Off-topic, but location specific- Looking for a financial advisor

[redrhodie]

Yeah, I figured you're going into this with your eyes open, but I'd thought I'd add my $.02 anyway.

It does, however, look like a really nice place. I'm sure I'd eat there all the time if it was in my town. But, it's open A LOT of hours. I can see why they don't have time for life.

[ClickIn]

Hello,

I work with a great financial planner in Baltimore. His name is Patrick Tuma at Financial Dimensions which is apart of the First Financial Federal Credit Union of Maryland. The services offered by Financial Dimensions are very affordable.

Financial Dimensions, Inc.
In The First Financial Building
1215 York Road
Lutherville, MD 21093
Phone: 410-321-6060, ext. 150
Toll free outside Baltimore metro area: 1-800-90-FFFCU
(http://www.firstfinancial.org/)

Patrick was and continues to be instrumental in my business planning. (I'm an independent graphic designer and own my own design studio. Since we're talking biz, my web site is www.strategicdesignstudio.com.)

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Good Luck, I'm all about following your dreams!

[Resumer]

HI there...I lived in the metro DC area for 27 years and established a relationship with a financial advisor I adore, and have complete trust and faith in. She was part of a small practice then went out on her own, and is located in Alexandria, VA. She is part of the Financial Network and is not affiliated with any big houses/corporations so does not have an agenda to sell products or steer anyone toward any formulaic approach to planning and/or investing. I live in California now but still rely on her.

Her name is Jo Thomson and here is her contact info:

101 N Union St
Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 549-3955

Hope that's helpful. If you pursue her, you can tell her Taya referred you.

Another option you can consider is eWomenNetwork -- the largest women's business network in North America. If you go to www.eWomenNetwork.com you can search a database of woman-owned businesses across the US and the search terms list is exhaustive so you could play around with looking for someone in your current local area and/or the area you're moving to. Click on the "Find a member" link on the left side.

Best of luck with your new venture! Life it too short not to take risks and give your dreams a go -- let me know if I can be of any further help.

[Kalidurga]

Thanks, ClickIn and Resumer, I really appreciate those referrals!

redrhodie, the one thing that I do know about this venture is that there's a lot I don't know. I definitely need to know about any negatives so that I can figure out whether or not they're things I can handle. If your BF has any specific nightmares he'd like to share, feel free to pm me and bubble-burst all you want.

As for the hours, the current owners spend very little time in the restaurant. Their daughter runs it for them, and even she isn't there from open to close. Either they're very trusting, or they've got an incredibly dependable staff. If I go through with this, I'd most likely keep their daughter on staff (she's apparently unhappy that they're selling because she doesn't want to lose her job) to help me out.

[divingbiker]

Tam, your restaurant is mentioned in the travel section of today's Post. They did a day trip to Shepherdstown, and talk about having scones there. (They also mention that it's for sale, so you may have buyers to compete with now!)

[7rider]

Mmmmmmmm....
Scones.......

[Kalidurga]

Tam, your restaurant is mentioned in the travel section of today's Post. They did a day trip to Shepherdstown, and talk about having scones there. (They also mention that it's for sale, so you may have buyers to compete with now!)

Hmmm... I just spoke with the owner this morning when I was there for breakfast. Not "my" place yet, though. I'm still researching and trying to decide.

I don't get the Post, I'll have to check out their website for that article. If I do go through with this (or if someone doesn't now beat me to it), I'll be happy to have had the publicity

[divingbiker]

Should have posted the link before. Here's the article from today's paper.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...032801328.html

[Running Mommy]

I would send him a pm. His biz knowledge is spot on! Sounds like you need more of a good accountant and attorney. Possibly two that could collaborate.
When I think of financial advisor I think broker. I used to work for a broker/dealer firm, so a "financial advisor" to me is someone who will invest your nest egg.
A good attorney and accountant can look at the deal and give you a better idea of what your "really" getting yourself into.
Good luck. Being a biz owner is tough, but it's SOOO worth it!

[Kalidurga]

I'm actually thinking I need all three: A financial planner (that's probably the more correct term than 'advisor') to help me understand what my options are for both the restaurant's and my own finances; an accountant to review the financial statements, etc; and a lawyer for all the contractual issues. I'm talking to two financial planners and trying to decide between them. One of them has recommended an accountant, and I also have a neighborhood acquaintance who's a CPA that I've been trying to get in touch with (and, of course, I'm doing this during tax season ). I also talked to a bank loan officer today. Still haven't been able to get any referrals for a lawyer, though, but I've got a ways to go before I've plowed through all the financial aspects of this.

Thanks for the suggestion, Running Mommy, and I'll take any others you might want to throw my way. I haven't really talked to Mr. Silver here at TE, but he definitely seems like a level-headed guy. Mr. Silver, if you read this, you may very well be hearing from me...