My Story and Services

Nick and John strive to help individuals, families, executives and business owners manage their complex financial lives. Following a disciplined planning process, they will develop a deep understanding of your aspirations and needs, so they can customize a comprehensive plan that is yours and yours alone. Nick and John will provide the experience and perspective you need to make well-informed financial decisions, and will offer the platform to efficiently put those decisions into action.

When you work with Nick and John, you get the full attention of dedicated professionals who are deeply committed to your success. You can expect straightforward advice, exceptional service and the thoughtful guidance you need to help keep your plan on track as your life and life goals evolve.
Services Include
Securities Agent: PA, MI, GA, AZ, NC, IL, TN, MA, DE, CT, FL, WA, NY, NJ, MD, ID, VT, SC, TX, MO, VA, HI, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1294028
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Online Tools and Features Available to You

Morgan Stanley strives to ensure it serves clients with technology that is safe, efficient, and smart. As part of our services, these resources are readily available to all of our clients. Learn more about each tool and feature to see how it could help manage and secure your financial journey.

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    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO)

    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) gives users the view of their account balance and activity, and also encompasses a suite of features that allow you to manage your everyday finances. From paying bills and sending money to transferring funds and authorizing transactions.

    Learn more about MSO
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    Morgan Stanley Mobile App

    Securely access your Morgan Stanley account from virtually anywhere. Simply download it to your mobile device and use your Morgan Stanley Online username and password to log in for MSO resources on the go.

    Discover more with our mobile app
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    Goals Planning System (GPS)

    Goals Planning System (GPS) is a Morgan Stanley's own integrated planning tool. Build on the firms intellectual capital and capabilities. GPS is an intuitive and efficient platform used to quickly assess whether a client is "on track" to achieving their finance goals.

    Learn More About Goals Planning System
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    Digital Vault

    Digital Vault let's you easily and securely manage and store life's documents such as wills, deeds and estate plans as well as financial statements and tax filings.

    Getting Started with Digital Vault
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    Portfolio Risk Platform

    Portfolio Risk Platform - Powered by Aladdin is a risk management platforms that provides comprehensive risk estimation and reporting across a broad range of asset classes and security types. This platform provides a holistic view to better enable risk to be effectively monitored and managed.

    Learn More About the Portfolio Risk Tool
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    Spending & Budgeting Tool

    Track spending habits and manage savings by using Morgan Stanley's Spending & Budgeting Tool. This tool helps advisors monitor client cash flows across both internal and external accounts. This tool makes it easy for you and your Financial Advisor to see your complete financial picture.

    Learn More About The Spending & Budgeting Tool

Financial Planning Process

We institute a holistic financial planning process with every client. We begin every relationship by getting a thorough understanding of a client's total financial picture: their investments, cash management, retirement plans, and primarily their goals and values. From there, we implement a comprehensive financial plan that will align with these goals and values.

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    Discovery and Goals Analysis

    The process begins with a conversation in order to fully understand you, your family, and your current financial situation. We then discuss your future investment goals, liquidity needs, retirement plans, and finally your values.

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    Evaluate & Implement

    At this point, a strategy begins to be implemented based on the objectives discussed in the discovery analysis. We use our extensive knowledge in financial, retirement, estate planning and risk management along with the firm's world class resources in cash management and lending solutions.

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    Ongoing Communication

    Continuing the conversation allows us to ensure that your current goals are top of mind when executing the strategies on your behalf. Our service showcases we are there for clients every step of the way and provide all clients with an ease of mind.

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    Ongoing Review

    As soon as your financial plan and strategy is developed, we adopt these plans to our quarterly monitoring system to ensure your plan stays on track.

    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services. Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

MARKET ANALYSIS & INSIGHTS

Stay informed about the latest market trends with our collection of articles and tools from leading financial experts.

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    Thoughts on the Market Podcast

    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more

    Listen Here
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    News on Market Trends

    Stay up to date on the latest market trends and developments with our news feed.

    Click Here
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    Personal Finance

    Learn how to manage your money wisely and achieve your financial goals with our collection of personal finance articles.

    Click Here
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    Explore Technology

    Stay up to date on the latest technology news and developments with our collection of Morgan Stanley articles

    Click Here
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    Morgan Stanley Security Center

    Our security center resources section provides you with a variety of tools and resources to help you and your business from cyber threats.

    Learn More Here
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    2024 Income Tax Tables

    Our income tax tables provide you with the information you need to calculate your federal income tax.

    Click Here

FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

From the life stages of an entrepreneur to planning for life after selling a business, Morgan Stanley offers several resources fitted to the unique lives and needs of business owners. Listed below are some of the resources available to help you with these decisions.

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    Life Stages of an Entrepreneur

    Learn more about the life stages of an entrepreneur and how Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management can assist.

    Learn More Here
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    Pre IPO Planning

    While your objectives, financial and tax circumstances, and investment objectives are unique, Morgan Stanley can help address some of the challenges that you are likely to face.

    Learn More Here
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    Your Entrepreneurial Journey Placemat

    Making key decisions at the correct junctures can help accelerate the growth of your business.

    Learn More Here
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    Business Owner Brochure

    As a business owner, you have devoted your career to building your organization. Now, it is time to enjoy the incentives of your success, spending more time with your family and pursuing new challenges.

    View Brochure Here
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    Exiting Your Business: The Transaction of a Lifetime

    Looking to exit your business and retire? You're not alone. View the link below to learn more about the most important transaction in an entrepreneur's life.

    Learn More Here
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    Preparing for Life After Selling a Business

    Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall by reading more below.

    Learn More Here

Location

61 South Paramus Road, 3rd
Fl
Paramus, NJ 07652
US
Direct:
(201) 670-3403(201) 670-3403
Toll-Free:
(800) 927-0237(800) 927-0237
Fax:
(201) 670-3410(201) 670-3410

Meet My Team

About Nicholas Poulis

A seasoned financial expert for over 35 years, Nick is devoted to guiding clients on the path to financial success and has honed a strategic approach to help individuals preserve and grow their wealth. He is passionate about building lasting relationships and encourages open communication to ensure clients feel empowered and confident in their financial decisions. Nick says, “It starts by understanding each client's unique financial goals and then designing personalized financial plans to achieve them.” Having navigated through various market trends and economic landscapes, Nick possesses a deep understanding of investment strategies, risk management, and wealth preservation. This expertise allows him to to provide clients with informed, practical advice to secure and enhance their financial well-being.

He currently holds the designations of Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC), and has an accounting degree from Upsala College Nick also studied economics and finance.

When away from the office, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife and grown children, and they recently welcomed their first grandchild. Other favorite activities include: coaching his nieces and nephews in various sports, hiking, working out, and reading.
Securities Agent: PA, MI, GA, AZ, NC, IL, TN, MA, DE, CT, FL, WA, NY, NJ, MD, ID, VT, SC, TX, MO, VA, HI, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures

About John Martin

I have a unique perspective on addressing the planning needs of closely held business owners. I earned the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation, the most widely accepted and endorsed exit planning platform available. As a CEPA, I focus on cross-functional consulting and value acceleration, drawing on a multi-disciplinary global network of high caliber advisors in the exit/succession planning community. I have a community of professional advisors, across a range of disciplines, committed to curating educational programs for business owners and advisors in the areas of succession and exit planning.
Securities Agent: VI, PA, VA, TN, SC, OR, KS, GA, FL, DC, AR, MS, MN, CA, AZ, WY, OK, NV, LA, IN, ID, HI, WA, KY, DE, AL, ND, WI, RI, PR, NC, AK, NH, MT, WV, VT, UT, NY, MO, ME, MD, CO, TX, SD, OH, NM, NJ, MI, IL, IA, CT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
Wealth Management
From My Desk

Protecting Elders From Financial Abuse


Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty
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Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty

When it comes to investing, even the most savvy of us fall prey to bias and emotional trades. So what triggers should you watch for?

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Nicholas Poulis today.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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3When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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6Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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7When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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8Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)