Eric R. Degnan, CFP^®, CMFC^®

I've always been the person people come to when they need clarity. Whether it's a financial decision or a life situation, I see the path forward when others see complexity. That's probably why I ended up in this field.

Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, I was that kid who put summer job earnings into an IRA instead of a car stereo. I worked from age 13 because I wanted the freedom to make my own choices without depending on anyone else. That drive for independence has never left me.

After earning my finance degree from Butler University, I entered the industry in 1997 and became a CFP® professional in 1998. Since then, I've built the largest client base at Etiquette Financial Partners and helped shape the practice we've become. My role as Managing Partner means I handle the CEO responsibilities alongside my partners, Lindsey Driscoll and Chris James. I drive our marketing, manage home office relationships, make top-level investment decisions, and constantly expand our network of professionals so we can connect clients with the right tax, legal, and lending expertise when they need it.

I'm analytical to a fault and genuinely enjoy the details most people find overwhelming. My gift is taking complex financial situations and translating them into clear options that help people feel confident making decisions. I specialize in comprehensive financial planning for small business owners and higher net worth clients who want every detail buttoned up. As a business owner myself, I understand the unique challenges around retirement plans, tax strategy, and employee benefits. For clients at higher asset levels, I focus on portfolio efficiency, stock option strategies, and making sure everything stays current as life changes.

My philosophy is simple. You're either getting better or getting worse based on the next steps you take. That applies to everything. My goal is to stack more positive steps than negative ones every single day.

The personal side has made me better at what I do professionally. I met my wife Shirley at our previous firm when we were both advisors. We merged our practices after our first daughter Aubrey was born in 2006. Now Aubrey's in college and our younger two, Callie and Braden, are in high school. 

Going through marriage, raising three kids, and handling all the financial planning milestones myself has given me real-world experience with what my clients face.

I'm a systems person who hates making the same mistake twice. I solve problems, stay connected across the industry, and continue learning so I can serve clients better. After nearly three decades in this business, I'm still improving every day. That's the only way I know how to operate.