What are your qualifications and credentials?
Experience matters. Ben Harvey brings over 20 years in financial services, with prior roles in consumer lending and trust & estate administration. He holds the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designation, completed Cannon Trust School offered through Cannon Financial Institute in 2012, and has a bachelor's degree from Indiana University.
Kendra Elliott holds a bachelor's degree in applied management from Ohio University and has worked in financial services since 2018 in both client relations and accounting.
Together, we combine deep technical knowledge with genuine care for our clients’ entire financial picture.
How are you compensated?
We are transparent about how we’re paid. As an Investment Advisor Representative of a Registered Investment Advisor, we may charge a financial planning fee and/or an asset-based advisory fee for portfolio management & our planning services (see our Form ADV for details).
As an independent insurance agency, we may also receive commissions from insurance companies when we place a policy that best fits your needs.
What services do you offer?
We are not a traditional investment-only firm. Our practice is built around seven pillars that address your full financial life:
- Wealth Management
- Risk Management
- Tax-Efficient Planning
- Legacy Planning
- Cash Management
- Philanthropy
- Value-Added Services
This comprehensive approach allows us to help clients with both today’s needs and tomorrow's goals.
How do you approach financial planning?
Financial planning is about much more than investments or insurance. We start by getting to know you – your dreams, fears, values, and what “being okay” looks like for you and your family.
We review your full financial picture, including your tax situation, legacy wishes, cash flow, and how all the pieces interact - working with your tax & legal professionals as appropriate. We don’t take shortcuts. Expect honest conversations, tax return reviews, and thoughtful planning that often spans generations.
Can you explain your investment philosophy?
We believe the best portfolios blend elements of passive, active, and diversified strategies rather than strictly following one philosophy.
Beyond asset allocation, we emphasize:
- Account type diversification (pre-tax, Roth, and taxable) for tax efficiency
- Retirement income planning – especially for those with 5 years of retirement
- Client education so you understand the purpose of each investment
- Regular course corrections as life and markets change
- Thoughtful risk management – knowing which risks are worth taking and which aren’t
What is the client experience like with Pathway Financial Planning?
There are two sides to working with us.
Professionally, we leave no stone unturned – coordinating with your CPA, estate attorney, and other qualified professionals when needed.
Personally, we build real relationships. We host occasional social events focused on family, occupation, and recreation because we believe money conversations work best within the context of genuine connection.
How often will we meet?
It depends on your needs. Most clients meet with us at least once per year, but many meet more frequently during transitions or important financial events. We always make ourselves available quickly when “critical financial events” arise. Meetings can be in-person, by phone, or video.
How do you stay informed about changes in the financial industry?
We are lifelong learners. We attend conferences and webinars, complete continuing education, maintain subscriptions to industry resources, follow thought leaders, and regularly discuss ideas with our professional network. The industry changes quickly – we work hard to stay ahead of it.
What is your approach to risk management?
Ben often says, “There is no such thing as a solution, only tradeoffs.” Risk management is about understanding those tradeoffs and making intentional choices.
We help you identify, quantify, and address risks related to market volatility, retirement income, tax impact, healthcare, longevity, and legacy. When it comes to risk you may be able to avoid it, reduce it, transfer it, or simply accept it.
Do you operate as a fiduciary?
Yes, when acting in our capacity as Investment Advisor Representatives, we operate as fiduciaries. This is a foundational value of our firm. We are committed to putting your best interests first - exactly as we would want for ourselves and our own families. At times it may be in your best interest that we operate as Registered Representatives, which comes with different regulation & standards called Regulation Best Interest. Regardless of what capacity we are serving you, we never lose sight of how we've made it this far - serving & advising with honesty, integrity, & transparency in everything we do.
How will you adapt your strategy to change in my life or financial situation?
Life is full of change. That’s why we created our Path to Purpose FORMula – a flexible process designed to evolve as your circumstances, goals, or family dynamics shift. We maintain open communication and regularly adjust your plan whether the change involves tax-efficient planning, investments, family, or charitable giving.
Am I going to Be OK?
This is one of our favorite questions. It's also one of the most common & it just gets to the point. One of our core goals is helping you create & implement a plan that will provide you with the confidence to answer this with a strong “Yes!”
Do I Have Enough Money To Retire?
We prefer the term “work-optional lifestyle.” Many people don’t actually want to stop working completely – they just want the freedom to choose. We specialize in retirement income planning that helps you understand what’s possible and when it becomes realistic for you.
What type of client benefits most from your services?
We tend to work best with people who feel overwhelmed by the markets, unsure how to create reliable retirement income, or uncertain who they can truly trust. If you want a comprehensive, relationship-driven approach instead of just product sales, you’re likely a great fit.
As I prepare for retirement, what should I think about or beware of?
Retirement is a life transition as much as a financial one.
First, think about your purpose and how you’ll spend your time. Many people underestimate the emotional shift. We encourage couples to have honest conversations about this before retiring.
Second, beware of salespeople in our industry. They often highlight the upside while downplaying the risks. We encourage you to always ask two questions about any investment you own or are considering:
1.What is the purpose of this investment?
2.Am I comfortable with the tradeoff that comes with making this investment?
Do you have a minimum client asset level?
No. We believe in serving others first & foremost. Therefore, we do not have minimum asset requirements. We work with clients across a wide range of financial situations. What matters most to us is finding the right fit and being able to truly add value to your life.
Do you work with clients virtually, or only in person?
We offer both. You can meet with us in person at either of our office locations or virtually via video call – whichever is most convenient for you. Many clients appreciate the flexibility of mixing both options depending on their schedule and needs.
How do you handle market downturns?
We aim to prepare for market downturns because they are inevitable. It is impossible to time market downturns and avoid them completely. Our approach might differ depending on where you are in life.
For clients who are still working and accumulating wealth, downturns can sometimes be opportunities to buy quality investments at lower prices.
For retired clients (or those nearing retirement), we prioritize protecting your income. We do this by establishing and maintaining low-volatility income sources designed to provide reliable income even even through market volatility. This helps reduce the possibility of needing to sell investments at depressed prices when the market is down.
