How authentic style helps clients turn dreams into reality

Emlen Miles-Mattingly believes in genuine human connection. As founder and financial advisor at Gen Next Wealth, he knows financial planning is as much about values and relationships as it is about numbers and strategies.     

“Because of my authentic communication style, clients connect with me on more than just a financial level,” he said. “When someone has things they value in their relationship and life, I want to make sure we accentuate those through their plan.”   

As a result, meetings with clients can sometimes get emotional. Miles-Mattingly remembers one experience that could stand in for many. He was talking to a retiree, reviewing his account, when he realized he needed to change his approach. “I asked him, ‘What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do with your family?’”    

The client was taken aback. He had never been asked that question before. It turns out Miles-Mattingly’s client had always dreamed of taking his family on a vacation, putting everyone up in a hotel, covering all expenses.    

When Miles-Mattingly asked him what had prevented him from doing that, he started to cry. He talked about tension in his family that made such a gesture improbable, if not impossible. “We talked through that specific situation with his family. And I gave him some advice: Just let your kids know how much you love them. Do they know that this is what you want to do?”   

The outcome? “The next quarter, he had that trip planned. That’s the difference in my advice. I’m really connected with people. It’s not always about money. It’s about the people who are important.”   

The holistic approach to financial planning doesn’t just focus on numbers. “We try to lead with the full picture of someone’s finances, which usually includes their family,” he said.     

This comprehensive view ensures that all aspects of a client’s financial life are considered, especially when it comes to preparing for the future. The personal touch in these discussions can make all the difference.    

“It hits home when it’s actually at home,” Miles-Mattingly said.    

Hearing him talk about connecting and looking at the different projects with which he’s involved, it’s clear that for the Madera, California-based advisor the concept of family extends beyond the home to encompass his entire community.    

“When we started, the first initiative was the ‘Minority Money’ podcast,” Miles-Mattingly said. “It began with simple morning videos I’d post on social media, where I’d share financial tips and personal encouragements. My friends kept suggesting, ‘You should have a podcast.’ Initially, I was hesitant, but after seeing a business partner launch his own podcast, I thought, ‘If he can do it, so can I.’ That’s how ‘Minority Money’ was born.”   

The podcast’s inception was driven by a desire to address key areas crucial for minorities: finance, family, education and health. “The reason why I picked those areas was because when I worked at an insurance company, I noticed that no middle-aged black men got approved for life insurance,” Miles-Mattingly said. “I was the exception, and that was mainly because I was younger when I applied.”    

The success of “Minority Money” paved the way for other initiatives. “In 2020, after the tragic event involving George Floyd, a group of friends and I felt the need to do something. We wanted to raise awareness in the financial planning community about the untapped talent out there. That’s when the BLX Internship Program was born. Our goal was simple: to make the industry more inclusive.”   

Following the BLX Internship Program, he also launched the Onyx Advisor Network, a platform designed to help advisors start, scale and sustain their practices.   

But beyond these initiatives, there’s a bigger vision. “I aspire to be one of the first black RIAs to surpass $100 million in AUM. It’s not about the money or personal achievement. It’s about setting a precedent. Just as I was inspired by others, I want to inspire the next generation.”