Stephen Ensley
How do you define success?
Everyone has a different answer. For some, it’s freedom. For others, it’s a number in the bank. For many, it’s simply financial well being.
I’ve seen firsthand how much sound financial decisions can shape a life. Over time, I’ve learned that the difference between good and great outcomes often comes down to one thing: whose voice you choose to listen to.
My own path into this world started early, in a high school investments course. Our teacher had one rule: “Check your ego at the door.” That’s stayed with me. Today, it guides how I show up for clients: curious, honest, and focused on what truly serves you.
What does that mean for you? It means I don’t pretend to have all the answers. No any one person should. I’m supported by a team that provides deep resources, from financial planning to custom lending, so we can bring the right expertise to your situation.
My objective is simple: to get to know you personally, understand what’s most important to you, and become the voice you trust for financial guidance. Defining success is only halfway there. The other half is building a plan around it.
Let’s have a conversation and put that plan into action.
Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.
What do you do when you don't know what to do?
Research? Take a chance and hope for the best?
As a financial advisor, I help business owners and corporate executives move past that uncertainty. I guide my clients through a disciplined financial modeling process that builds a strategy around YOU: your goals, your balance sheet, and your timeline, not headlines or market noise.
What separates me from other advisors comes down to 5 core values that act as my guardrails:
- Knowledge - Committed to being a lifelong learner about my clients, the markets and current trends.
- Wisdom - Commited to learning from the past and others the best ways to practically apply knowledge learned.
- Transparency - Committing to having open and honest dialogue with my clients around timelines and financial decision we make on their behalf.
- Responsiveness - Committed to be prompt in response to our clients who entrust us with their money and financial future.
- Excellence - Committed to strive for excellence in every area by paying attention to the smallest details.
We provide the following services to our clients:
- Wealth Planning
- Fiduciary Investment Management Services though Merrill IAP
- Access to banking services*
- Personal and Business Lending*
- Trust & Estate Services**
- Mergers & Acquisition Services for Business Owners
Who we serve:
- Business Owners
- Corporate Executives
- Retirees
Whether you are navigating a liquidity event, managing concentrated equity, or simply trying to make smarter decisions with what you've built, my role is to be a clear, steady voice in the noise, and help you turn your definition of success into a concrete actionable plan.
*Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.
**Trust, fiduciary, and investment management services are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp."), and its agents.
***A Senior Portfolio Advisor can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis custom investment strategies, selecting from a wide range of Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment strategies.
Bringing fresh perspectives to your financial life
The financial decisions you make today can help determine the future you build for yourself and your family. Carving a clear path forward starts with connecting your life and finances. A Merrill advisor provides access to the investing insights of Merrill and banking capabilities of Bank of America to help you make informed decisions as you pursue your goals.
