Fortuna Wealth Management & Insurance Services

Highlights

  • Tax Efficiency
  • Risk Management
  • Retirement Planning
  • Investment Strategy

Wealth management advisors Heather Quinn and Barbara Bernstein operate Fortuna Wealth Management & Insurance Services as part of Northwestern Mutual. They guide clients in tax efficiency, risk management, retirement planning, investment strategy, and wealth preservation and distribution.

What does “financial wellness” mean to you beyond numbers?

To us, financial wellness is not just about what is in an account. It is about having a plan that supports the way you actually want to live. At its best, it creates a sense of freedom, confidence and steadiness that shows up far beyond the spreadsheet.

What’s one financial habit everyone should start today?

Be intentional. Set aside time monthly to look at what you have, what you want and what needs to change to close that gap. Those who make the best financial decisions over time are usually willing to have that honest conversation with themselves and their advisors.

What’s a belief about money you’ve changed your mind on over the years?

Early on, it was easy to think financial confidence came from having more income or certainty. What we have learned is that confidence comes from having a plan. Thoughtful planning can create real peace of mind, even in unpredictable seasons.

What misconceptions do people often have about working with a financial advisor?

That it starts and ends with investments. The real value often comes from helping people think through major life decisions, organize the full picture and build a road map that reflects both where they are today and where they want to go.

What’s a financial decision that looks smart on paper but often isn’t in real life?

One that maximizes a number but ignores the realities of someone’s life. We see this when people make choices based only on returns or what someone else says they “should” do without considering flexibility, timing, family needs or risk tolerance. The best decision is not always the most impressive one on paper.

What first drew you to financial advising?

We both came to financial advising after careers in entertainment, where we had a front-row seat to see how unpredictable even successful careers can be. That shaped the way we think about planning and made this work feel deeply meaningful. What keeps us passionate is the opportunity to help people create more stability, confidence and freedom through thoughtful financial decisions.

Tell us about a client who completely changed your perspective.

We have a client who earns over $1 million a year, and everyone assumed she had everything together. Yet in working with her, we realized she was very good at earning money but didn’t know what to do with it or how taxes work. Together, we crafted a plan giving every dollar a job assignment. Now she is in a far better position. 

How did your early experiences influence your philosophy on money?

We both grew up in households where there were no financial plans and decisions were reactive. We learned that creating a plan around money leads to far better outcomes in every area of your life. 

What’s the most rewarding part of your work?

Empowering a client to move from uncertainty to confidence. Finances touch so many of the biggest concerns in a person’s life, and it is incredibly meaningful to help someone feel more organized, steady and in control of what comes next.

Disclaimer: Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability Insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries, including Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance), Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC, and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and trust services), a federal savings bank. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI. Heather Quinn and Barbara Bernstein use Fortuna Wealth Management, Legacy Strategies and Insurance Solutions as a marketing name for doing business as a representative of Northwestern Mutual. Fortuna Wealth Management, Legacy Strategies and Insurance Solutions is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency or federal savings bank. Heather Quinn and Barbara Bernstein are Insurance Agents of NM and NLTC. Investment brokerage services provided as a Registered Representative of NMIS. Investment advisory services provided as an Advisor of NMWMC.

Photographed by Shane O’Donnell