The Wolf of Monroe St.

Author

Bill Laranga
April 11, 2025

Presented by:

Steve & Stella Homes

Welcome to your favorite end-of-week ritual — where Toledo’s business pulse gets poured into your inbox like a strong cup of ambition. Every Friday, we sift through the static to bring you real money moves, local power players, and just enough snark to make compliance nervous.

This week’s top click? Our spotlight on Craig Findley, the $4.3B wealth whisperer behind Venture Visionary Partners. Spoiler: he left UBS, built his own empire, and made Forbes wish they had more superlatives.

Need a little voyeurism with your finance? Head to www.tolmoney.com and check out The Money Confessional — where Toledoans anonymously spill how they actually manage their money. From six-figure savers to paycheck jugglers, it’s judgment-free financial people-watching at its finest.

Now let’s get to the good stuff. Craig, you’re up.

Local Stock Market 📉 … Have we hit bottom, yet?

Owens Corning | $OC ( ▲ 0.87% ) 

Dana Incorporated | $DAN ( ▲ 5.95% ) 

The Andersons | $ANDE ( ▲ 1.57% ) 

Owens Illinois | $OI ( ▲ 1.2% )

Welltower Inc. | $WELL ( ▲ 1.13% ) 

Marathon Petroleum Corporation | $MPC ( ▲ 2.94% ) 

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company | $CTB ( ▼ 0.05% ) 

$4.3B Under Management | Wolf of Monroe St.

In a financial world full of buzzwords and bravado, Craig Findley delivers results that speak for themselves. As Founder and Chairman of Toledo-based Venture Visionary Partners, Findley manages a cool $4.3 billion in assets under advisement — proving that big-league wealth management doesn’t require a Wall Street zip code.

With over 30 years in the game, Craig’s trophy case includes repeat appearances on Forbes' America’s Top 250 Wealth Advisors (2021–2023) and Barron’s Top 1,200 list in nearly every year since 2009. He’s also landed on the Forbes Best-in-State list and the Financial Times Top 400.

Before launching his own firm, Craig led one of the largest teams at UBS Wealth Management and co-chaired the firm’s national advisor committee. Now at the helm of his own ship, he’s doubled down on personalized, performance-driven advising — and the rankings are taking notice.

Call it vision. Call it Toledo grit. Just don’t call it average. In other news, their office is top notch and top tech - be sure to check it out!

Manufacturing Powerhouse | The Bucks #4

JobsOhio Delivering

Ohio is quickly becoming the Midwest's manufacturing powerhouse, and the numbers tell the story. With 687,353 workers, Ohio boasts the third-largest manufacturing workforce in the U.S., generating a staggering $131 billion in GDP in 2023 — #4 in the nation.

Why? Companies are drawn to Ohio’s central location, shovel-ready sites, and deep talent pool fed by leading universities (uh hum, UToledo, BGSU, Lourdes) and tech centers. As reshoring and supply chain resilience remain top of mind, major players are locking in long-term investments:

  • Intel, Honda/LG, and Joby Aviation have all launched game-changing projects in Ohio.

  • In 2024, Anduril Industries announced Arsenal-1 in Pickaway County — a national defense manufacturing hub that will create 4,000+ jobs and add nearly $1B to Ohio’s GDP, marking the largest job-creation project in state history.

Behind it all? JobsOhio, a privately funded nonprofit economic development engine, providing fast, flexible capital and expertise for companies building the future — from EV batteries to semiconductors and eVTOL air taxis.

Need Floors? These Guys Nail It—Literally. 🛠️

APA Solar’s Building Rendering

Have you ever stared at your unfinished basement thinking, “One day…” or listened to your partner passionately rant about the kitchen floor for the 27th time this month? Well, good news: Toledo Money has found your flooring fairy godfathers. Meet Eddie’s Hardwood Floors, a local father-son duo—Raymond and Eddie—who are laying down more than just wood; they’re laying down quality, trust, and serious craftsmanship. In business for more than two decades, they are your go-to guys.

From classic hardwood to the ever-popular LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank for the uninitiated), this team handles it all with the kind of care only a family-run business brings to the table—or floor, in this case. Whether you’re giving your space a glow-up or just tired of hearing those floor complaints, visit www.eddieshardwoodfloors.com and turn those “someday” plans into solid, stylish reality.

Downtown Eats | New Restaurant Alert 🚨🚨🚨 

Downtown Toledo Eats

Toledo’s food scene just leveled up. Sabira, the newest creation from Chef Moussa Salloukh (of Souk fame), is part upscale Italian trattoria, part Mediterranean mezze dream—and 100% personal. Named after his daughter and inspired by the women who taught him the art of hospitality, Sabira is where handmade pasta meets Lebanese heart, with a splash of Spanish and Portuguese flair for good measure.

The vibe? Warm, refined, and the kind of place where you linger over wine flights and wonder if moving in is an option. The menu leans into shareable plates, house-made doughs, and fusion dishes that feel both comforting and fresh. It’s an edible passport—minus TSA.

Pricing is what you’d expect from a scratch kitchen with handmade everything—most small plates in the $12–$18 range, mains topping out around $50 (and yes, it’s worth it). Whether you're closing a deal or just dodging another night of boxed mac and cheese, Sabira delivers a dining experience that feels intentional, elevated, and surprisingly fun.

Come hungry. Leave plotting your return.

Money Confessional | Local Surgeon +$300k Splurging

Age: Late 30s to early 40s.

Children: No kids (yet), but it's a conversation that comes up now and then.

Living Situation: Owns a newly renovated home in Ottawa Hills. Purchased with a sizable down payment to keep the mortgage reasonable, despite the high-end market. Went with a 15-year mortgage for equity growth and to keep options open.

Job: Surgeon at ProMedica.

Salary: Base salary is just over $300K, with bonuses tied to performance metrics and surgical volume.

Salary Journey: Residency and fellowship years were lean, but once fully board-certified, compensation jumped significantly. First attending role was out east making ~$220K, but moved to Toledo for both the opportunity and the lifestyle boost that comes with lower cost of living.

Other Income: No side hustle, but does some passive investing in ETFs and private placements. Recently got involved in some real estate opportunities in the Warehouse District.

Work/Life Balance: It’s demanding—surgery doesn’t clock out—but they intentionally carve out time for dinners at Claude’s, a round at Inverness, or a glass of wine at TolHouse. Balance is found in quality over quantity.

On Your Mind: Timing the next big investment and possibly building out a private practice or surgical center in the region. Also keeping an eye on real estate near the riverfront.

Debt: Mortgage and a modest car loan (because they love the newest tech). No student loans left—paid those off in year three of attending life.

Credit Card: Amex Platinum for travel perks and dining rewards. Also holds a Chase Sapphire Reserve for points on personal spending.

Budgeting: Doesn’t use a strict budget but works with a financial advisor. Everything is automated—savings, investing, and spending thresholds are managed by percentages.

Best/Worst Recurring Expense:

  • Best: Inverness Club membership—worth every penny for the connections and the calm.

  • Worst: Honestly? Probably streaming services they don’t even use—never got around to canceling Apple TV+.

Toledo Money Hack: Buy real estate before the Warehouse District or Uptown gets rebranded again. Also—best "secret" meeting spots are behind TollHouse and in select back rooms of Benchmark.

Toledo Restaurant: Claude’s. Order: Dry-aged ribeye with a side of whatever the chef recommends. Also partial to the private label wine list.

Total Savings/Investments: Working with a private wealth manager. 401(k) is maxed out, also contributes to a defined benefit plan through the hospital group. Real estate and passive market investments make up a growing portion of the portfolio.

Savings Goal: Looking at a second home near Saugatuck or out west in Scottsdale. Also saving for a custom-built wine cellar in the current home.

Total Net Worth: $1M+ and growing. Built through a combination of delayed gratification during training, a high-earning profession, and smart investing early.

Personal Financial Freedom: $5M+ would allow full autonomy, private practice or not, and the ability to scale back to part-time in a decade.

Retirement: Tentatively looking at early-to-mid 60s with a vision of consulting or teaching part-time. Would like to retire with at least $7M.

Toledo Wealthy: Anyone who can comfortably join Inverness, travel frequently, and live off passive income—that’s Toledo wealthy. Probably $2M+ net worth, but more importantly, freedom of time.

Philanthropy: Quietly supports ProMedica’s foundation work and is involved in donor efforts for Toledo School for the Arts and upcoming revitalization efforts downtown. Likes to give with impact, not fanfare.

Knowledge: Learned from high-earning mentors and a great financial advisor. Medicine teaches discipline, but smart investing taught freedom.

Money Snacks

3 headlines we are snacking on

  • Get ready for those orange cones and more tax money to be spent. The Ohio Department of Transportation has announced a $3.2 billion investment for the 2025 construction season, encompassing over 950 projects aimed at improving safety and transportation across the state. This includes significant projects in Northwest Ohio, impacting local businesses and commuters.

  • Been with us since issue one? Good. Your net worth should now be robust enough to consider this $2.9M stunner. If not, subscribe anyway—Toledo Money is the only financial forecast that comes with real estate appreciation.

  • We spoke with a local investor and had to share the insight. Before you throw your money at the next shiny opportunity, remember this: cash flow beats hype every time. In Toledo, focus on investments that generate steady, reliable returns—think rental properties in up-and-coming neighborhoods, or local small businesses with loyal customer bases. Flashy might look fun, but in this town, slow and steady buys the lake house.🏡💰

  • Lululemon is officially trading yoga mats at Dorr for square footage at Levis Commons—yet another signal that Perrysburg’s polished promenade is becoming the unofficial showroom for local affluence. From luxury athleisure to high-end home goods, Levis is quietly stacking a portfolio that mirrors the growing wealth west of the Maumee.