Money Trouble? New Clayton Business is Here to Help

When deciding where he should relocate his business, Thomas Payne chose to come home.

The 47-year-old Clayton Valley High graduate recently moved his financial planning company, Prosperitas Wealth Management, from Concord to the second floor of the Flora Square Building in downtown Clayton.

The office is still a bit sparse, with the walls mostly bare except for the flat screen televisions in both rooms, but Payne looks comfortable in his new digs and sounds sincere when asked why he set up shop in Clayton.

"We like the community and want to a be a resource," Payne said. "If you have a question about your finances, people can give me a call. I'm not going to start the clock on you. I like helping people out if they are stuck on something."

Payne runs his company with his client services manager, Jim Baas. The two-man team focuses on three things: insurance, investment and advice. Payne has about 100 clients, with over 80 percent being individuals or families, and most are nearing retirement.

One of the things that differentiates Prosperitas Wealth Management from other financial companies is its social consciousness, Payne said.

Payne is a Catholic and member of . The father of five doesn't ignore his faith when on the job. For example, he doesn't invest in tobacco companies or businesses that make supplies used in abortions.

"We're socially responsible," Payne said.

Not surprisingly, Payne didn't grow up with dreams of being a financial planner. He majored in psychology and after college he did customer service for United Airlines and some project management and technology work.

About 10 years ago, Payne was looking for a new job and posted his resume on Monster.com. Though Payne didn't have any financial background, Prudential offered him a job because they thought his attributes would fit well as a financial planner.

They were right. In 2004, he left Prudential and started Prosperitas Wealth Management and says he enjoys the profession.

"What I like is when someone comes in and they have money over here and money over there and they need to get everything together," Payne said. "I like organizing, putting things together. It's actually a lot of fun."

Prosperitas Wealth Management will be hosting an open house in its Flora Square office from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 22.