Fireside Finance Forum

Hi, I’m Brett Kalsbeek, welcome to the Fireside Finance Forum! I’m a young, enthusiastic financial advisor who also happens to enjoy writing. This blog is a way for me to share what I have learned, and continue to learn everyday. Hopefully this will help you avoid common mistakes and become more successful than you ever thought possible.

For those of you who don’t know me, here’s a little summary:

I grew up in the suburbs of Grand Rapids, in a small little house in a small little neighborhood. My childhood was spent reading books, exploring the wooded area behind my house, mowing lawns, and cruising the neighborhood on bikes with my brothers. Through the end of grade school and throughout high school I worked many different jobs: apple picking, landscaping, and even heating/cooling for a couple of months. I have fond memories of that period of life, just going to class, playing sports, hanging out with friends, and saving for a car.

Then, about half way through senior year, I saw the price tag of college tuition. It was a little bit of a wake-up call because not only did I not know what I was going to major in, but I also didn’t know how I was going to pay for it. Everyone’s story is different, and everyone chooses different paths, but I decided that student loans weren’t a part of mine. So, I discovered a new skill, planning. Eventually I was able to figure out that I didn’t want to be a mechanical engineer, and that the planning I was forced to do was actually something I enjoyed, and could do professionally!

After working my way through college I passed a series of licensing exams in quick succession, and went looking for an opportunity. My quest for opportunity led me to the front door of Centennial Securities, where I found just that. Today I have an office in Cascade, MI, where I am part of a team of advisors who serve clients all over the country. My learning is never over, and I continue to study for additional examinations (and designations).

More personally, I am the second oldest of 6 siblings, 5 boys and 1 girl. I stay active in my church community and am recently married (June 27, 2024)!

Hopefully you find this blog to helpful, useful, or at least a little entertaining.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance

  • Grand Valley State University, April 2023

• Securities Industry Essentials Exam

  • October 18, 2023

• Series 7TO - General Securities Representative Examination

  • December 11, 2023

• Series 66 – Uniform Combined State Law Examination

  • January 23, 2024

• Michigan Life Producer Examination

  • February 14, 2024

Cascade Office:

3075 Charlevoix Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Jenison Office:

7678 Cottonwood Dr #2, Jenison, MI 49428