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Our Journey to Transform Financial Planning

Discover how our experiences shaped a commitment to transparent, flat-fee financial services.

Our Story

After decades in the retirement plan industry, I had an unsettling realization: I’d stopped asking why.

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Sure, I understood the ins and outs of how the system worked. But when I started asking why it worked that way, the cracks in the system became impossible to ignore:​

Why are fees calculated as a percentage of savings, penalizing those who save the most?

Why is the focus solely on 401(k) balances, as if they’re the only measure of financial success?

And why do we celebrate the idea of “retiring” from work altogether, instead of embracing meaningful, purpose-driven lives?

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That last question hit me like a Mack truck. Most retirees I’ve met weren’t looking to stop working entirely—they wanted the freedom to choose their work. Whether it was raising grandkids, volunteering, or launching a new business, they had a passion for staying active and making a difference.

 

So why do we spend decades stockpiling savings in pursuit of an outdated dream of retirement? What if, instead of obsessing over accumulation, financial advisors focused on helping people live their best lives—right now?

The Truth Behind the Industry

Once I started asking better questions, the reality became clear: the system isn’t designed to prioritize your best life. It’s designed to prioritize profits for the financial industry.

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Providers profit when fees are tied to your savings—more money for them means less freedom for you.

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Advisors push saving at all costs because your living costs them money.

That epiphany changed everything for me. I couldn’t keep working within a system that rewarded taking from savers instead of serving them.

Transforming Financial Solutions

I launched Transform Retirement to rewrite the rules—not just for individuals, but for workplace savings plans like 401(k)s and SIMPLE IRAs.

My mission is simple: to help families and businesses break free from the old, profit-driven model and create solutions that actually work for them. When you work with Transform Retirement, here’s what you can expect:

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Personalized, unbiased advice

 We’re not here to sell you products; we’re here to serve your goals.

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Flat fees that don’t punish success

Our costs don’t increase as your net worth grows, so you keep more of what you earn.

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A unique employee benefit

Help your team thrive with innovative financial solutions that set your company apart.

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It’s an honor to walk alongside families and businesses, helping them achieve not just financial security, but lives of purpose and freedom. Because when we focus on what really matters, retirement becomes less about stopping and more about starting.

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Experience You Can Trust

Mark Nicholas, CPC

With years of experience in retirement planning and financial management, I have developed a client-centric approach rooted in transparency, integrity, and expertise. 

For a more comprehensive list of my professional qualifications, connect with me on LinkedIn by clicking the link below.

Our Mission

We believe financial planning should address life’s broader challenges, from budgeting for everyday needs to planning for milestones like buying a home or funding education. Our goal is to help families maximize their financial wellbeing—not just their retirement accounts.

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Our Commitment

By adopting a flat-fee model, we eliminate many common conflicts of interest, so you can be sure our advice is tailored to your goals—not ours. This approach allows us to focus on what truly matters: your financial success.

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Take the First Step Toward Financial Clarity

Ready to explore how our flat-fee financial planning can help you or your business? Schedule a consultation today to get personalized advice tailored to your unique needs.

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