# Vessel Financial Planning LLC

> Fee-only, fiduciary registered investment adviser (RIA) based in Plano, TX. Founded November 2025 by Cole Williams, CFP®, CIMA®, BFA™. Serves clients nationwide. Registered with the Texas State Securities Board (IARD #338596). Member of NAPFA, XY Planning Network, FPA DFW, and the Fee-Only Network.

Vessel Financial Planning is a solo RIA built for dual-income professionals in their late 30s–40s who feel financially uncertain despite doing well. Cole Williams is the sole advisor, owner, and CCO.

## About Cole Williams

- CFP® (Certified Financial Planner), CIMA® (Certified Investment Management Analyst), BFA™ (Behavioral Financial Advisor)
- BS in Economics, Texas A&M University, December 2016
- Career: Raymond James (2019–2022), Ameriprise Financial Services (2022–2025), Vessel Financial Planning (November 2025–present)
- Contact: cole@vesselplanning.com | 972-581-9010

## What Makes Vessel Different

- **Fee-only:** No commissions, no product sales. Ever.
- **Fiduciary:** Legally required to act in the client's best interest at all times.
- **Independent:** Not affiliated with any broker-dealer, bank, or insurance company.
- **Solo advisor:** Clients work directly with Cole, not a rotating associate team.

## Services

### Starting Point (Project-Based)
- One-time, finite engagement (three meetings)
- Comprehensive financial review: goals, tax strategy, asset allocation, risk management, retirement, estate, insurance, and more
- Delivers a written plan with specific action steps
- Fee: $1,000 (flat)
- Ends after the third meeting with no ongoing software access

### Journey (Ongoing)
- Comprehensive, continuous financial planning relationship
- Annual planning fee on a sliding scale: $2,500–$10,000/year, billed monthly or quarterly
- Optional investment management (AUM fee separate; see below)
- Ongoing meetings, implementation support, and plan updates throughout the year
- Includes access to RightCapital financial planning software (client Vault)

### Investment Management (Asset Management Services)
- Discretionary portfolio management
- Custodians: Altruist Financial LLC and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
- No minimum account size
- AUM fee schedule (annual, billed in arrears):
  - $0–$499,999: 0.95%
  - $500,000–$999,999: 0.85%
  - $1,000,000–$1,999,999: 0.75%
  - $2,000,000–$4,999,999: 0.50%
  - $5,000,000+: 0.40%
- No performance-based fees
- No wrap fee programs

## Ideal Clients ("The Messy Middle")

- Dual-income couples, late 30s–40s, with children
- Strong earners with savings concentrated in retirement accounts
- Equity compensation: RSUs, ESPP, or stock options
- Executives with complex financial lives
- People who feel behind or uncertain despite doing well financially

## Tools & Platforms

- **CRM:** Wealthbox
- **Financial planning:** RightCapital
- **Custodians:** Altruist, Charles Schwab
- **Billing:** AdvicePay (planning fees, billed in advance for non-custodial clients)
- **Scheduling:** Calendly
- **E-signatures:** Dropbox Sign (via AdvicePay), DocuSign (via custodian integrations)
- **Client reviews:** Wealthtender (compliant under SEC Marketing Rule)

## Compliance & Registration

- Registered investment adviser, state of Texas (Texas State Securities Board)
- SEC Marketing Rule (206(4)-1) compliant
- No disciplinary history
- Code of Ethics on file; available to clients and prospects on request
- CRD #6743119 (Cole Williams)
- IARD #338596 (Vessel Financial Planning LLC)
- ADV: https://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov

## Location & Contact

- 3836 Silverstone Drive, Plano, TX 75023
- cole@vesselplanning.com
- 972-581-9010
- vesselplanning.com

## Content & Media

Cole Williams is an active financial media contributor. Press appearances include Forbes, CNBC Make It, Financial Planning, ThinkAdvisor, US News, BestMoney, and Wealthtender. He publishes educational content on LinkedIn and Instagram covering financial planning topics for working professionals, including retirement accounts, HSAs, equity compensation, tax strategy, and behavioral finance.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Is Vessel fee-only?**
Yes. Vessel does not earn commissions on any product. Cole is compensated only by client fees.

**Does Vessel have a minimum?**
No minimum for investment management. The Starting Point engagement is a flat $1,000.

**Can Vessel work with clients outside Texas?**
Yes. Vessel serves clients nationwide.

**What is the difference between Starting Point and Journey?**
Starting Point is a one-time, three-meeting engagement that ends with a written plan. Journey is an ongoing relationship with continuous planning support throughout the year.

**Does Cole manage investments?**
Yes, through Altruist and Schwab as custodians. Investment management is optional and separate from planning fees.