At a big bank or wirehouse your advisor answers to a corporation with products to sell and quotas to meet. At Sweetwater you work directly with Bryan or Mark — the founders — who answer only to you. We have no products to push, no corporate agenda, and no junior associates handling your account. We are independent fiduciaries which means we are legally and ethically required to put your interests first. Always.

Yes. As a Registered Investment Adviser we are held to the fiduciary standard at all times — not just when it's convenient. That means we are required to act in your best interest, disclose any conflicts of interest, and provide advice that serves you rather than us. This is a higher standard than what brokers at many large firms are held to.

SmartVestor Pros are a select group of financial advisors endorsed by Ramsey Solutions — Dave Ramsey's organization. To be listed, advisors must meet specific standards and agree to operate according to Dave's investing principles, which include acting in clients' best interests, being transparent about fees, and following a long-term disciplined investment approach. Sweetwater participates in the SmartVestor Pro program. SmartVestor Pros pay a fee to Ramsey Solutions for referrals — this fee is never passed on to clients.

We have three offices across Texas:

Houston Area: 4655 Sweetwater Blvd, Ste. 300, Sugar Land, TX 77479 · (281) 491-3333

San Antonio / Hill Country: 39 Corley Road, Boerne, TX 78006 · (830) 330-5070

College Station: 511 University Drive, Ste. 210, College Station, TX 77840 · (979) 321-4400

Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00am–5:00pm · Friday 9:00am–4:00pm

We also work with clients virtually across the state of Texas.

The first step is a free 20-minute call with Bryan or Mark — no paperwork, no preparation, no obligation. We'll ask a few questions about where you are financially and what you're hoping to accomplish. By the end of the call you'll know whether Sweetwater is the right fit. You can schedule directly on our calendar using the button below.

We work with clients at a range of asset levels. The best way to find out if we're a good fit for your situation is to schedule a free 20-minute call. We'll be upfront about whether we can serve you well — and if we can't, we'll point you in the right direction.

It starts with a free 20-minute introductory call. If we're a good fit we schedule a deeper discovery meeting where we get to know your full financial picture — your goals, your concerns, and what you want retirement to look like. From there we build an investment strategy tailored to your situation and walk you through it in plain English. Once you're comfortable we get to work managing your investments and staying in close contact as your life evolves.

Absolutely. We serve clients across the state of Texas and can work with you virtually. Many of our clients prefer meeting by video call for the convenience — we're just as thorough and attentive whether we meet in person or online.

Our primary compensation is a straightforward percentage of the assets we manage on your behalf — called an assets under management (AUM) fee. This means our interests are directly aligned with yours: when your investments grow, we grow with you. We will always disclose our fees clearly before any engagement begins — no surprises.

Our primary compensation is AUM-based fees. In some situations we work with a trusted insurance partner and may receive a referral fee on insurance solutions we recommend. We will always disclose this arrangement clearly and in advance, and we only recommend insurance coverage we genuinely believe serves your best interests. This represents a small portion of our overall revenue and never influences the advice we give.

No. We believe in complete transparency about how we're compensated. Our fee structure is disclosed in our Form ADV and in your client agreement before you sign anything. If you ever have a question about what you're paying and why, just ask — we'll give you a straight answer.

We believe in disciplined, long-term investing built around your specific goals — not the market's mood. We don't chase trends, try to time the market, or panic when things get volatile. We build diversified portfolios designed to grow your wealth steadily over time while protecting what you've already built. After 60 combined years in this business we've seen every kind of market — and the clients who fare best are the ones with a clear strategy and a steady hand.

We believe an advisor who only calls with bad news isn't doing their job. You'll hear from us regularly — not just during market downturns. We reach out proactively when something relevant happens that affects your situation and are always reachable by phone or email. We're happy to meet with clients whenever needed. When you reach out to Sweetwater — by phone or email — you'll hear back from our team within one business day. Usually much sooner.

Your assets are held by Charles Schwab or Capital Group — nationally recognized, independent custodians — not by Sweetwater directly. This means your investments are always in your name and fully protected regardless of what happens to our firm. We never take possession of client assets. Your custodian issues statements directly to you so you always have independent visibility into your account.

Why it matters: A fiduciary is legally required to act in your best interest at all times. Many advisors are only held to a lower suitability standard — meaning they can recommend products that are merely suitable for you, even if better options exist.

Our answer: Yes — always. As a Registered Investment Adviser, Sweetwater Financial Advisors is held to the fiduciary standard 100% of the time. We are legally and ethically required to put your interests first. No exceptions.

Why it matters: How an advisor gets paid directly affects the advice they give. Commission-based advisors may be incentivized to recommend products that pay them more — not necessarily what is best for you.

Our answer: Our primary compensation is a transparent percentage of the assets we manage — called an AUM fee. This means our interests are directly aligned with yours. When your investments grow, we grow with you. In some situations we may receive a referral fee on insurance solutions — we will always disclose this clearly and in advance.

Why it matters: Not all financial advisors are equally qualified. Credentials like the CFP^® designation require rigorous education, examination, experience, and ongoing ethics requirements.

Our answer: D. Bryan Teel holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER designation — one of the most respected credentials in the profession. Together Bryan and Mark bring over 60 years of combined experience in financial planning and wealth management. You can verify our backgrounds at adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Why it matters: At many large firms you meet a senior advisor but are handed off to junior staff. The person you interview may not be the person managing your money.

Our answer: You work directly with Bryan or Mark — always. Our support team, Melody and Kristina, assist with client communications and day-to-day needs. Your advisor relationship is with the founders — not a rotating cast of associates.

Why it matters: An advisor's investment philosophy should align with your goals and risk tolerance. Be cautious of anyone who promises to beat the market — most do not, and chasing returns often destroys wealth.

Our answer: We believe in disciplined, long-term investing built around your specific goals — not the market's mood. We do not chase trends, time the market, or panic when volatility hits. We build well-diversified portfolios designed to grow your wealth steadily while protecting what you have already built. After 60 combined years in this business, the clients who fare best are the ones with a clear strategy and a steady hand.

Why it matters: You should never wonder what is happening with your money. A good advisor reaches out proactively — not just when something goes wrong.

Our answer: We reach out proactively when something relevant happens that affects your situation. We are always reachable by phone or email and you will hear back from our team within one business day — usually much sooner. We believe an advisor who only calls with bad news is not doing their job.

Why it matters: Your assets should never be held directly by your advisor. This is how fraud schemes like Ponzi schemes operate — the advisor controls both the advice and the money.

Our answer: Your assets are held by Charles Schwab or Capital Group — nationally recognized, independent custodians — not by Sweetwater directly. Your custodian issues statements directly to you so you always have independent visibility into your account. We never take possession of client assets.

Why it matters: Any advisor who claims a completely clean record may not be telling the full truth — or has not been in business long enough to have faced difficult situations. What matters is how complaints were handled and what the facts were.

Our answer: In the interest of full transparency, there is one disclosed customer dispute from 2016 on D. Bryan Teel's record. The client made nearly $1,000,000 during his time with Sweetwater — a fact both parties agreed upon. The case was settled by our insurance carrier for $50,000 — approximately 8% of the original demand — against D. Bryan Teel's wishes. We believe the matter was without merit and are considering expungement. You can review the full record and our detailed broker comment at adviserinfo.sec.gov or brokercheck.finra.org.

Why it matters: Solo advisors who retire, become ill, or pass away can leave clients in a difficult position. A firm with succession planning protects you from disruption.

Our answer: Sweetwater is a two-principal firm — Bryan and Mark. In the event something happens to either advisor, the other continues to serve clients without disruption. Your assets are always held by your custodian independently of Sweetwater and are fully protected regardless of what happens to our firm.

Why it matters: Every advisor will tell you they are trustworthy and experienced. The question is what specifically makes them different — and whether those differences matter to you.

Our answer: A few things set Sweetwater apart. We are an independent fiduciary — we answer only to you. We are Dave Ramsey SmartVestor Pros — endorsed by Ramsey Solutions for our commitment to honest, straightforward advice. Bryan and Mark bring 60 combined years of experience and have served many clients for a decade or more. We have offices serving Houston, San Antonio, and College Station. And we genuinely care — not just about your money, but about your family, your goals, and the life you are building. We invite you to check our background, read our reviews, and decide for yourself.