Member Spotlight - Affinity Wealth Management, CEO - Mike Sicuranza

Q: Please provide us with a brief description of your business and your professional journey? How many years have you been in business?

A: Affinity Wealth Management is an independent, objective wealth management firm. Since 1974, we have helped clients create life experiences that match their personal and financial means. We believe anyone can create any life they want and the AWM can help achieve those goals by developing strategies and ongoing planning to make that possible.

I’ve been a financial advisor for 26 years, starting right out of school at the age of 22.  It wasn’t my first passion (I wanted to be a Ph.D. Economist and teach), but at 23, when I saw the financial ravages that one of my family members went through – because a spouse was in a nursing home for 8 years and they lost everything – it was the day I swore I would throw myself into learning everything I could to make sure this wouldn’t happen to anyone I worked with.  This changed the entire trajectory of my career.

Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do?

A: There are many parts to a client’s life and financial puzzle. I love creating and, specifically, thinking of things others haven’t considered and communicating complicated strategies in an easy-to-understand manner. I also enjoy working in a team environment. 

Our clients get a team of Affinity Advisors who collaboratively work with the client and OTHER professionals to predict positive outcomes. We are constantly working to build a better client experience. The AWM team thrives to be ahead of the game and to deliver a unique experience for all our clients.

 

Q: What strategies have you found to be the most effective in promoting your business?

A: Client referrals have been the most effective and rewarding form of promoting Affinity Wealth Management. As my partner and colleague Jim Hall said, “The lifeblood of any wealth management firm is client referrals: happy clients referring their friends and family to a team of professionals who can truly help.” We’ve also been fortunate to develop strategic alliances with several CPAs in the area and a TPA firm. As a result, we have been able to collaborate and earn the trust to service their clients.

Q: What type of businesses/clients are you interested in?

A: The ideal clients for AWM are:

• Professional Small Businesses

• Married

• Ages ranging from 45-65

• 5-75 Employees

• Concerns around taxes, retirement/succession, and asset protection – transitioning assets/income from the business.

• Have children at college-age or later

• $2-10 million investable assets

 

Q: What motivated you to become a Chamber member? How long have you been a Chamber member?

A: We joined the Chamber back in 2009 to help accelerate the growth of Affinity Wealth Management by making connections in the area and develop business relationships.

 

Q: What aspect of the Chamber have you personally taken advantage of the most?

A: We have mainly taken advantage of the business growth workshops and seminars and became interested in the Chamber's economic development.

 

Q: Can you share a few of the partnerships or projects you are excited about?

A: We are always looking for new and exciting ways to grow as a company. Currently, we are working on perfecting our total client experience. Along with this, we are constantly staying up to date on different tools and software to make this an excellent experience for everyone.

 

Q: When you are not helping your clients, how do you like to spend your time?

A: When I am not helping my clients, I enjoy doing the following:

• Looking for ways to grow our company and create opportunities for the individuals that work for AWM.

• I enjoy spending time with my family.

• Basketball with my son, Adam.

• Swimming with my daughter, Lily.

• I enjoy working out with Ellen and my wife, Erin.

• Long walks through Alapocas Woods is an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors.

• Reading and listening to podcasts is one of my favorites.

 

Q: What advice would you give to new or current chamber members on how to keep their businesses thriving? 

A: I’ve written a lot about this, but here are a few ideas that I would like to share with my fellow members:

• Know who you want to serve or do business with – find a niche.

• Create a unique experience to serve and work with that niche.

• Become an expert in serving that niche then solves that niche’s problem.

• Surround yourself with other professionals, employees, and consultants to help you execute on that niche. 

• Continue to learn and evolve. What it takes to get you to the $1million in revenue is not always the same process to get you to the $5 or $10 million.

Thank you, Affinity Wealth Management, for being a valued member of our chamber community. To learn more about AFM, please visit their website at www.affinitywealth.com.