“The transformative power of giving back through education to the financial world is undeniable.”

At 22, Mark Roberts, Owner, and President of Affinity Asset Management, realized that to make a real difference in people's lives, he needed to get what they were going through. Instead of being a jack-of-all-trades advisor, Mark dug deep into a few specific areas: estate planning, getting the most out of Social Security, and reducing taxes. “A lot of advisors skip these topics because they don't see a quick return in them, but I wanted to genuinely help people with their unique problems,” says Mark. “Whether I'm helping ten people or 1000, everyone gets the same commitment and quality of service. It's not just about knowing the financial ins and outs; it's about genuinely understanding what people are going through and being there for them. It's been a wild ride from my younger days to now, and I’m proud that our team is always there, making real differences in our clients' lives.”

Mark is a big believer in leading by example. He tests the water himself before setting someone off to sail. “I don't ask anyone in my office to do something I haven't done myself or wouldn't be willing to do right now,” explains Mark. “We have our unique way of managing money for each client, which lets us keep a close eye on their daily investments. This way, every client gets the same quality of attention, no matter what.”

Before talking about products, Mark and his team get to know the new clients well and plan out what's best for them. They are like architects: starting the job by laying a solid foundation. This includes ensuring clients are getting the most out of their money, from getting the best possible returns and Social Security benefits to paying the least amount in taxes and ensuring they will have enough for retirement. “Most of the clients I meet already have some investments. So, once we've set the foundation, we then look at what they've got. We figure out what to keep, what to change, what to get rid of, and what new stuff might be needed,” he elucidates. “In short, I always make sure we have a game plan first before we dive into the details of products and investments. It's all about giving each client a tailored experience based on their needs, all while leading by example in everything I do.”

With this brilliant strategy and mindset, Mark has led the company to new heights. Affinity Asset Management was founded to provide clients with the highest quality investment and planning services. The company helps its clients create stability and security through financial independence. For the past 27 years, Mark has been all about sharing financial know-how. Affinity Asset Management is not just about business; they are about community. Mark and his team have teamed up with a non-profit that's all about financial literacy, and twice a month, they visit locals and educate them on various topics like estate planning and how to make the most of Social Security. And just to be clear, these chats are all about learning—no sales pitches, no dinners.

“Seven years back, I wrote "Why Didn't I Hear about This Earlier?" and it made Amazon’s best seller’s list. I'm finishing up book number two and have started cooking up ideas for a third– this one’s going be a bit more personal, sharing some behind-the-scenes from my life and career,” adds Mark. “Affinity's growing too. We've added a tax company to our family, and we're teaming up with an estate planning partner to launch our trust company. The goal? Helping people pass down their hard-earned assets safely and smartly.”

It's all about sharing knowledge, growing with the community, and keeping that fire burning to make a real difference in people's financial lives. It is pertinent to mention Mark is highly passionate about giving back to the financial world. Every year, he spends a lot of time helping other financial advisors nationwide. “I get the chance to hop on stage, thanks to some great organizations, where I share tips and tricks that have worked for me,” says Mark. “It's not just about the financial side, though. I’m genuinely passionate about helping people in our field grow and do better. It's not just about doing good through non-profits but also about lifting my peers. I think when we all help each other out, it's a win-win. We all learn, grow, and our community and industry get better together.”