Clear Mark Wealth Management, 59 No. Santa Cruz Ave. suite R, provides investment strategies to help customers meet today's financial challenges. Its financial consultants are LPL Financial registered representatives. Its services include financial planning, asset management, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, retirement funding, portfolio stress test, elder care planning, estate planning, generational planning and family enterprise planning. Its hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; by appointment Saturday, Sunday and after hours. Details: 408-395-1510
Los Gatos Patch: What did you dream of being as a kid?
Brad Marshall: When I was a kid, I dreamed of being a fireman. I admired firemen because they got to ride around in big red trucks and helped people in trouble. Firemen are fearless; they’re heroes. I wanted to help people like they did.
Kevin Kuhlow: I wanted to be a baseball player. I played competitive ball my whole life, through college. I challenged myself to be better every game and encouraged my teammates to do the same. Baseball really taught me the value of being a team player, how to combine my skills with those of my peers in order to achieve a goal.
Patch: How does your personality play into your business?
Kuhlow: I always strive to be the best. Our business aims to create something new, something better. We are redefining the wealth management business by educating and assisting our clients effectively in all life’s aspects.
Marshall: I care about people immensely. All I ever wanted to do is help people and here, I get to do that every single day. This is displayed prominently in our company culture and is the reason we created Clear Mark, to offer our clients the utmost care and attention, with their best interest in mind.
Patch: At what moment did you decide to open a business? What inspired you?
Kuhlow: We have been friends a very long time and always had a tremendous amount of respect for one another. Our goals were very much aligned; we both agreed our clients deserved the highest possible level of service so they could live their lives and let us worry about their finances. Brad is clearly talented at managing relationships. It just made sense to join forces and collaborate in business.
Marshall: Kevin brings a unique perspective to his job as chief investment officer. He is not only talented, but also passionate. I was extremely impressed with the business he conducted, and saw his specialties as complements to my own. We have synergy and enjoy what we do, which makes a great work environment.
Patch: Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the Town of Los
Gatos
Kuhlow and Marshall: Parking.
Marshall: We are always shuffling our cars around to avoid tickets.
Patch: Describe the best thing about owning a business in the town of Los
Gatos
Kuhlow: The tight knit community. It is family oriented and everyone really cares about each other. It’s a very positive environment.
Marshall: I agree with Kevin. It is also a beautiful location; there are trails to hike closeby and access to literally everything.
Patch: What is one thing you would never change about your business?
Marshall: I would never change our drive to stay innovative. We have no qualms in recreating our business model to meet the demands of a changing economy. We will never stop finding cutting edge solutions to satisfy our clients’ needs.
Kuhlow: Our ethics and our concern for our clients. We are extremely involved in our clients’ lives and will always remain dedicated to simplifying their lives as much as possible. We go above and beyond, and will never settle for less.
Patch: What is your business’ greatest asset?
Kuhlow: Our relationships.
Marshall: Both our relationships with our clients and the additional business
professionals who serve them.
Patch: What is your favorite spot in town?
Kuhlow: Oh, you mean other than our office? (laughs) We are big fans of Los Gatos Brewing Company. We’ve become buddies with the staff there who are always so hospitable to us when we bring clients in for lunch meetings.
Marshall: We actually do love our office, ha, ha, but LGBC isn’t a bad second. Great staff, great vibe, great food.
Patch: What’s one thing the community should know about you?
Kuhlow: We care. We embody what financial services should be.
Marshall: Yes. Financial institutions are seen as profit driven. We are motivated by our social conscience, breaking this stereotype. We truly care and are committed to serving our clients and community.
