Built on Relationships, Not Transactions
We started darionthes in 2018 after years of watching families struggle with financial services that didn't actually listen. The breaking point was seeing a small business owner denied reasonable support because their file didn't fit a template.
That's when we decided to do something different. Actually different. Not the kind where you claim to care while following the same rigid processes everyone else uses.
Our approach is simple: understand your situation first, then find solutions that work for your life. Sometimes that means saying no to options that look good on paper but don't fit your reality.
What Makes Us Different
We're not perfect. But we're honest about what we can and can't do, which seems rarer than it should be in financial services.
We Ask Awkward Questions
Most people hate talking about money. We get that. But we've found that the uncomfortable conversations at the start save a lot of stress later.
When someone comes to us wanting to restructure debt, we don't just look at numbers. We ask about what changed in their life. Because that context matters when we're figuring out what might actually help.
No Cookie-Cutter Solutions
We've walked away from partnerships with providers who wanted us to push products instead of provide advice. That cost us some easy revenue, but it meant we could sleep at night.
Your situation is yours. A solution that worked perfectly for someone with similar income might be completely wrong for you if your goals or family circumstances are different.
We Explain the Trade-offs
Every financial decision involves compromises. Lower fees usually mean less flexibility. Higher returns come with more risk. We spell this out clearly instead of hiding it in fine print.
When we recommend something, we also tell you what you're giving up by choosing that option. Because understanding the trade-offs is how you make decisions you won't regret later.
Long-term Thinking
We've been doing this long enough to see what happens when people make decisions based on short-term thinking. It rarely ends well.
That's why we might suggest something that doesn't optimize for today if it positions you better for five years from now. And we'll explain exactly why we're thinking that way.
How We Actually Work
- First Meeting Is Always Free No catch. We sit down, talk about where you are and where you want to be. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you and suggest who might be better suited.
- Plain Language, Always Financial jargon exists to make simple things sound complicated. We explain things like we're talking to a friend, because that's more useful than sounding impressive.
- Quarterly Check-ins Life changes. Your financial plan should change with it. We don't just set things up and disappear. Every three months, we review what's working and what needs adjustment.
- Full Transparency on Costs You'll know exactly what you're paying and what you're getting for it. No hidden fees, no surprises when you read the statement.
- We Say No When We Should If what you're asking for doesn't make sense for your situation, we'll tell you. Even if it means losing business. That's the only way this relationship works.
The People Behind darionthes
Small team. Everyone here has worked in financial services for at least a decade. We've all seen what happens when institutions prioritize growth over client outcomes.
Declan Oakes
Spent twelve years at a major bank before getting tired of quotas that conflicted with good advice. Started darionthes to work with clients the way he wished he could have back then. Specializes in helping people untangle complicated financial situations.
Sienna Brandt
Has a background in dispute resolution, which turns out to be incredibly useful when helping people work through financial stress. Joined darionthes in 2020 because she wanted to be part of something that actually helped people instead of just processing them.
Let's Talk About Your Situation
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about where you are and what options might make sense for you. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you.