Tel: 336-659-7060 3880 Vest Mill Road, Suite 100 Winston Salem, NC 27103
About Horizon Financial Services, LLC
We serve as trusted partners in helping families plan for and enjoy a fulfilling retirement. Our approach is highly personalized-each financial plan is crafted to reflect your specific circumstances, goals, and values. As an independent fiduciary firm, we place your interests first and operate with complete transparency. Our comprehensive planning process integrates investment management, retirement income strategies, tax-efficient planning, and legacy preservation to build a cohesive roadmap for your future. At Horizon Financial, everything we do is centered around you. We're here to help you navigate life's changes with confidence and take an active role in shaping your financial future.
John Brais became a certified financial fiduciary in 2009 and founded Horizon Financial Services in 2011 to provide clients with personalized planning and help them build secure, fulfilling retirements. He believes financial confidence comes from education, choice, and a comprehensive planning process that integrates multiple strategies to fit each clients goals.
John specializes in holistic financial analysis, conservative investment strategies, and long-term planning. He takes pride in helping clients clearly understand their options and develop tailored strategies that align with their needs. Viewing clients as part of his extended family, he focuses much of his work on retirement income planning, tax minimization, and estate and legacy strategies, where he can have a meaningful impact on their financial futures.
Known for his passion for learning and his enthusiasm for sharing knowledge, John is a respected presence in both the firm and the community. His client-centered approach and commitment to integrity continue to shape the culture and mission of Horizon Financial Services.
SamMerrick
SamMerrick
Sam Merrick joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC in July 2024 as a Financial Planner, bringing together financial expertise, practical experience, and a strong focus on client relationships. He holds an MBA from Loyola University and a Series 65 license, and works with individuals and families to create clear, personalized financial strategies. His areas of focus include investment analysis, comprehensive planning, and client service.
Before entering the financial industry, Sam spent three decades as a history educator, honing his ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and guide people toward informed decisions. He has also worked as a licensed real estate agent, giving him additional insight into wealth-building and asset management.
A Winston-Salem resident since 2013, Sam is active in the community through Kiwanis International and youth lacrosse coaching. Outside of work, he enjoys tennis, exploring history, and time with family. His approach to financial planning centers on understanding each client's goals, building trust, and helping them achieve lasting financial confidence.
General Information
Firm Start Year:
2011
No. of Employees:
10-19 Employees
States Licensed in:
Federally Covered
Communities served:
Winston Salem, Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, Pfafftown, Walkertown, Bethania, Rural Hall, Tobaccoville, High Point, King, Mocksville, Yadkinville, Greensboro
Number of Years with Current Firm:
14
Work Experience:
A strict fiduciary, Horizon Financial Services has been serving the greater Winston Salem region since 2011.
Email, Phone, Our Office, Your Office, Your Home, Video Conference
Compensation and Fees
Fee Structure:
Fee-Based
Compensation Methods:
Based on Assets, Commissions
Additional Details on Charges:
We use a sliding fee structure, where fees decrease at higher asset levels, resulting in a blended rate that reflects lower marginal costs as portfolios grow. This structure is designed to align our interests with our clients and reward growth over time.
Firm Information
Firm's Number of Planning Clients:
283
Assets Managed by Firm:
$ 212,623,929
Portfolio Management
As the world of investing becomes increasingly intricate with the emergence of new asset classes and strategies, it's easy for investors to get caught up in popular trends that can pull them off course. Our view is that the strongest foundation for achieving long-term goals comes from a thoughtfully designed financial plan, paired with investment approaches that have stood the test of time.
Retirement Planning
Your retirement savings should provide reliable income and help maintain the way of life you have worked hard to build. However, factoring in emergencies and other unpredictable costs can make retirement planning feel daunting.
Our role is to partner with you to build and manage a strategy that supports your long-term financial health allowing you to enjoy the lifestyle you want while staying prepared for whatever the future may bring. And if you're already in retirement, there's still time to strengthen or refine your plan to better meet your needs.
Estate Planning & Trusts
You've invested time and effort to build your wealth, and our goal is to help you shape a legacy that will provide lasting support for those you care about. While essential documents such as a will and advance directives are foundational, a broader, more thoughtful approach to estate planning can make a meaningful difference.
Through our comprehensive planning process, we work alongside your estate attorney to structure your investments and develop a strategy aimed at preserving and passing on your wealth efficiently. Depending on your unique circumstances, this may involve coordinating discussions about key documents such as your will, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, estate tax considerations, and charitable giving plans. Our approach focuses on minimizing estate taxes and facilitating a smooth transfer of assets to your beneficiaries.
Because legacy planning evolves over time, we continually revisit and adjust your strategy to reflect changes in tax law and in your personal goals. We also encourage involving family members at the right time, so they can gain a clear understanding of your intentions and the assets they will eventually inherit. This proactive engagement helps ensure your legacy is honored and sustained for future generations.
Tax Advice and Services
Reducing taxes is a key component of a strong financial strategy. As part of our comprehensive planning approach, we provide practical, easy-to-implement tax-aware planning in coordination with your tax professional. We stay in regular communication throughout the year, not just at tax time to uncover opportunities to improve your tax efficiency.
Wealth Management
Your financial strategy starts and ends with your priorities. Once we have a clear picture of your objectives, we'll actively oversee your portfolio to keep it adaptable and aligned with your goals as market conditions evolve.
401K Rollovers
When you change jobs or retire, deciding what to do with your 401(k) can have a lasting impact on your financial future. A rollover can help you maintain the tax-deferred growth of your savings, consolidate multiple accounts, and give you more control over your investment choices. We guide you through each step of the rollover process, evaluating your options, minimizing potential tax consequences, and ensuring your retirement assets are positioned to support your long-term goals.
Financial Planning for Individuals
Effective financial planning starts with understanding your unique circumstances, goals, and values. Whether you're building wealth, preparing for retirement, or navigating life's transitions, we provide personalized strategies designed to bring clarity and structure to your financial life. By aligning investments, tax planning, risk management, and estate considerations within a cohesive plan, we help you make informed decisions with confidence and stay on track toward your long-term objectives.
Disclosures
WiserAdvisor provides referrals to financial professionals. WiserAdvisor is not a current client of advisor or advisory services. Financial professionals pay cash compensation for these referrals, which creates the incentive for WiserAdvisor to make these referrals, resulting in a conflict of interest.
Advisory services are offered through Horizon Financial Services, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products and services are offered through New Horizon Financial Services Inc., an affiliated company. Horizon Financial Services, LLC and New Horizon Financial Services Inc. are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency. See Horizon Financial Services, LLC ADV for details related to a potential conflict of interest that may exist when recommending insurance products. The AUM and the Compliance Disclosures in Last 5 years listed on this site were reported on IAPD/BrokerCheck as of 3/31/2025.
ADV: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/158798
Horizon Financial Services, LLC, and New Horizon Financial Services Inc. do not provide tax and/or legal advice.
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