Wealth Enhancement Strengthens Midwestern Reach with Guidance Wealth Acquisition

Wealth Enhancement, a leading national independent wealth management firm, is partnering with Guidance Wealth, a well-established RIA in Elkhart, Indiana. This move represents another in a series of strategic acquisitions designed to bolster Wealth Enhancement’s advisory capacity, add depth to its financial planning offering, and reinforce its footprint in key regional markets.

Deal Summary

• Acquirer: Wealth Enhancement, managing more than $124.5 billion in client assets across over 150 offices nationwide.
• Target: Guidance Wealth, LLC, an independent RIA founded in 2010 and led by Managing Partner John McSorley, Partner Michael Griggs, and Director of Operations / CCO Maureen Teunissen.
• Assets: Guidance Wealth oversees approximately $165 million in client assets (as of March 31, 2025).
• Services: Guidance Wealth provides comprehensive wealth management with a planning-first philosophy, using a “build-protect-prosper” framework. It also offers tax preparation for individuals, families, and small businesses.
• Leadership & Integration: The entire Guidance Wealth team, including McSorley, Griggs, and Teunissen, will join Wealth Enhancement and continue serving their clients under the combined firm.
• Deal Closed: The transaction was completed on October 31, 2025.
• Strategic Fit: Wealth Enhancement views Guidance Wealth’s client-centered planning philosophy and decades of combined leadership experience (60+ years) as well-aligned with its own model.

Industry Context

The acquisition is part of a broader consolidation trend among RIAs, where scale, planning sophistication, and local presence are increasingly critical. Larger independent advisors like Wealth Enhancement are targeting firms that excel at personalized, values-driven advice rather than purely asset accumulation.

This is especially true in regional markets such as the Midwest, where clients value long-term relationships and trusted planning teams. By integrating Guidance Wealth, Wealth Enhancement not only enhances its advisory offering but also strengthens its regional presence, enabling deeper service across wealth planning and tax.

Lower-Middle-Market Roll-Up Perspective

Viewed through the lens of PE-style platform building, this deal underscores several key strategic moves by Wealth Enhancement:

1. Planning-Centric Acquisition: Wealth Enhancement continues to acquire advisory teams that bring disciplined planning processes, not just asset management.
2. Cultural Alignment: Wealth Enhancement is choosing partners whose philosophy mirrors its own - “client-first” thinking and holistic advice.
3. Talent and Succession: The entire Guidance team joins the platform, preserving client continuity and ensuring leadership remains in place.
4. Scalable Growth: Through acquisition, Wealth Enhancement expands its asset base, increases its planning capacity, and gains local talent, enhancing both scale and depth.
5. Strategic Footprint Expansion: Elkhart, Indiana is a meaningful region for wealth advisory growth, and this move strengthens Wealth Enhancement’s Midwestern presence.

Why This Sector Is Attractive for Roll-Ups

• Client Demand for Planning: High- and middle-net-worth clients are increasingly seeking comprehensive financial planning, not just investment management.
• Recurring Advisory Revenue: Planning and tax services provide predictable, sticky revenue streams that support sustainable growth.
• Succession Opportunities for Smaller RIAs: Independent RIAs benefit from joining larger platforms that offer infrastructure, compliance, and scale without compromising on client service.
• Capital-Backed Platform Expansion: Wealth Enhancement is using its national scale and capital to acquire like-minded firms and accelerate its advisory network build-out.

Conclusion

Wealth Enhancement’s acquisition of Guidance Wealth marks a thoughtful step in its national expansion strategy. It brings in a trusted, planning-first team, enhances the firm's service model, and expands its regional footprint - all while preserving the culture and continuity that clients value.

For advisory founders, this deal highlights the appeal of partnering with a strong platform that respects their history and empowers them with greater resources. For operators and investors, it reaffirms the efficacy of a roll-up strategy built around planning expertise, client alignment, and regional diversification.