Meet Ryan Bearden of Kellys at Southbridge and Bearden Group in Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Bearden.

Ryan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and lived five years in Augsburg, Germany, just outside of Munich. Late in 1988, after the Army base my father focused his business on closed down, we moved just outside of Colorado Springs, CO. Growing up in Colorado, I enjoyed almost every outdoor sport, and helped my father with the family finance business! I moved to Arizona in 2001 to start my college and “adult” life. While attending SCC and ASU, I found myself really enjoyed the restaurant and nightlife business! I started out promoting various venues at the age of 19. Shortly thereafter, I quickly progressed through the ranks. I have had many roles like security, barback, bartender, manager, multi-venue manager, operations, you name it. Learning all aspects of the business has been a key asset in my business career. I have worked in various places, such as the Phoenix area, Las Vegas, Los Angles, Denver, and even four summer seasons in Cancun, Mexico.

As much as I have enjoyed the hospitality industry, I am currently shifting my focus to the finance industry. I’m very excited to join my father in the business, and help evolve the company he started 50 years ago. My main focus will be on a new asset class of life insurance called “fixed index annuities.” I know how much money is made in the hospitality business by hard-working industry people, and I know how much of their money isn’t looked after. Their money comes in… and goes right back out! My initial focus will be on the hospitality industry workers, and I hope to help them plan for their future. It just takes a little saving each month and will put them in a much better place in the long-run.

People need to plan for their future now, and if they haven’t yet… it’s time to start! In these uncertain times, planning for financial stability is an absolute necessity. My main goal and passion in life is helping people, and I believe this next chapter in my career is going to do just that. Through fixed-index annuities, you’re able to get a life insurance product with an investment plan built-in. Everyone needs life insurance, and now there is a unique opportunity with fixed index annuities. We aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. Protect your family and loved ones, and also help yourself for saving for the future!

Has it been a smooth road?
Everything in life is a challenge. I’ve had my fair share of challenges, bumps in the road, life chaos, but it’s those experiences that have made me stronger and allowed me to grow as a person. I still don’t know it all and probably never will, but it’s the obstacles that have made me a well-rounded person and have strengthened my ability to adapt to changes as they arise.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kellys at Southbridge and Bearden Group story. Tell us more about your work.
Hospitality-wise, I am at Kelly’s at Southbridge in Oldtown Scottsdale. It’s an amazing restaurant during the day and really comes alive at night for more of a bar scene with a beautiful patio. I love creating speciality cocktails focusing on Tequila. I am super proud that we receive three separate awards this year, Best Pub, Best Dining with Live Music, and Best Comfort Food! It’s an amazing place, great food, great drinks, and an amazing 25-50 client-base. Unlike the bigger clubs in the area, we offer a more upscale venue, which you can enjoy each others’ company through conversation, play pool, darts and great music! On the finance side of things, I am will officially be joining the sales side of my father’s 50-year old company, called the Bearden Group! Big things coming in the near future!

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Hospitality-wise, I think I will stay somewhat the same. You’ll see the same buildings, just different names every few years. It is a constant trend, especially for the nightclub industry, the new places are hot, then when they die down, they change their name add some stuff and boom… its’ back in business. I think, in general though, if you offer a good product and good food your longevity is uncapped.

Kelly’s is going on its 8th year, which just shows you how a good product and venue can last! Finance-wise, the sky is the limit; everyone needs life insurance, everyone needs to plan for their future! So many people out there are simply in the dark, and it’s scary, because of the importance behind it! My goal is to help people understand the importance and continue working with them for life, making sure I’m helping them the best way financially I can. In light of the current global situation we’re all facing, I’m hoping people will start to realize that they need to set both near-term and long-term goals that adequately set them up for success and family security.

Contact Info:

• Address: 7117 East Sixth Ave
• Instagram: rbizzz3
• Facebook: ryanrbbearden

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