Celebrating 18 Years: The Triune Founding Story
Triune’s story can be summarized in a single, simple recognition: God owns it all.
In the fall of 2004, long-time friends Jim Mullinix and Jeff Jaworski, CFP® were enjoying a round of golf together. As they played the second hole Jeff asked Jim a simple question:
“What if we started an independent financial planning firm?”
Jeff’s idea for a completely independent firm–coupled with Jim’s vision for faith to be a part of the culture–made for a great combination. They saw the firm as God’s business with their role to be good stewards of that business, much like the approach Triune brings to its client relationships to this day.
As fate would have it, a business-changing opportunity presented itself within the first weeks of Triune’s formation. Triune was introduced to a large regional physician group looking for better investment advice and a better plan design for their 401(k) plan.
Enter long-time friend of both Jeff and Jim, Geoff Huber, CFP®. Geoff had spent the last several years specializing in the 401(k) retirement business. Triune secured the 401(k) business and from that opportunity sprung multiple private client personal planning opportunities.
That additional private client work presented an opportunity to bring on yet another advisor who Jim had known and worked with for the previous decade. Bob Sparrow, CFP® joined the firm as a partner, using his previous experience building a business to specialize in working with business owners.
Within two short months, the firm had doubled in size.
The financial crisis of 2008 would test the resolve of every element of the financial services industry, including Triune. However, it proved to be a blessing and growth opportunity as they saw first hand how clients with a complete and thorough financial plan weathered that storm far more effectively than those who were simply focused on investments.
Photo of Triune team in 2008.
“It’s always better to prepare than it is to repair” became a mantra, and so they drew a line in the sand. From that point on, Triune would only accept new clients who were willing to go through the complete “Financial Life Planning” process before taking on the management of any investment accounts.
“Most financial advisors aren’t interested in getting into the spaghetti of people’s lives,” Jeff said. “Triune is a firm believer that the ONLY person or firm qualified to give investment advice is one who takes the entire picture into account. We’ve had situations where somebody wants us to manage money for them, but we had to politely decline because they weren’t willing to go through the Financial Life Planning process.”
In 2015, another “divine appointment” occurred as a personal friend of Jim’s became a private client. It just so happened that this friend was an esteemed consultant in the veterinary industry and frequently spoke and consulted with veterinarians all over the country. A formal business relationship with Fritz Wood was born.
Fritz regularly speaks and consults with large pet health groups, veterinary management groups, and veterinary colleges. Inevitably, the professionals listening to Fritz’s talks or paying him to consult would follow up with questions on their practice 401(k) plan and personal finances. No longer a practicing CFP® Professional and CPA, Fritz realized partnering with Triune was the best way to help his veterinary audience achieve their goals.
By sending them to a team of advisors he trusted with his own planning, Triune’s niche with veterinary practice owners has expanded greatly and last year alone, nearly 20 new veterinarians across the country became new clients.
“That’s where it began over 10 years ago,” Geoff said. “Fritz helped us develop a network of people all across the country.”
Group photo from the fifth anniversary party in 2010.
Triune’s since promoted two other advisors to partner.
The first was Bob Crew, CFP®. It comes as no surprise that a previously existing friendship and long-standing professional relationship would be re-kindled through a Kingdom Advisors national conference.
Through a series of what felt like God-orchestrated life events, Bob and his wife found the desire to return to Kansas City to be closer to adult children. Bob had been part-time as an advisor with Triune, but still based in Wichita. At the same time he was considering the move to Kansas City, Triune needed a full-time experienced Certified Financial Planner practitioner. Bob joined Triune in 2009, and was promoted to partner in 2016.
“Meeting the team at Triune was definitely providential,” Bob said. “What drew me to working with them was the opportunity for collaboration. I’m better in a group of peers than I am as a lone ranger.”
The second was Bryan Gum, CFP®. Since the average age of the partners was north of 50, it seemed only fitting that the growth of a new generation of advisors begin. Through a series of conversations with a long-time client, an introduction was made to their son. Things fit well and before long Bryan was responsible for shepherding many Triune client relationships.
In January 2020, Bryan became a partner of the firm, and as the youngest member of the leadership team, he has big visions for Triune’s future.
“I want us to empower people, completely, when it comes to their money,” Bryan said. “My vision is that we are known as the most thoughtful, holistic financial planning firm in the country.”
Photo of the partners from 2022
It’s been quite a journey from the three-person start (Jim, Jeff, and an assistant) and some $30 million in assets managed. In 2023, Triune Financial Partners has grown to over 900 private clients and over 100 401(k)/403(b) plans, representing $1 billion of assets under management. Jim officially retired in 2022, leaving big shoes for now Managing Partner Jeff Jaworski, CFP® to fill.
“Our faith, and wanting the same thing for our clients and ourselves, has united us and allowed us to overcome challenges we’ve faced along the way,” Jeff said. “That’s been really important and foundational to our success. We share a belief in each other–that together we were better off than any one of us would be on our own.”
ABOUT TRIUNE FINANCIAL PARTNERS
Triune Financial Partners is committed to empowering people with life-changing financial counsel. Triune is an independent firm that values clarity, simplicity, and transparency. We're a fiduciary, which means we always put our clients' interests first. In addition to Financial Life Planning for individuals and families, we also serve 100+ businesses, churches and nonprofits to craft powerful 401(k) and 403(b) plans for their organizations. Whether you're working with one of our Financial Life Planners or setting up a 401(k) plan for your organization, Triune is here to help you thrive financially.
Interested in working with us? Get in touch here.