BRIAN LARAWAY

Brian specializes in consulting with multi-generational families and partnering with small business owners to navigate the increasingly complex and volatile investment environment. He focuses on helping clients face critical life events with confidence, helping to ensure they can live comfortably and create meaningful legacies. 

Education & Credentials

Brian's passion for financial advising was sparked in high school when his grandfather gifted him $3,000. With dreams of buying a car or a high-end computer, Brian's plans changed after his father advised him to invest the money. The allure of the dot-com era led him to believe his investment would grow rapidly. However, the dot-com bust of 2000-2002 wiped out over 95% of his investment. This early experience with market volatility taught Brian a crucial lesson: the importance of proper guidance, education, and communication in financial planning. Instead of dwelling on the loss, Brian transformed it into a $3,000 career-defining lesson, vowing to help others avoid similar pitfalls.

Brian graduated summa cum laude from Youngstown State University with a degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration. During his time at YSU, he was also the captain of the track and cross country teams. Entering the financial industry in 2002, Brian has built a career around converting technical knowledge into practical, actionable strategies. He is known for his empathetic, collaborative approach and his dedication to building strong, lasting relationships with his clients.

Community Involvement

Throughout his career, Brian has been deeply involved in the Mahoning Valley community. He has served as President of the Mahoning Valley Chapter of BNI and the MVP 20/30 Club, as well as a Board Member of the Mahoning County CASA/GAL Program (Court Appointed Special Advocate/ Guardian Ad Litem). Additionally, he provided his expertise as a panelist on the Mahoning Valley Shale and Energy Show on 570 WKBN. He is actively involved in the Austintown Rotary and is a member of Wick Lodge #481 F. & A.M. and past member of the Man Up Mahoning Valley Steering Committee.

Personal Life

Brian resides in Canfield with his wife, Shanna, their two daughters, Quinn and Josie, their son, Rory, and their labradoodle, Daisy. With three active children in various activities, evenings and weekends are often spent running all over town to attend his kids' sporting events, and Brian and Shanna enjoy cheering them on from the sidelines. As a former YSU athlete and a member of the YSU Penguin Club, Brian enjoys rooting for the Youngstown State Penguins. The Laraway family are also big Notre Dame fans, adding a fun rivalry to the office, which has many Ohio State fans. Like Brian's first investment, it doesn't always end well! Joking aside, these personal experiences shape his understanding of the importance of family, legacy, and the role of financial planning in preserving a future for the next generation.

Brian specializes in consulting with multi-generational families and partnering with small business owners to navigate the increasingly complex and volatile investment environment. He focuses on helping clients face critical life events with confidence, helping to ensure they can live comfortably and create meaningful legacies. 

Education & Credentials

Brian's passion for financial advising was sparked in high school when his grandfather gifted him $3,000. With dreams of buying a car or a high-end computer, Brian's plans changed after his father advised him to invest the money. The allure of the dot-com era led him to believe his investment would grow rapidly. However, the dot-com bust of 2000-2002 wiped out over 95% of his investment. This early experience with market volatility taught Brian a crucial lesson: the importance of proper guidance, education, and communication in financial planning. Instead of dwelling on the loss, Brian transformed it into a $3,000 career-defining lesson, vowing to help others avoid similar pitfalls.

Brian graduated summa cum laude from Youngstown State University with a degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration. During his time at YSU, he was also the captain of the track and cross country teams. Entering the financial industry in 2002, Brian has built a career around converting technical knowledge into practical, actionable strategies. He is known for his empathetic, collaborative approach and his dedication to building strong, lasting relationships with his clients.

Community Involvement

Throughout his career, Brian has been deeply involved in the Mahoning Valley community. He has served as President of the Mahoning Valley Chapter of BNI and the MVP 20/30 Club, as well as a Board Member of the Mahoning County CASA/GAL Program (Court Appointed Special Advocate/ Guardian Ad Litem). Additionally, he provided his expertise as a panelist on the Mahoning Valley Shale and Energy Show on 570 WKBN. He is actively involved in the Austintown Rotary and is a member of Wick Lodge #481 F. & A.M. and past member of the Man Up Mahoning Valley Steering Committee.

Personal Life

Brian resides in Canfield with his wife, Shanna, their two daughters, Quinn and Josie, their son, Rory, and their labradoodle, Daisy. With three active children in various activities, evenings and weekends are often spent running all over town to attend his kids' sporting events, and Brian and Shanna enjoy cheering them on from the sidelines. As a former YSU athlete and a member of the YSU Penguin Club, Brian enjoys rooting for the Youngstown State Penguins. The Laraway family are also big Notre Dame fans, adding a fun rivalry to the office, which has many Ohio State fans. Like Brian's first investment, it doesn't always end well! Joking aside, these personal experiences shape his understanding of the importance of family, legacy, and the role of financial planning in preserving a future for the next generation.