Zack Bernsdorf

I'm Zack Bernsdorf, MBA, CFP Candidate, and founder of Aspire Capital Management, an independent, fee-only fiduciary RIA based in Central Ohio.

I started Aspire because I believe people deserve financial advice that is clear, objective, and transparent. Too often, financial advice is tied to a product, a commission, or an asset-based fee that becomes harder to justify as portfolios grow. I wanted to build a firm that removes as many conflicts as possible and gives clients a simpler way to get ongoing advice. It is intentional that you do not feel as though you are being pitched a product.

My focus is retirement planning.

I primarily work with pre-retirees, retirees, widows, and families who are trying to make smart decisions around retirement income, investments, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, estate planning conversations, and long-term financial planning.

Many of the people I work with have done a good job saving. They have built retirement accounts, pensions, brokerage accounts, insurance policies, annuities, or other pieces of a financial life. As retirement gets closer, the questions usually become more complicated.

• Can I actually retire?
• How much can I safely spend?
• When should I take Social Security?
• Am I taking too much risk?
• What happens if one spouse passes away?
• Are my current investments, annuities, or insurance policies still serving me?
• How do I turn everything I have accumulated into a retirement plan that actually works?

That is where I try to help.

My role is to organize the moving pieces, explain the tradeoffs, and help clients make decisions with more confidence. Good financial planning should feel practical, understandable, and useful. Clarity and peace of mind tend to be my aim for my clients.

At Aspire, I use a flat-fee planning model because I believe clients should know exactly what they are paying and exactly what they are receiving. I do not sell insurance, annuities, mutual funds, or commission-based products. Neither my advice or my compensation depends on whether a client buys a product.

My planning style is straightforward, educational, and detail oriented. I want clients to understand the "why" behind the advice. The goal is to help people feel more organized, more informed, and more confident about their retirement journey ahead.

Widow & Surviving Spouse Planning

Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult experiences a person can face — and it often arrives alongside a wave of financial decisions that feel urgent, unfamiliar, and overwhelming. Benefit elections, account titling, income changes, tax implications — the list doesn't pause for grief. I work with widows and surviving spouses who want a steady, patient partner to help them understand where they stand, what decisions actually need to be made right now, and what can wait. There is no pressure here, no sales pitch — just clear, honest guidance at a pace that works for you. If you are navigating this season of life and would like a second set of eyes on your financial picture, I would be honored to help.

Retirement is too important to be guided by hidden incentives, confusing fees, or generic advice. I built Aspire for people who want a real financial partner — someone who will be straight with them, help them understand their options, and walk alongside them as life changes. Whether you are years away from retirement or already in it, the goal is the same: help you make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and step into this next chapter with clarity and confidence. If that sounds like what you have been looking for, I would love to have a conversation.

Areas of focus

• Retirement planning
• Retirement income strategies
• Investment management
• Tax-aware planning
• Social Security planning
• Widow and surviving spouse planning
• Estate planning coordination
• Pre-retirement planning

Credentials

• MBA from Williams College of Business
• CFP Candidate
• Founder of Aspire Capital Management, LLC

Learn more about me

What are you most likely doing on a Saturday night? Probably spending time with my beautiful wife Connie, family, friends, or our husky, Nova. Ideally something relaxed, outside, or involving good food.

What are your hobbies? My family and I are giant Ohio State sports fans. I applied to 1 school and 1 school only all those years ago to become a 3rd generation Buckeye. Outside of sports, my wife and I love the outdoors and recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. There is a great deal of beauty in the world, and we are anxiously looking forward to our next adventure.

What is your most useful skill outside of financial planning? I love putting together a great meal for everyone. Whether it's spicy tortellini soup season in the winter or smoked brisket in the summer, I've always said "Good food is better than bad food!"

What is an interesting fun fact about yourself? I have a husky named Nova, which means I understand the importance of patience, consistency, hitting all the wrong notes, and not assuming anything will go exactly according to plan.