Meet Michael Hollis, CFP® | Financial Planner & Founder of TapestryFP
- Michael Hollis, CFP®
- May 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 12
My journey toward starting the firm began with burnout and dissatisfaction in my previous IT career. I got clear that I wanted to help families with money but realized I needed the right training.
Quick Summary
Michael spent 15+ years as an IT datacenter & application server engineer before transitioning into financial planning.
His experiences with investing mistakes, debt payoff, simple living, and considering his own retirement shaped his financial planning philosophy.
Michael completed a three-year apprenticeship as a financial planner & became a CFP® professional.
He founded TapestryFP to provide deep financial & tax planning with fewer client relationships and transparent flat fees.
Michael believes financial planning is about helping people build confidence, freedom, and meaningful lives.
I worked toward a certificate in financial coaching, then landed an opportunity with a financial planning firm in the Chicago suburbs. They paid for the licensing I needed to get started, hired me, and supported my quest to become a CFP® professional. I began as an associate advisor and was promoted after a couple years to wealth advisor.
Over that three-year apprenticeship I developed my unique perspective of the industry which led me to chart my own course. In 2026 I left and launched TapestryFP with deep financial and tax planning, fewer client relationships, and flat fees.
An Interview with Michael Hollis, CFP® | Financial Planner & Founder of TapestryFP
Who are the most important people in your life?
My wife Tanya and our sons Joshua (20) and Aaron (18).
What is your happy place?
On a long bike ride listening to encouraging music, sparking new ideas and fresh vision.
What are you most likely doing on a Saturday night?
Watching a movie or sitting at a summer travel league baseball game cheering on the guys.
What are your hobbies?
I'm an avid bike rider. It started with mountain biking, now mostly paved trails. Highlights include Kahakapao Trails Makawao Forest Reserve in Maui and the grueling Iceman Cometh Challenge.
I'm a lifelong learner. There’s always something new on my “desire to learn and develop expertise” list.
What is your most useful skill outside of financial planning?
With a degree in Landscape Architecture, I enjoy giving landscape and horticulture advice.
I'm still a friendly neighborhood IT pro. After 15 years in IT systems, I still haven’t lost all my chops.
I'm a passionate teacher and have had several stints, including Biblical Studies and finance for high schoolers and adults.
Fun Facts About Michael
I was the math and science teacher while homeschooling our boys through high school.
I’m a fraternal twin who hasn’t had a weird sixth-sense experience with my womb-mate.
My extended family is a bit like the Brady Bunch, only messier.
I was a highly decorated summer league country club swimmer.
After being a football jock, I spent last part of high school in musicals and as president of our Thespian Troupe.
Murder She Wrote is currently my favorite TV show for weekend mornings.
For breakfast I eat a colorful array of mini peppers, cucumbers, and clementines nearly every day.
Michael's Professional Journey
My philosophy of financial planning grew out of real-life experiences that led me into this profession and taught me what really matters when helping clients. I decided to share several of them in chronological order because that journey has been noteworthy.
I grew up in a financially comfortable home. We enjoyed vacations, spent summers swimming at the country club, and lived in a beautiful house thanks to my mom’s decorating prowess. My dad made sure I graduated college debt-free and handed me the keys to my first car. Yet I’ve still battled fears that we might not have enough. That’s why I’m passionate about helping clients build both real financial security and lasting confidence.
Towards the end of college when the Roth IRA came into law in the late 90s, I thought “That sounds like a really good idea” followed by “But I don’t have any extra to put in there.” That short-sighted choice still stings a bit when I look back. It’s exactly why I get fired up about helping younger families start planning and investing now instead of waiting, and I totally get the barrier.
The summer after graduation I invested some money, watched it drop hard during the dot-com bust, and saw it stay that way through the Great Financial Crisis. I had zero understanding of what was happening and gave up on the market completely. Those rough patches taught me to always ask good questions, only invest when I understand, and keep a long-term mindset. It’s part of why I’m determined to explain investments in plain language so clients feel confident making choices.
My wife Tanya and I were married in 2003 and spent seven years as missionaries with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) on a very small income where both our sons were born. We practiced living simply and saw God provide everything we needed and more. We learned that finances don’t need to be a barrier to starting a family. That season built my contentment muscle and became a strong memorial when the fear of not having enough creeps back in.
While in YWAM, I also rejected the traditional caricature of retirement with the mindset “I’ll never retire.” In hindsight that was short-sighted, but it led me to a more balanced approach. I still reject the old retirement idea and instead embrace continued meaningful contribution, maybe even work. It’s part of why I care about helping early retirees figure out what life will look like after their careers.
After moving back to my hometown in 2009 and buying our house in 2010, we got the renovation bug. We had no meaningful savings, so I was tempted to do a cash-out refinance. After much reflection we went the opposite way, got serious about our finances, and paid off every bit of debt, eventually even the mortgage. That decision changed everything. It showed me the power of delayed gratification and lit the spark that eventually led me into financial planning.
The last experience I’ll share is from interviewing advisors when we received an unanticipated inheritance. One of my first questions was “How many clients do you have?” One advisor said 800. I knew that client count wasn’t for me. Plus, the thought of paying someone 1% forever didn’t sit well.
These experiences and ideas helped shape how I built TapestryFP.
I would love to hear your money story and see how I might help you move forward with confidence.
FAQs
Who is Michael Hollis?
Michael Hollis, CFP®, is the founder of TapestryFP, a flat fee-only financial planning firm based in Aurora, IL. Michael specializes in helping individuals and families, age 30-60 make thoughtful financial decisions around retirement, taxes, investments, and major life transitions, with a focus on connecting money to what matters most.
Why did Michael Hollis become a financial planner?
After spending 15 years in information technology, Michael realized he wanted to help families navigate financial decisions with greater confidence. Personal experiences with investing mistakes, debt payoff, his own retirement planning, and financial independence shaped his philosophy of financial planning.
What makes Michael Hollis's planning philosophy different?
Michael emphasizes deep financial & tax planning, transparent flat fees, and education, rather than focusing solely on investments.
Is Michael Hollis a fiduciary?
Yes. As a financial planner, CFP® professional and Registered Investment Adviser, Michael Hollis is personally committed and legal required to act in his clients' best interests at all times.
Who does Michael work with?
Michael especially loves helping...
Families answer financial questions that keep them up at night.
Couples remove money as a source of tension.
People thinking about retirement feel comfortable spending their money.
Business owners avoid common missteps.
People exit from a draining job into something else.
Does Michael work with clients outside Illinois?
Yes. TapestryFP serves clients both locally in Illinois and virtually across the United States.
What services does TapestryFP provide?
TapestryFP offers complete financial planning, including cash flow analysis, investment management, retirement planning, tax planning, and estate planning.
