Here's Why We Left Traditional Finance Behind

Hi—I'm Ryan Greiser.

[An Open Letter]

I used to be that guy — grinding 70-hour weeks for a corporation, missing my son's bedtime stories, and following the same wealth-building playbook that worked for my dad's generation.

But something felt off.

While my colleagues chased high-net-worth retirees, I watched talented millennials get brushed aside by an industry stuck in the past.

These weren't trust fund kids. They were engineers, entrepreneurs, and soon to-be executives building serious wealth — but struggling to find guidance that actually fit their lives.

Here's the crazy part: Wall Street kept telling them to wait their turn. To follow the 40-year plan. To play by rules designed for a different era.

I knew there had to be a better way.

That's when I discovered the XY Planning Network — a small group of advisors challenging the status quo. They showed me what modern financial planning could look like when you ditch the outdated scripts.

So I made the scariest decision of my career in 2019: I left my cushy corporate job to build something different with my partner, Fran.

Opulus was born.

My boss and managers said I was crazy. "This is the dumbest idea I've ever heard. You won't make any money doing this," they warned.

They were wrong.

Within months, ambitious professionals started reaching out.

They were tired of generic advice and ready for a system built around their goals — like slashing taxes, boosting their income, and fast-tracking financial freedom.

Today, the numbers and recognition tell part of our story:

• We guide 135 ambitious families across 23 states who are building wealth on their terms
• Named to Investopedia's Top 100 Financial Advisors (2023) and their prestigious Financial Advisor Council (2024)
• Recognized as one of the Best Wealth Managers Under 40 in the USA by InvestmentNews

But the real validation?

It's seeing clients finally get the guidance they deserve — and watching them build wealth with confidence instead of confusion.

Morgan Housel says the highest form of wealth is the freedom to choose how you spend your time. That's what drives me now — helping others build that freedom years or decades earlier than they thought possible.

The traditional financial system isn't broken — it just wasn't built for you. My mission is to change that, one family at a time.

Whenever you're ready to build wealth on your terms — reach out. 

Let's talk about what's possible when you have the right system and support in your corner.

Hey—I'm Fran Walsh

[An Open Letter]

Building wealth is like running a marathon—it’s about showing up, staying consistent, and playing the long game.

I’ve lived this lesson in all areas of my life—from my first half-mile treadmill run to completing a 100-mile ultramarathon, and in my journey to becoming a financial advisor. At 24, I took a leap of faith to start my own RIA with my business partner, Ryan. With just three years of industry experience, I was battling imposter syndrome and wondering if anyone would trust someone my age with their finances.

At the same time, I knew something had to change. I saw firsthand how the financial industry ignored ambitious millennials, offering outdated advice that didn’t fit their goals or lives. The industry’s focus on retirees and the wealthy left a generation of entrepreneurs and professionals like you without the guidance you deserve.

What I wanted—and what I knew millennials like you needed—was a more authentic, approachable way to navigate your financial life.

Six months after we launched, the pandemic hit, and markets crashed. Many of our clients faced their first financial crisis and panicked. I remember sitting in Ryan’s basement watching CNBC and wondering if we’d fail before we even got started.

That was when everything clicked for me. I realized that being a great advisor isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being a steady hand in uncertain times, helping clients stay focused on their long-term goals, and offering personalized guidance that fits their unique challenges and ambitions.

A few years later, that leap of faith was validated when I was named one of Investopedia’s Top 100 Advisors in the U.S. at age 27 (2022) and again at 28 (2023). But that recognition wasn’t just about me—it was proof that millennials like you deserve advice tailored to your goals, not outdated scripts.

At Opulus, my mission is simple: to help you become the best version of yourself financially so you can focus on living life on your terms.

Whether it’s slashing your tax bill, boosting your income, or building wealth for the long haul, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Financial freedom isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about creating the life you want, free of financial stress and full of possibilities.

Whenever you’re ready to build wealth on your terms, let’s talk about what’s possible.