Linebacker Von Miller has learned a lot over the course of his career. This affable leader on the Buffalo Bills may not hog the limelight, but when he does speak to the press, it’s about the lessons he’s managed to absorb along the way. In a recent interview, Miller talked about how he’s been influenced by the people in his life. This included his parents, agent Joby Branion, his legal team, and financial advisor Joey Feste.
Close confidantes like his family and agent may not have surprised the public, but Miller also took the time to his financial manager. They were the ones who helped him decide that Buffalo was the place for him, particularly when you consider how young the quarterback is and the core strength of the supporting team. Building a positive circle of trust turned out to be one of the most important things that Miller ever did. We’ll look at why this is and how Feste has played a role in Miller’s larger success.
Finding His Place
Miller didn’t always have the smoothest personal or professional life. His two Super Bowl rings and successful transition to the Bills are a credit to his personal work ethic as well as the advice he chose to listen to when he was starting out. His time on the Broncos was marked by a few trouble spots, namely his struggle with substance abuse. Miller was like many young people experiencing a high point in their careers: he was certain that he had the answers to life.
From how to talk to the press to how to negotiate his salary, he wasn’t exactly open to advice or guidance. Thankfully, he chose to form a close relationship with DeMarcus Ware, the outside linebacker who would eventually get through to Miller. Since then, Miller was able to negotiate his impressive $120 million, 6-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, one that promised a $45 million signing bonus and an additional $51 million in guarantees. Joey Feste and his son Joey Feste Jr. at KM Capital Management are the primary professionals who are helping him organize his wealth so it can cover the necessities and causes he cares about.
How Miller Works
Throughout his life, Miller has been known for his ability to get along with people. Even when he was going through difficult spots in his career, his teammates knew him as a professional who didn’t stir up trouble. He legitimately wanted to get along with people, both for his own sake and for the sake of the team. This admirable trait is one that Miller has worked on over the years. It’s been an undeniable help when it comes time to negotiate his contract. It took him a few tries to get the numbers he wanted with the Bills, but he didn’t give up.
Miller believes that success is anything but luck. If you look carefully, you can see how people build their talents and move forward in life. When it comes to preparing for games, he watches everyone from his opponents to his heroes. Whatever moves they make in a game, he studies their strategies and he asks himself what he would do if he was put in the same position. He’s insatiable about keeping his mind and body sharp. Maybe this is why Miller hasn’t slowed down at all. Despite what’s on paper, he feels as good as he did when he was a much younger man.
The other major component of how he approaches problems is who he gets to help him. He may have all the time in the world to watch old games, but he doesn’t have the same capacity for studying the financial markets. Miller chooses people like Joey Feste to stand by him as he makes important decisions about his wealth. From his charitable organization, Von’s Vision, to his next moves after his contract is up with the Bills, Joey Feste is around to give Miller all of the facts before he makes any major decisions.
The Work of Joey Feste
Von Miller is just one of many high-profile clients that Feste works with at his company, KM Capital Management. This company is known for its work with athletes and entertainers, whether it’s portfolio management, tax prep, or insurance planning. Feste and his son, Joey Feste Jr., are known for their ability to sort out even the most complex of financial problems.
Quality wealth management is far more than just finding the right savings account or choosing a few stocks to invest in. Feste has to understand Miller’s relationship with risk and where he sees his money going in the long-term. For instance, Von’s Vision is a nonprofit that helps children in the Denver area get free access to eye care, but it’s not the only cause that Miller cares about. Feste has to find the right balance for Miller, so he can build a legacy that he and his family can be proud of. From standard bookkeeping to estate planning, there are countless components that factor into the bottom line.
Ultimately, it makes sense that Miller would specifically name Feste in a very short list of influential people in his life. With so many millions of dollars on the line, Sr. Managing Partner Joey Feste and Vice President Joey Feste Jr. are tasked with distributing that money as efficiently as possible. KM Capital Management offers full-spectrum financial services to its clients precisely because there’s no telling how long an athlete’s or entertainer’s career will last. Preparing for all contingencies is a must, and Feste is legendary for his ability to think ahead.
