Stillwater brings financial expertise to Carter County * Story and photos by Amber Wadovick *
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tillwater Financial has been a part of the Carter County community for only a few months, having previously lived in Illinois, but owner Kurt Berry said he was in love with the natural landscape of the region and the community that resided within it. He said he is looking to provide support for his current and future customers, helping them achieve their dreams with financial security to back them throughout the journey. What made you choose Carter County and Elizabethton for your services and business? We moved here in June 2019 because my family had been looking at the eastern TN area for about three years as a place to “retire” (I would say live financial free). After our last visit in March 2019, we decided it was time to make the move. We love the mountains, the weather, the people, the lower taxes and the smaller town feel. I am expanding my business from the Rockford, IL area into the Carter County area in historic downtown Elizabethton. What is your purpose as a business? What do you do? Our focus is on helping families reach financial independence/freedom as soon as possible, not just hoping to retire by age 65 to 70. Our definition of financial independence/freedom is when a family can create passive monthly income that is equal to or greater than their monthly expenses. Imagine waking up tomorrow and choosing to work today because you love it, not just because you need a paycheck. If you received several income checks a month that covered all your monthly bills, you have freedom to do what you were created to do! It is a wonderful feeling. I am expanding into this area to teach more families and businesses to do the same. It is what I love and was created to do. Come be part of the movement! Families come meet with us because they realize that they are not on track for financial freedom, but just hoping to make it to retirement. Their assets are not liquid and accessible, they are not in control. After hearing about our process, they come looking for a better way. We show them how to build tools to allow them to use every dollar more than one time in their personal financial lives to reach financial freedom ASAP. Small businesses come meet with us because cash flow is always the battle, whether it is a good month or a bad month. Their business is usually their best investment,
Kurt Berry said he is excited to bring Stillwater Financial to the Carter County area, bringing his expertise to serve more communities in East Tennessee.
besides themselves, so rather than distract them with market based tools, we keep them focused on growing their businesses. We teach them to build tools that give them a financial reserve they control to help with cash flow on their own terms. How long have you been in business? I have been in the financial and insurance industry for over 17 years, starting in June 2002 at the end of the tech bubble crash in the markets. I have worked with several major companies such as Edward Jones, Prudential, Mass Mutual and Ohio National. I did not like having to offer and sell certain products to meet weekly or monthly quotas, which most larger companies require. I wanted to find strategies for each client that are best for them, not just for the companies I represented. About eight years ago, I started Stillwater Financial, LLC and have been on my own since then. I love being able to discuss with a client how money works and how to best apply it to their unique situation to optimize their cash flow now, their protection from bad life events and their future wealth potential. How long have you, personally, been working in the industry? See above answer. Are you part of a franchise or are you independent? I am an independent financial and insurance advisor. I have relationships as a broker with many
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companies in almost every product area from life and disability insurance, to investments in managed money, mutual funds, alternative investments outside the markets and annuities. I can also work with individual stocks and bonds, but it is not my specialty. I have decided to work primarily with third party managers that watch the markets all day with their large teams of analysts when a client wants a market based tool. That way the client is getting the best managers in the world, rather than just me. I feel I am very knowledgeable and capable, but I also know my limits. Our job is to make sure we develop strategies for each client so they win the financial game of life no matter what may come their way. What impact do you think your services/business will have on the Carter County community? We love helping people win the financial game of life! We feel the game is stacked against the average person in America and we have been teaching ourselves first and now our clients how to use products and tools in a way that gives the client the most chance for success regardless of how the markets perform, regardless if life throws them a “curve ball,” like a major financial setback i.e. car breaks down, roof gets a leak, lose your job, get sued, etc. It is about equipping families and small businesses to be flexible, in control and have access to capital if and when they need it on their own terms. I love celebrating with my clients on their little and big successes, especially when they reach financial freedom in their own personal lives!
