What does an investment firm look for in its employees? If you’re Saugatuck Financial, it’s capable, independent thinkers with strong values. Take Luke Andriuk, their director of investments. Last year, when financial experts were a little wary of the economic waters, Luke was feeling optimistic. Now, as others in this precarious election year are fairly upbeat, Luke says he’s somewhat cautious, noting in many cases the best thing people can do during turbulent times is to stay put when it comes to major investment decisions. “Investing can easily become an emotional endeavor, but our job as advisors is to help take emotions out of the evaluative process.”
Luke’s approach, along with that of his committed teammates, is one of the reasons Saugatuck Financial is consistently ranked as one of the top firms in the country among peers at Northwestern Mutual, and as “Best-In-State” in several categories by Forbes. The 15-year-old company takes an individualized approach with each client and a comprehensive approach to financial planning. For Saugatuck Financial, a successful plan goes beyond the market to consider the client’s specific personal preferences and goals—and allows for many adjustments along the way.
“When a client is able to retire earlier than they thought possible because of planning we helped them implement, that’s extremely rewarding,” says Saugatuck Financial Founding Partner Justin Charise, a U.S. Army veteran who worked for Goldman Sachs before venturing out on his own in Westport. “I wanted to have more control and a deeper effect on people’s lives, and to see that on a daily basis. We have a meaningful impact on clients’ lives, and that means a lot to me.”
That impact goes far beyond just building client portfolios. Alongside his wife Christy Charise, Saugatuck Financial’s chief marketing officer, the firm has challenged itself to commit $100,000 in charitable contribution and community involvement each year, investing in Westport and greater Fairfield County the same way their clients have invested in them. They’ve worked especially hard to support six key areas: education, entrepreneurship and leadership; veterans’ health; childhood illness and caregiver support; environmental and wildlife causes; people living in poverty; and organizations that are critical to our local communities and close to the hearts of our family, friends, team, and clients, explains Christy.
One look at the company’s website and social media accounts attests to how seriously they’ve taken this goal—you’ll see a busy calendar of fundraisers, local and global projects, industry workshops, and inspirational talks, all to make life better for their clients and, really, everyone who calls this region home.
Just a few examples: each winter for nearly a decade now, they have teamed with the Westport Fire Department and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to shop for and help deliver gifts to families served by DHS. An annual winter holiday party for clients and others includes ice skating, gingerbread house-making, sleigh rides, and hot cocoa. The firm is a proud sponsor of the Westport Police Athletic League, which brings life lessons and leadership through youth sports, and they are helping Westport’s local wildlife sanctuary and education center, Earthplace, refurbish the popular Birds of Prey exhibit. Christy and Justin host combat-wounded veterans from the Catch A Lift program each year for a meal at their home. And recently, Saugatuck Financial brought motivational speaker Austin Hatch to Westport. When he was eight, Austin was in a plane crash that killed his mother and two siblings. Eight years later, he miraculously survived a second plane crash that killed his father and stepmother. His talk proved memorable to both the Saugatuck Financial team and attendees, proving their commitment to inspiration goes far beyond the financial.
Twice, they’ve led a two-day in-service for other financial professionals from across the country, who look to Justin for advice and new insights. Does he worry about sharing some of his secrets to success with others?
“No,” he said, laughing. “There are so many people out there who need a financial partner. We appreciate the ripple effect of being able to have a positive impact on the financial lives of that many more clients – even ones who aren’t ours.”
Saugatuck Financial is located at 274 Riverside Ave. To learn more about Saugatuck Financial and view disclosures, visit saugatuck-financial.com. Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals (2023, 2022, 2021) Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors (2023). Payment was not made for awards, however, marketing fees may have been paid for promotion. Rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of investment success.
"Our job is to help take emotions out of the process."
"We have a meaningful impact on clients’ lives.”
