LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — Some might consider him like the Warren Buffett of Southern Maryland.

A 22-year veteran of the financial planning industry, Warren Brooks of Innovative Wealth Building, says that the youngest person he has ever helped start investing was a 6-year-old.

“He was six, and his sister was seven,” Brooks laughed. “And now, 10-years later, they both pay attention. These two young people will be so wealthy, and if you can get them that early, just keep them focused.”

The foundation of Brooks’ approach as a financial advisor remains similar despite everyone’s unique financial goals. He puts a heavy emphasis on educating the consumer, whether that is a 6-year-old with a piggy bank or a federal employee trying to manage their 401k.

“I work two of the most stressful lines of work there is, which is investments and insurance. The average person is uneducated in both those areas,” Brooks explained. “They can come in and have a meeting that doesn’t cost anything, and I’ll educate them… If they want to become clients great, but they don’t have to because I’m not chasing anybody.”

Before mastering the ropes as a financial planner, he served 24 years in the United States Navy and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.

He says that having that background and working with so many clients locally from a similar past helps him give better guidance. He often talks about his in-depth understanding of military and federal employee benefits, having personally navigated or trained on many of them.

“I tell people I did 24 years I had 45 pay raises, and I went through every one of them without direction,” he said. “So today, if I can keep these people proactive, there’s no reason in the world anybody should have to worry about going into retirement without enough money.”

PICTURED: Warren and his wife Debbie.

In addition to Warren, the Innovative Wealth Building team is comprised of three other young and energetic certified financial planners and MBAs. This includes Terry Parham, Kennah Parham, and Jennifer Brooks Hill, all financial planners with unique roles internally.

Brooks says that he plans to open another office out in Los Angeles soon while simultaneously expanding his network of advisors. But his focus includes starting his expansion locally, catering to the diverse financial needs of Southern Marylanders.

All while maintaining an element that he fears is no longer commonplace in his industry.

“It’s going too impersonal. There’s too much online,” Brooks commented. “I know there’s Zoom and all those things, but there’s nothing like sitting across and looking at somebody’s eyes and reading how they’re feeling… And it is not just the financial industry, it’s anything you want to talk about.”

Whether it is personally keeping up with all of his clients, traveling to meet them where they are, or seeing them be financially successful, Warren Brooks’ passion stays the same.

“I love to educate people in this financial world,” he said. “It’s not that I need to do this, I just love what I’m doing.”

To learn more about Warren and Innovative Wealth Building, visit their website at https://www.innovativewealthbuilding.com/

You can also call them at (240) 237-8086, send them an email to TP@teamiwb.com or set up an appointment at their office at 46561 Expedition Drive, 2nd Floor, Lexington Park, MD 20653.