SHELBURNE FALLS — For the team behind Salmon Falls Wealth Advisors, it’s all about being local, with two local residents building a local business to serve the financial needs of local people.
The firm was founded by Greenfield native Matthew Sheridan in February and has recently grown to become a two-person team with the addition of a new associate director, Michael Johnson of Turners Falls.
“We help [our clients] meet their financial goals, put their kids through college and retire comfortably,” Sheridan said.
“We’re money makers,” Johnson joked.
Together, the two have more than 50 years of experience in wealth management, having worked for various banks. Venturing out on their own has allowed Sheridan and Johnson to take their own approach to financial planning and ensure their work is to make money for their clients, not a big bank or financial institution.
“It’s never easy to go out on your own, but it can sometimes make sense to have the freedom to work with clients the way that you want to as opposed to getting direction from the top,” Sheridan said.
“For me, I wanted to make this move to collaborate with someone who I felt mirrored my own approach,” Johnson added. “We’re both really client-first.”
Salmon Falls Wealth Advisors offers a range of financial planning services, including investment management, risk assessment and retirement planning. Johnson said they don’t offer a “one-size-fits-all” approach, but rather customized services that are designed to meet the needs and goals of their clients.
“We’re not a one-size-fits-all money management firm,” Johnson said. “We pride ourselves on always doing what’s right for our clients, regardless of how that may generate revenue for us. … I think that’s where we really bring value to the table. We really are in tune with providing customized, individualized service.”
“Everyone’s financial situation is different,” Sheridan said. At Salmon Falls Wealth Advisors, their job is to provide individual recommendations.
Johnson added that financial planning can seem “daunting,” but he and Sheridan can help put things into perspective and help clients understand if they are on track to meet their goals.
“It takes time, perseverance and dedication to meet those goals, and it’s our goal to help people stay on track,” Johnson said.
The name Salmon Falls Wealth Advisors comes from their firm’s office, at 50 State St. in Shelburne Falls, overlooking Salmon Falls, Sheridan explained. However, while they keep a physical space in Shelburne Falls, Johnson and Sheridan are happy to meet people “where they are,” and will do house calls and virtual consultations if necessary.
Sheridan said it’s been a busy few months setting up the business, and he hopes the firm only continues to grow. His goal is to eventually hire more staff, open an additional location elsewhere in Franklin County, and donate to and support the region’s charities.
“It’s been a good response. … We’re very excited for the future,” Sheridan said. “That’s my goal. I’d like to be able to say, ‘Hey, we’re doing so well, we want to be able to contribute to local charities and organizations that we feel strongly about.'”
For more information, visit salmonfallswealth.com or call 413-522-2032.
