Your Collaborative Financial Advisor in Charleston, SC
Independent, fee-based fiduciary guidance for business owners and professionals ready to take the reins of their financial future with clarity, courage, and conviction.
Schedule Your Consultation
Complimentary. No obligations. Just clarity.
Financial Planning That Sees the Full Picture
At Bellerophon Wealth Management, we serve Charleston business owners and professionals who want more than cookie-cutter financial advice. We understand that your financial life isn't compartmentalized—your business, your family, your investments, and your future are all interconnected.
As an independent, fee-based fiduciary, Trent Derrick, CMT® provides transparent, collaborative guidance rooted in years of experience and genuine personal attention. No sales pitches. No commissions. Just honest advice aligned with your best interests.
Wealth Management Services in Charleston
Comprehensive financial guidance designed for business owners, professionals, and those ready to make bold moves with their financial future.
Financial Planning
Holistic, customized plans that integrate your personal and business finances—because your life isn't compartmentalized and your strategy shouldn't be either.
Learn more →Investment Management
Long-term, tax-conscious, risk-aware portfolios managed with your values, time horizon, and bigger picture in mind.
Learn more →Retirement Plan Consulting
Design, implement, and optimize 401(k), SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and cash balance plans that support you and your team's future.
Learn more →Equity Compensation
Make the most of RSUs, bonuses, ISOs, and NSOs with strategic planning that integrates every detail of your compensation.
Learn more →Cash Balance Plans
Go beyond traditional retirement tools with a powerful, tax-advantaged savings engine designed for successful entrepreneurs.
Learn more →Business Exit Planning
You've built something meaningful. Let's preserve and scale it with succession strategies that protect your legacy.
Learn more →What Makes Us Different
We're here for business owners and professionals who want to work with someone who gets it.
True Fiduciary Standard
We're legally and ethically bound to put your interests first. Every recommendation we make is designed to benefit you—never us.
Complete Independence
We don't work for a big firm. We're free to recommend strategies and tools that fit your situation—not products that pay us commissions.
Fee-Based Transparency
Our compensation is clear and straightforward. You'll never wonder how we're getting paid or whether a recommendation benefits us.
Education-Forward Approach
We help you understand not just what we're doing with your money, but why. Knowledge is power in financial planning.
CMT® Designation
Trent Derrick holds the Chartered Market Technician® credential, bringing deep technical market analysis expertise to investment decisions.
Long-Term Partnership
We build relationships that last years, not transactions. Many clients have been with us for 6+ years and counting.
Serving the Greater Charleston Area
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, with its deep roots and daring spirit, we blend tradition with momentum.
Charleston Areas We Serve
Office Location
1032 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29407
Virtual Clients Welcome
While we're based in Charleston, we serve clients locally and across the country. Distance is no barrier to sophisticated financial guidance.
How We Work Together
A clear, collaborative process designed to bring order, insight, and strategy to your financial picture.
Initial Conversation
We start with a complimentary consultation to understand your goals, concerns, and what you're really looking for in a financial partner.
Discovery & Analysis
We gather information about your complete financial picture—business, personal, investments, taxes—and analyze opportunities.
Strategy Presentation
We present a customized financial plan with clear recommendations, explaining the what and the why behind every strategy.
Ongoing Partnership
Implementation is just the beginning. We meet regularly to review progress, adapt to life changes, and keep you on track.
What Our Clients Say
Real feedback from real clients throughout Charleston and beyond.
"Trent is phenomenal! My husband and I have been with him for over 6 years. He always made a point to have us in annually to review everything in-person. Trent is a great teacher, and very good at what he does."
This statement is a testimonial by a client of the financial professional as of 10/14/2025. The client has not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, the client does not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing the testimonial. These views may not be representative of the views of other clients.
"Trent is by far the best financial advisor I've ever worked with! He cares about his clients and goes above and beyond to make sure you feel confident and supported every step of the way."
This statement is a testimonial by a client of the financial professional as of 11/11/2025. The client has not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, the client does not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing the testimonial. These views may not be representative of the views of other clients.
"We worked with Trent for 7 years. He is very knowledgeable and has the heart of a teacher. His goal is providing the customer with the best recommendations to reach their desired potential."
This statement is a testimonial by a client of the financial professional as of 10/21/2025. The client has not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, the client does not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing the testimonial. These views may not be representative of the views of other clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about working with a fiduciary financial advisor in Charleston.
What does "fee-based fiduciary" mean?
As a fee-based fiduciary, we are legally and ethically required to put your interests ahead of our own. We don't earn commissions or sell products—our compensation comes directly from the advisory fees you pay, so our incentives are fully aligned with your success.
What types of clients do you work with?
We specialize in working with small business owners and professionals—particularly those navigating equity compensation, building retirement plans for their teams, or seeking comprehensive planning that integrates their business and personal finances.
What retirement plans can you help my business set up?
We help design, implement, and optimize SIMPLE IRAs, SEP IRAs, 401(k) plans, and cash balance plans. We'll help you determine which structure best fits your business goals, employee count, and tax situation.
Do you work with clients outside of Charleston?
Absolutely. While we're based in Charleston, SC, we serve clients across the country. Virtual meetings make distance no barrier to sophisticated financial guidance.
What is a CMT® designation?
The Chartered Market Technician® (CMT) designation represents expertise in technical market analysis. Trent Derrick holds this credential, bringing disciplined, risk-aware analytical skills to investment management decisions.
How do I get started?
Simply schedule a complimentary consultation using the form above or call us at 843-868-4042. We'll have an initial conversation to understand your situation and determine if we're a good fit to work together.
Ready to Take the Reins?
Like the mythic hero who tamed Pegasus, our clients are ready to take flight toward their financial goals with clarity, courage, and conviction. Let's start the conversation.