Who we are

Independent by choice.
Intentional by conviction.

Retirement Income Planners for Business Owners

“You spent decades building your business. We help you turn what you’ve built into a retirement paycheck that lasts as long as you do. Our founder has spent much of his career helping owners plan the transition out of their businesses — first at a major accounting and consulting firm, then as an independent succession consultant. Today, business owners across the country work with us from our offices in Whitefish, Montana and Nashville, Tennessee, or virtually, from wherever they are.”

What defines us

Seven principles that shape how we work.

Personal

You’ll always work directly with your advisor — someone who knows your name, understands your situation, and gives you the attention you deserve. No handoffs. No generic solutions. Just personal, thoughtful guidance built around you.

Experienced

We’ve worked with retirees, business owners, executives, and professionals at every stage of life. That depth of experience means no matter where you are on your financial journey, we’ve been there before — and we know how to help.

Disciplined

Investing doesn’t have to be complicated. We focus on what matters — building a portfolio around your goals, avoiding unnecessary risk, and making sure it stays on track no matter what the market does.

Selective

Because of our independence, we’re free to seek out research and strategies from anywhere — not just our own. From that, we only work with those we truly believe in. If we wouldn’t use it ourselves, we won’t recommend it to you.

Expansive

Smart investing goes beyond stocks and bonds — they’re just the beginning. When it makes sense for you, we thoughtfully incorporate well-researched alternatives like real estate, infrastructure, and natural resources to build something more complete and resilient for you

Inclusive

There’s more to your financial life than investments alone. We look at the full picture — Social Security, pensions, stock options, deferred compensation, and business sale proceeds — and make sure every piece is working together for you.

Learners

We never stop learning — because the financial world never stops changing. Our certification with the Investments & Wealth Institute®, developed in collaboration with the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, is maintained through a rigorous ongoing education program. Additionally, we regularly participate in seminars covering research, compliance, tax, and estate planning. We do this as a part of our commitment to bring our best to you.

 

Our founder

Why I founded Clearstone.

Education
Master’s Degree in Business
Certification
RMA® — Retirement Management Advisor
Investments & Wealth Institute® / U. of Chicago Booth
Offices
Whitefish, Montana & Nashville, Tennessee

My roots are in the Midwest — born in Minnesota, raised in Iowa, and lived in Illinois before moving our family to the Pacific Northwest. It was there my wife and I discovered a love for long motorcycle trips, the ocean, and the joy of watching our kids grow into adults.

After completing my master’s degree in business, I went to work for a large CPA and consulting firm, helping business owners navigate the transition to retirement. That experience taught me something important: the challenges of that transition are rarely just financial. They’re personal.

Many of the owners, executives, and professionals I worked with were uncertain about what retirement would actually look like. They didn’t know if their money would outlast them. They worried about protecting what they’d built. And because of that uncertainty, they carried a quiet fear about their financial future.

I’ve since learned that most people carry that same fear.

That’s exactly why I started Clearstone — to help people face those challenges clearly and confidently, so they can enjoy their lives without the weight of an uncertain future.

Paul Brown

M.A., RMA® — Founder & CEO, Clearstone Wealth Management
What we do

A fiduciary perspective.
A future-focused practice.

Fiduciary Perspective

As fiduciaries, we are held to the highest standard of care in the financial industry — always acting and advising in your best interest. It’s a high bar. One we’ve embraced from day one.

Future-Focused

At some point, the question shifts from ‘how much do I have?’ to ‘how long will it last?’ That’s where our focus sharpens. For us, it’s an ongoing conversation that adapts to your life, your goals, and whatever comes next.

Income Planning

True income security isn’t found in a single account — it’s built from everything you have working in harmony. We make sure nothing is overlooked and nothing is wasted.

Investment Management

We invest with purpose and protect with discipline. From our first conversation, we take the time to understand you — your objectives, your comfort level, and the future you have in mind — then line up every asset to work for you.

Tax Planning

Taxes can quietly take more than their share if left unchecked. We proactively look across your taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts to make sure you keep as much of what you’ve earned as possible.

Estate & Legacy Planning

Your wealth tells a story — and you should decide how it ends. Working alongside a trusted network of estate planning professionals, we help make sure your wishes are clearly documented and the legacy you leave behind is exactly the one you intended.

Ready to begin?

When you're ready,
we'd enjoy learning about you.

A no-pressure conversation is how everything starts. Choose the way that feels most comfortable.