Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today our guest is David Flores Wilson, founder of Sincerus Advisory and named an Investopedia Top 100 Financial Advisor. He helps entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and business owners maximize wealth, optimize equity compensation, and exit businesses the smart way. In this episode, David breaks down tax-saving strategies, the power of donor-advised funds, how to use real estate for wealth building, and why exit planning should start on day one, not the day you're ready to sell. If you want to keep more of what you earn and create a lasting financial plan, this conversation is a must-listen.

In this episode, we chat about…

• How David's early experiences with family businesses shaped his career in financial planning.

• Why entrepreneurs need a different approach to financial planning than traditional employees.

• Strategies for deferring taxes and leveraging state residency for long-term savings.

• Understanding Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and how it can save millions in taxes.

• The role of charitable giving strategies (like DAFs and charitable buyouts) in wealth preservation.

• Why exit planning should start when you form your business, not when you're ready to sell.

• How to balance wealth-building in real estate vs. stocks based on personal skills and opportunities.

• The emotional and identity shifts entrepreneurs face when selling a business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Entrepreneurs often need customized financial planning because most of their wealth is tied to their business.

2. Tax deferral strategies can provide huge advantages, especially when combined with residency planning.

3. QSBS can exempt up to $10 million in capital gains if structured correctly, an often-overlooked opportunity.

4. Charitable giving can be structured to maximize both impact and tax benefits (e.g., bunching, DAFs, charitable redemptions).

5. Real estate offers unique tax advantages but requires clear strategy and sometimes specialized partners.

6. Exit planning isn't just about money, it's about legacy, lifestyle, and identity after the sale.

Resources from David

LinkedIn | Sincerus Advisory | Blog: Planning to Wealth

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide