Your Investment Advisor

Steve McConnell

Steve McConnell Financial Advisor

I founded Rain Dog to cut through the barrage of distracting information found in much of the investment world, providing practical, tax-aware guidance to higher net worth individuals and families.

As owner of a successful software business for 20 years, I understand the personal commitment it takes to create value. If you have worked hard to get to where you are today, I would love to work with you.

Q&A with Steve

Steve, what do you like about investment management? I get huge satisfaction when I meet with a couple who aren’t quite sure they’re OK financially, and then together we come up with a plan that helps them be comfortable, relax, and enjoy their lives.

Good financial planning is one part empathy, one part psychology, one part teaching, one part business planning, and one part creative thinking. The role of financial advisor gives me the ability to exercise all of these skills at the same time. Also, I’m a numbers guy, and I enjoy the analytical task of coming up with a solid financial plan very much.

How do your personal experiences affect your approach? I bring the life experiences of starting multiple businesses, shepherding them through ups and downs, being married and divorced, losing a parent, and raising two children and six dogs (not all at once!). Life can throw some challenging curve balls, and I understand that both financially and personally.

Where does the “numbers guy” stuff come into your approach? After I get to know you and understand your situation, I apply a lot of complex math to create solutions that will work well for your unique circumstances. I enjoy talking through the math with people who are interested, but I can keep it behind the scenes for people who aren’t interested. Mainly, I want to be sure you always have all your questions answered.

Are there any types of clients you especially like to work with? I like the way that good financial planning can help individuals and families in non-financial ways. I particularly enjoy working with couples who are a little out of synch on their financial objectives (which many couples are). I get great satisfaction from finding creative solutions that work well for the couple as a whole. Of course, I like finding creative solutions for families, individuals, and couples who are in synch, too.

Last question: Do you currently have a dog? Of course! My dog Cooper is a 4-year-old golden retriever who keeps me endlessly entertained.

Cooper Rain Dog

About Me

  • I’ve lived in Bellevue for more than 20 years and have two adult children.

  • I’ve had six dogs and currently have a golden retriever (my second golden).

  • I have slept overnight in 45 states and have ridden a motorcycle coast to coast in both directions.

  • I have spent significant time in 25 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Korea, China, Israel, Russia, Serbia, most countries in western Europe, and more than 20 trips to England.

  • I wrote eight books in the field of software development, including one of the best-selling books of all time (Code Complete).

  • I grew up mostly in eastern Washington.

  • I received my B.A. from Whitman College and M.S.E. from Seattle University.

My Community Involvement

  • Bellevue Rotary Club President 2021-2022, Member 2012-Present

  • Bellevue School Board President 2013-2015, School Board Member, 2011-2017

  • Lochleven Community Association (formerly West Bellevue Community Club), Board member, 2009-present

  • Founder, CEO, Construx Software, Bellevue, WA, 1996-2022

My Investment Background

  • Series 65 Securities License

  • SIE, Security Industry Essentials exam

  • Rain Dog is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and I am an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR)