Seth Yakatan

Raising & Selling 📈 $1B+ Raised 💰 22 Companies Sold 🤝

Are you struggling to communicate your vision to the capital gatekeepers?

Are you exploring selling your business but don’t know anything about:
✘ Due diligence
✘ Term sheets
✘ Earnouts

Friend, you're lucky you found me...

I'm Seth Yakatan.

I have 30-odd years experience as a corporate finance professional.

My specialties are:
💰 Raising money
🤝 Selling companies

And I’m f**king good at it.

I’ve raised over $1B and sold 22 businesses.

My career has mostly been supporting small-cap and major corporations seeking capital to grow, or
to find strategic acquirers.

Most of these companies are in: 
— biotech
— cannabis
— pharmaceuticals
— DTC consumer goods

I’ve been on boards, taken companies public, gone up against multinational corporations, raised from VC and PE funds.

All of it. 
Many times over.
Whatever your problem is, I’ve seen it before.

But let me level with you:

What I REALLY love is helping people to get to the finish line.

Talking to entrepreneurs excites me.

But in my experience, entrepreneurs are mostly s**t at raising capital and selling companies.

** They just don’t understand investors **

And that’s where I come in.

Together, we workshop: 
✔ Your pitch
✔ Your deck
✔ Your strategy 

And help you raise the capital to GROW and SELL your business.

If you need this help—and almost every business does—send me a DM.

Like, now.

Don't lose another potential investor or acquirer with the wrong pitch.

Seth ✌️

Co-Founder

Merchant Bank / Advisory / Family Office

Hate the three largest MSOs?? Well hate all you want, look at the numbers…

You’ll see that THEY ALL DELIVERED on Q4 2025 results.

Say what you want…the numbers DON’T LIE.


>> What Happened?

Trulieve delivers industry-leading adj. EBITDA margin of 35.8%. 
(Oh they also have $255.5M in cash!)

Green Thumb Industries (GTI) grows revenue and adj. EBITDA by 5% and 19%, respectively. 
(While reversing the gross margin slide and delivering GM of 52.7%.) 

Curaleaf grew revenue by 4.0% while beating adj. EBITDA estimates.
(All while lapping the FIELD with 65% y/o/y growth in Europe.)


>> Why Is It Important?

Kim has a war chest and is poised to dominate TX and PA.

Ben has cash, stock, and has grown margin DESPITE compression.

Boris is the world’s largest cannabis operator by market cap. PERIOD.


>> What Am I Watching?

Boris has made a jump into EU for growth, do Kim and Ben follow suit?

If 280e goes away, do Truelive and GTI see a big bump in price?

Which one of these three raises THE MOST equity the day after S3?


You know I have been critical of all three of these companies and CEOs.

Time for me to give a tip of the cap to all three for DELIVERING on RESULTS, period.

Say whatever you want about these MSOs…

The NUMBERS DON’T LIE.

Where will you find me this year ???

At an IgniteIt Cannabis thats where...


Taking some time to thank the whole squad there...
Elliot Lane
Patrick Lane
Jason Raznick

Appreciate ALL YOU DO...
CHI-TOWN IS COMING !!!!!

What is it that you "do" for work ???

Honestly I am not 100% sure what "I Do"

I am 
a therapist
a garbage man
a facilitator
But most of all

a truth teller...

Thanks to Rachel Wright, CPA, MST and VERDANT Strategies

Want a relationship ?

Start with a bank, I did...

Shout out to the whole team First Citizens Bank
And My ACE Diana A.

Need a place because you been thrown out of every other bank ?
Call her or DM me...

Thanks to the crew at Sweed for the video...

U.S. cannabis sales fell 3.1% in Jan. 2026 vs. Dec. 2025…

This was across 15 tracked markets.

The data shows us that demand didn’t collapse….

But momentum has softened.


>> What’s Happening?

January sales dropped 3.1% sequentially across 15 U.S. markets.

Yes, down from December, but UP 4.6% year-over-year.

So demand didn’t fall off a cliff.

Declines hit western markets and 8 Eastern markets

What we are seeing is a redistribution.


>> Why Is This Important?

This is what market maturity can look like.

We are now playing with price compression + market saturation.

Cannabis might be behaving like a real consumer category.

Real consumer categories don’t grow in straight lines.

Ask Alcohol…


>> What Am I Watching?

Does this make already scarce capital become even more scarce?

Solvency wins in markets like this, watch the balance sheet…

This is where M&A waves begin (and have begun): in slowdowns.


January 2026 was not a bad month.

January 2026 was a signal, if you are able to read it.

The industry is shifting from land grab…to capital discipline.

And historically?

That’s when consolidation begins.

Watch the balance sheets — not the headlines.

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So you thought the labor unions were going to sit still? Well, the TEAMSTERS started being the TEAMSTERS.

Cresco Labs is going to template how unions are going to begin shaping the future of the sector.


>> What’s Happening?

Workers at a Cresco Labs’ store in have gone on strike!

The decided to unanimously walking out over wages, hours, and long-term stability.

And the employees ARE REPRESENTED by…..Teamsters Local 429.

Shocked? I’m not…


>> Why Is This Important?

Make no mistake, unions are still powerful.

Teamster-affiliated pension capital exceeds $100B.

1.3 million members…nah…1 in 10 workers is a Teamster.

Teamsters touch almost 20% of ALL CPG goods in the USA.


>> What Am I Watching?

The Brotherhood has be quietly showing up in the industry for 3+ years. Does this signal great action by the Union?

They have the power to make changes, force policy and provide capital. Does this put the National in a mood to make a move?

Teamsters move America. Will they organize in a way that shapes the future trajectory of the industry?


When organized labor starts demanding “middle-class careers” inside cannabis, we know we’re no longer in a “startup ecosystem.”

You are in an “industry.”

Make no mistake the Brotherhood has the power and $$$ to shape things.

Now we have to wait and see what they will do next.

The Booze guys keep telling me:

“Everything is OK” but…

THE DATA tells a completely different story.

What I’m reading is:

GEN Z ain’t DRINKING.


>> What’s Happening?

In 2025, Gen Z accounted for only 4 % of alcohol sales.

You read that right. FOUR PERCENT!

21% of the country only purchased 4% of the alcohol.

And they’re THE FUTURE.

This is WAYYYY smaller than any marketers and policymakers assumed.


>> Why Does This Matter?

Well…EVERY industry is betting on Gen Z driving massive consumption.

And that might be true for a lot of products, but absolutely not for alcohol.

So the question then becomes, if Gen Z ain’t showing up for alcohol, then WHERE ARE THEY?


>> What Am I Watching?

What is the actual spend by this demographic across alcohol AND c@nnabis?

What is driving the buying behavior of this group??

IS there a cross-category substitution occurring???


If Big Booze is telling me everything’s ok but the segment they NEED to drive growth is a ghost…

What does that mean for alcohol?

And what does it mean for the future of consumption in the US??

The times are a changin’!

Want the key to success ???

BE PROFITABLE (yes, it's that simple !)

Very few business that are PROFITABLE actually fail...

Crazy, I know...but I am Crazy...

Appreciate Rachel Wright, CPA, MST + The VERDANT Strategies crew

When in doubt about THC bevs, just copy whatever alcohol does…

Makes sense, right?

That’s what Missouri is doing…


>> What’s Happening?

Missouri lawmakers are evaluating new rules around hemp bevs.

Basically, treat it just like alcohol: 21+ age floor, excise taxes, structured compliance, and formal retail controls on where and how and when they can be sold.

Interesting…


>> Why Is This Important?

The free-for-all is over, McConnell saw to that.

Now regulators are making sure this is not a GREY AREA in their own state.

Public policy and public safety means real rules.

AND states are moving AHEAD of FEDERAL CLARITY…

Interesting indeed…


>> What Am I Watching?

Does the alcohol-style model becomes a template?

Potency, labeling, age restrictions, retail placement, and taxation?

IF federal shifts which products actually survive in this space?


This is early how “cannabis beverages” get folded into mainstream categories.

Novelty products, that’s one outcome.

Alcoholic beverages, that’s a market shift YOU need to watch…

Germany’s medical market is quickly GROWING UP!

Dont tell Kaiser Wilhelm.

For me, this is one of the most exciting markets globally. I’ll explain why.


>> What’s happening?

Germany is turbo-charging its domestic medical cannabis cultivation.

This is REAL production capacity coming online, inside Germany.

RESULT: fewer imports, fewer bottlenecks, cheaper AND more reliable supply.


>> Why Does This Matter?

Germany is no longer an “emerging cannabis market”.

Europe’s biggest nation is now building serious infrastructure.

That’s how markets become durable.

More importantly, that is when capital gets comfortable.


>> What Am I Watching?

When does domestic cultivation finally stabilize price and availability?

Which operators can ACTUALLY GROW? (’cause folks that AIN’T EASY…)

How quick does the MSO/LP story line move from “EU optionality” to “Germany”.


Germany is the biggest and most important medical cannabis market in Europe.

In fact, it’s the most important anywhere outside of North America.

And EVERYONE is watching it…

So…the AG of Ohio just sued 9 MSOs…

What??

Yep…9 MSOs.


>> What’s Happening?

The AG of Ohio just filed an anti-trust lawsuit against 9 MSOs for being a cartel.

Suit alleges they moved to (i) reduce product choice, (ii) exclude local operators
& (iii) keep prices artificially high.

Wait isn’t this the MSO 101 playbook? Or am I missing something?


>> Why Is This Important?

This moves to the core of operating cannabis retail.

Reciprocal supply agreements
Shared information
Shelf-space quotas

The suit says: “An industry-wide scheme designed to push small Ohio businesses out of the market.”

Wow…thats not good PERIOD.


>> What Am I Watching?

Not really sure how this plays out but it sure does not “feel” good…

Does M&A move from efficiency to exclusion? (Also not good)

Does this start to show up in EVERY state??


If this gets steam it could be a game changer.

Adjusting my models and grabbing popcorn.

So did you REALLY think the ban was about hemp??

No no no.

It was about ALCOHOL.

And now the numbers are in:


>> Whats Happening?

Alcohol is done watching hemp from the sidelines.

In Q4 2025 a bunch of companies files highlight lobbying disclosures tied to intoxicating hemp:

Moët Hennessy
Bacardi
Diageo
Brown-Forman
The HEINEKEN Company
Sazerac Company

Hmm….read the tea leaves and follow the money.


>> Why Does This Matter?

Lobbying is balance-sheet-based muscle memory for alcohol.

They have been doing it since 1950 and they are GOOD at it.

Make no mistake, the alcohol industry is acknowledging something BIG:

THAT intoxicating hemp is already part of the adult-use landscape.


>> What I Am I Watching?

Which alcohol players move from lobbying to minority investments?

Or does alcohol flex harder to push hemp off the shelves?

Can cannabis incumbents realize they were out gunned (and outspent)?


Not sure how this plays out but I am going to crack 10mg bev and grab the popcorn!

undefined undefined

Moët Hennessy

Bacardi

Diageo

Brown-Forman

The HEINEKEN Company

Sazerac Company

Little more love from the MJ BIZ scene...
Shout for Rectitude Partners LLC
and my man Nicholas Bowers

thanks to the squad at 

Fat Nugs Magazine
Puff Creative

for a great night....4 Grams...COMING!!!!!

Rectitude Partners LLC

Rectitude Partners - Global Cannabis Packaging & Vape Tech Experts

Fat Nugs Magazine

Puff Creative

Is this the FIRST MAJOR ON PREMISE shot fired for THC beverages??

WELCOME to the 2026 Stadium EXPERIENCE!

THC Drinks are coming soon to an ARENA NEAR YOU!


>> What’s Happening?

Chicago’s United Center just announced its serving hemp-derived THC drinks.

Concerts/Sporting events/Big shared moments.

In case you didn’t know, that’s alcohol’s home turf….

THC is showing up more and more, without asking ANYONE for permission.


>> Why Is This Important?

Booze vs. THC is not the point.

The point is THC is now competing for share of occasions.

Normalization comes from repetition in trusted environments.


>> What Am I Watching?

The first league, venue group, or national operator that treats THC beverages in the same way ?

Who puts up the first THC Beverage advert in a stadium? (Remember USC/ Cookies?)

What major sports/food/airport group jump in next ?


5 beers or 5 2MG THC Beverages??

Same night, VERY different morning

Hang 10 and hit the dispo??

Adult use cannabis may be coming to the Aloha State…


>> What’s Happening?

Hawaii lawmakers filed legislation that would put rec cannabis to voters in November 2026.

If passed by a two-thirds vote in both chambers, Hawaii voters would be asked whether to amend the state constitution to legalize adult-use cannabis.


>> Why Does This Matter?

Ballot initiatives are cool but they are NOT a guarantee.

This was not brought forth by the electorate but by elected officials…

Not sure this get traction or mahalo…


>> What Am I Watching?

Do MSOs even bother modeling Hawaii as a near-term market?

Is capital ready to fund something in one of the worlds largest tourist economies?

Do voters notice they’re being asked to decide a policy?


Feel like another version of Pele’s curse.

Cannabis style…I will just grab a shaved ice.

Guess who’s messin’ with Texas?? Cann, that’s who.

Cann is fixin’ to dominate the Lone Star State.

Here’s what’s going down:


>> What’s Happening?

Cann secured Texas distribution with Spec’s.

Spec’s, for those that don’t know, is THE LARGEST beverage retailer in Texas.

Full SKU set in one of the biggest alc retail channels in the USA.


>> Why Is This Important?

This is not a test, a dispensary, one franchisee gone rogue, or a limited run.

THC drinks are moving via mainstream beverage infrastructure.

Spec’s has 200+ doors statewide.

Say what you want, I AM seeing a distribution shift...


>> What Am I Watching?

What other brands can howdy on down to distribution?

What other retailers jump on board now that we have Target, Circle K and Spec’s?

Is there movement on the regulatory side in Texas? (Remember a few months ago they tried to BAN HEMP??)


Want to make sure we give a big congrats to the Cann Team!

Jake B. and Nick Fasano 👏 👏

Feels like Danny Stepper and the LA Libations team left their fingerprints all over here, cause this ain’t my first rodeo…

Want to LEARN MORE? Get your spurs to The Beverage Forum April 2026.

Cann

Changing the way people socialize!

Deep understanding of all things cannabis. From brand development, company structure, state expansion and financial complexities. I help organizations grow from the Black to the white

CEO & Co-Founder at L.A. Libations & Globestepper Productions

LA Libations

The Beverage Forum

When you fail 3 times, why not try for a 4th??

That’s what PA is doing right now as the state makes its FOURTH attempt at a move to Adult Use.

Sure, why not??


>> What’s Happening?

My guy Shapiro gave his fourth budget address.

Increasing overall spending by 6% without broad-based tax hikes.

Oh and he put adult-use BACK on the table…AGAIN.


>> Why Does This Matter?

PA is surrounded by NJ/NY/MD/OH, all of which are pumping REC.

The budget conversation shows how much $ PA is leaving on the table staying medical.

How ELSE can you spend more and NOT tax the general public?


>> What Am I Watching?

This is now #4. Can it REALLY HAPPEN this time?

What will be the policy tradeoffs if this happens? Who loses?

Is THIS a state surrounded by AU finally admitting leakage is a tax policy?


Adult-use didn’t magically reappear…

It reappeared because PA needs the $$$.

Politics and budgets are not based on morality…

Bet your butt they are based on COLD HARD CASH.

And AU seems like a magical cash machine.

Has someone actually cracked the code to S3?

Well, maybe…

Kazmira Pharmacy just announced the first licensed 503A compounding pharmacy in the U.S. dedicated to prescription-only, THC-free CBD.


>> What’s happening?

I’m no lawyer but under the current S3 regs this could be a category.

Take CBD off the wellness aisle and into clinical practice.

Legal, all 50-states with reimbursement?

Hmmmm…


>> Why Does This Matter?

Well, if they crack the distribution matrix problem this could be a thing.

Both anticipating tighter CBD/THC rules and making compliant medicine ahead of the compliance wave.

Seems like a product doctors can prescribe without standing in a dispensary…


>> What Am I Watching?

Do physicians now have a reason to get involved?

Do payers/HSA/FSA systems begin to reimburse and treat this like specialty pharma?

Do others adopt this model?


I know that cannabinoids BEHAVE like medicine…

But once payors get ready for this category to stop being treated like lifestyle products.

Think your business is HARD?

Try this:

1. Every state (and city) has a different set of rules

2. The Government taxes you at an exorbitant rate 

3.  Capital flow is weighted to larger and later-stage operators

4. There is very little capital to begin with...

Now tell me you product is not Federally legal...WELCOME TO C@NNABIS!!!!

Appreciate the love from Alex D. and the squad from The High Index for the spot!

CEO @ The High Index | Connecting people, data, and opportunity

The High Index

Everything's BIGGER in TEXAS? Well, Texas Original just bet the ranch.


>> What's Happening?

Texas Original just opened the largest medical cannabis facility in Texas.

They’re expanding cultivation and processing capacity to meet rising patient demand.

No change in law…no ballot initiative.

Just cash, concrete, steel, and CONFIDENCE.


>> Why Does This Matter?

Well son, you don't go build the largest facility inside one of the most restrictive medical programs in the country…

THIS is what early movers look like in medical states.

And might signal that regulators are comfortable enough to let serious operators scale.


>> What Am I Watching?

Does demand absorb this build?

Does the program allow for success?

Who’s the next operator is to break ground?


Texas ain't first.

It won't be loud.

But when it moves, it will move at TEXAS SCALE.


Cowboy UP y'all.

Financial planning and education (without the jargon) I Creating blueprints for high-earning sales executives and business owners

I left the financial industry because I saw a problem.

People wanted to work with a planner, but they ended up becoming a number on a spreadsheet.

I had to leave to start something new.

And now?

I'm a fee-only planner who helps salespeople & equity compensated employees under 45 give a purpose to their paycheck.

I left the large financial institutions to start my own independent company. I did it so people could pay for real planning and not just an agenda to sell a hidden product. 

As a true fiduciary, Pashman Financial, LLC was built on that promise by focusing on you and you only.

🔵 Why people hire me? 

Well, people have come to me with the following problems:

- They want peace of mind with their money
- Their old advisor barely communicates with them
- They want an answer tailored to them, not from Google
- They felt pressured to buy a product that wasn't a right fit
- They are great at making money but struggle to keep it
- They want a simple plan that's easy to understand
- They want someone to hold them accountable
- They want someone they can trust

🔵 What are my services?

I help identify your goals, craft a financial blueprint that lays out action items to hit them, and monitor your progress. 

💵 Cash Flow Management  
📈 Equity Compensation
🏡 Real Estate Planning
📊 Investment Planning
📍 Retirement Planning
🛡 Insurance Planning
📚 Education Planning
💲 Tax Management
💳 Debt Repayment
📃 Estate Planning

🔵 Who do I serve?

Age: Individuals and families between 30-50 years old
Target: Sales pros, tech employees, other millennial families
Location: Virtually anywhere in the U.S.

But I love working with people that are driven to make a change. So even if you don’t fit these criteria, feel free to reach out. Your personality is everything. 

🔵 Why I'm different?

1) My model is primarily a flat fee service. No time trap. 

2) I do not require you to hand over your investments nor require a minimum to work with. Managing your assets is optional and I'll still assist you if you do it yourself. My focus is ongoing financial planning. 

3) I focus on how to increase your cash flow, not just your assets. I work with you to ensure your systems are set and consistently educate you on how your finances work. I get paid to truly keep you accountable over time.

You can find my pricing in my "featured" section on the website. 

Stop delaying action. Shoot me a message to schedule a complimentary intro.

Max Pashman, CFP®

50% of people have no idea what tax bracket they're in.

And most think more taxes mean less income. WRONG.

It's not a flat rate. 

The US tax system works at a progressive rate. 

In other words, each level of income is taxed at different rates. 

As new income is included, it is taxed at a higher rate. 

BUT that doesn't mean all of the income is taxed at that rate. 

The highest tax rate is called the "marginal rate". 

The overall tax rate (taxes divided by taxable income) is called the "effective rate". 

Big difference!

Helping Founders and Executives Plan for Early Retirement and Exit

You could skip your annual $7,500 vacation with your family.

Instead, you could contribute to a Roth IRA.

At an average 7% return, over 30 years, that $7,500 annual could grow to about $708,000.

By skipping it, you’d be closer to your retirement.

But there’s one problem.

You traded moments with your family for a bigger portfolio.

Your children will be yours forever.

But they also won’t be kids forever.

For some families, prioritizing these moments matters more.

Because what good is a retirement if it means sacrificing the life you care about along the way?

Most people focus on return on investment (ROI).

We try to focus on something else.

Return on life.

ROL.

Your RSUs are income not investments
Your RSUs are income not investments
Your RSUs are income not investments
Your RSUs are income not investments
Your RSUs are income not investments

There's a reason it has "compensation" in equity compensation. 

It's because they are treated just like your cash. 

Don't believe me?

When they vest, check out your W2. 

It's listed right there next to your salary (your cash compensation).

They may be withheld differently, but it's taxed just the same as income when it comes to tax season.

If you leave it as is, sure it's equity that be treated as an investment. 

But the moment you get it? May as well be just like your cash compensation.

So if you don't know what to do, answer one question instead:

"If this was cash instead of equity, what would you do with it"?

Would you save it?
Would you spend it?
Would you invest it?
If you invested, where?

Your answer really dictates how you should reallocate it.

Especially based on...drum roll please*.... your goals! 

You're already taxed on it when it's fully vested.

Your choice of what to do from there.

Most have no clue what a write-off does.

Here's a quick breakdown of what it is:

A write-off is merely a deduction.

So use the example:

→ You get a $20,000 expense to write off
 → If your income starts at $200,000?
 → It gets lowered to $180,000
 → So what does that mean?

Here's what it does not mean:

IT DOES NOT MEAN $20,000 LESS TAXES.

A deduction does one thing:
Reduces income taxable.

In this case, a single person in 2025:
(Using only federal taxes in this example)

→ The entire $20,000 is in the 32% bracket
 → The amount taxed? $6,400 federal
 → So with the taxes saved?
 → You netted - $13,600

So yes, you saved more in taxes.

But you still spent money in the end.

It's not a dollar-for-dollar save.

It's a reduction in income taxed.

Big difference!

Note: Post is purely educational and not financial or tax advice*

Capital gains taxes can be your biggest ally or your worst enemy.

Here’s everything you need to know how they can affect your tax bill:

What is a Capital Gain?

It’s a tax applied when you sell an asset for a profit.

These assets can include:

-Stocks
-Crypto
-Real estate
-Businesses
-Personal property

There are two types of capital gains:

Short Term (STCG):

-> Assets held less than 1 year
-> Taxed as ordinary income

Long Term (LTCG):

-> Assets held more than 1 year
-> Taxed at preferential capital gains rates, separate from income taxes

Here’s a breakdown of the federal long-term capital gains rates for 2026:

Single:

-0%: $0–$49,450
-15%: $49,451–$545,500
-20%: $545,501+

Married Filing Jointly:

-0%: $0–$98,900
-15%: $98,901–$613,700
-20%: $613,701+

Relative to income brackets, you can see the immediate difference.

For Example (Single):

If you earned $200k and had $10k in STCG, it’s taxed as ordinary income.

Assuming a 32% marginal tax rate:

$10,000 × 32% = $3,200 in federal taxes

For $10k in LTCG, it’s taxed at the capital gains rate:

$10,000 × 15% = $1,500 in federal taxes

A huge difference!

But here’s where people mess this up:

Your capital gains rate depends on your total taxable income.

“Taxable income” is your adjusted gross income (AGI) minus below-the-line deductions (standard or itemized).

Which means those ranges include both your income AND your capital gains.

Example #1: Single, $50,000 Income, $10,000 LTCG

Total taxable income: $60,000
This puts all LTCG in the 15% bracket.
Tax:
$10,000 × 15% = $1,500 (Federal)

Example #2: Single, $30,000 Income, $10,000 LTCG

Total taxable income: $40,000
This falls entirely within the 0% bracket.
Tax:
$10,000 × 0% = $0 (Federal)

Example #3: Single, $30,000 Income, $20,000 LTCG

Total taxable income: $50,000
The income takes up the first $30,000.
Leaving $19,450 left in the 0% bracket.
$19,450 × 0% = $0

The remaining capital gains spill into the next bracket:
$550 × 15% = $82.50
-> Total LTCG tax: $82.50 (Federal)

This is why being strategic about when you realize capital gains matters.

By spreading gains over multiple years, you may take advantage of lower brackets.

Finally, remember:

Capital gains are not taxed inside tax-advantaged accounts
(e.g., 401(k)s, Roth IRAs).

That’s why most tax-loss harvesting opportunities live in taxable brokerage accounts.

Disclaimer: This is for financial education purposes only and not financial or tax advice.

pashman-financial-llc

schooloffinances

"W2 employees never become millionaires."

Bulls***. I've consulted with 100s entering early retirement. 

Many were W2 employees, never actually owning a business. 

Or at least use it as a primary means of accomplishing millionaire status

They've crossed that point using the following methods:

- High savings rate towards stocks and real estate
- Equity compensation (More commonly via ISOs)

Owning a business is a massive opportunity to get there. 

And we've seen people retire early thanks to it too.

But it's not the ONLY method to create wealth.

Gotta pick that path that aligns with you.

But what do they all share in common?

Not sitting on the sidelines. 

They let investing take action. 

You earned hard for your paycheck. 

Now make it work harder for you.

A 👏 401k 👏 IS 👏 NOT 👏 A 👏 SCAM 👏

Here are some interesting facts about it:

- Has higher contribution limits than an IRA
- Provides a match via an employer
- Does not have income limitations
- Can offer a Roth component
- Can provide a Mega Back Door Roth

But you're probably thinking...

"My money is trapped in here forever!"

Not really. 

Why you won't generally get penalized until you are 59 1/2, there are exceptions to this:

But there are exceptions to getting funds out early penalty-free:

- Roth Conversion Ladder
- 72(t) Withdrawals (SEPP)
- Financial hardship (if allowed)
- Qualified Reservist Distributions
- Medical expenses
- Rule of 55
- Disability
- Death
- Etc.

In other words, you can take your money out with exceptions and specific strategies.

It can be an excellent vehicle for financial independence. 

Do you have a 401k?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

If you like these visuals you'll love my newsletter with more visuals like this.

Be sure to be subscribed below:

https://lnkd.in/gJC9mTQH

I love it when LinkedIn Influencers are like "the new algo is hurting my reach" and I will look at their content and think yeah it's definitely not the algo bro...

Investing in moments like these, where AI isn't around for miles, is becoming one of my favorite things to do. 

Feel like this is going to be a massive trend in 2026 in beyond. 

Make sure your financial plan accounts for them! 

What experiences are you investing towards?

This is your reminder to get lost in nature. 

Just don't get lost in your finances. 

When you're ready, we're here to help :)

Joe w/ $50K wants as much as Mia making $100K. 
 
Mia w/ $100K wants as much as Bob making $200K. 
 
Bob w/ $200K wants as much as Zoe making $400K. 
 
The problem? 
 
Income levels don't have a ceiling. 
 
And there are 8 billion people on this planet. 
 
So it's inevitable someone will be making more than you. 
 
Do yourself a favor and use a fair benchmark to compare to: 
 
Joe with $50K should aim to make more than Joe. 
 
Mia with $100k should aim to make more than Mia. 
 
Bob with $200K should aim to make more than Bob. 
 
Zoe with $400k shound aim to make more than Zoe. 
 
Stop basing your progress on someone else's. 
 
Want a better measurement to use? 
 
Grab a mirror and stick with it.

If you didn't have to worry about money, what would you do?

You know what you wouldn't say?

- Try to make more income
- Try to increase your wealth more
- Try to find strategies to stay tax efficient

Those aren't your real goals. 

Those are the technicals that bring you to those goals. 

Never make your end goal a specific number. 

Make your end goal a lifestyle choice. 

Wealth is just the bridge to that.

40% of business owners aren’t sure they picked the right entity.

Here's what you need to know about entity structure:

When choosing a tax entity, you gotta choose with what aligns with you.

Some of the characteristics include:

→ What legal protection is provided
→ Is the income earned a pass-through
→ Are there self-employment taxes 
→ How much admin is there
→ What are the tax impacts 
→ Is there double taxation
→ How much does it cost

And so on. 

Consulting with the combo between a CPA and CFP is a great way to make sure you are on the right path here!

What kind of business do you currently have?

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There’s a more tax-efficient way to own an index.

But is it worth it? Here’s a breakdown of direct indexing:

What is direct indexing?

It’s still passive investing.

But instead of owning an index fund, you own the individual stocks that make up the index.

Same market exposure.
Different implementation.

The goal isn’t higher returns.
The goal is tax efficiency.
Index funds are already very tax-efficient, especially ETFs.

But there’s one thing they can’t do:
They can’t pass individual stock losses to investors.

Losses inside a fund stay inside the fund.
With direct indexing, you own each stock directly.

That allows for:

Ongoing tax-loss harvesting
Offsetting capital gains
Deferring taxes while staying invested

Over time, this can increase after-tax wealth even if pre-tax returns are similar.

Some studies suggest direct indexing can add incremental after-tax value over long periods (often cited at 1%–2%), but results vary widely based on volatility, tax bracket, cash flows, and implementation.

Important tradeoffs to understand.
This strategy is not a free lunch.

Here’s what actually matters.

1) Cost

Most platforms charge roughly 0.10%–0.20%.
But additional costs may include:

Trading costs
Cash drag
Tracking error
Etc.

These reduce the net benefit and must be weighed against expected tax savings.

2) New money works best

Selling existing index funds to switch strategies often creates taxes that wipe out the benefit.

Direct indexing tends to work best with new dollars, such as:

Income
Liquidity events
Sale or acquisition proceeds
Using fresh capital avoids unnecessary tax friction.

3) Tax benefits depend on markets

The biggest advantage comes from harvesting losses, which requires volatility.

In prolonged bull markets:
Losses become harder to find
Unrealized gains accumulate

Tax benefits shift from harvesting losses to deferring gains, and eventually decline.

4) Wash sale coordination matters

Loss harvesting must be coordinated across taxable accounts, spousal accounts, and any index funds held elsewhere.

Poor coordination can reduce or eliminate the benefit.

5) You need an exit strategy

Deferred taxes eventually come due unless there’s a plan.

Is this money for retirement, charity, heirs (step-up in basis), or future liquidity?

Direct indexing works best when paired with broader tax and estate planning.

6) Benefits skew toward higher earners

The tax alpha is largest when tax rates and taxable balances are high.

For lower brackets or smaller portfolios, added cost and complexity may outweigh the benefit.

Bottom line

Direct indexing isn’t a magic upgrade.
It’s a tax optimization tool.

For the right investor, at the right time, with the right plan, it can add meaningful after-tax value.

For others, a low-cost index fund may be the better answer.

That’s why this should be a planning decision, not a product pitch.

If you’re exploring it, talk with a fee-only planner to see if it actually fits your situation.

Daniel Goodman CFP®

If your ESPP has a "look back", you're stting on a wealth hack. 

Here's the opportunity sitting in front of you. 

ESPPs are relatively simple. 

- You set aside your paycheck on a monthly basis for a period of time
- You buy your company stock at the end of the period
- Company let's you buy at a discount (usually 15%)
- The discount puts you at an immediate gain 

There some things to look out for like taxation, liquidity, and blackout periods to see how the ESPP works for you. 

But some have a provision called a "look back" period. 

The discount is applied either at the lower of the enrollment date or purchase date. 

For example:

If the enrollment price was $100 and $50 at the purchase price, the 15% is applied at the purchase price. 

If the enrollment price was $50 and $100 at the purchase price, the 15% is applied at the enrollment price. 

If the latter occurs you are looking at not only at 15% discount, but appreciation already of $50 between the $50 and $100! 

It's one of those great perks that can increase your wealth via your employer benefits. 

Don't discount the value of your company discount!

Most people have no idea how their accounts actually work.

And the IRS is quietly counting on it. Let’s break it down:

You’ve got four main individual accounts:

→ Brokerage
→ Traditional IRA
→ Roth IRA
→ HSA

But here’s the kicker:

 They don’t play by the same rules.

Some hit you with early penalties.
Some don’t.

Some have contribution limits.
Some let you pile in unlimited cash.

Some force you into Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
 Others? They leave you alone.

→ If you’re saving without knowing these rules, you might be losing thousands in taxes and penalties without even realizing it.

What works for someone might not work for you. 

It's more than picking the best tool. 

It's the best tool for YOUR shed.

Do you have any of these?

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Ini47

I feel like I've seen these phases with early reitrees:

Stage 1: They fire their advisor cause they don't like performance or service
Stage 2: They do it themself and are happy with it
Stage 3: The more they research, the more they realize there's more to just investing
Stage 4: They keep getting conflicting answers to from thousands of voices online, but unsure which applies to them
Stage 5: They hire a financial planner for a second-hand opinion 

And guess what?

That new advisor is not the person trying to sell them some fancy product or performance.

It's the advisor who:

- Looks at their whole picture
- A structure to implement it
- Has an incentive to do so

I love it when people are able to handle finances on their own. 

But once you need some help?

You know where to find us.

Most people don’t actually know the tax status of their accounts.

Quick refresher 👇

Taxable Accounts:

- Individual Brokerage
- Joint Brokerage
- UTMA / UGMA

Pre-Tax Accounts:

- Traditional IRA
- SIMPLE IRA
- SEP IRA
- 403(b)
- 401(k)
- 457

Post-Tax Accounts:

- Roth IRA
- Roth 457
- Roth 401(k)
- Roth 403(b)
- Roth SEP IRA
- 529 (Could have a state deduction)

Triple-Tax:

- HSA (One of a kind)

Before worrying about returns?

Make sure you know how your money is taxed.

Which of these are you using?

If the recent 4,000 employees laid off by Block caught your attention, this is your wake-up call to revisit your emergency fund. 

Not your retirement accounts.
Not your brokerage accounts.
Not your company equity.

Your cash. 

Yeah, the boring cash loses to inflation over the long run.

But in the short run:

- Easily accessible
- Removed from market volatility
- Not taxed when withdrawn or liquidated

How much to fund is how you answer this question:

"How long can I reasonably live off my essential expenses?"

Just understand this about the stock market. 

It carries a risk of losing money, no matter how long you park it for.

But the longer you have it, the chances of that are cut significantly.

Not "eliminated", but the risk of losing money is statistically lower. 

That risk is put on full max if you need it now. 

The S&P 500 is not a viable fund in the near term. 

The asset that remains fixed near term is. 

Adjust accordingly!

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Max Pashman, CFP®

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The Battle

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Max Pashman, CFP®

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