interview with chris leap

Tell us about LEAP Wealth Management, LLC

Leap Wealth Management has been helping clients achieve their financial goals since 2010, but our experience goes back even further—our founder has been in the financial planning industry since 1994. We specialize in comprehensive financial planning and investment management, but what really makes us unique is how we do it.

We focus on creating tailored strategies for each client, whether it’s managing their portfolio, planning for retirement or education, or navigating more complex investments like private opportunities. We also use cutting-edge technology to optimize portfolios, handle things like daily tax-loss harvesting, and make sure every dollar is working as hard as it can.

What makes us different is that we work only for our clients. As an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we’re not tied to corporate agendas or outside pressures, so every recommendation we make is based on what’s best for you. Plus, we’re all about building real relationships—taking the time to truly understand your goals and being there to guide you every step of the way.

At the end of the day, we want to be the trusted partner you can rely on, helping you make the most of what you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

What led you to getting involved with the Lakewood Neighborhood Association?

My wife Amy and I have lived in Lakewood since 2001, raising our four kids here and staying involved in the community. We’re planning to stay here long-term, and in January, we’ll be moving our office to Lakewood to better serve local families and work more closely with our neighbors.

When I was asked to join the Lakewood Neighborhood Association, I saw it as a valuable opportunity to contribute to the community in a practical way. I hope that my involvement can help the Association become a useful resource for residents, especially in connecting them with reliable, local professionals.

On your blog, you talk about market insights and investment tips.  What is one piece of advice (or a tip) that you would offer to our members as they think about financial planning for next year?

One piece of advice I’d offer is to consider getting a second opinion on your financial plan. Financial planning is complex, and there are often strategies or opportunities that people may not be aware of unless they’re deeply involved in the field. For example, we’ve recently helped clients with a few impactful strategies that illustrate this point.

One of these is Roth IRA conversions. For some clients who have recently retired, we’ve found that gradually converting their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs allows them to significantly reduce their lifetime tax burden. This approach provides tax-free growth and withdrawals, which is beneficial for estate planning and helps avoid high tax rates later in life.

Another example involves managing 401(k) accounts. Recently, a client came to us because his previous advisor wasn’t able to provide guidance on his 401(k) due to broker-dealer compliance restrictions. By working with an advisor who could directly manage this account, he received the guidance needed to better align his 401(k) with his overall financial goals.

We also see this with clients holding concentrated stock positions. For one client who held a substantial amount of stock in a single company, we implemented a strategy to gradually unwind this position while carefully managing the tax implications. By actively harvesting tax losses, we’re able to help him minimize capital gains taxes, allowing him to retain more of his returns.

These are just a few examples of why a second opinion can be invaluable. It can reveal strategies you may not have considered, and it could potentially save you a substantial amount of money over the long term.

How can people learn more about Leap Wealth Management?

We’d be happy to meet with anyone interested in learning more about what we offer at Leap Wealth Management. You can find additional information on our website at www.leapwealthmanagement.com. For those ready to schedule an appointment, there’s an easy-to-use button on our website that connects to our calendar, so you can choose a convenient time. Alternatively, you’re welcome to call our office directly at 214-420-7441 to set up an appointment.