Oak Jacoway.

• Position: Brief Article

Funny. He doesn't look like an architect or building contractor.

Yet Doak Jacoway, president of Jacoway Financial Corp. and chair-elect of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce board of directors, sees many parallels to his investment and estate planning firm.

"Just as an architect helps design a house, we help our clients design the ideal financial plan to meet their needs, usually a balance of accumulating wealth and then preserving it. Then, we help construct the specific program to make it happen."

The lion's share of Jacoway's clients are owners of closely held family businesses with personal net worths in excess of $10 million. Typically, these entrepreneurs have been so focused on building their businesses, they haven't had time to think about the future of their estate. And there's the problem. It usually surfaces with this question: "I want to sell my business now. What should I do?"

"That's where I find the greatest satisfaction in my work," says Jacoway. "This is not a one-size fits-all service. I must have a complete understanding of my client's needs, such as when they want to sell, what would they like to do with the funds, what are their cash and income needs, family concerns and preferences to investment vehicles. Exploring these needs and matching them with successful investment and estate planning strategies is what makes this so worthwhile."

Numerous investment tools are then carefully examined, including those to accumulate wealth, various fringe...