Stephen Tone

Hi there! My passion and strengths lie in helping people achieve holistic financial well-being and live more meaningfully through personalized, expert financial planning and investment management. In addition to being a CFP® professional, I'm proud to have completed my Master of Science degree in Personal Financial Planning. I am also an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ professional, which is a specialized credential in the unique needs of high-net-worth clients, and hold my Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional™ certificate, which is a specialized credential in the the psychology of investor behaviors. Why did I open Lindenwood Financial? I observed a unique set of challenges in the financial services industry: overly complicated investment products, confusing financial terminology, outdated philosophies, and unclear fees. I saw how these obstacles can not only hinder people's financial progress, but cause stress and frustration. So, I envisioned offering a modern, transparent, and simplified but full-service experience to put people at ease and help them reach financial goals they didn't know were possible. Thus, Lindenwood Financial was born. Lindenwood Financial stands out as an independent, fee-only fiduciary financial services firm exclusively dedicated to serving your best interests. We have no affiliations or ties (translation: no loyalty and no bias) to any financial companies, products, or third parties. We also don’t receive sales commissions, ensuring there are no hidden incentives to influence our recommendations. We are not paid by anyone but our clients. Our custom-tailored financial guidance, strategies, and investment recommendations are based on merit and your best interests — period. Interested in learning more? I'd love to hear from you. We offer a complimentary consultation & process to answer all of your questions and show you what we do. With no cost or obligation, it's an easy way to educate yourself, evaluate us, and decide if you'd like to work with us.

Having spent the first decade of my career with a large wealth management firm in Seattle, I launched Kindness Financial Planning in 2021 to work with fewer clients and focus on widows, widowers, caregivers, and families affected by major health events. Their stories resonate with me because my dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer on July 18, 2016. He has had brain radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. We have navigated oncologists, surgeons, palliative care doctors, neurologists, endocrinologists, pain clinics, psychiatrists, social workers, pain clinics, nutritionists, and more. Since then, I’ve been drawn to people going through similar situations. I enjoy our conversations, hearing what is important, and helping them navigate the uncertainty life throws at them. Through these conversations, I have learned that when faced with loss and grief, brain fog usually takes over. What was once easy becomes challenging. Sometimes, only one person was involved in the financial decisions and the survivor needs another layer of support. I meet people where they are, listen, and organize what needs to be done to build financial security. I help people make sense of what is urgent and what can wait. Together, we’ll do tax planning, review estate plans, build customized investment portfolios to create the income they need, and more. Then, I am with them every step of the way. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Seattle University. I hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, Chartered Life Underwriter® designation, and I am a Registered Life Planner®. Outside of work, you can find me playing tennis, running with my wife, biking, hiking, attempting to play the guitar, or cooking.