Meet Derek Van Solkema, CFP®

I was introduced to Advance Capital through a friend and colleague. I couldn’t believe how
different the culture was and I knew immediately I wanted to be a part of such a great
company. The client-centric business model Advance Capital has created allows me to focus on my fiduciary responsibility of putting my client’s interests first rather than having the pressure to sell product.

The most rewarding thing about my job is that I get to wake up every day and help people reach their financial goals and live the way they want to in retirement. Building a relationship with people and seeing them succeed is by far the best thing about what I do as a financial adviser.

To be successful in this industry, it’s paramount to put the client first. Being honest, knowledgeable and trustworthy when giving financial advice is essential to building a relationship with someone. I believe this foundation is why Advance Capital has been so successful, as we’ve been able to keep our clients happy and turn them into our biggest advocates.

At a basketball camp growing up, I heard a coach say, “Every time you skip a rep behind your coach’s back, you are not tricking him, you are cheating your teammates and yourself.” Goals cannot be reached by taking the easy way out or shortcuts along the way. This quote speaks directly to that. When I apply the quote to my job, I think of how hard it can be to stay on track in retirement planning. There are always road blocks along the way, but discipline, accountability and the repetition of good habits will help you reach your retirement goals.