In addition to serving traditional investors, Copperwood Financial has expanded its reach through Pro Athlete Wealth, a specialized division dedicated to guiding athletes and entertainers through the unique financial challenges of their careers. Led by Pai Charasika, Director of Sports & Entertainment, Pro Athlete Wealth helps collegiate athletes, rookies, active players, and entertainers navigate their earnings, investments, and long-term financial security. Whether assisting seasoned professionals or those just entering their industries, the firm ensures that every client has a solid plan to sustain their wealth beyond their peak earning years.
By combining deep industry expertise with a passion for financial stewardship, Copperwood Financial and Pro Athlete Wealth empower clients to take control of their financial futures while giving back to their communities.
Tell us about your business and the role you play in it.
I am so excited to be a part of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce!
Our firm is Copperwood Financial Inc., (www.copperwoodfinancial.com) Our focus is on Retail Investors interested in investing for both short or long term goals. We carry an emphasis around retirement income strategies, tax optimization, and risk management. Financial Planning is the fundamental driver for this business model where Larry Gatz (Managing Partner ) holds his CFP designation. Larry is extremely proficient at the analytics involved in financial planning. Our target client (in a perfect world) typically lends itself to high net worth families seeking financial planning, working professionals, business owners, Federal Employees and C-suite executives…
The average demographic here is 45-70 yrs of age. Most of them (on average) will either have independent investments (at a firm), self-managed investments, and they will likely have 401k assets from current or past employers in excess of $250,000 up to $2,000,000. We don’t have a hard and fast rule about minimums to invest but what I’ve quoted here is what most of our client profiles look like.
The Affiliate/Subsidiary is Pro Athlete Wealth., (www.proathletewealth.net) This is the arm we have built most recently where I, Pai Charasika, am the Director of Sports & Entertainment with a designation as a Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Mgmt Advisor (SE-AWMA). This is a branding initiative more than anything. All roads lead back to Copperwood Financial Inc as the primary hub for investment management and planning, but we work with Athletes (and Entertainers) seeking guidance as they pursue their professional career or those seeking guidance regarding how to optimize their investments/income as their career begins to sunset. These services are all-encompassing; We work with artists in the music industry, we work with Collegiate Athletes receiving NIL dollars, rookies new to the league, active players and those athletes on the verge of retirement. The demographic here is typically 18-27yrs of age….
**We custody all of our assets with Charles Schwab. Advisory fees are anywhere from .50% – 1.25% based on the assets under our management
How did you come up with your idea or concept for your business? How did you decide on a name?
Copperwood Financial was actually the vision of our managing partner, Larry Gatz. Larry has an affinity for the Mountains of Colorado, bourbon barrels, and the copper bronzing of a bourbon cocktail! It was a match made perfect because I myself am from Louisville Kentucky smack dab in the middle of bourbon country, so the name Copperwood was a great fit!
What makes your business unique in its field?
Although Larry and I work with the retirement community at large (55yrs – 70yrs of age etc.), we have a very unique focus on Federal Employees as it pertains to the analytics of their pension benefits and financial plans. Given the complexities of their benefits, we have found our expertise reconciles perfectly with their needs.
We also work very closely and uniquely with athletes & entertainers that have specialized needs given the financial apex of their careers can sometimes be short-lived.
Our passion lays in growing our clients wealth so they may, in turn, be great stewards within their communities across the country.
What is your favorite part about doing business in the Asheville area?
I joined the Chamber because I am new to the area and love working within the local community to develop great business and personal relationships!
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your business?
I am looking forward to meeting the businesses and personalities that make Asheville such a beautiful place to live and work!
–
For more information about Copperwood Financial Inc. and Pro Athlete Wealth, visit www.copperwoodfinancial.com or www.proathletewealth.net. Stay connected and follow their latest updates on social media at Facebook – Copperwood Financial, Facebook – Pro Athlete Wealth, and LinkedIn – Pai Charasika.