Our Story
“For more than 16 years, we have helped our clients become better investors while achieving their financial goals. Our commitment to comprehensive, fee-based advice, and outstanding service has made us a leader in the investment management community.”
BRAD RAINES + TIM CANTRELL
FOUNDER & PRINCIPALS
Our Founding Story
Brad Raines
Principal Investment Advisor
Little Rock Office
I entered the investment industry in 2007 working for 3 years with a national brokerage firm. After quickly learning that most larger firms emphasize selling vs investing, I joined a private legal and insurance group in 2010 to help launch their investment arm. The experience gained over those next 3 years played a vital role as I then launched Applied Capital in 2013 to be a modern investment platform utilizing the latest technology.
At the time there was no guide, checklist or direction on how to start an investment firm which left many entrepreneurial investment advisors hesitant to branch out from their brokerage firms. So I documented my journey of establishing Applied Capital and published it through a widely followed investment industry blog. A mutual friend shared my story with Tim Cantrell as he was looking into leaving his brokerage firm. After connecting, we quickly realized that our investment philosophy and view of an ideal investment practice were incredibly similar. This led Tim to establish his own Nashville, TN office under Applied Capital in 2015.
Since then Applied Capital has grown from a state-registered firm managing $20 million in assets to over $300 million while obtaining SEC registration in 2019. We currently have 7 investment advisors with support staff and a dedicated compliance officer to effectively serve our growing number of clients.
Where We Are Today
Tim Cantrell
Principal Investment Advisor
Nashville Office
My journey began in the corporate realm, where I honed my skills and knowledge, rapidly rising to leadership positions. Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship, I ventured into business ownership, culminating in the successful sale of my business to a publicly traded company. This experience not only sharpened my strategic acumen but also deepened my understanding of market dynamics and investor relations.
After selling my business and spending time within an insurance-based financial firm, I became determined to find a better way to serve clients. A friend shared a story with me about an advisor who had launched his own RIA firm, which led me to connect with Brad. Through extensive discussions and collaboration, we embarked on a journey to reshape the financial landscape, crafting a firm that operates exclusively in a fiduciary manner on behalf of its clients.
Since that pivotal meeting, our firm has experienced rapid growth. The Applied Capital Nashville office now boasts a team of five advisors, dedicated to helping hundreds of client households scattered across the country.
