Meet the Team
Your Income Doubled.
Your Wealth Didn't.
Control. Flexibility. Freedom.
You're Waiting.
Every Quarter Costs You
For the bigger exit.
For the perfect moment.
For when you're "really wealthy."
Meanwhile, the window closes.
Every quarter without a plan costs you six figures.
Every year without coordination costs you millions.
Four Core Services. One Coordinated Strategy.
Tax Strategy
File Less. Keep More.
Most CPAs react. We architect. Quarterly planning that turns tax savings into wealth acceleration.
Wealth Coaching
Financial Operating System
Making money is easy. Building wealth isn't. We install the coordination layer you're missing.
R&D Tax Credits
Capital You Earned
Six and seven-figure credits most accountants never mention. Free feasibility review.
Scale to Exit
Build an Asset
You built a business. We help you build an asset. Transferable. Valuable. Optionable.
Derick Van Ness
Wealth Strategist – Investor – Life Adventurer
Derick Van Ness is a Tax & Wealth Strategist for small business owners who are good at what they do but not as well versed in the intricacies of taxes and building wealth! Specifically, he helps people to learn how to keep more of the money they make with their business and systematically turn that into wealth. Derick is passionate about helping people get the “money game” figured out so they can begin living their BIGGEST LIFE as soon as possible. In his free time Derick loves racing sail boats, creating art, west coast swing dancing, and traveling with his wife Jacqui!
Justin Maxwell
Tax & Wealth Strategist
Justin was a teacher and researcher before he started working with the BLF team in 2019. Justin discovered the entrepreneurial itch and quickly found that, like education, the financial and tax world loves to push everyone through the same square box. However, this doesn’t work in education or finance. His mission is to change that approach and deliver holistic tax and financial solutions for fellow successful entrepreneurs.
He is the husband of a beautiful wife and a father of three crazy boys. Justin enjoys exercising, hiking, camping, and reading a good book.
William F. Larsen, III
Wealth Strategist
With a lifetime of entrepreneurial experience, William specializes in transforming financial uncertainty into empowerment. His journey began with small business ownership and development, honing his skills in problem-solving and opportunity identification. A pivotal moment came when he helped a parent secure retirement after an unexpected cancer diagnosis. This experience revealed a talent for piecing together complex financial puzzles, creating order from chaos, and integrating assets to mitigate risks, fulfill obligations, and maximize opportunities. Today, William guides clients from financial anxiety to confidence with an approach that is methodical, evidence-based, and tailored to each individual’s needs. He empowers people to take control of their finances, organize their resources, and act decisively towards a secure financial future.
Rob Williams
Expert in Mergers & Acquisitions | Creative Financing | Fund Raising
Derick Van Ness is a Tax & Wealth Strategist for small business owners who are good at what they do but not as well versed in the intricacies of taxes and building wealth! Specifically, he helps people to learn how to keep more of the money they make with their business and systematically turn that into wealth. Derick is passionate about helping people get the “money game” figured out so they can begin living their BIGGEST LIFE as soon as possible. In his free time Derick loves racing sail boats, creating art, west coast swing dancing, and traveling with his wife Jacqui!
Brandon Allen
Leadership Coach, Trainer and Research & Development Credit Specialist
For over 25 years, Brandon Allen has helped leaders streamline their work lives and transform their relationships by uncovering hidden opportunities and achieving what once seemed impossible. He has led operations for one of Utah’s fastest-growing companies, earning a place on the Inc. 500 list, and guided an author to New York Times Best Seller status. With extensive experience coaching over 1,000 business owners and leaders, Brandon is also the founder of New Work Revolution, dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses to unlock their full potential and thrive.
Stephanie Menzies
Director of Operations
Stephanie joined the BLF team in May of 2021. During her 20+ year tenure in the Healthcare Industry, Stephanie honed her operations skills, developed process management and change management skills with a focus on quality assurance and quality improvement. She brings that same commitment to the team and clients at Big Life Financial. During her free time, Stephanie enjoys perennial flower gardening, concerts of all genres (BTS is one of her favorites) and NASCAR racing.
Brittney Nudge
Executive Assistant
Brittney is an Executive Assistant that joined the BLF team in September of 2021. With over eight years of developing her customer and administrative support skills, Brittney is passionate about building strong customer relationships while facilitating many aspects of internal communications.
Brittney is a wife and a mother of two. She enjoys the outdoors, attending sporting events, playing card games with friends, and quality time with her family.
Carissa Koehler
Executive Assistant
Carissa brings over 20 years of administrative office experience supporting numerous fields and a well-rounded knowledge of multiple industries and cultures. Additionally, Carissa loves numbers, math, and taxes and is excited to help the clients at Big Life Financial achieve their goals.
Carissa lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children. She enjoys camping outdoors, boating, hiking, taking short getaways on new adventures, and spending time with friends and family.
Kassidy Barajas
Executive Assistant
Kassidy joined the BLF team in May of 2022. With over six years of experience in customer service, she excels at customer interaction and administrative support. Kassidy dedicates herself to our clients and the Big Life team, striving to deliver the best support to everyone.
Kassidy is a wife and a mom of two beautiful young children. She enjoys journaling, spending time with her loved ones, listening, and singing to music.
Julie Nybakken
Executive Assistant Marketing
Julie has been with Big Life Financial since 2023, bringing a wealth of experience from her diverse career, combining organizational expertise and a client-focused approach. She began as a Commercial Insurance Agent managing complex business accounts, where she honed her skills in customer support, CRM systems, and collaboration with sales and marketing teams. Later, as a Program Director in the nonprofit sector, she oversaw large-scale events and programs, handled donor relations, and managed other critical operational tasks. Based near the Southern California coast, she enjoys boating with her family and volunteering.
Jon Smith
Fractional Marketing Officer
Jon has been with BLF since 2025, and is a CRM Administrator and Digital Solutions Specialist who excels at bridging the gap between technical CRM management and creative digital marketing. He specializes in optimizing CRM ecosystems, leading complex web development projects, and executing data-driven marketing migrations. Jonathan is recognized for his ability to manage cross-functional teams and offshore developers while maintaining a focus on brand integrity, ADA compliance, and business automation. By combining technical expertise in CRM systems and Sales/marketing with a background in web design and front-end development, he delivers integrated solutions that drive operational efficiency and enhance customer engagement.
BIGLIFEFINANCIAL
Building family offices for business owners who refuse to settle for middle-class outcomes.
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