About Us
A family firm with a family feel!
Luis Guardia, CFP®, AIF®
Born: San José, Costa Rica
About me: I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies and Business from Texas State University, and hold a Series 65 License – Uniform Investment Advisor Law Exam. I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and hold the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies®.
I was also elected and served six years on the Board of Directors to Austin’s National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) in various chairs from Treasurer to President of the Board. I am easy going and you might hear my high-pitched-dad voice come out when I am with my daughter Mia. I am super passionate about helping my clients achieve their goals and I wake up each morning excited to make a difference.
Most people do not know I: speak fluent Spanish, competed in Olympic-style gymnastics for 7 years, was a supporting actor in a telenovela (soap opera) pilot called “Alamo Heights” when I was in college, have officiated soccer since I was 11 years old (22+ years), paid cash for my first three cars, and helped put myself through college with money earned officiating soccer over the years.
Interests: family time, mentoring youth referees, officiating professional soccer, Salsa dancing, triathlons, ice hockey, travel, and anything food.
My journey so far: My family and I lived throughout Central America in my early years. I have fond memories of drinking ‘atol de elote‘ (a yummy sweet corn and milk drink) on our way up volcanoes in Guatemala, eating ‘pupusas‘ (thick meat or cheese stuffed tortilla) in El Salvador, or herding cattle by horseback at our farm house in Turrialba, Costa Rica. I eventually moved to the United States with my mother to pursue an education and to be by her side after my parents divorced. I am very thankful to her and my father for their encouragement and lessons in patience, love, spirituality, entrepreneurship, work ethic, and compassion.
Graduating from Texas State University with a degree in International Studies and Business and meeting the love of my life, Laura, was an exhilarating time. Unfortunately it was also during the heart of the 2008-2009 financial crisis. I thought this was the perfect time to use my passion for personal finance, helping people, and growing a business. I would sharpen my ax and gain valuable experience at a not-for-profit financial firm in Austin. My first two years with that firm were as an advisor until being promoted into a managing partner role where I would lead a team and help grow our local presence.
After many years in the financial industry, I came to a crossroad. I wanted to break free of selling investment products on commission, and focus solely on providing comprehensive advice. In this transitional time of setting up and registering my own independent firm, my wife, Laura, and I struggled with being able to start our own family. Infertility is a personal, emotionally challenging, and a very expensive journey not typically covered by insurance. Thankfully after three years of countless doctor’s appointments and procedures, we are grateful for Mia, Santi & Luca – our Chief Happiness Officers.
The financial and personal lessons we experienced along the way led me to find my “why.” I knew then the firm I would create would not only help clients through their wealth accumulation and preservation years, but also have a specialization in providing tailored financial planning services to professionals and all types of couples through their journey in creating a family. This would allow our firm to provide both massive value in understanding their unique planning needs, and valuable perspective in anticipating future needs or opportunities as our clients grow with us.
I founded Tuyyo Planning Group, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm here in Austin Texas, with the vision of being a boutique firm with a personal touch serving a limited client base of about 100. This will allow us to build deeper, more meaningful, life-long relationships, with a guiding principle: we must either enhance, or add massive value, to our clients lives and the communities we serve. We will bring clarity, organization, and purpose to how you use money by leading with your core principles, values, and goals. We look forward in meeting you!
Brendan Pheasant, MSPFP, CFP®, ChFC
Born: Hertford, England
About me: As a kid I thought I would be a neuroscientist, cellist, or computer programmer and laughed at the guys in business suits talking about stocks over lunch. I come from a long line of teachers so I learned a lot growing up, just not about money. In college one of my buddies took me to a financial planning seminar and I was inspired. From that day forward I was excited by the idea that all I had to to be financially independent was have a plan and stick to it. I started learning and never looked back.
Brendan is a Certified Financial Planner® professional and a Chartered Financial Consultant with 17 years of experience in financial services and eight years of experience as a comprehensive financial planner. He has a master’s degree in personal financial planning with graduate certificates in life-centered financial planning and financial health & wellness. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in financial planning, where he is researching how we do (or don’t) support well-being, human development, and human needs in the financial planning process. Brendan is a thought leader sharing his expertise in the Journal of Financial Planning, The Cut, and Wallet Hub, and co-founder of a nationwide think tank of leaders whose mission is to incorporate the science of financial well-being, financial wellness, and well-being into their firms.
I am glad to be at Tuyyo where we are constantly innovating to help our clients live their best lives through exceptional financial planning. I look forward to meeting you and sharing in your journey. 🙂
