Sound Investing Paul Merriman on Managing $1.6 Billion But Never His Own Money
11 snips
Apr 1, 2026 
Paul Merriman, founder of Merriman Wealth Management and now a financial educator, built a firm to $1.6B before focusing on teaching. He explains why he never manages his own money to avoid emotional mistakes. He describes a simple two-fund approach, the importance of early saving and compound math, and why retirees should aim for more than just ‘enough.’
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Give Education First Then Offer Managed Services
- Teach clients first and offer managed services only if they can't or won't DIY to build trust.
- Paul ran free workshops and personally advised attendees for up to 90 minutes before offering paid services.
Former Money Manager Who Outsourced His Own Portfolio
- Paul Merriman doesn't manage his own money and hires professionals to avoid emotional decisions.
- He explained that when markets drop he'd likely second-guess and avoid adding funds despite teaching the opposite.
Pivot From Corporate Fixer To $15,000 Startup
- Paul pivoted from running a struggling public company to starting an investment advisory with $15,000 and sweat equity.
- He used affirmations from a Lou Tice workshop to redirect into financial education and client teaching.
