Michael Bradley on Defining Wealth and Leading Lives by Design

by Lauren Carpenter / ⠀Finance / July 11, 2025

Many people’s sense of wealth is tied to the numbers they see on their screens. Whether they see hundreds, thousands, or something even higher, these people might view money differently than others, which may cause them to feel lost or confused. When wealth becomes a talking point in someone’s life, they turn to a financial advisor for expertise and guidance, and to create personalized financial plans to help them define their financial goals and assess their risks. As a financial advisor, Michael Bradley worked to build his firm around a vision that allows people to lead lives of their design, not just financially, but in every sense.

Leading With Perspective

Bradley, who is now 60 and entering his second decade in the finance industry, aims to lead with what he describes as a “Return on Life,” which is a phrase that is more than just branding. By “Returning to Life,” one can reorient their financial conversations around meaning, legacy, and well-being. Bradley Wealth, Michael Bradley’s financial advisory business, was founded without inheritance or question. Instead, it was created on “[the] belief, grit, and a deep desire to serve people well.” The firm manages millions in assets, but for Bradley, the people who have said ‘yes’ in the early days of Bradley Wealth are the actual achievement in his business, rather than the numbers he often sees in his clients’ portfolios. The people Bradley represents often come to him for portfolio management and strategic guidance through complex business transitions, including succession planning, wealth transfer, risk mitigation, and exit strategies. Bradley’s belief in “building a moat around the castle” ensures that clients are protected, their assets are aligned, and their legacies remain intact.

A Holistic Focus, and an Evolving Shift

Bradley’s holistic mindset has earned him the trust of his clients, many of whom have stayed with him for decades. Many frequently tell him that they sense something different at his firm. “They sense that our work is personal because it is,” Bradley shares. With a maintained focus on “Return to Life,” Bradley strives to remain aware of the many complex shifts within the industry. He is a voracious reader and stays current on market shifts, behavioral finance, and technology. While one can often catch financial news on his office’s television, he doesn’t watch to react but rather to stay informed about the evolving world of finance.

Looking to the Future

When looking ahead, Michael Bradley is focused on remaining constant in the industry. He recently welcomed Brandon Scott and Alex Cohen as business partners, bringing fresh insight and deep alignment with the firm’s values. For Bradley, the next chapter of business involves mentoring the generation that follows, not just to ensure clients continue to be served with excellence but also with respect. If Bradley has learned anything, many people are often consumed by the idea that money should be the end goal, when, in truth, it should be building something that reflects what they truly value in life.

About The Author

Lauren Carpenter

Educator. Writer. Editor. Proofreader. Lauren Carpenter's vast career and academic experiences have strengthened her conviction in the power of words. She has developed content for a globally recognized real estate corporation, as well as respected magazines like Virginia Living Magazine and Southern Review of Books.

Michael Bradley on Defining Wealth and Leading Lives by Design

Leading With Perspective

A Holistic Focus, and an Evolving Shift

Looking to the Future

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