Today we’d like to introduce you to Rick Helbing.
Hi Rick, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello, I’m Rick Helbing, a financial life advisor who has specialized in guiding doctors and dentists through the labyrinth of financial planning for over 35 years. The unconventional route that brought me to this point is a unique story, and I’m happy it did because it allows us to cross paths.
Hailing from the bustling metropolis of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (home to a proud population of 13,000 busy beavers—yes, it’s on the welcome sign!), my entrepreneurial spirit emerged at an early age, thanks to my significantly older siblings leaving me to my own devices.
From hustling lawn mowing gigs to orchestrating snow shoveling expeditions, I quickly graduated to more refined ventures, like slinging root beer at the local A&W stand and mastering the art of unloading trucks.
My thirst for entrepreneurship knew no bounds – I dabbled in album sales and even engineered makeshift skateboards out of spare skates, charging neighborhood kids a princely sum for their new rides.
High school was a blur of sports and disdain for studying, much to the chagrin of my well-meaning counselor, who doubted my college prospects. Spoiler alert: Despite the odds, I did make it to college, landing a spot in the University of Wisconsin system, where I continued my adventures in multitasking.
During college, I worked as a bookstore aficionado, a party planner extraordinaire, and even spun tunes on a reel-to-reel Sony tape. Seeing boring weekends as unacceptable, I negotiated rock performances in the student union. A lucrative stint at Helbing Distributing dominated summers, purveyors of fine Pabst beer and other hoppy delights. Hey, who said academia had to be boring?
Armed with a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, I embarked on a post-graduation adventure through the streets of Milwaukee. Thanks to my prior summer escapades in the beer business, I eventually got hired at Pabst Brewery.
A period with Mobil Oil Corporation led me to the shores of Florida, where I immediately fell in love with the sunshine and decided to plant my roots. Despite lucrative promotions beckoning from afar, I remained devoted to the Sunshine State while dipping my toes into the financial services pool thanks to my then-father-in-law.
Fast-forward through Cigna training sessions and a handful of certifications—CFP, ChFC, you name it—and I find myself at the helm of Suncoast Advisory Group, a comprehensive financial planning firm for small family businesses.
But the plot thickens—a chance encounter on a leisurely boat ride led me to cross paths with the president of a local hospital in Sarasota. Bonding over a shared vision of financial life planning and philosophy, he extended a contract to me, catapulting me into the niche realm of advising doctors and dentists on their financial journeys.
Today, Suncoast Advisory Group stands proud and has been strong for over 35 years, a testament to my unorthodox approach to financial life planning!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Struggles have been marketing my firm to my niche. Succession strategy has been a challenge. Recruiting another financial advisor has been interesting and disappointing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Established in 1988, the firm is headquartered in beautiful Sarasota, Florida. Suncoast Advisory Group enjoys a national reputation for innovative financial and practice planning, particularly for physicians and dentists.
My firm offers a comprehensive financial life plan. The pursuit of financial clarity and strategies, along with doctors’ unique needs, propels this journey. My firm understands that doctors have specific targets and checkpoints on their financial roadmap. I specialize in consultative advice and tailor-made strategies to enhance the quality of life.
My firm is set apart by understanding my clients’ Behavioral DNA —i.e., their behavioral biases, blind spots, and core drivers of their personality. Examples include: take charge, are cooperative, are fast-paced, are patient, are trusting, or are skeptical. In other words, to help my clients avoid sabotaging their decision-making process. In addition, my fee structure is an annual retainer rather than an asset-under-advisement model. We offer our Family Financial Client website to track their goals, portfolios, and their overall financial life plan, along with an encrypted vault with essential documents.
Our brand offers a unique approach to understanding you before the numbers, so that you can make a clear, well-informed decision based on your vision of a life well lived.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Realizing the gratitude I have in helping the client have a better, stress-free, quality of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://suncoastadvisorygroup.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickhelbing/
Image Credits
Sketch- Carl Richards
