Marcus V. Griffin II, CFA
My mission is to help women & the people they love navigate life's transitions.
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Serving Clients Nationwide
My mission is to help women & the people they love navigate life's transitions.
Areas of Focus
- Estate Planning
- Family and Money
- Financial Life Planning
- Inherited Wealth
- Investment Management
- Loss of Spouse or Partner
- Multi-Generational Wealth
- Retirement Planning
- Taxes
- Women & Wealth
About Marcus V. Griffin II, CFA
The real reason you plan isn’t just for you. It’s for the people you love.Why do 70% of WIDOWS* fire their financial advisor within the first year of losing their husband?
I believe it’s rarely about technical expertise. More often, they were likely never truly seen, heard, or prepared. Maybe they were ignored. Talked down to. Or not included.
Most women don’t fully realize they’re likely to manage their finances alone one day.
Even when life feels stable enough, everything can change in an instant:
â–ş Retirement suddenly becomes real
â–ş A diagnosis turns everything upside down
â–ş An aging parent needs full-time care
â–ş A spouse passes away
There’s no exciting time to plan. But there is a wrong time — in the middle of the storm.
In 2003, I learned this the hard way.
Days after accepting a role at a multi-family office — where the managing partner told me, “I think widows will resonate with you,” — I was hospitalized with a life-threatening condition. Doctors told me that if it hadn’t been caught then, I might not have survived the year.
My young wife nearly became a widow. Ironic.
And we weren’t ready — emotionally or practically.
We thought we had time.
When a husband entrusts me to care for his wife’s future and their family’s well-being, I carry that responsibility with reverence.
I’ve stood at the edge of what could have been…and realized what wasn’t in place.
I came to believe that estate readiness isn’t for the dying. It’s for the living.
It’s not just a plan. It seeks to provide peace and empowerment.
WHY I FOUNDED NARROW GATE
For over 20 years, I’ve helped women and the people they love navigate life’s financial transitions — with compassion, clarity, and care.
Here’s what I’ve heard time and again:
► “I’m worried about outliving my spouse.”
► “I’m overwhelmed by all of the financial decisions.”
► “I want to feel seen and heard by my advisor.”
MY MISSION IS SIMPLE:
To come alongside women and their families so they don't have to walk alone.
Our goal is to design clear, personalized financial roadmaps to help you prepare for retirement, navigate a loss, or care for aging parents.
Unlike some advisors who focus only on investments, we want to focus on the moments that matter most.
When everything is uncertain, the right support can make all the difference.
When it comes to your future and legacy, you deserve more than just facts and figures.
You deserve someone who understands.
LET'S START WITH JUST A CONVERSATION.
No pitch. No pressure. No cost.
Just a safe place for your story to be heard.
*source: Financial Advisor Magazine
Professional Designations
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Affiliations
- CFA Institute
Primary Location
Laguna Niguel, California
Meeting Options
- Video Conference
- In-Person
- Phone
Compensation Methods
- Fee Only
- Percentage of Assets Managed
What to expect in the first meeting
Click the 'Book Intro Call' button to schedule a 15-minute meeting for an introductory call with Marcus Griffin, wealth advisor and founder of Narrow Gate Wealth Management. We have a process called the Narrow Gate Journey that helps us take steps at your pace. We refer to this introductory call as "Just A Conversation." During this call, you talk and we listen. There’s no cost, no pitch, and no pressure to continue. This is your space to share your story and be truly heard.Offers Investment Management
Yes
About Narrow Gate Wealth Management
From equity research to private client portfolio management to serving as chief investment officer, my 30 years in financial services has given me a depth and breadth of experience. My longtime desire to provide comprehensive wealth planning to a limited number of clients led me to establish Narrow Gate Wealth Management in 2022.Why Narrow Gate?
Because we limit the number of clients we serve, our “gate” is truly “narrow.” This enables us to focus on strengthening existing client relationships rather than continually seeking to grow our client base.
My Path
Early in my career, I served as an investment officer in a family office, working with financially successful women and their families whose primary goal was to protect their wealth. Aside from getting to know these clients and understanding their needs, what I enjoyed most was educating them about every aspect of their wealth plan.
For more than two decades, my love of teaching has stayed with me. I’m as passionate as ever about helping my clients make informed decisions to help them preserve and grow their wealth.
My Planning Approach
My team’s comprehensive approach to wealth management centers on creating long-term relationships across generations. I think it’s important for my clients and future generations to be part of conversations around preserving the wealth they’ve worked so hard to build.
Key to our planning process is uncovering your “why”—not just what your goals are, but why they matter. We do that by spending time with you, “listening between the lines” to fully understand your needs. Then, we’ll put your goals in writing, which not only helps you stay on track toward reaching them but also holds us accountable to you. Our mission is to help you put your wealth to work to both sustain and enrich your life.
Investment advisory services are offered through Mariner Platform Solutions (“MPS”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Mr. Griffin maintains a separate business entity, Narrow Gate Wealth Management, through which he markets services. The separate business entity is not owned, controlled by, or affiliated with MPS and is not registered with the SEC. For additional information about MPS, including fees and services, please refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Education
Wake Forest University, BS, Business Administration
Volunteer Experience
â–ş Founded & Currently Leading Men's Fellowship (weekly men's group) at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools (2018 - present)
â–ş Discussion Facilitator - Alpha USA program - serving Marines at Camp Pendelton (2024 - present)
â–ş Board of Trustees at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools (2019 - 2023)
â–ş Co-Founded & Co-Led Men's Fraternity (weekly men's group) at Whitefield Academy (2012-2016)
Hobbies and Interests
- Church
- Cooking
- Family
- Grilling
- Hiking
- Movies
- Music
- Reading
- Skiing
- Soccer
SEC Lookup
View DisclosureWho We Serve
- Baby Boomers
- Couples
- Divorce
- Families
- Gen X
- Living in Retirement
- Single Women
- Widow
- Women in Transition
- Women Professionals
- Women’s Finance
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