Our Mission
Most businesses are overpaying for benefits their employees don’t fully understand, running a retirement plan that hasn’t been reviewed in years, and putting off the succession conversation until it becomes urgent. We fix that.
Onawa Group works with small and mid-sized businesses to simplify their retirement plans, benefits packages, and succession strategies — removing the complexity so owners can focus on running their businesses rather than overpaying for outdated, overpriced, or underperforming plans.
Retirement Plan Advising
A retirement benefits plan built to hold its course and reward your team.
Succession Planning Solutions
Exit on your terms. On your timeline.
Employee Benefits Advising
Coverage your people will actually use — and appreciate.
Who We Serve
Our clients are small- to medium-sized business owners who care about their people and their legacy. They want to offer more than the minimum, compete for talent, and ensure their business is in good hands after they’ve stepped away.
From designing small business retirement plans and benefits programs to guiding business continuity, we help companies build solutions that strengthen culture, support employees, and position the business for long-term success.
We Offer:
- 15+ carrier and record keeper relationships
- 100% independent — no captive bias
- 8+ years serving small- to mid-sized businesses
“We work with business owners in the $1M – $50M range who want to get their retirement plan and benefits working harder for them — and eventually want to exit the business on their terms. Most of my clients find they’ve been overpaying, underserved, and lacking preparation for what’s next.” – Sam Rogers, President of Onawa Group
Our Story
In 1893, two legendary sailboat builders on Lake Minnetonka saw a friction problem and built a revolutionary design to solve it. The resulting sailboat, the Onawa, never lost a race — and her design is still sailing today.
130 years later, our founder, Sam Rogers, was inspired to build an advising firm that mirrors the Onawa’s principles. Onawa Group eliminates frictions for our clients with a focus on modern tools, genuine service, and the kind of responsiveness that’s hard to find in bigger firms. Learn more about the ideas we’re built on.
From First Conversation to Clear Horizon
We offer a straightforward process designed for busy business owners who don’t have time for a drawn-out sales experience.
20-Minute Conversation
We learn about your business and understand what’s been working, what hasn’t, and what you’re trying to accomplish.
Independent Review
Starting with a complimentary benchmarking analysis, we’ll affirm the good pieces of your plan and identify areas of improvement. We’ll propose scope, execution, and timing — the choice is 100% yours.
A Clear Recommendation
Our strategies are simple, straightforward, and effective, with solutions your people will understand and appreciate.
Ongoing Partnership
We do the heavy lifting. Whether it’s coordinating with payroll providers, making changes with carriers, or helping with ongoing service, we stay close year-round, not just at renewal.