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Aspire

Verb / as·pire / əˈspī(ə)r / direct one's hopes or ambitions toward achieving something

Financial guidance to help you achieve your life goals.

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Learn a bit more about us!


Aspire Wealth is an independent Registered Investment Advisor focused on comprehensive, holistic financial planning and investment management. With the ability to offer a wide range of services and investment advice, we are fiduciaries and only do what is truly best for our clients.


Tomorrow is important, but life is happening now.

Based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, we are able to work with people across the country, leveraging technology when face-to-face meetings are not possible. Through our planning process, we provide honest and unbiased advice, helping individuals reach their goals and achieve their dreams. Every financial plan we run is unique as no two situations are the same.

Our managed portfolios are designed to enhance your return/risk tradeoff and reduce taxes while providing a transparent, diversified asset allocation. To accomplish this, the portfolios follow a systematic, emotion-free process based on in-depth research, increasing the probability of success in the long-run.

With our personal touch to financial planning and investment management, the individuals and families we work with know they are more than “just another investment account.”

Beyond helping the people we work with, we believe it's important to give back. That is why we donate a percentage of our revenue to charitable causes. Furthermore, we enjoy volunteering with programs such as Kids’ Food Basket and Habitat for Humanity, creating a positive impact within our community.

Our team consists of a CFA and CFPs acting as fiduciaries, always putting the interests and well-being of the people we work with first.

Scroll below to get to know the team.

See How We Plan

Derek Prusa, CFA, CFP®

(616) 512-0213

derek@aspirewealthadvisory.com

 

Helping individuals achieve their unique, personalized goals and dreams through holistic financial planning and disciplined investment management is what drove me to co-found Aspire Wealth.

  

Prior to starting Aspire Wealth, I was a key employee at one of the fastest growing private companies in America (ranking as high as #10 on Inc. 500’s list), where I was in charge of managing over $3.8 billion in assets. 

 

I have been a CFP® professional since 2015, a CFA Charterholder since 2016, and a certified investment nerd since I can remember. In 2015, I was also honored to be included in a 30 under 30 list, being named a young professional transforming the industry.

 

Family, both immediate and extended, is a priority for me. My wife and I have three young children and a dog. Together, we enjoy taking trips to the beach, watching sports, solving puzzles, and reading books.

Benjamin Webster, CFP®

(616) 512-0212

ben@aspirewealthadvisory.com 

 

Growing up in a small town, I’ve always found comfort in close, personal relationships. This drives my passion for working with individuals and families to provide them with the clarity and holistic strategies necessary to achieve their goals. I understand the importance of developing a wealth roadmap that not only conveys purpose but allows for peace of mind.

 

I have had the pleasure of working in various roles within the financial industry. In that time, I’ve found great value in my experiences which inspired me to co-found Aspire Wealth. In doing so, this allows for the freedom and flexibility to be a fiduciary and ensure we’re always putting our client’s best interest above all else.

 

I became a Certified Financial Planner™ professional in 2018 and have experience in multiple areas of financial planning, including but not limited to: estate, tax, retirement, investment and insurance planning.

 

Outside of the office, I enjoy any outdoor activities including snowboarding, golf, and any water sports. My wife and I are the lucky owners of two dogs and two cats –  Falkor, Rhett, Scarlett, and Kevin. We enjoy spending our time cooking and trying new local dining options. Currently, we reside in the Greater Lansing area which allows us to remain close to friends and family.

Andrew VanDerSchaaf, CPA

(616) 512-0211

andrew@aspirewealthadvisory.com

 

Having spent the last seven years coaching and training hundreds of financial advisors across the country, I was able to gain a unique vantage point of the industry. Not only understanding where many may fall short, but more importantly, how best to deliver smart, affordable financial advice.

 

Being able to take this unique perspective and apply it to individual client situations to help them find financial peace is a big reason why I joined the team at Aspire.

 

In addition to holding my Series 65 license, I am a licensed public accountant, having cut my teeth in the finance world at one of the largest CPA firms in the country.

 

Aside from my practice, family is my world. Our three little ones certainly keep my wife and I on our toes, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Curtis Wells, CFP®

(616) 512-0214

curtis@aspirewealthadvisory.com

 

My favorite thing about being a financial planner is helping simplify all the confusing financial jargon that often times comes with retirement. It’s an awesome responsibility to help clients navigate their retirement and being there every step of the way in their journey.

 

Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to work in several roles in the financial industry that have allowed me to gain a lot of different skills and perspectives for retirement planning. I became a Certified Financial Planner™ in 2020 that has given me a wide range of knowledge and expertise in multiple areas of financing planning, including: estate, tax, retirement, investment, and insurance planning.

 

Aside from work, my wife, Alaina, and I are active members and volunteers at our church. We have a daughter, Chandler Rose, who was born on Halloween Day 2021. As a family, we love to spend as much time as we can outside. We love camping, traveling, and enjoying the beaches west Michigan has to offer.

Who We Help

Accumulators

Building Wealth

Preservers

Protecting Wealth

Distributors

Enjoying Wealth

Our Process

Our process begins with an in-depth, get-to-know-you discovery meeting. Unlike with most firms that use uncomfortable hard-sell tactics, the discovery meeting is a two way street. You get an overview of how our comprehensive planning process works and we get to learn more about you. Once you have decided you are comfortable with us assisting you, we will gather the financial documents you brought to the discovery meeting and begin working on your customized plan.

In the second meeting, we present your financial plan to you. This consists of an evaluation of your current financial status, as well as various adjustments and recommendations to improve your situation. When you determine which proposed plan is the best fit, we will implement the recommendations, which includes a detailed action list so you can easily keep track of the steps along the way.

As a client, you can expect a healthy amount of communication as part of our ongoing service to you. Trust is extremely important to us, which is why we provide complete transparency with everything we do. Though we are continually monitoring your plan to ensure you remain on track to achieve all of your goals, we also like to setup review meetings at least once per year to connect about any life changes and confirm all of your plan details are still accurate. If something comes up before our next scheduled review meeting, we are here to help you, whether it be in-person or via web conference, phone call, or email, just reach out.

How We Help

Basic Planning

- Identifying financial goals
- Evaluating financial statements
- Cash flow management
- Economic analysis
- Behavioral finance and bias education
- Debt management

Retirement Planning

- Retirement needs analysis
- Retirement income and distribution strategies
- Social Security and Medicare
- Qualified plan rules and options (401(k), 403(b), 457)
- Other tax-advantaged retirement plans - Plan selection factors for businesses.
- Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
- Business succession planning

Investment Planning

- Understanding different investment vehicles
- Investment risk and return analysis
- Allocation optimization and diversification based on specific needs
- Portfolio development
- Holistic investment incorporation
- Tax efficient allocations

Insurance Planning

- Analysis and evaluation of risk exposures
- Insurance needs analysis
- Health insurance and health care cost management
- Disability income insurance - Long-term care
- Life insurance
- Annuities

Tax Planning

- Income tax fundamentals and calculations
- Tax reduction/management techniques
- Charitable/philanthropic contributions and deductions
- Tax implications of special circumstances
- Characteristics and income taxation of business entities
- Income taxation of trusts and estates
- Tax consequences of property transactions
- Passive activity and at-risk rules

Estate Planning

- Property titling and transfer strategies
- Estate planning documents
- Gift and estate tax calculation
- Sources for estate liquidity
- Types, features and taxation of trusts
- Marital deduction
- Intra-family and other business transfer techniques
- Estate planning techniques

Education Planning

- Education needs analysis
- Education savings vehicles
- Financial aid
- Gift/income tax strategies
- Education financing

Basic Planning

- Identifying financial goals
- Evaluating financial statements
- Cash flow management
- Economic analysis
- Behavioral finance and bias education
- Debt management

Retirement Planning

- Retirement needs analysis
- Retirement income and distribution strategies
- Social Security and Medicare
- Qualified plan rules and options (401(k), 403(b), 457)
- Other tax-advantaged retirement plans - Plan selection factors for businesses.
- Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
- Business succession planning

Investment Planning

- Understanding different investment vehicles
- Investment risk and return analysis
- Allocation optimization and diversification based on specific needs
- Portfolio development
- Holistic investment incorporation
- Tax efficient allocations

Insurance Planning

- Analysis and evaluation of risk exposures
- Insurance needs analysis
- Health insurance and health care cost management
- Disability income insurance - Long-term care
- Life insurance
- Annuities

Tax Planning

- Income tax fundamentals and calculations
- Tax reduction/management techniques
- Charitable/philanthropic contributions and deductions
- Tax implications of special circumstances
- Characteristics and income taxation of business entities
- Income taxation of trusts and estates
- Tax consequences of property transactions
- Passive activity and at-risk rules

Estate Planning

- Property titling and transfer strategies
- Estate planning documents
- Gift and estate tax calculation
- Sources for estate liquidity
- Types, features and taxation of trusts
- Marital deduction
- Intra-family and other business transfer techniques
- Estate planning techniques

EducationPlanning

- Education needs analysis
- Education savings vehicles
- Financial aid
- Gift/income tax strategies
- Education financing

Frequently Asked Questions

All the related questions clients have asked us.
Why should I hire a financial planner?

No matter what stage of life you’re in, everyone has questions about their financial position. Should I be saving for my children’s college? Do I have enough money saved to retire? When should I begin drawing my Social Security? Am I going to run out of money in retirement? These are all valid questions that need to be addressed. Our job is to create value and provide you with answers, by constructing a wealth roadmap for the future.

Are there fees for an initial consultation?

There is no cost for our initial consultation. We like to sit down with everyone and make sure we’re a good fit for you prior to entering into any agreements.

What is the cost of a financial plan?

The cost of financial planning and investment management will depend on your unique situation.

How often should I see my financial planner?

We meet with clients on at least an annual basis. Depending on an individual's situation, it could be as much as quarterly. With that being said, we understand life happens and things come up unexpectedly, so we encourage everyone to reach out as needed.

Is there a difference in Financial Planning and Retirement Planning?

We like to think of financial planning as a process to help you pursue and meet your goals through proper management of your resources. Financial planning is a broad term encompassing multiple areas of your life, while retirement planning is a single important piece to the overall financial planning puzzle. Refer to our “Retirement Planning” section for a better understanding of what this will specifically entail.

What have we been talking about?

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Grand Rapids

Lansing

 
Email: info@aspirewealthadvisory.com
Phone: (616) 512-0210

Contact us for a free consultation