Planning Approach
Ethan’s objective with clients is to bring them to a place of financial alignment—where their hopes and goals are aligned with their actions and decisions. As an advisor, his job is to collaborate with them, review their financial situation, and help them identify specific strategies to maximize and protect their wealth. He spends ample time asking questions, helping his clients think more intentionally about the kind of life they want to live. He understands how easy it is to get caught in the busyness of life, and he helps people take a step back, examine their desires and motivations, and move intentionally toward a life of meaning and joy. As clients engage in this process and gain a clear understanding of their goals and how to achieve them, they often find a new sense of happiness and contentment because they have a clear path forward and are confident in their decisions.
Family Values
Much like his clients, Ethan cares deeply about his family and appreciates having the freedom to spend more time with them. Bridgewater has always and will always be rooted in family values, and it’s this element that inspires Ethan in the work he does for clients. He loves that he gets to have lunch with his daughter every Tuesday and take her to gymnastics practice on Fridays—and it’s this flexibility and freedom he hopes to help create in his clients’ lives.
As he spends time with clients, he also works to make the process fun. It’s a serious responsibility managing someone’s life savings, but he believes that between the analyses, problem solving, and strategizing, there is always room for a few jokes and a good laugh.
Education & Professional History
Both of Ethan’s parents are accountants, and he was very familiar with the family business growing up—but it wasn’t until he was in college that he considered working in the financial industry himself. By that time, his dad Terry had been an advisor for about ten years, and he encouraged Ethan to consider it for himself. Ethan had always had a talent for numbers, but he wanted a career where he could work closely with people and make a positive impact on their lives—and wealth management gave him the opportunity to do both.
He graduated in 2012 from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in finance. From there, he was hired by NISA, a large-scale institutional investment firm where he gained experience communicating with stockbrokers, settling trades, and compiling financial reports. In 2014, he earned his Series 7, 66, and Life Insurance licenses and transitioned to his dad’s firm, where he immediately began working with clients and growing the practice. Soon after, he earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation and gained more knowledge about comprehensive planning and ways to serve the firm’s clients more holistically.
Community Involvement
Ethan is a board member of the Mercy Jefferson Health Foundation, where he is on the Finance and Corporate Partners Committees. Through this program, Ethan and the other members of the committee help connect local businesses and their employees with hospital resources. He is also a board member of the Twin City Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Rotary, where he served as president from 2018-2019.
Ethan’S Definition Of A Happy Life
Ethan lives in his hometown of Festus with his wife Chelby and their little girl Olivia. Like his father, Ethan and his wife lived in St. Louis for a short time but chose to move back after their daughter was born. Today, Ethan spends most of his spare time hanging out with his family or volunteering, and as someone who has always wanted to have kids, he wouldn’t have it any other way. Olivia is an energetic little girl who keeps Ethan and Chelby on their toes. She loves singing, dancing, and pretending, and soon, she’ll have a little brother to look out for—something Ethan is very excited about.
Ethan also enjoys exercising in his home gym, being outdoors, and cooking for his family. In fact, he currently owns four different mechanisms for outdoor cooking—a gas grill, a pizza oven, a smoker, and a charcoal grill.
Fun Facts
If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
“I’m not sure I could narrow it down to one, but I love stories like Miracle, Dead Poets Society, or For Love of the Game. There are so many eye-opening, inspirational moments, and I love that.”
If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what age would you choose and what would you say?
“I would go back to high school and tell myself to prioritize learning important concepts rather than memorizing answers. I can’t think of one area of my life that wouldn’t have been severely impacted by that. That’s what I would tell my daughter now—seek to understand what you’re doing at all costs.”
What is one thing every person should add to their daily routine?
“Carve out time to sit quietly. Don’t think about anything, don’t do anything… Let your brain have a break. When you’re quiet, you’d be amazed at some of the thoughts and ideas you have—and how much your mind wants to not be consuming something every minute of the day.”