Eric Kulwicki
Senior portfolio manager, Freedom Wealth Alliance
675 N. Barker Road, Brookfield
freedomwealthalliance.com
Industry: Financial services
Employees: 13
Family: Married to Amy. Daughter, Mya. Sons, Elliott and Ethan.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“We’ve invested a lot of time and effort in infrastructure enhancements that will help us better serve our clients and support our continued growth. We have greatly expanded our technology capabilities across portfolio management, investment research, client reporting, the ability to connect with clients remotely and more. We just finished remodeling and enlarging our offices.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“We’re always ready to add exceptional talent to the team. We look for people with a great mindset, technical expertise and the passion, compassion and integrity to do what is right. We will continue investing in all areas of the business, with a keen focus on integrating technology to help us effectively and efficiently support our clients.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Regulatory issues are always challenging in the financial services industry. We are fortunate to have a dedicated compliance officer on the team.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“There is a dichotomy, where larger wealth management firms focus on the largest clients and mid- to smaller-sized clients are left on their own to grow and preserve their wealth. We believe that everyone should have access to quality wealth management services and have built the infrastructure necessary to support clients of all sizes.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“We’re all in this together.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“My father showed me that a healthy work-life balance is the key to happiness.”
“I also look up to Kurt Rozman, the president of Freedom Wealth Alliance. He is passionate about supporting our team. He does whatever it takes to make sure that we all succeed – both in supporting our clients and in enhancing our personal lives.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“‘Follow your passions and the rest will fall into place.’ I enjoy this profession so much that I feel like I haven’t worked a day since I started in this industry.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“I was at an investment conference and was wearing a walking boot cast due to a toe injury. It was the topic of conversation wherever I went … until a gentleman arrived wearing a neck brace. We laughed and everyone agreed that he won the award for ‘best injury.’”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I am happily married with three young children. I’m actively involved with my kids’ sports, scouts and school activities. We also live in a neighborhood with a lot of great friends, so there’s no shortage of things to do. I also tap into my creative side through songwriting.”
