Freedom Financial & Business Planning, LLC  was founded by Maria Erickson, MBA®, CFP®.  After 20 years consulting in the financial services industry on the financial needs of couples and individuals as well as helping business owners with business management and planning issues, she recognized the need in the community for independent, objective advice on financial issues.  Advice uniquely delivered on an as-needed basis with a high level of personal service and attention....with absolutely no "product pushing" or hidden or surprise fees.

As a member of NAPFA and the Garrett Planning Network, Ms. Erickson has taken the fiduciary oath. Fiduciaries are obligated to act in your best interest with undivided loyalty to you. This includes disclosing how the Advisor is compensated and any corresponding conflicts of interest.

Prior to founding Freedom Financial & Business Planning, LLC, Maria has worked as a consultant to leading financial institutions helping to uncover the needs of business owners and affluent consumers to develop innovative, high quality financial products and services. She also spent a decade providing business, financial and marketing advice to small business owners striving to start-up or expand their companies.

She completed her BA at Southern Illinois University and her MBA® at Central Florida University. She completed CFP® coursework at Boston University.

Ms. Erickson is a member of the Garrett Planning Network, an international affiliation of fee-only financial planners dedicated to serving people from all walks of life on an hourly, as-needed basis.  

In her free time she enjoys traveling all over the world, photography, hiking, biking, boating and skiing. She also is a volunteer tour guide with 'Preserve the Burg, sharing what is best about St. Petersburg with locals and visitors.