Kevin Schafer

About the Firm Balance Life Planning was created to help mid-career individuals and families find balance between the financial and lifestyle needs of today, tomorrow, and legacy. Our approach combines the core tenets of financial planning: Investment Strategy Tax Planning Cash Flow/ Retirement Planning Insurance Analysis Estate Planning Furthermore, we offer planning catered to families that have more complex compensation such as stock options, RSUs, Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP), etc. We utilize the latest technology available to deliver a seamless client experience that includes a planning portal, secure vault for planning documents, tax planning tools, and more. About Me I was born and raised in Canton, OH and relocated to the Cincinnati area to attend Xavier University. During that time, I met my wife Erica, and we settled in Villa Hills, KY. We have three beautiful daughters: Molly, Taylor, and Charlotte. We enjoy traveling, various sports, and dogs (we have three dogs Rev, Louis, and Teller). I started in the Financial Services industry at a large investment firm in 2011. During my nearly 10 years there, I worked my way from customer service, through various trading positions, to a book of clients of over 900 high-net worth households that I assisted with planning and investing. In February 2015, I earned my CFP® marks (CERTFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™). In September 2020, I decided it was time for a change that offered a better life balance and client experience. I joined a smaller firm in Blue Ash, OH, as a Senior Advisor. During that time, I gained valuable experience working through complex planning scenarios with high-net worth clients, managing day to day operations of the firm, and was closely connected to a first-class CPA firm. Of the thousands of clients I've had the privilege to serve, several carried ranging degrees of regret around their financial planning path. Most of which sounded like: "if I knew then what I knew now, I would have...". I have designed Balanced Life Planning to meet clients and families where they are earlier in life to create better financial outcomes.

I started my career at Fidelity Investments before transitioning to Merrill Lynch to join a wealth management team managing $2.2 billion in assets. In January 2020, I broke away from Merrill Lynch to found Incline Wealth Advisors, an independent, fiduciary, wealth management firm. I had to persevere a very tough start when the Covid pandemic broke out in early 2020, but was able to make it through the tough times with my business. I have since grown tremendously since then and have brought on two employees. Through my business I work closely with business owners to provide advice on retirement planning, investment and risk management, cash flow and debt management, estate planning, tax strategies, business exits, acquisitions and succession planning. In 2022, I acquired a local business called GameMaster Athletic. In addition to being an owner in the business I sit on our Board of Directors and oversee some operations with our current CEO. I am married and have 5 children. Certifications: • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Community Work: • Elder High School Investment Committee • Western Economic Counsel: Board Member & Treasurer • Former: Make-A-Wish Foundation: Emerging Leader Advisory Board Member • Former: Thomas More Alumni Association: Board Member • Future Our Lady of Visitation Basketball Coordinator