Brett V. Hickman launched STRATUDEX Financial of Raymond James in July 2025 to bring a strategic, systematized approach to wealth planning for business owners, real estate investors, and high-net-worth individuals. With a background in entrepreneurship and operations, Brett brings a business owner’s mindset to financial advisory - focused on clarity, value, and process.

Before founding STRATUDEX, Brett joined Freedom Works Private Advisory Group within the Alex. Brown division of Raymond James in 2024. His transition into wealth planning followed a successful exit from Rhino Sports & Entertainment Services, a company he founded and scaled from startup to multi-state operation before selling in 2021.

Brett’s journey began in Rock Hill, SC, and led him to Winston-Salem to attend Wake Forest University. As a walk-on member of the basketball team during the Skip Prosser era, Brett contributed to a memorable NCAA tournament run. After graduation, he spent a decade in senior operations roles at Wake Forest Athletics, where he oversaw major events and developed a passion for strategic planning.

In 2012, Brett co-founded Rhino Sports as a subsidiary of the Winston-Salem Dash minor league baseball team. By 2015, he and partner Billy D. Prim acquired the company outright. Over the next six years, Brett led Rhino to 10x revenue growth across five states - without debt or outside capital - before negotiating a successful sale and continuing to lead expansion under new ownership.

After fully exiting Rhino in 2023, Brett turned his focus to wealth planning, applying his operational expertise to help clients navigate complex financial decisions with confidence. STRATUDEX Financial reflects this mission: a premium, process-driven advisory model built on transparency, strategic layers, and client-first service.

Outside of work, Brett enjoys time at the lake and beach with his wife Ariel and their two daughters. He resides in Winston-Salem, NC.

Raymond James is not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned.