?
BRIAN: Goldstone Financial Group stands out from other financial advisors because they are registered investment advisors, which means they must meet a higher level of accountability and place their client’s needs first.
They also have access to an extensive array of resources to help tailor strategies for each individual based on their goals – whether that is retirement planning or investing in stocks and bonds. Additionally, Goldstone Financial Group is dedicated to its ethical approach by taking a risk management and wealth preservation mindset when creating these strategies. Lastly, Goldstone has established relationships with various charities, so I am able to help a greater number of non-profits through my work.
JASON: What makes you passionate about financial planning?
BRIAN: I am passionate about financial planning because I know that my work has the potential to make a lasting difference in people’s lives. Financial planning allows me to be part of helping someone with their future security, without which life can feel extremely uncertain and stressful. It’s an area where I have the chance to use my experience and knowledge to help others build their financial futures while having the satisfaction of knowing that I provided a valuable service. Additionally, staying up-to-date on regulations, market trends and technology keeps me engaged in the field and motivated to continue bettering myself as a professional advisor.
Lastly, working for Goldstone Financial Group has given me access to resources that enable me to create tailored strategies for each individual client so they can achieve success. This combination of personal reward combined with making a positive impact on others’ lives is why I am passionate about financial planning.
JASON: What are your values and ethics when it comes to financial planning?
BRIAN: At Goldstone Financial Group, we value integrity and ethical behavior in everything we do. We understand that our clients put their trust in us and it is our duty to handle their finances with the utmost level of care. Our team follows strict fiduciary standards which require us to always place client interests first, even before ours. Moreover, we adhere to state and federal regulations as well as professional best practices for all accounts under management. We believe transparency is key which is why we strive for full disclosure so our clients feel informed about their investments at all times.
Furthermore, working with charities has given me insight into how important financial literacy can be – impacting not only individual lives but entire communities – which motivates me on a daily basis. Finally, I strongly believe that education goes hand-in-hand with smart financial decisions so I am passionate about helping people make sound investment choices through comprehensive wealth-building strategies backed by extensive research data. These are the values that drive my work every day at Goldstone Financial Group.
JASON: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned while working in
financial services?
BRIAN: The most important lesson I have learned while working in financial services is the importance of being informed and up-to-date on regulations, market trends, and technology. Keeping abreast of changes can help me better understand my client’s needs and tailor strategies accordingly.
Additionally, understanding the full scope of a client’s objectives helps me develop more comprehensive plans that have better long-term outcomes.
Furthermore, I’ve also learned how essential it is to practice due diligence when performing any kind of research or analysis before making any major decisions – both for myself as well as my clients. Ultimately, these lessons are all key elements for me to be a successful professional in this ever-
changing field.
JASON: What are your long-term goals within financial services?
BRIAN: My long-term goal is to continue to grow my knowledge in the industry and be able to provide the highest quality of service when guiding clients through their investment or wealth planning journey. I aim to stay up-to-date on current regulations, trends, and technology so that I can ensure my clients are given tailored strategies that match their individual needs for success. Additionally, I hope to inspire more people about financial literacy by helping them understand how important it is for creating a secure future.
Finally, I am committed to investing time and resources into myself in order to maintain an optimal standard of excellence.
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