A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER
About Don
Originally from the Waukesha area, I graduated from Cedarville University in Ohio and spent a year in Kauai before I began my path to influencing change in the world of finance. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional and fiduciary, I have spent the last 13 years serving families and supporting their financial goals. Strongly believing that each person is unique, and every plan should be tailored to that uniqueness, I started my own firm, Real Wealth Advisors, with one goal in mind: To put my clients, you, at the center of all we do and in control of your financial future. I bring an integrated approach to wealth and legacy planning rooted in the belief that real wealth is broader than just money. Real wealth is often the moments and memories we create along life’s journey and money is simply a tool to create those opportunities.
Beyond the office, my wife, Larisa, and I have been blessed with three beautiful children. As anyone can attest, having children has changed my life and broadened the understanding of the type of impact wealth can have on a family. I thank my kids for helping me discover a whole new level of love and care which has allowed me to better serve my clients through deeper and more meaningful conversations around the difference wealth can make. Leaving a lasting impact on the world is also important to us and we are involved in several endeavors near and dear to our hearts including Compassion International, The Milwaukee Rescue Mission, The Pacific Garden Mission, and other various other charities.
Re-Imagining Wealth
Real Wealth Advisors was started with a focus on a specific, underserved audience: the hardworking, self-made millionaire. Often overlooked by larger firms, we serve families in a way that simplifies the complexity that comes with wealth. We believe by helping people become more confident about their financial position, it will empower them to make life decisions easier and allow more time for the things that are important. Encompassing so much more than just wealth, we are committed to working with our clients, you, to live and enjoy life on your own terms.
Every person has unique priorities which is why we believe every plan should also be unique and tailored to support those priorities. We serve as your guide to streamline the oftentimes frustrating, chaotic, and overwhelming relationship with your money, striving to give you more freedom, time, and peace of mind.
As your financial guide, we work with you to develop an integrated plan encompassing the three key pillars of a strong retirement: financial, tax and estate planning. The result is a roadmap that is uniquely yours, driven by your priorities, passions, and the people most important to you.
We encourage you to reimagine what wealth truly is and get excited about the difference it will make in your life and the ones you care about most.
Meet the Real Wealth Advisors Team
Brett Topham
Brett brings 30 years of capital markets expertise and wisdom to the team as the firm’s portfolio analyst as well as a member of the portfolio advisory team. Having previously navigated his clients’ portfolios through the tech boom and bust of 2000, the housing crash of 2008, and the resulting 14-year bull market Brett’s perspective and insight managing $1.6 billion continues to elevate the Real Wealth Advisors experience. Brett likes to say how “I spent the first ten years of my career learning about markets and planning, the next 10 years telling everyone about it, but it wasn’t until this last decade that I’ve begun to adapt all I’ve learned to impact people in the greatest possible way.” Brett is a graduate of the Northwestern University ABA Trust and Estate Planning program, a Certified Wealth Strategist, and a As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional. You’ve probably heard the saying – that finding the ‘Right Fit’ people to be a part of the team – is the most difficult challenge in business, well we believe Brett is one of those ‘Right Fit’ people and will make a significant difference in the lives of the families we serve.
Brett and his wife Susan have two children with wonderful careers outside of Wisconsin which means traveling – to see the kids – is always on the priority list. After raising two children Susan and Brett find as much time as possible to volunteer at expeditions unlimited a youth camp on beautiful Devils Lake, and, whenever possible, they enjoy attending Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra events.
As the firm’s Client Care Manager, Jetta is the glue that holds the office together and she has superpowers we continually discover. As a native of Colorado, she grew up with beautiful Pikes Peak right in her backyard. She naturally grew up with a love for the great outdoors and a sense of adventure, growing up in the foothills of the mountains. Today her hiking adventures are spent on the flat plains of Wisconsin with her fiancé Tim and their rescue dogs, Crystal, and Mabel!
Before joining Real Wealth Advisors Jetta worked as a policy acquisition manager in the financial industry and has served in administrative roles for various companies. Her attention to detail and hard work ethic are qualities that continually WOW our clients and make us proud to she is a part of the team. Jetta has said how “Having the opportunity to help make a real difference in people’s lives and impact the growth of a new business are exciting things to be a part of.”
Ian Chomeau
Ian Chomeau, is our new Client Care Coordinator and a recent addition to the Real Wealth Advisors’ growing team!
A Wisconsin native, Ian was born and raised in beautiful Door County – which if we’re honest – makes us all a little jealous of him. Growing up surrounded by water, golf, boats, and of course beautiful sunsets, it’s not surprising that Ian finds as many weekends as possible to go “Up-North” and spend time with his large extended family. “Family has always been extremely important to me which is why I’m excited to be a part of a firm where treating people like family is at the heart of everything they do.”
A graduate of St. Norbert College, Ian started his career with Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee where he developed his love of finance and helping make a difference in people’s lives. Ian’s desire to go above and beyond for clients, his strong work ethic, and the way he treats people like family make him a welcome addition to the Real Wealth Advisors team.
