Business Details
27 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Financial Advisory Services in Lansing
Smalley Investments is a wealth management firm dedicated to providing personalized portfolio management and financial planning services to exceptional families and organizations. Founded in 1999, our firm operates as fiduciaries, prioritizing client needs above all else while leveraging decades of combined expertise in private wealth management, retirement plan construction, and customized investment strategies. We embrace technology to deliver accessible solutions through online platforms and mobile apps, yet maintain a preference for face-to-face interactions to better understand client goals and dreams. Our fee-based model ensures transparency, with compensation structures aligned to client success rather than commission-driven incentives. We specialize in serving successful individuals, small businesses, associations, and charities, typically advising on entire client asset portfolios regardless of size.Our team holds multiple industry designations including Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses, Accredited Investment Fiduciary status, and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor credentials. Community involvement remains central to our values through the Smalley Investments Charitable Fund, which supports local initiatives in financial literacy, food security, and environmental conservation. Our historic downtown Lansing office serves clients across 21 states while maintaining a personal touch through regular client meetings over coffee. We distinguish ourselves through a commitment to aligning client values with financial decisions, evidenced by our early adoption of Socially Responsible Investment models in 2008. Our comprehensive approach covers portfolio management, retirement planning, estate preservation, and risk management strategies tailored to individual client circumstances.
Services
Portfolio Management
Financial Planning
Retirement Plan Provider
Risk Management
Charitable Giving
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We operate as fiduciaries with no commission-based incentives since 1999
- Our team holds multiple industry designations including Series 65 and CFA
- Transparent fee structures aligned with client success metrics
- Personalized approach combining technology with regular face-to-face meetings
- Proven track record managing assets from $500/month college investments to $10M+ retirement plans
Associations and certifications
- Commonwealth Financial Network
- FINRA
- SIPC
What people say
Personalized attention
Stress reduction
Proactive solutions
Exceptional customer service
Transparent fees
Services
Portfolio Management
We create customized investment portfolios using traditional assets and alternative investments like private equity. Our approach combines risk-based models with socially responsible investing principles. With over 20 years of experience, we manage assets ranging from small monthly contributions to multi-million dollar retirement plans while maintaining transparent fee structures aligned with client success.
Financial Planning
Our comprehensive financial planning covers retirement strategies, estate preservation, and risk management. We work closely with attorneys and tax professionals to implement client wishes for asset transfer and business succession. The process begins with understanding client goals through personal consultations, followed by roadmap creation and implementation of tailored solutions.
Retirement Plan Provider
We design qualified retirement plans like 401(k)s and non-qualified plans for business owners. Our services help companies attract talent while optimizing tax benefits. With expertise in all plan types including cash balance and defined benefit plans, we serve both plan sponsors and participants through implementation, management, and ongoing education.
Risk Management
Our risk management approach focuses on preserving family wealth through proper estate planning coordination. We help clients protect assets, ensure healthcare provisions, and facilitate smooth business transitions. This includes developing strategies for special asset transfers like family farms while working with legal professionals to implement client directives.
Charitable Giving
Through our Smalley Investments Charitable Fund, we facilitate community impact initiatives. We support local organizations in food security, healthcare, and arts while helping clients incorporate charitable giving into their financial plans. Our approach aligns client values with strategic philanthropy opportunities that grow with our firm's success.
People
Joe Smalley
Founder + Principal
Joe Smalley founded Smalley Investments after careers in entertainment and politics. He holds Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses along with Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation. With over 25 years in wealth management, he previously created Sustainable Folios, an early socially responsible investment firm.
Kendra Osowski
Managing Director, Retirement Plans
Kendra 'KO' Osowski brings 20+ years of retirement plan expertise, managing 401(k), 457(b), and defined benefit plans. A Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, she previously served as Regional Vice President for John Hancock Retirement Plan Services, implementing hundreds of plans for diverse organizations.
Ryan Balks
Managing Director, Financial Planning
Ryan Balks focuses on financial planning and wealth management with a decade of client service experience. He graduated from Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business, specializing in personalized wealth strategies and investment portfolio implementation for high-net-worth clients.
Aubrey Orr
Office Manager
Aubrey Orr manages office operations with 12 years of financial services experience. Her background in banking and client relations ensures smooth firm operations while maintaining personalized client support. She coordinates projects between clients and the home office team.
Chelsea Forr
Manager, Special Projects
Chelsea Forr oversees special projects with aviation and HR expertise from Western Michigan and Davenport Universities. She coordinates client assistance, event preparation, and home office communications while managing diverse project requirements for the firm.
Questions
What financial services do you offer?
We provide portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan design, risk management, and charitable giving strategies tailored to individual client needs.
Are you fiduciaries?
Yes, we operate as fiduciaries with no commission-based incentives, always prioritizing client interests above proprietary product recommendations.
How are your fees structured?
We use transparent asset management fees based on portfolio size or consulting fees determined by project complexity with no hidden charges.
Do you have minimum investment requirements?
While we don't enforce strict minimums, our typical clients have household assets exceeding $1 million that we advise on comprehensively.
How do you deliver client service?
We combine technology with personal meetings, offering online access through Investor 360 and Right Capital platforms while preferring regular face-to-face consultations.
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