Frequently Asked Questions
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What is High Tide Advisory?
Who is Brad Blomquist?
High Tide Advisory LLC is a state-registered investment adviser registered with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Founded by Brad Blomquist and headquartered in Iron Mountain, Michigan, the firm provides fiduciary, fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, and small business owners. Registration with a state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
​Brad Blomquist is the founder, Managing Member, and Chief Compliance Officer of High Tide Advisory. He is the firm's sole investment adviser representative and is responsible for all client relationships, investment recommendations, and financial planning engagements.
Are you a fiduciary?
Are you registered with the SEC?
What services do you offer?
What does "non-discretionary" mean?
Do you manage my money directly?
Do you vote my proxies?
How are you compensated?
Yes. As a registered investment adviser, High Tide Advisory is legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest at all times when providing investment advice. This fiduciary duty applies to every recommendation we make.
No. High Tide Advisory is registered as an investment adviser with the State of Michigan through LARA, not with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You can research our registration at Investor.gov/CRS.
We offer the following advisory services, all on a non-discretionary basis:
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Portfolio management (non-discretionary, typically using diversified ETF models)
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Comprehensive financial planning (cash flow, retirement income, tax-aware strategies, estate coordination)
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Retirement planning for individuals and business owners
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Business retirement plan consulting (401(k), SEP, SIMPLE IRA design and implementation)
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Hourly and project-based consulting
Optionally, through affiliated firms, we can also coordinate tax preparation and insurance planning (see Conflicts of Interest below).
It means you retain full control over your investments. High Tide Advisory makes recommendations, but we do not place trades or make changes to your account without your explicit approval. Every investment decision is yours to make.
No. We do not take custody of your funds or securities. Client assets are held at a third-party custodian — we recommend Altruist Financial LLC, though you may choose another custodian. You will receive account statements directly from your custodian and we encourage you to review them carefully.
No. High Tide Advisory does not accept authority to vote client securities on your behalf. You will receive proxy materials directly from your custodian or the issuing company and all voting decisions remain yours.
Our compensation depends on the service engaged:
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AUM Fee (advisory accounts): 1.00% annually on the first $3 million; 0.85% on assets above that amount. A $3,000 minimum annual fee applies to households below $300,000 AUM. Fees are billed quarterly in arrears.
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Flat-Fee Financial Planning: $2,500 (Basic), $5,000 (Intermediate), or $7,500 (Comprehensive), quoted in writing before engagement. 50% is due at engagement and 50% at delivery.
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Hourly Consulting: $300/hour. Pre-purchase bundles of 5 hours ($1,400) or 10 hours ($2,700) are available.
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Business Retirement Plan Consulting: $3,500–$7,500 setup fee; ongoing service is typically 0.50% of plan assets for plans over $500,000.
All fees are disclosed in writing before you engage. Fees are negotiable based on household complexity and scope of service.
Are there other costs I should know about?
Yes. In addition to our advisory fees, your account will incur third-party costs such as custodial charges, transaction fees, and fund expenses (e.g., ETF expense ratios). These are separate from our fees and will reduce your account value over time. You will pay fees and costs whether your investments gain or lose value.
Do you charge performance-based fees?
No. High Tide Advisory does not charge fees based on capital gains or investment performance.
What is your account minimum?
There is no asset minimum for planning-only engagements. For ongoing advisory accounts, we generally work with households of $300,000 or more in investable assets, though minimums may be waived or negotiated at our discretion based on complexity and fit.
Do you have any conflicts of interest?
Yes, and we are required to disclose them. Brad Blomquist owns two businesses affiliated with but legally separate from High Tide Advisory:
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BJB Insurance Solutions, LLC — an independent insurance agency that earns commissions from life insurance and annuity products.
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High Tide Tax Solutions, LLC — a tax preparation and advisory firm that charges separate flat fees for tax services.
These relationships create potential conflicts of interest because Brad may receive additional compensation if you engage these affiliates. You are never required to use either affiliate, and comparable services are available from unaffiliated providers. Full disclosure of all affiliate relationships is provided in our Form ADV Part 2A, available at www.hightideadvisory.com/disclosures.
Does HTA receive commissions or revenue sharing on investments?
No. High Tide Advisory does not receive sales loads, revenue-sharing payments, 12b-1 fees, soft-dollar credits, or brokerage concessions in connection with any investment recommendation made to clients.
How do I get a copy of your Form ADV?
You can download our Form ADV Part 2A (Firm Brochure), Form ADV Part 2B (Brochure Supplement), and Form CRS at www.hightideadvisory.com/disclosures. You may also request paper copies by contacting us directly.
How do I get started?
Contact Brad directly to schedule an introductory conversation:
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Phone: (404) 904-1106
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Email: brad@hightideadvisory.com
There is no obligation or cost for an initial consultation.
High Tide Advisory LLC is a state-registered investment adviser in Michigan. This FAQ is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Please review our Form ADV Part 2A for complete disclosures before engaging our services.