AUSTIN, Texas — The financial crisis that rocked so many of our 401(k)s and prompted a massive government bailout was a good thing in one way, Wes Bridel says. "I think it absolutely woke some people up. What they've been doing is not working," he said.
Bridel helps about 100 clients learn about their finances and advises them on investing through his business, Kingdom Calling. He says the advice he gives is rooted in his Christian faith.
His Web site, kingdomcallingadvisors.com, offers the usual array of mortgage calculators and currency rates, but also features parables about handling money and tries to educate readers on why it's important to make money decisions that align with one's faith.
Bridel, who used to work for a mainstream financial services company, no longer manages clients' assets. His business makes money on consulting and the tuition that clients pay for his program, which doesn't sell services for specific financial institutions. Bridel says he emphasizes cash flow from property or other investments vs. more-traditional long-term savings.
"I'm trying to really educate someone to learn to make (financial) decisions and be wise stewards on their own," he said.
Bridel's Web site launched last year with help from members of Austin's Wizard Academy business school, some of whom Bridel hired to help put the site together. It serves as an introduction to Bridel's financial education program, which Bridel licensed from a mentor. He renamed it "The Steward's Calling" and has tailored it to more closely reflect his Christian principles.
We spoke to Bridel about his Web site:
Q: The blog on your site contains stories of financial issues people face and how to solve them. Are these drawn from experiences your clients have had?
A: We do try to use "real life" stories whenever possible to teach concepts, because a lot of times people learn better from stories than they do "dry" concepts. So we do incorporate real clients' stories (anonymously, of course) into teaching because we'll be intimately aware of the details, but if we don't know a real story, we'll make up a fictional story in order to teach in an interesting way that touches the heart.
Q: How did you put your Web site together and what were the biggest challenges setting it up?
A: It's difficult to balance building/improving the site with the work of day-to-day clients. We have a team of guys that I met through the Wizard Academy and built it using Wordpress.
Q: How much of your business is coming in from people finding you online?
A: A lot of people have become aware of us through the Web site and tell us that they have been very blessed from it. ... We believe that some people will find what they need from reading our site, while others will come to know us through the site and engage in a relationship where we walk with them to see God's purpose fulfilled in their life.
Q: Has using Facebook changed the way people follow your Web site?
A: I think Facebook gives people who know me (particularly those I don't often see) the chance to be aware that I have a site and a glimpse of what I do.
Omar L. Gallaga writes for the Austin American-Statesman. E-mail: ogallaga(at)statesman.com.