Michael J Perez
CFP®, CAP®, CKA®
Private Wealth Advisor
Certified Kingdom Advisor
Best Life Financial Group
Columbus, OH
Mike Perez is a Private Wealth Advisor and Certified Kingdom Advisor in Columbus, Ohio, who just celebrated his 30th anniversary as an Ameriprise advisor. He has been married to his wife Linda for 21 years, and their daughter Lola is a sophomore at Xavier University.
What sticks out to you from your 30 years as an advisor?
All the people I’ve been with – both clients and people on my teams. I think of all the ups and downs and twists and turns. I came into the business broke. I was living with my parents when it was unfashionable – I was voted most likely to succeed in high school, then crashed and burned at 30. My dad said, “Come home get the ship righted.” It was frightening to not have any money and tell people what to do with their money. I had to fake it till you make it. I’m a survivor of the business. I refused to give up – I just never quit.
What do you like about what you do?
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the money, but I just love the impact I’ve had in people’s lives. I’m a life coach at heart. I find money to be rather boring – I’m more interested in life and behaviors, why you are who you are and why you do what you do. In 2015, I started my Kingdom Advisor journey in earnest – this is no longer just a financial planning practice, it’s a ministry.
God told me in Matthew he knew my needs and would take care of me. I have to trust him for that. My job is to show up with open hands and look for places to serve people. My whole philosophy in life is to empower the world one person at a time. I like being with one person or a couple people and going deep. Everybody thinks they’re going to save the world, and they’re not – we’re supposed to serve people one at a time. Meet them, serve them and go deep with them.
What’s your motivation in life?
It says in the Bible to finish the race strong. I’m 60 years old and have probably lived more than two-thirds of my life. I’m just trying to finish the race strong. I’m living for the line and not living for the dot – the line is eternity, which is much longer than the dot of this life.
What are your hobbies and interests?
We have a lake house and spend a lot of time there. I just got elected to the Board of Governors of the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club, so lake life is a big part of my life. So is church life, plus I’m a self-trained gourmet cook. My wife and I love to cook. The previous owner of our house built a cool wine cellar and wine tasting room – we enjoy socializing with people. I also spent three decades as a Distinguished Toastmaster, so when it’s time for me to speak, all that training comes back to me and my instincts kick in.
What purchase under $100 has most impacted your life in the last six months?
I bought a jacket in Traverse City, MI in May that is great for rain, cold or golf. Also, it is a great color – teal!
What book do you most give or recommend to people?
Dream Big by Bob Goff and Roar: into the second half of your life (before it’s too late) by Michael Clinton.
What’s the next item on your bucket list?
I’m a big bucket list guy – I believe if you write it down, you increase the chances of it coming true. In the spring, I wrote down that I wanted to go to Israel. I’m a huge Bob Goff fan – he’s the guy I try to channel, and we’ve had him here to speak. I got an email from him saying he’s taking a group to Israel next spring – so we’re going!