After decades of watching families get cookie-cutter financial plans filled with confusing jargon, Dr. Nicholas E. Michels set out to build something better for his clients: a financial system rooted in trust, clarity, and personal empowerment.
As the founder of Michels Family Financial and the bestselling author of "Rich by Choice: Take Back Control, Master Your Money, and Design the Life of Your Dreams," Dr. Michels is not the typical wealth advisor. Trusted by high-net-worth families and built on billions of wealth guided, "Rich by Choice" reveals Dr. Michels' revolutionary approach to turning your wealth into a dedicated tool for ultimate peace of mind, genuine fulfillment, and a life lived entirely on your terms. He is dedicated to helping Americans facing financial anxiety find emotional security and to encouraging people to stop chasing wealth and instead focus on living securely.
A Childhood That Sparked a Purpose
As a child, Dr. Michels watched his family fall from comfort to total financial loss after his parents divorced. What stuck with him the most wasn't the economic struggles or downsizing to a mobile home. It was seeing his mother work so hard to keep things afloat. She worked three jobs to keep up with the bills.
"That was the moment I realized how much money influences all our lives—for good and for bad. Money doesn't just impact your lifestyle; it shapes your peace, your happiness, your relationships, your future," Dr. Michels explains.
Understanding finance became Dr. Michels’ way of protecting those he loved.
After earning his CFP, CPWA, and a doctorate in business, Dr. Michels began to see cracks in the system he had trained so hard to join.
"I was offered $8.1 million to move to another firm, but something didn't sit right," he shared. Dr. Michels chose integrity over $8.1 million to share this truth: "Rich by Choice" delivers that invaluable wisdom, empowering you to build lasting wealth that aligns profoundly with your deepest values and cherished relationships.
After seeing how the company treated people, he and his wife agreed to walk away and try something new that aligned with their values.
Reimagining Financial Advice
Michels Family Financial operates on one core principle: Money should serve your life—not the other way around. Dr. Michels wanted to provide clarity to individuals who were struggling with money.
At the heart of his book, Michels guides readers to uncover their money emotions, financial “why” and financial “who.” By clarifying personal values, readers can build a plan that truly supports peace, purpose and legacy. The book goes beyond how much one can save or invest—it helps create a life where security and fulfillment are the foundation.
At a time when 90% of Americans say money causes them anxiety and 65% feel so overwhelmed they don’t know how to move forward, Dr. Michels’ book meets readers where they are and introduces new opportunities for financial satisfaction.
Elite Wealth Management Meets Authenticity
Michels Family Financial's Elite Wealth Management strategy blends technical advice with a genuine personal connection. Dr. Michels and his team work with individuals and families to increase cash flow, reduce taxes, mitigate risk, and become empowered.
For Dr. Michels, impact is about more than a dollar amount. What should be measured is how much someone's life can change. Whether it's a teacher who finally embarks on her dream safari trip or a family who at last funds their kid's college fund, Nick helps turn faraway hopes into a reality.
Hope Is Closer Than You Think
"Rich by Choice" is the go-to book for anyone ready to stop reacting to money and start directing it.
Dr. Michels adds, "I wrote it to help others break free from fear, to rise above struggle, and to realize that they're not powerless."
Whether you're nearing retirement, looking to sell a business, or simply asking if you're on the right path, "Rich by Choice" offers guidance for creating a life of meaning and security. Dr. Nicholas Michels believes wealth becomes more than a number when used wisely—it becomes a life of empowerment.
