Paul Schmidt

Do you plan to make work optional before age 65? I will use my tools and expertise to educate and empower you to be your own retirement hero, rather than try to convince you that you need to pay me or any other advisor year after year. While I provide investment advice, I do not offer ongoing portfolio management as a service and my only objective is to give you the best advice possible. My planning engagements typically consist of three to four meetings and span one to three months. We will work together to create a detailed plan for early retirement that doesn't ignore what you need to feel fulfilled in the present. You will be given free ongoing access to my planning software upon completion of our engagement and I will teach you how to navigate it. Visit my website today to learn more and don't forget when you are there to sign up to receive my free guide, The Top 10 Critical Mistakes People Make When They Plan To Retire Early.

Following the establishment and successful sale of her ownership in a prominent financial advisory practice in Northeast Florida, Deana found herself presented with the opportunity to retire at the young age of 43. However, fueled by her unwavering dedication to advocate for women, she chose to channel her passion and talent by creating Contemporary Financial Planning and BagLady Divorce. Contemporary Financial Planning is a registered investment advisory firm providing financial planning and investment management. BagLady Divorce is a platform devoted to educating women about divorce and money.

Adam Van Wie is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and the Chief Investment Officer / Chief Executive Officer of Strivus Wealth Partners. Adam is the co-host of the Van Wie Financial Hour, a weekly radio show and podcast. Adam offers comprehensive financial planning, issue-based consulting, and asset allocation and management services to his clients. Adam has been a practitioner of financial planning for over 10 years and has run his own firm for almost all of that time. He ran his own firm under the name Van Wie Financial for 10 years before merging with Joey Loss and launching Strivus Wealth Partners in 2025. Adam received his B.S. in Engineering with a Business Minor from Tulane in 1998. He then went on to receive his MBA from Emory University in 2002. He served many years on the Executive Board for the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Northeast Florida, including a stint as the President of that board. Fun fact – the FPA executive board is where he and Joey first met in 2018. Adam lives with his wife Jessica, son Justin, and daughter Taylor in Jacksonville Beach, FL. When he’s not serving clients, Adam enjoys traveling, boating, reading, fishing, surfing, and spending time outdoors with his wife and kids.

Joey Loss is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and the Chief Planning Officer / Chief Operating Officer of Strivus Wealth Partners. Joey hosts the Wealth Unplugged Podcast, available on all major podcast platforms and on our website. Joey offers comprehensive financial planning, issue-based consulting, and asset allocation and management services to his clients. Joey has been a student and practitioner of financial planning for over 10 years and has spoken at conferences for other planners on the topics of planning process and raising great advisors. He founded and built a financial planning firm in Jacksonville for several years before collaborating with Adam’s firm to launch Strivus Wealth Partners in 2025. Joey received his B.S. in Applied Economic Management with a concentration in Financial Planning from Virginia Tech in 2014. He is currently an Executive Board member for the Genesis group of the National Associate of Personal Financial Planners. He served many years on the Executive Board for the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Northeast Florida. Fun fact – the FPA executive board is where he and Adam first met in 2018. Joey lives with his wife Elizabeth, daughter Ellis, and dog Harlan in the historic Springfield district near downtown Jacksonville. When he’s not serving clients, Joey enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, fishing, golfing, and anything related to classic rock/blues music or baseball.

Hey! I'm Jake, Financial Planner and co-founder of Spark Wealth Advisors. I started Spark to deliver financial advice the best way I know how, free from constraints and biases that come with working for large corporate firms. As a gay man, I strive to enhance the financial lives of other gay men who may be hesitant to work with a financial professional out of fear of judgement, or not being comfortable sharing aspects of their personal lives that true financial planning requires. My firm is fee-only and I act as a fiduciary, always putting clients' interests before my own.

Elbert Bledsoe is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Jacksonville office. He has over 39 years of experience assisting individuals and companies in pursuing their financial goals. His expertise includes developing strategies and providing advice for high-net worth individuals, their families, and their businesses by understanding their short- and long-term financial objectives. His client focus areas encompass Corporate Executive Services, Education Planning, Family Wealth Management Strategies, Legacy Planning, Liquidity Management, Managing New Wealth, Personal Retirement Planning, Philanthropic Planning, Portfolio Management Services, and Tax Minimization. Elbert holds a bachelor's degree from Aquinas College and a master's degree from the University of Florida. He has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation, the Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) designation, and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He has been recognized on Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list consistently from 2018 through 2025. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Elbert is active in the community and serves on the boards of the North Florida School for Special Education and Safe Haven Ministries. He values his faith, family, and friends. His personal interests include adventure sports such as biking, camping, hiking, kayaking, backpacking, and mountain climbing.