Van Hulzen Financial Advisors

07/27/2026

Few conversations are as easy to put off as talking about aging.

Whether it's with our parents or our own future in mind, it's natural to hope these decisions can wait. But some of the most meaningful choices are the ones we make before they're urgent.

Planning ahead isn't about expecting the worst. It's about creating the opportunity to make thoughtful decisions, communicate what matters most, and give the people we love greater confidence when the time comes.

This article is the first in a series exploring the important decisions that often accompany aging. In Part 1, we discuss why starting these conversations early can provide more choices, greater peace of mind, and a clearer path forward for everyone involved.

We hope it encourages you to begin a conversation—even if it's just one small step.

For many of us, home is more than a place—it's where memories were made, traditions were built, and life happened. It's no surprise that most older adults hope to remain in their homes as they age. But whether staying put, downsizing, moving closer to family, or exploring other living arrangements...

07/04/2026

Freedom creates opportunity, and opportunity creates responsibility.

And responsibility, lived out over time, becomes a legacy.

This Independence Day, we're reflecting on the generations of Americans whose courage, sacrifice, and commitment to something greater than themselves made today's opportunities possible.

As advisors, we're privileged to have conversations every day about legacy—not just the wealth we leave behind, but the values we pass on, the people we care for, and the impact we make in our families and communities.

Good stewardship is ultimately an act of gratitude. It's recognizing what we've been given and being intentional about what we do with it.

As you gather with family and friends this Fourth of July, we hope you'll take a moment to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy, the sacrifices that secured them, and the legacy you're building for those who will follow.

Wishing you a safe and meaningful Independence Day.

05/29/2026

What started as a series of interviews with business owners became something much bigger: a look into the realities, pressures, and often unseen weight of leadership. In this final piece of the series, we reflect on the common threads that surfaced through every conversation and why business ownership can feel both deeply rewarding and unexpectedly isolating. More importantly, we explore why the right team around an owner matters more than ever.

What began as a series of interviews turned into something deeper: honest conversations about the realities of leadership, pressure, responsibility, and the loneliness many business owners quietly carry. In this final installment of “Through the Owner’s Lens,” we reflect on the themes that sur...

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave everything in service to our great nation. Their sacrifice is the foundation of our freedom, and we will never forget.

At VFA, we are proud to stand alongside our veterans and military community — today and every day. Thank you for your courage, your dedication, and your service.

05/13/2026

A conversation with executive coach Brian Dowd on why many business owners bring strategy and intentionality to their company, but not always to the life around it.

From leadership and relationships to clarity and purpose, this piece explores what it looks like to design both with intention.

You would never run your business on hope alone. So why do so many owners approach the rest of life that way? In this conversation with executive coach Brian Dowd, we explore leadership, clarity, relationships, and the importance of bringing the same intentionality to life that you bring to your bus...

05/05/2026

Most tax outcomes are decided before year-end. This explores how timing, cash flow, and coordination with your CPA shape what you actually keep.

A look at how tax outcomes are shaped in real time—through structure, timing, and the decisions business owners make long before filing.

04/24/2026

A look at where structure, risk, and real-life decisions intersect—and how the details most owners overlook can shape what happens when it matters most. From partnerships and deal terms to succession and family impact, it highlights where small gaps today can turn into meaningful consequences down the road.

If a buyer looked at your business today… where would things start to break?

04/21/2026

Inflation isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving. As the global economy shifts from efficiency to resilience, costs are being reshaped by structural forces like energy security, supply chains, and food systems. In this commentary, we explore what that means for investors and why real assets, pricing power, and long-term positioning matter more than ever.

Inflation isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving. As the global economy shifts from efficiency to resilience, costs are being reshaped by structural forces like energy security, supply chains, and food systems. In this commentary, we explore what that means for investors and why real assets, pricing...

04/16/2026

Most business owners think getting a loan comes down to the numbers.

Revenue. Profit. Growth.

That’s part of it...but it’s not what actually gets a deal across the line.

I sat down with Lydia Ramirez, MBA Ramirez, COO at Five Star Bank - California, who sees these decisions play out every day.

What she shared might change how you think about your business entirely.

If you plan to grow, borrow, or eventually sell, this is worth a few minutes.

↓ Full breakdown in this week’s Leader’s Blueprint

In business, numbers tell part of the story—but they rarely tell the whole thing. Behind every set of financials is a business owner making decisions, taking risks, and building something meaningful. The question is whether your bank understands that story—and believes in it.

04/08/2026

You don’t get to skip the seasons in life. Kids grow up. Roles change. And eventually, every business owner reaches the point where the business moves on without them.

Most owners know that. They just don’t spend much time thinking about it until they have to.

Because it’s uncomfortable. Because it’s complex. Because it feels like something for “later.”

Until it’s not.

Financial Literacy Month usually talks about saving and spending.

Let’s talk about something more relevant.

You don’t get to skip the seasons in life. Kids grow up. Roles change. And eventually, every business owner reaches the point where the business moves on without them. Most owners know that. They just don’t spend much time thinking about it until they have to. Because it’s uncomfortable. Becau...