H&C Financial Planning Process
About Us
At Hartwell and Company, we are a trusted financial advisory firm based in Michigan and Colorado. We specialize in tailoring financial solutions for individuals, families, and businesses seeking to achieve their unique financial goals.
Our client-centric approach involves in-depth consultations to understand your financial circumstances. We then craft personalized financial plans and investment strategies, regularly reviewed and adjusted to adapt to changing realities.
What truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to a long-term, holistic approach. We are dedicated to building lasting partnerships to ensure your financial success.
Watch the video above to learn about our philosophy, implementation and team. Read more below about our Financial Planning and Investing Principles. And lastly see our history and team.

Financial Planning Principles
When choosing a financial advisor, sharing a common set of principles and beliefs is critical to a successful relationship. As such, below are our financial planning principles for your review.

Investing Principles
Years of experience have prepared us to guide you through your life transitions.
Our History and Team
Jim Hartwell earned his designation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1986 and followed that up with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 1989. Later that year he opened an office in downtown St. Joseph, Michigan, and Hartwell & Company was founded.
During that time period, Hartwell & Company provided guidance to clients in Southwest Michigan by offering comprehensive tax, accounting, and financial planning advice. In 2015, growth led to the opening of a second Michigan office in Kalamazoo, thereby expanding the reach of our services over a greater geographical area.
Looking toward the future, Jim formed Hartwell & Company into a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) in October of 2022, and correspondingly became registered himself as an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) with the state of Michigan. Jim’s son, Ryan, also offers investment guidance as an IAR with the state of Michigan and Colorado.
The knowledge and experience gained through the years is what Hartwell & Company leverages as we work with individuals, families, and business owners to make planning a part of your journey so that you have confidence as you look towards your future.
James V. Hartwell, CPA, CFP
President and Founder
Jim was born in Washington D.C., but grew up mostly in suburban Chicago, where his Dad pastored a church. He is one of six kids and the youngest boy in his family. One of Jim’s first jobs was tending balls at a driving range. He...
Ryan Hartwell
Financial Advisor
Ryan is the eldest son of Jim Hartwell, and learning everything he can about the business from his dad. Having been raised in St. Joseph, Ryan moved out west and lived in Colorado for a few years before returning to join our staff....
Dawn Stewart
Executive Assistant
Dawn is truly a local, born and raised right here in St. Joe, Michigan. She lives in Coloma now with her son, Lane, who keeps her busy with baseball, basketball and football. Dawn spent 24 years working for Modern Plastics Corporation,...
Paul Genua
Executive Assistant
Paul grew up in Souderton, PA, about 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia. He is a passionate sports fan and proudly follows all the Philly teams; especially the Eagles and Phillies. His wife, Erin, is Jim and Dawn’s eldest...
Deb Richardson
Client Services Associate
drichardson@hartwellcompany.com
Deb lives in Dowagiac with her husband Bill. They have four grown kids and a total of 10 grandchildren! Deb loves having the grandkids over for slumber parties. The only sport Deb takes interest in is football, and she cheers for the...
Dawn Hartwell
Administrative Assistant
Dawn was born and raised in St. Joseph. She was an educator for many years, teaching at the Elementary level, before eventually taking her talents full-time to the home front. Having raised four kids who are now grown and graduated,...