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Promoting World-Changing Innovation
By Judy Magness
The 2013 Halo Report published by the Angel Resource
Institute sheds light on current U.S. trends in angel
investing: “Healthcare, mobile, and internet start-ups
claim nearly 80% of angel group dollars.” California leads
the field, followed by the Great Lakes area in share of deals
by region.
Angel investing is just one funding source used by Birmingham
Consulting Group Inc., a Michigan-based firm
specializing in corporate profitability and management
consulting. In addition, they use traditional sources such as
banks and IPO facilitators.
“We try to help entrepreneurs and inventors, who may
not have a lot of business expertise, to get funding and get
their businesses organized,” explained Charles Townsend,
CPA and president of the firm. “We try to get involved in
things that are really important to the world.”
A rundown of current projects shows how Birmingham
Consulting Group is doing just that. One client’s invention
addresses what Townsend calls one of the most fundamental
problems facing our world – the lack of potable water.
The client holds a patent on an improved waste-water treatment
system that can cut operating costs of a treatment
plant by up to 30 percent. Other innovative projects represented
by the firm include:
• A process to
convert from 2-D to
3-D television viewing
without wearing
special glasses.
• Heating school buses without using the current
method of lighting a fire underneath them.
• A mammogram device, currently in FDA testing,
that is far more accurate, much less intrusive and less expensive
than existing devices.
• An electric short haul truck costing less than a gasoline
truck of the same capacity.
• A nanotube covering that extends the life of fighter
jet canopies by protecting them from UV rays.
Birmingham Consulting Group also specializes in estate
planning and in unusual investment options such as unregistered
business investments, currency holdings, physical
asset allocation and real estate options.
330 E. Maple #287
Birmingham, MI 48009
ph: 248-563-5368
www.bcg84.com
Financial Advisors for Middle Americans
When Patricia Raskob, and worth. Over a period of time under the sors have an active presence on social
her business partner, Patricia
Kambourian, Financial launched Leaders
Arizona to reach their financial goals and Facebook, and Twitter. “We find we are
guidance of the firm, they have gone media including LinkedIn, Google+,
Promotion
Raskob Kambourian Financial Advisors,
LTD., in 1986, they wanted to “We classify ourselves as life plan-
found us on the web. It has made a dif-
objectives.
getting people in their 30’s who have
work with middle income
Comprehensive
families and ners,” said
Financial
Raskob. “We look
Planners
at not just
Address
ference and has drawn some younger
did not set a minimum portfolio All size— the Things the assets That that we Make manage, Life but what Enjoyable clients,” shared Raskob. Yet, referrals
but they did set minimum fees. This makes life worth living, and the kinds still rank number one. “Our best referrals
come from our happy clients.”
Raskob Kambourian Financial Advisors, Ltd.
was a gutsy move then, and it is just as of things you want to accomplish before
investing heavily you in local leave charities. this The Better world, Business Bureau and awarded who the firm the you 2011
gutsy today.
she said, adding that the firm serves
espite unprecedented
market
alist multi-generations could possibly offer.” of 38 families.
expertise no single gener-
Currently, solid financial planning
Dvolatility, one
for Middle America is hard group to of come investors is by.
Not As Just Financial the only fee-only comprehensive
More often than not, financial unusually advisory
confident
Planning financial – Life advisory entity registered
about their life plans.
Planning
firms welcome people with In 1986 a minimum
these individuals
and families began
Southern Arizona’s only
with Raskob Kambourian the SEC is in Tucson and Southern
of $250,000 in manageable assets—this
Arizona, Raskob Kambourian Financial
planning Advisors financial is also well-known for
working with Tucson,
“fee only” comprehensive
leaves average Americans Arizona-based to fend Raskob for
life
Kambourian Financial
advisory entity registered
themselves.
Advisors, Ltd. As Patricia
with their SEC assistance and the to non-profit organizations.
such company in
Both Raskob and Kambourian F. Raskob, CFP and are
first
her team helped them
the state. The firm takes
Certified Financial Planners®, navigate through booms, and
a holistic approach that
expansions and crises, the The Raskob Kambourian staff is committed to making southern Arizona a better place by coordinates every aspect
they hold additional prestigious credentials.
They have numerous the uncertainty caused suc-
by want which were founded to benefit and directed by staff when members. you are gone. We life, including trust and
level of trust grew. Even “Good Neighbor” Torch Award for its support of philanthropic organizations, several of of a client’s financial
the 9/11 attacks elicited
custodial services as the
cess stories about helping only the two phone average calls from concerned protect futures Raskob Kambourian’s by doing collegial business the savings area’s only National Advisors Trust
Joe—and they don’t mind investors. them Today, young 85 percent of and the firm’s planning model is a rarity that in the clients financial services need, but we
referral base is from satisfied clients who industry. Raskob calls her team the “Best
either. The firm has worked recommend with Raskob college
students who recently graduated
goals in the present.”
Kambourian also to help of them Best Minds” fulfill in the field their – eight life dreams
friends, children and grandchildren. veterans with professional designations
“When you make financial plans like Certified Financial Planner, Enrolled
and came to them with a based negative on your own net personal dreams, Raskob Agent, Kambourian Accredited Tax Advisor, Financial Certified Advi-
www.rkfin.com
THE SUIT MAGAZINE - JULY 2014
desires and risk capacity rather than
focus on beating the indices, you are
more likely to achieve your goals,”
explains Raskob. “We spend more
time talking to clients about what in life
matters most to them today, their five
Senior Advisor, Chartered Mutual Fund
professional and Trust Representative.
They are all supported with industryleading
research resources.
“We work together as a team for the
benefit of every client,” explains Raskob.
member. With no minimum portfolio
size required, the firm also offers service
packages on a retainer basis, making
expert advice competitively priced for
clients with smaller amounts to invest.
“Clients increasingly ask us to help
them organize their personal and
business concerns, including decision
support for making major purchases like
cars, homes and travel,” says Raskob.
“Our goal is to help them fully enjoy their
lives now while appropriately planning