Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k): Why “Maxing Out” Isn’t Really Maxing Out
Every January, the IRS updates retirement contribution limits. Every spring, high earners have the same conversation with their CPA: “You’ve maxed out your 401(k) contributions for the year. Congratulations.” But for business owners and executives, that’s rarely how it feels. Because “maxing out” in 2025 means an elective deferral of $23,500 (or $31,000 if you’re […]
Choosing the Right Advisors as a Business Owner: The Difference Between Confidence and Costly Mistakes
“We are a lonely people who are bad about talking about a very lonely topic: money.”— Meghaan Lurtz, PhD in Personal Financial Planning “Your work as advisors is critical—not just to business success, but for well-being.” If you’ve built a business, you know how to solve problems. You’ve figured out how to hire, fire, market, […]
The Best-Kept Tax Secret for Business Owners: What You Need to Know About Qualified Small Business Stock
You could sell your business and legally pay $0 in federal capital gains taxes on millions of dollars. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not. But it is complicated—and very few business owners understand how to actually take advantage of this powerful tax break. The strategy?Qualified Small Business Stock. If you’re building a company—especially […]
ESOPs: The Misunderstood Exit Strategy Every Business Owner Should Know
You’ve spent decades building your business—nurturing it through growing pains, taking risks, reinvesting every dollar, and turning it into something worth protecting. And now, the question lingers: “How do I eventually exit my business without losing control, paying unnecessary taxes, or selling to someone who doesn’t care about my legacy?” For many owners, the obvious […]
You Just Inherited an IRA — Now What?
A Business Owner’s Guide to Navigating Inherited IRAs and Roth IRAs with Strategy and Heart You’ve spent your life making decisions — big ones — under pressure. You’ve made payroll when things were tight, reinvested when others would’ve walked away, and carried the weight of your business and your family on your shoulders. But nothing […]
Social Security for Business Owners: Timing It Right Could Save You from Tax Surprises
You know how to scale something from zero. You’ve led payrolls, weathered recessions, and put your name on a building or client roster. But here’s the twist most business owners don’t see coming: The way you claim Social Security could cost—or save—you six figures over your lifetime. It’s not just a check. It’s the retirement […]
You Make Payroll for Everyone Else
Now it’s time to make sure you don’t get left behind. You Pay Everyone—But Who Pays You? Every two weeks, the same story plays out. You’re making sure your employees get paid.Vendors get paid.Taxes get paid.Health insurance premiums get paid.Retirement plan contributions get deposited. You do all of this—on time. Without complaint. Without anyone needing […]
Concentration Risk for Business Owners: How It Sneaks Up on You
It’s simple for entrepreneurs to concentrate on expansion, customers, or their top-performing product, but what if doing so jeopardizes your entire company? Concentration risk of business owners usually arises subtly if you depend too much on one client, one source of income, or even your own position. It is not an issue until a major […]
Your Business Isn’t Your Legacy — Your Exit Is
Many entrepreneurs put their whole selves into their company because they think it will be the legacy they leave behind. The way you quit your firm, however, is what truly defines your legacy. How you go a lasting impression on your finances, family, and future, even if you want to sell, pass it on, or […]
The Exit Plan No One Talks About: How to Avoid Becoming a Cautionary Tale
Most entrepreneurs aspire to continue growing their businesses, but very few carefully consider how they will exit them. The reality? Many people wait too long or don’t plan, hoping everything will work out. However, even the most successful business owners can be cautionary tales simply because of forced sales, undervalued exits, or sudden tax penalties if they […]