Our Story
Skyward Financial was founded when its two Founding Partners recognized the need for a different kind of financial advisory firm: one built on discipline, accountability, and long-term results. Founding Partners Matthew Houston and Ross Stripling set out to create a firm free from corporate constraints, allowing them to apply independent thinking, real-world experience, and a competitive mindset to better serve their clients.
Ross Stripling’s journey shaped Skyward’s mission and its ability to serve athletes. A finance graduate of Texas A&M who went on to pursue a professional baseball career, Ross experienced firsthand how quickly an athlete’s financial reality can change. Throughout his career, he saw teammates achieve significant financial success while having little time or guidance to understand where their money was or how to preserve it long term. What then started as locker-room conversations, between Ross and his teammates about these topics, sparked a personal commitment to helping athletes avoid costly mistakes and build financial confidence.
Skyward Financial is built on principles familiar to elite athletes and high performers: preparation, adaptability, and disciplined execution. We understand that athletes today are earning meaningful income earlier than ever before, especially in the age of NIL. Our role is to provide clarity, education, and hands-on guidance to help clients make informed decisions while staying focused on performance.
By combining sophisticated advisory resources with a highly personal approach, Skyward Financial delivers customized strategies aligned with each client’s goals. Always acting in our clients’ best interests, we serve as a trusted partner helping athletes build a strong financial foundation for success on and off the field, today and well beyond their playing careers.