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Steve Hyman
Financial Advisor
Clear Guidance for the Financial Decisions Ahead
Customized financial planning and investment management for individuals, families, small business owners, and charitable organizations.
Invest in Your
Our Why
We believe a financial plan should make sense to the person living with it. That’s why we take the time to explain how a portfolio is put together, what each piece is doing, and what it costs, in plain language and at whatever pace works for you.
At Gateway Financial Partners, we see our role as an experienced partner, helping you organize what you have, think through the choices in front of you, and decide on your own timeline. We work with teachers reviewing a 403(b), state employees weighing deferred compensation options, small business owners, families, and charitable organizations. The standard we hold ourselves to is the one we would want applied to us.
Steve has been doing this work since 1980, and the principles have not changed much: keep costs in view, explain the reasoning, and let the client make the decision. That’s how we work today, whether we’re looking at a single account or building a plan from the ground up.
Get to Know Us
Steve Hyman
Financial Advisor
About Steve
Steve Hyman has been providing investment advisory services since 1980, working with individuals, small business owners, and charitable organizations. Schoolteachers and State of Connecticut employees have made up a large part of the practice from the start, along with clients who came by referral.
He came to the field through numbers. As a student he spent seven months on a kibbutz in Israel, and when the Hebrew in his history classes outpaced him, he concentrated on math and physics instead. Markets held his attention for the same reason, and he wanted smaller investors to have the kind of access larger ones already had. Working with teachers was a deliberate choice, based on what he believes their work does for everyone else.
He began his career at First Investors Corporation in 1980 as a manager, registered representative, and life insurance agent, and founded Creative Funding Corporation in 1985. He built that practice around no-load mutual funds at a time when few advisors offered them. He has taught continuing education classes in West Hartford and Wethersfield and at Tunxis and Capital community colleges, run 403(b) and pension analysis for Connecticut teachers, and worked with State of Connecticut employees on their deferred compensation retirement plans. He holds a BA in economics from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, and completed coursework in investments, finance, and accounting at the University of Hartford.
Much of the practice today comes from clients he has worked with for years and the people they refer. The work itself has stayed close to what it was at the start: sitting down with someone, going through what they have, and making sure they understand it before anything changes.
Meet Mike Rickett
Mike is a Canadian native with a distinguished career in investment management. Before joining Gateway Financial Partners, he moved to the U.S. and established his own Registered Investment Advisor firm. Mike specializes in helping individuals and families develop comprehensive financial plans tailored to their goals and works with business owners to address complex financial needs.
He holds a Master of Finance from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and has earned both the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, the Chartered Financial Planner accreditation, and the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation. Combining advanced financial knowledge with a disciplined, research-driven approach to portfolio design and financial planning, Mike is committed to empowering clients with clear strategies and ensuring they feel confident in their financial futures.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah, and their dog, Sophie.
Mike Rickett, MFin, CFA®, CFP®,CDFA®
Financial Advisor
Our Services
Our Process
Do Our Values Align?
Our Ideal Client
You want to understand what you own and why you own it. At Gateway Financial Partners, we would rather spend an extra meeting explaining the reasoning than have you agree to something you do not fully understand.
You might be:
- A teacher sorting through 403(b) options and unsure which ones fit
- A state employee reviewing deferred compensation choices for the first time
- Running a small business and separating personal finances from company finances
- Serving a charitable organization that needs its assets managed
- Close to retirement and working out what monthly income will look like
You don’t need to have it figured out before you get in touch, and you don’t need to know whether you’re a fit. Minimums, services, and fees vary by situation, and we’ll walk through all of that in the first conversation. If that sounds like the kind of support you’re looking for, we’re here when you’re ready.
Insights & Market Commentary
FAQ's
What is an independent financial advisor and what do they do?
A financial advisor is a professional who helps clients manage their finances, investments, and wealth. They offer personalized advice and guidance based on their clients' financial goals and needs. Financial advisors can provide services such as retirement planning, investment advice, tax planning strategies, estate planning strategies, and more.
Why should I hire a financial advisor?
Hiring a financial advisor can be beneficial for those who need help managing their finances, planning for the future, or making investment decisions. Financial advisors can provide professional advice and guidance to help clients pursue their financial goals and make informed financial decisions.
How can I determine whether my advisor is a qualified professional?
When looking for a financial advisor, using BrokerCheck can provide valuable information about the advisor's background, including their employment history, registration status, and any disciplinary actions or customer complaints. By using BrokerCheck, investors can make informed decisions about which financial advisor to work with and avoid potential fraud or misconduct.
What services do financial advisors typically offer?
Financial advisors can offer a wide range of services, including retirement planning, investment advice, tax planning strategies, estate planning strategies, risk management, and more. The specific services offered may vary depending on the advisor's experience and qualifications.
What is your approach to helping clients navigate market volatility?
As an independent financial advisor, we believe in developing a diversified investment portfolio that aligns with clients' long-term financial goals and risk tolerance. We review and rebalance portfolios regularly and provide education to help clients understand their investment strategy. During times of market volatility, we stay in close communication with our clients to provide guidance and support. By taking a strategic, long-term approach, we help our clients pursue their financial goals despite market fluctuations.
*There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that managing your finances can be a daunting task, and that’s why we’re here to help. As experienced professionals in the financial industry, we are committed to providing our clients with personalized advice and guidance to help them work toward their financial goals. In this section, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you understand what a financial advisor is, how we can help you, and what to expect when working with us. We hope this resource will provide you with valuable information and help you make informed decisions about your financial future.
Invest in Your Future Today
Bring Your Questions. We’ll Help You Make Sense of the Rest.
Whether you want a second look at your accounts, are preparing for retirement, or have a financial decision in front of you, you don’t have to sort through it alone. Bring your statements, your questions, and whatever you’re unsure about. We’ll walk through where things stand, explain your options clearly, and help you determine the next steps
Our Location
Gateway Financial Partners
455 Winding Brook Dr.
Glastonbury, CT 06033
(860) 242-4483
steve.hyman@mygfpartner.com
