Tangible assets: Lapin & Wigginton pitches investment alternatives with series of special agreements.(Lapin & Wigginton Asset Management)

David Lapin spent 14 years with a national brokerage house helping his clients build their wealth and, in the process, rising through the ranks to become a regional vice president of the firm.

But despite his success with Merrill Lynch, which included managing $165 million in assets for a string of prominent clients, Lapin says he always dreamed of owning his own investment advisory firm.

So, three years ago, Lapin and Jeff Wigginton, who was also with Merrill Lynch, left the cozy confines of the brokerage chain and founded Lapin & Wigginton Asset Management.

The company is one that Lapin says contains all the elements he likes about other investment firms and leaves out all he doesn't like. In the process, the pair have also added some innovative investment strategies that they believe are unique to the industry.

A Houston native and University of Texas alum, Lapin became acquainted with co-principal Jeff Wigginton …