Brian Korienek

Brian Korienek is a partner and Vice President of Wealth Management at Goldstone Financial Group. Korienek is a fiduciary advisor who holds an Illinois life & health insurance license and has passed his Series 7 and 66 licenses. He has been seen on Fox 32 Chicago and heard on the WLS 890AM radio show, Securing Your Financial Future. Prior to his current role of Vice President of Wealth Management, Korienek worked as a Senior Associate Advisor at Goldstone Financial Group for almost nine years. Before making the move to Goldstone Financial Group, he worked as a Financial Advisor for McAdam Financial Group and as an analyst at the Chicago Board of Trade for an agricultural commodities firm.

Having graduated from Depaul University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Brian Korienek initially found himself in a role focused on numerical analysis related to commodities and pricing. Korienek enjoyed the work, but he knew he would be better served in a position that would allow him to engage with clients directly. He needed to find a firm that would provide him with the resources and freedom to give his clients the best possible service. That led to his joining Goldstone Financial Group. As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), Goldstone Financial advisors are fiduciaries and held to a higher ethical standard than non-fiduciary advisors. They have a legal obligation to put their client’s needs first and are expected to take advantage of whatever financial instruments available to help their clients achieve their goals–rather than sticking to a preset list of company offerings. Korienek enjoys helping his clients to secure their financial freedom and to plan for a fruitful retirement through managing risk and preserving wealth.

Brian Korienek also supports many social causes that strongly resonate with him and his family. He is actively involved with charities such as the American Cancer Society, the I Understand Love Heals organization, and the Alzheimer’s Association. In addition to these organizations, Korienek is able to help numerous local and national non-profit organizations through the partnerships that Goldstone Financial Group has developed with a variety of charitable groups. Korienek is an avid traveler who enjoys taking trips with his wife in his spare time. He enjoys playing a good round of golf, whether with friends or clients, and loves to explore the local Chicago restaurant scene.

Where did the idea for Goldstone Financial Group come from?

The idea for Goldstone Financial Group originated with the founders’ vision of creating a financial services firm that was focused on delivering superior customer service and providing excellent advice to its clients. They wanted their advisors to be held to a higher ethical standard, so they made sure that each advisor at the firm is a fiduciary who is legally obligated to put their client’s interests first. As part of this commitment, Goldstone Financial Group has developed partnerships with numerous charities in order to provide support for various causes. The founders also ensured that the advisors have access to all of the best possible investments and strategies available so that they can provide their clients with comprehensive wealth management solutions. With these pillars in place, Goldstone Financial Group has become one of the most trusted and respected firms in the Chicago area.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

My typical day starts with an early morning check of the news and markets. I review any changes and updates that might affect my clients’ investments, retirement accounts or overall financial picture. From there I typically have a few meetings scheduled with current or prospective clients throughout the day to discuss their needs, goals and objectives in order to come up with solutions to better secure their future. In between meetings, I take some time for myself to stay up-to-date on industry trends as well as new strategies and technologies that can help improve the client experience. By staying ahead of the curve on these topics, I am able to provide greater value to my clients by utilizing innovative methods that others may not be aware of yet.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Bringing ideas to life is all about taking action. I’m a firm believer in setting goals and then taking the necessary steps to achieve those goals. This requires being organized, planning ahead, and having an understanding of what it takes to make an idea come alive. It’s also important to identify resources that can help you turn your idea into something real. For example, if you have an idea for a new financial product, it’s important to do research on the industry in order to find out what needs are not being met or which challenges are yet unresolved. Once you have identified these areas of need, then you can begin exploring different ways to develop a solution that will bring value to customers and businesses alike. Finally, once your idea has been validated, it’s time to start assembling the team of people and resources required to make it a reality. By having a clear plan and taking small steps towards realizing your vision, you can bring an idea to life.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I’m very excited about the ever-increasing use of technology in the world of finance. We’re seeing more and more sophisticated programs and algorithms being developed that are able to make sound investment decisions with minimal human oversight. These systems are able to analyze large quantities of data quickly, allowing financial advisors like myself to provide their clients with more accurate advice than ever before. Technology is also enabling us to provide services such as automated portfolio rebalancing and tax optimization, which can further improve a client’s overall investment performance. As this technology continues to evolve and become more accessible, I’m confident that it will help Goldstone Financial Group continue providing our clients with superior service and advice for years to come.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

One habit that I believe has been instrumental in my success as an entrepreneur is the ability to remain organized. Being organized allows me to prioritize tasks, stay on top of deadlines and have better control over my time. This helps me avoid overwhelm and allows me to be more effective with less effort. Additionally, staying organized gives me a better understanding of how all the pieces fit together which enables me to think through strategies more efficiently and identify areas for improvement or growth. Being able to keep everything in line also helps ensure that no important details are missed or overlooked when making decisions which can save a lot of time and energy in the long run.

What advice would you give your younger self?

The advice I would give my younger self is to focus on the long term. Too often we make decisions that are focused on short-term gains, but these may not necessarily be in our best interest if they ignore the bigger picture. It’s important to think of how decisions today can affect your future, both personally and professionally. Taking time to consider the consequences of any decision you make can help lead to a more secure financial position over time. Additionally, it’s essential to set goals at an early age and develop a plan for achieving them – this will keep you motivated and focused as you work towards them throughout your life. Finally, surround yourself with people who have similar ambitions and drive as yourself; these people will help lift you up and push you to be your best.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

I believe that investors should take a long-term approach to investing, with the goal of achieving consistent returns over time. A lot of people believe that they can get rich quick by making risky investments in hopes of getting large short-term returns. However, this strategy often leads to losses and it rarely produces lasting wealth. I think that investors should focus on building a diversified portfolio of quality investments and holding them for the long term in order to maximize their chances of success in the financial markets. This may not be as flashy or exciting as gambling on volatile stocks, but it’s a much more effective way of achieving financial security over time.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I firmly believe that the key to success for any entrepreneur is continuous learning. The business and investing landscapes are constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments. I recommend reading books and articles related to your industry, attending conferences and seminars, and engaging with other entrepreneurs in order to gain new perspectives on the challenges you might be facing. Learning doesn’t have to be a chore; there are plenty of fun ways to do it such as listening to podcasts or watching webinars. Having an understanding of what’s going on in your industry can give you invaluable insight into how best to maneuver through the ever-changing business landscape.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

One strategy that has been particularly effective for me and my business is forming partnerships with other organizations. By establishing relationships with businesses, organizations and individuals in related industries, I have been able to create synergies that benefit both parties. For example, by connecting clients of Goldstone Financial Group with companies who can provide them with additional services such as tax planning or estate planning, I am able to offer my clients a more comprehensive suite of services while also providing a valuable source of new business for the partnering companies. This strategy has enabled Goldstone Financial Group to grow our client base and expand our offerings without having to invest large amounts of money into marketing or sales efforts.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

One challenge I faced early on in my career as a financial advisor was learning how to effectively manage my workload. I quickly realized that there were only so many hours in the day and it was extremely difficult for me to keep up with all of the tasks that needed to be done. To overcome this challenge, I had to develop better organizational skills and find more efficient ways of doing things. For example, I started using scheduling software to automate certain processes such as client follow-ups and reminders. Additionally, I began delegating tasks to other members of my team so that we could share the workload more evenly. With these changes in place, I was able to significantly reduce the amount of time spent on administrative responsibilities while still providing high quality services for my clients.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

One business idea I’m willing to give away is a subscription meal planning service. The concept would involve creating weekly meal plans that are tailored to the customer’s dietary preferences and budget. The service could include recipes, grocery lists, and even suggestions for restaurants in the area if they’re feeling adventurous. Additionally, customers could have access to an online community where they can share their experiences and discuss new recipes or tips for saving money on groceries. With this innovative combination of convenience and personalization, this business idea has potential to be very successful.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

The best $100 I recently spent was on a subscription to an online learning platform. With this investment, I now have unlimited access to high-quality courses from top universities and industry experts in topics ranging from business strategy and finance to computer programming and data science. This resource has become an invaluable tool for staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in my field of expertise and provides inspiration for new solutions that can serve my clients more effectively. The return on this investment is priceless, as it continues to pay dividends in the form of knowledge acquired through these educational resources.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

One piece of software that helps me be productive is Trello. It’s a project management platform that allows me to organize my tasks into specific lists, assign deadlines and prioritize items accordingly. This enables me to keep track of all my projects in one place, making it easier for me to stay on top of my workload. I use it for everything from tracking client progress to planning upcoming events – it’s an incredibly powerful tool that continues to save me time and energy.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I highly recommend the book The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. This classic text provides a timeless foundation for sound investing principles, and I believe it is essential reading for anyone looking to get serious about their financial future. Graham’s approach focuses on value investing with an emphasis on identifying undervalued securities and avoiding speculation in order to achieve consistent returns over time. With clear explanations of key concepts such as diversification, margin of safety, and intrinsic value, this book offers invaluable insight into how to make smart investment decisions that can lead to long-term wealth accumulation.

What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is by Mark Twain: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” This quote resonates with me as it encourages us to live a purposeful life and strive to make a meaningful impact on the world. Finding our passion and pursuing it relentlessly is essential for living a fulfilling life, and this simple yet powerful statement serves as an inspiring reminder of that truth.

Key Learnings:

• Time management is key to success in any profession. It’s important to invest in tools that can help you stay organized and on top of tasks.
• Delegating tasks to other team members can be a great way to maximize productivity and reduce workloads.
• Pursuing your passion and striving for meaningful impact are essential for living a fulfilling life.
• Investing in resources such as online learning platforms can pay dividends through knowledge acquired and new solutions found for clients.
• Project management software like Trello can help increase efficiency and save time by organizing tasks into specific lists with deadlines.