McLeod & Associates
Welcome to McLeod & Associates, where we work with business owners and families to help navigate their unique financial journeys. At the heart of every great business is a vision. However, between that initial spark and a successful exit lies a complex financial journey filled with critical decisions, unforeseen challenges, and incredible opportunities. At McLeod & Associates, we are your dedicated team for this entire journey. Providing you the strategic guidance and unwavering support needed to navigate each chapter with confidence.
Led by financial advisors Chip McLeod and Tom Clark, and supported by Dawn Gerlach Smith, our team is built to serve business owners like you. We take the time to deeply understand not just the numbers on your balance sheet, but the passion, the hard work, and the personal dreams that built your company. This holistic understanding allows us to create truly customized strategies that align your business success with your life goals.
Our collaboration begins with a commitment to understanding your unique story, and extends through every stage of your business's life:
- Laying the Foundation: We help you start strong by navigating the complexities of securing initial financing, structuring collateral, and establishing long-term cash management strategies designed for stability and future growth.
- Managing and Growing: As your business matures, we are there to help you optimize day-to-day operations. We assist with business financing for expansion, sophisticated operating cash management, establishing retirement plans for you and your employees, and implementing strategies for sustainable growth.
- Planning Your Exit: The culmination of your life's work deserves a thoughtful and deliberate transition. We work closely with you to design a comprehensive exit strategy, helping to ensure you are financially and personally prepared for a successful sale or transfer that secures your legacy and fuels your next act.
At McLeod & Associates, we believe that true wealth is about more than just financial capital; it's about the freedom to enjoy the success you've built. We are committed to providing the trust, experience, and personalized care necessary to help you and your family achieve lasting prosperity.
Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.
Our philosophy is grounded in the belief that for a business owner, financial planning is inseparable from the life cycle of their business. It's about understanding that your company is your most powerful engine for wealth creation and personal fulfillment. We see ourselves as more than financial advisors; we are strategic partners who work closely with you to create and execute a plan that focuses on your business, nurtures its growth, and ultimately translates its success into a personal legacy.
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Client-Centered, Business-Focused
Our approach is rooted in deep, personal relationships built on a foundation of shared goals. We take the time to listen, understand, and learn what drives you. It's not just your financial numbers, but your vision for your company, your aspirations for your family, and what you hope to achieve when you one day step away. We recognize that your financial journey is uniquely tied to your business's journey, from its founding to its eventual transition. This is why we focus on building a tailored financial strategy that aligns with your business's stage and your personal objectives. We don't apply cookie-cutter strategies. Instead, we create a dynamic roadmap for building, operating, and exiting your business that reflects what matters most to you. Our goal is to empower you to run your business with confidence today, so you can exit on your terms tomorrow. -
Holistic, Integrated Business Planning
We believe in taking a comprehensive and integrated approach to planning because your business is your personal financial plan. Your company's value, its cash flow, your retirement, and your family's wealth are all interconnected. This is why we don't just focus on investment management or exit planning in isolation—we look at the entire ecosystem of your financial life. From business financing and operating cash management to retirement plans, tax minimization strategies, and succession planning, our team collaborates to help ensure every decision supports both your corporate and personal goals. Our goal is to simplify the complexities you face as an owner, allowing you to stay focused on what you do best: growing your business. -
A Collaborative Approach
While our firm offers sophisticated financial strategies, we pride ourselves on a genuine, collaborative approach to every relationship. We understand that no two businesses or owners are alike, and we provide tailored, one-on-one attention. Chip, Tom, and Dawn work together as your dedicated team, serving as your steady guides through every stage of your business life. Our combined experience, dedicated to understanding your specific challenges, allows us to offer insights and strategies that empower you to make informed, confident decisions. In a world where economic landscapes are constantly changing, we are committed to being your constant advocates. -
Rooted in Spartanburg, Invested in You
We are based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, our success is intrinsically tied to the success of our community and the businesses that drive it. We live here, work here, and are invested in the prosperity of the Upstate. This means we have a firsthand understanding of the local economic landscape, the opportunities unique to our region, and the challenges faced by area business owners. Choosing a local team means you get more than financial advice; you get a partner who is accessible, accountable, and deeply committed to seeing your business thrive right here in our community. Your goals are our goals, and your success is a part of Spartanburg's success.
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CFP®, SE-AWMA™
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.
