John Gugle, CFP®, CDFA®, CRPC®
For more than 18 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people as a Financial Advisor, helping them navigate life’s big moments and build a secure future. I’m passionate about creating lasting, trust-filled relationships—especially with those who’ve worked hard to grow their wealth and want a partner to protect it. My journey in finance has been shaped by a love for problem-solving and a deep commitment to seeing my clients thrive, both financially and personally.
My career has taken me across industries and continents—from banking and management consulting to wealth management and mortgage banking, splitting time between the US and Japan. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in Finance and Japanese, which sparked an incredible chapter in Tokyo, where I spent nearly eight years with global financial firms. Eventually, I landed in Charlotte, NC, bringing with me a blend of experiences that still inform how I serve my clients today. As a Certified Financial Planner™, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, I’ve gathered tools and perspectives that help me adapt to whatever challenges come our way.
I’ve guided families and individuals through every twist and turn of the economic cycle—including the chaos of the 2008-2009 Financial Crisis. What drives me is a belief that your financial plan should be as unique as you are. I don’t lean on one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, I take an active, hands-on approach to managing portfolios, staying nimble so we can safeguard what you’ve built and seize opportunities as they arise.
I’ve always admired the wisdom of investors like Warren Buffett, who remind us to stay prepared for the unexpected. That’s why I focus on dynamic, personalized strategies to cut through the noise of today’s markets. My goal? To help you feel confident and empowered about your finances, so you can focus on living the life you’ve dreamed of.
I’d love to sit down with you, hear your story, and explore how we can work together to make your goals a reality. Let’s build something meaningful, step by step.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. - Teddy Roosevelt
Managing Change in Life Transitions
Over the past five years, I've navigated significant life transitions: separation, divorce, selling a company, entering a new industry, job loss, medical emergencies, engagement, and starting a new business. These experiences have brought me from despair to immense joy. How did I get here?
I dedicated time to self-discovery, accepting disappointments, acknowledging my role in my marriage's end, and improving my resilience. Along the way, I prioritized my physical health, ultimately running my first half marathon at 52, and engaged deeply with self-help resources and therapy.
Making peace with my divorce taught me that life changes, relationships fray, and we must adapt. Divorce, in particular, requires careful financial planning to avoid costly mistakes driven by grief.
This personal journey inspired me to obtain the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation. I've learned from my own mistakes and now guide others through the financial complexities of divorce, helping them find joy and fulfillment on the other side.
I want my clients to see divorce as a transformative opportunity, rediscover their true selves, and move past this difficult phase. By focusing on financial planning and goal setting, I help them take control of their destiny and finances, becoming the best version of themselves.