Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon McGraw.
Hi Jon, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Jon McGraw’s journey from his early days in Colorado to his current role as a leader in the financial industry is marked by a solid commitment to positive impact and entrepreneurship. Born in Boulder and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, McGraw’s path began with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. During this time, he also started investing, setting the stage for his future endeavors. After his academic pursuits, Jon embarked on a career in the financial sector, joining Quick & Reilly. He focused on providing top-notch service to high-net-worth clients and managing their cash flows and bond portfolios. In 1996, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He rapidly ascended to the position of Area Manager for the Midwestern region, a role he held until Quick & Reilly’s merger with Bank of America in 2002. While his expertise was highly sought after in finance, McGraw came to a significant realization – pursuing growth for growth’s sake only fulfills a passion. Instead, he aimed to deliver an impactful strategy to a small group of families seeking a simplified and well-coordinated approach to their financial lives. This vision led to the birth of Buttonwood Financial Group, where quality takes priority over quantity.
In its early days, Buttonwood Financial Group, under McGraw’s leadership, focused on a select group of families with substantial wealth. McGraw recognized that as wealth and success grew, life didn’t become more straightforward but more complex. Driven by his passion and vision, he and his expanding team at Buttonwood found their unique niche – serving as the Chief Financial Officer for multi-generational affluent families.
Today, thanks to Jon’s unwavering leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, Buttonwood Financial Group coordinates strategy for more than 425 families that entrust over $600 million in assets to their team. Beyond his professional achievements, Jon McGraw dedicates a substantial portion of his time to serving on nonprofit boards, volunteering, and providing significant financial support to various nonprofit organizations in Kansas City and beyond, further exemplifying his commitment to positively impacting the community.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path to success for an entrepreneur is rarely smooth, and my journey with Buttonwood has been no exception. Building this business has only been possible because of my passion for creating, organizing, and refining processes that make an impact. At its heart, Buttonwood is defined by a culture of unwavering support and service; our team and clients have become an extended “family.” Throughout the journey, there have been numerous challenges and hurdles. Countless days have extended beyond the typical 9-to-5, often stretching into 16-hour workdays. There is a perpetual need to stay at the forefront of wealth management practices and continuously evolve as a leader in the business world.
Before founding Buttonwood, I watched multiple financial lives go up in smoke because of poor tax, estate, or insurance planning. Access to an affordable Family CFO to streamline and coordinate families’ financial lives wasn’t yet a reality – but the seed was planted. The level of care and attention our team provides is needed by many more than just those with Billion dollar balance sheets. Since founding Buttonwood, we’ve chosen a deliberate path of steady, organic business growth, focused on meeting the needs of our clients and providing service that goes beyond. As we celebrated our 20th anniversary in 2022, it was a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come. The credit goes to the incredible team at Buttonwood. Without their dedication and hard work, Buttonwood Financial Group would not be what it is today, and I am grateful for all of them!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Buttonwood Financial Group, LLC?
Buttonwood Financial Group, LLC, is a comprehensive wealth management firm located in the heart of Midtown Kansas City. Our fundamental belief is that as wealth accumulates, life becomes more complex with the many moving parts needed to make it all work together.
Our mission is to simplify the financial journey for families seeking to safeguard and grow their assets. In today’s world, many individuals either invest a significant amount of time managing various aspects of their financial lives or need clarification about optimizing their savings and growth opportunities. What if, like a business, you could have your own Chief Financial Officer? At Buttonwood, we step into the role of Family CFO for families and individuals, day in and day out.
We specialize in creating, implementing, and ongoing strategy within our clients’ financial lives. Our services encompass comprehensive solutions in tax, insurance, estate planning, investments, cash flow, retirement planning, education funding, real estate, and business strategies – thoughtfully integrated into your life, tailored to your specific needs and objectives.
As fiduciaries, our unwavering commitment is to advise and implement strategies that align with our clients’ best interests. We don’t merely sell financial products; we provide holistic financial solutions to families and individuals. While many other financial advisors may narrow their focus to investments alone, we take a broader perspective, meticulously considering every detail contributing to your financial well-being.
At Buttonwood, we care. One of our proudest aspects is our reputation for serving our clients efficiently, effectively, and with a genuine sense of care. We’re privileged to collaborate with outstanding clients who entrust us with their financial well-being. Moreover, we take pride in our standing within the Kansas City community and beyond. Our team is deeply committed to giving back through our involvement in nonprofit boards, volunteer activities, and our community-focused art gallery, Buttonwood Art Space.
Speaking of Buttonwood Art Space, our office is a vibrant hub for the arts and the community. We host multiple art exhibitions annually, supporting local artists and nonprofit organizations. These exhibitions allocate 50% of the sale proceeds to the featured artists and the remaining 50% directly to a partnering nonprofit organization. Over the years, we have collaborated with various organizations, including Rose Brooks Center, Welcome House, Ronald McDonald House Charities of KC, Great Plains SPCA, Kansas City Parks & Recreation, Jewish Family Services, Halo Foundation, Reconciliation Services, Kansas City Community Gardens, and many more. Buttonwood Art Space has raised over $1 million for artists and nonprofit organizations since its inception in 2005. We take great pride in our commitment to financial excellence and community betterment.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
If someone is looking for a mentor, I’d encourage them to think outside the box. Find the people who follow their passions and do what they love doing. Not only will they be able to teach you all about it, you will have fun along the way. Many people look for a mentor to help further their career. I’ve often sought mentors to help me shift away from work – toward a more creative side of life. Beyond art, I’ve always loved cooking and good food. My wife, Wendy, and I consider ourselves “foodies” and are incredibly blessed to live in a city with such fantastic food. Finding people with shared interests in food and music, especially jazz and art, has allowed me to learn more about all three than I ever thought I would know.
Pricing:
- At Buttonwood, we have two separate costs because we have two distinct focus areas.
- If we manage client assets, we have an annual Investment Advisory Cost. Generally, the first tier is 65 basis points (65/100ths of 1%) for the first $500,000 investment assets we manage. As assets increase above $500,000, our cost decreases.
- Our Family CFO Service Cost covers everything else (Our brains and strategy – all meetings, calls, emails, and our full-service offerings). Family CFO Services starts at $1,000 per quarter and increases with financial complexity.
- As a multigenerational Family CFO, our most impactful work is often implemented when working up, down, and across family generations. We regularly establish multigenerational Family CFO Service agreements at the family level.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buttonwoodfg.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ButtonwoodFinancialGroup/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buttonwood-financial-group-llc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/buttonwoodfg
- Other: https://buttonwoodartspace.com/
