Essential Investing
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
Client AUMClient assets under management
$39,850,215
Clients
87
Advisors
3
of 3 employees
About
Essential Investing provides investment advice and integrated financial planning primarily to individual and high‑net‑worth clients, and also lists foundations and charitable organizations among its client types. The firm offers ongoing portfolio management and investment consultation, including guidance on retirement plan rollovers and related plan alternatives.
The firm’s stated investment approach blends passive, focused indexing with tactical opportunities, emphasizing diversified, tax‑efficient, low‑cost core holdings (mutual funds and ETFs) while also incorporating non‑traded alternative investments and private equity for non‑correlation and targeted risk exposure. Portfolios are typically managed on a discretionary basis and financial planning is incorporated into the asset‑based advisory engagement.
What is notable relative to many peers is the firm’s explicit work with foundations, charitable organizations and closely held family entities, and the brochure discloses principals’ direct involvement on investment committees for such entities, reflecting experience advising pooled or entity clients. As a small supported adviser (three advisors, roughly $53.5 million in discretionary AUM and about 87 client relationships), the firm also emphasizes use of an institutional custodian platform and related research and operational services in managing client accounts.
Client services
Expertise
Demographic focus
Fee options
$0 - $99,999: 1.25% annually (125 basis points) $100,000 - $999,999: 1.00% annually (100 basis points) $1,000,000 - $4,999,999: 0.875% annually (87.5 basis points) $5,000,000+: 0.75% annually (75 basis points)
Fee-only: Fee-only compensation; no commissions or sales charges applied.
Main office
13802 N 32nd St #14
Phoenix AZ 85032
Advisors at this office
3
Most active in
Arizona · Texas
Also doing business as
Essential Investing · Essential Wealth Management · Essential Wealth Management, LLC
Disclosures
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Business activities & affiliations
Is not active or affiliated with:
-
Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
-
Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
-
Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
-
Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
-
Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
-
Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
-
Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
-
Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
-
Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Forms ADV
Advisors at this firm
Jarrod R
Series 65
Phoenix, AZ
Essential Investing
Jarrod Rice is a financial advisor at Essential Investing with a Series 65 designation and two years of industry experience. He has worked at Essential Investing Wealth Management since 2024 and concurrently serves as a special projects manager at Mercy Care, a nonprofit where he oversees administration of federal and state grant funding. Essential Investing provides integrated financial planning and portfolio management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, not-for-profits, and family entities. The firm employs a predominantly passive, focused-indexing investment approach supplemented by tactical opportunities and fundamental analysis, emphasizing diversification, tax efficiency, and low-cost investments.
Joshua J
Series 65
Phoenix, AZ
Essential Investing
Joshua James is a financial advisor with Essential Investing in Phoenix, AZ. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with the firm since 2026. Prior to joining Essential Investing, he was involved in various roles with Hope Church PHX and Likewise Worship. Essential Investing provides investment advice and financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as foundations and charitable organizations. The firm employs a blended investment approach that combines passive indexing with tactical opportunities, focusing on diversified, tax-efficient, low-cost holdings alongside alternative investments.
John M
Series 65
Phoenix, AZ
Essential Investing
John Mersek is a financial advisor at Essential Investing with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Essential Wealth Management, LLC since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an investment committee member for both the DEK Foundation, a charitable organization, and the Knauss Family LLC, a closely held family entity. Essential Investing provides integrated financial planning and portfolio management to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as not-for-profit and family entities. The firm employs a predominantly passive, focused-indexing investment approach supplemented by tactical opportunities and fundamental analysis, emphasizing diversification, tax efficiency, and low-cost investments.
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor’s Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.
Advisor matching and introductions are provided by FinanceHQ LLC (“FHQ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment advisor. We receive compensation from certain participating advisors for introductions or referrals. This creates a conflict of interest because we have an incentive to recommend advisors who compensate us, including those who pay us more. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral or introduction. We do not review the ongoing performance of advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to our Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ’s ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. (“Warmer”)