15 Jul Unlocking Complex Wealth: The StoryOne Approach to the Multi-Family Office
At StoryOne, the foundation of our work lies in a simple yet powerful belief: the best planning begins with you. In our inaugural episode of the StoryLens Podcast, partners John Christensen, Cameron Bond and Kenny Conklin dive deep into what defines a Multi-Family office, how it differs from traditional wealth management and why this space is where StoryOne feels called to serve.
What Is a Multifamily Office?
A multifamily office sits in the middle ground between retail financial advisory services and a full-scale single-family office. On one end of the spectrum are retail firms that offer basic investment management services. On the other, ultra-wealthy families like the Gates or Hall families build their own internal teams to manage everything.
The multifamily office serves families typically in the $20 million to $500 million range—those with significant complexity but not enough scale to justify a full-time internal staff. These families often face a unique set of challenges that require thoughtful, custom-tailored planning.
A Calling, Not Just a Profession
What draws the StoryOne team to this work is more than just numbers, it’s a calling. Cameron Bond describes it as a space where you can advocate deeply for families, sometimes spending hundreds of hours each year understanding and solving their challenges. “It’s not about selling a product,” Cameron explains. “It’s about doing the right thing for the family, no matter how much time that takes.”
John Christensen echoes this sentiment. “When I graduated from law school, I thought I’d be doing estate plans and tax strategies. But this work—helping families navigate their entire financial lives—is so much deeper. It’s often sacred ground.”
A Process Built on Relationship
StoryOne’s multifamily office clients come to the table with layers of complexity: legacy trusts, charitable giving aspirations, business exits, and family dynamics that evolve over generations. And yet, StoryOne begins with one thing: listening. The team’s StoryLens process helps organize not just assets but values, history, and hope for the future.
Cameron puts it well: “We’re not just asking about your retirement goals. We’re asking about your children, your vision for charitable giving, your fears, and your legacy. That level of engagement takes time—and trust.”
Inertia Is the Real Competitor
Many families continue on a financial path simply because it’s the one they’ve always walked. “Inertia is our biggest competitor,” says John. But the StoryOne team is committed to challenging the status quo when necessary—redesigning plans not just for the next 5 years, but for the next 50 or 100.
Whether it’s bringing structure to ungoverned assets or revisiting old estate documents, the team brings clarity to complex situations and helps families avoid costly mistakes.
Who Benefits Most from a Multi-Family Office?
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- Pre-Exit Business Owners – Families preparing for a liquidity event often benefit most when planning begins early. “We’ve helped families save millions in taxes by planning pre-exit,” John shares.
- Charitably Inclined Families – For some, the mission is to give away their entire balance sheet in service of something greater. These families need structure, strategy, and clarity to steward that vision well.
- First-Generation Wealth – Whether newly wealthy through business or inheritance, these families need guidance from the ground up—structuring their balance sheet and defining their long-term intentions.
Complexity Isn’t Just Numbers
While tax and estate planning are certainly part of the work, complexity also shows up in family relationships. “We call it the soft side of the work,” says Cameron. “If wealth drives a wedge between family members, that’s a failed plan—no matter how technically sound it is.”
This is where StoryOne’s approach shines: helping families not just manage wealth but use it as a tool for unity, purpose, and flourishing.
The Power of the Right Team
A key strength of StoryOne’s multifamily office model is its integrated team approach. “We know enough to spot issues—and we bring in the right experts to solve them,” John says. Whether coordinating with attorneys, CPAs, or charitable foundations, the team acts as the family’s advocate and guide.
As Kenny puts it: “It’s about helping families give, live, and grow.”
Looking to the Horizon
At its heart, StoryOne’s work is about helping families see farther and live more intentionally. “If you’re not looking at the far horizon,” says John, “you’ll end up somewhere you didn’t mean to be.”
Whether you’re navigating a business exit, structuring a multi-generational estate plan, or seeking alignment between your values and your wealth, StoryOne offers more than financial guidance—it offers a partnership rooted in deep listening, tailored strategy, and heart-led growth.
Stay Connected
Stay connected with the StoryLens Podcast for future conversations. Your story is anything but ordinary—and that’s exactly where we begin.