When is the right time for your startup to raise funds and how should you go about it?

Managing Partner, Ivan Watanabe welcomes Sinohe Terrero, CFO and COO of Envoy, to explore the current landscape of fundraising for startups. Together, they discuss entrepreneurs’ unique challenges today, share tips on crafting a compelling story for investors, and highlight the importance of having the right team. 

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Highlights include:

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About Sinohe Terrero:

Sinohe Terrero is an executive with over 20 years of experience in technical accounting, corporate operational finance, data intelligence, SaaS, e-commerce, and public company reporting, with significant expertise in various finance and accounting areas.

Contrary to popular belief, Gen Z isn’t ignoring their financial future. Instead, they’re investing strategically with a digital-first mindset.

Evan Wohl sits down with fellow OPUS advisors, Alex Azuaje and Harrison Welsh, to dive into the complex financial habits and expectations of Generation Z. They explore how Gen Z’s experiences with key historical events like the 2007 global recession and the 2020 pandemic have distinctly shaped their financial attitudes, creating a generation that’s both skeptical and entrepreneurial. From leveraging side hustles to exploring unconventional avenues like cryptocurrency and real estate, this generation is rewriting the financial rulebook.

Alex and Harrison touch on:

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About Our Guests:

Alejandro Azuaje is an associate and investment specialist at Opus Private Client, LLC. After graduating from college, Alejandro entered the financial planning industry. He joined Opus in 2017 and is elated to be working for a team that believes in holistic planning and executes its recommendations with efficiency and ease. Alejandro’s specialties are in financial planning analysis, financial modeling, and equity investments. He is a Westchester native from Purchase, NY, and an Alumnus of New York University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Harrison Welsh specializes in coordinating the many moving pieces of his clients’ financial lives. He believes in a bespoke approach to financial strategies, offering clarity and insights into cash flow management and progress toward achieving various financial goals. Harrison’s firm employs a macroeconomic approach, integrating all financial decisions through a comprehensive economic model to ensure a cohesive and effective strategy.

Estate planning is often seen as one of the more intricate aspects of financial management, particularly for high-net-worth individuals who face distinct challenges and opportunities when it comes to transferring wealth effectively.

Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl engage with Joe Biondolillo, president and founder of Biond Financial, to discuss estate planning strategies for high-net-worth individuals. Joe shares practical insights on navigating complex tax laws and leveraging available opportunities.

Joe discusses:

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About Our Guest:

Joseph Biondolillo brings nearly 24 years of expertise to his role as the founder of Biond Financial. Dedicated to helping professionals, executives, and closely held corporations protect, save, and grow their financial wealth, Biond Financial provides tailored guidance amidst today’s volatile economic landscape. Recognizing that many individuals base financial decisions on trends, opinions, emotions, and online advice, Joseph and his team utilize a unique macroeconomic approach to reveal the full financial picture. This process empowers clients to build and safeguard their wealth while taking control of their economic futures.

Managing Partner and host of WealthStyle, Iván Watanabe sits down with Jessica Sigmund, a Licensed Real Estate Agent to explore the world of Airbnb and real estate investments in the tri-state area. Listen as she shares insights into housing market trends, how to make your real estate investments work for you, and tips on managing Airbnb properties effectively.

This episode unpacks the following:

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About Jessica Sigmund:

When Jessica Sigmund thinks about real estate, the first words that come to mind aren’t “appraisal,” “closing cost,” or ” adjustable-rate mortgage.” For her, the most important element of real estate is the “human element”. It’s what first sparked her passion for real estate when she was a young girl marveling at the inherent beauty and architecture of homes she saw daily. It’s what incentivized her to join her aunt’s management company, DeLaurentis Management, and work her way up the ranks, learning every component of the industry, until she eventually became a real estate agent. And it’s what makes her a known, loved, and trusted agent who was honored with the Rookie of the Year award in 2018.

One of the most important reasons that home buyers and sellers alike rely on Jessica is because, beyond her knowledge, integrity, sincerity, and business acumen, her top priority is understanding and delivering on her client’s needs. Many individuals enter the extremely overwhelming process of home buying with a dream home and have no idea how to find it. Jessica’s steady commitment to learning every aspect of her client’s goals and her poise under pressure make the experience enjoyable and seamless. Most of all, Jessica’s passion for Real Estate is surpassed only by her desire to help others, because she values the trust her clients place in her to guide them through one of the most important decisions of their lives. She avails herself to clients at any time, ensures that the lines of communication are open and consistent, and offers patience and attentive guidance throughout the process.

In the fast-paced world of employment law, staying informed is crucial. With significant changes swirling around non-compete agreements, employers and employees must remain vigilant and prepared.

This week Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl sit down with Jim Magner, Head of Thought Leadership for Guardian Business Resource Center (BRC), to explore the FTC ban on non-competes and what it means for employers and employees alike. They explore the implications of the court’s decision to set aside the FTC’s rule, the responsibilities of employers, and the current legal landscape surrounding non-compete agreements.

Gain insight as Jim shares:

Resources:

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Connect with Jim Magner:

About Jim Magner:

Jim Magner is the Head of Thought Leadership for Guardian’s Business Resource Center (BRC). 

As of 2023, only 27% of private-sector employers offer paid parental leave programs. 

Are you equipped to navigate the rest? 

In this WealthStyle episode, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl sit down with Garlande Patz, Head of Absence and Disability Practices at Guardian Life, to cover everything you need to know about maternity leave benefits. You’ll gain key insights into navigating your company’s benefits, understanding state versus federal protections, and practical steps to take when you’re expecting a new member of your family.

Iván, Evan, and Garlande cover:

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About Our Guest:

Garlande Patz is the Head of Absence and Disability Practices for group benefits at Guardian Life. Her professional focus is on strategy and growth of Absence products: disability benefits, FML administration, state-paid leave regulations, and ADA.

With the federal deficit nearing $2 trillion, understanding how these numbers impact your financial future has never been more critical.

Join Evan Wohl as he chats with Jennifer Fox, Vice President of Federal Affairs at Finseca, about the current financial state of the U.S. economy and its political implications. Facing heightened interest rates, substantial federal deficits, and upcoming tax reforms, they explore how these challenges can shape the financial landscape. You will gain insights into the current state of Social Security, Medicare, and strategies to manage long-term care costs, along with understanding the key economic discussions that will influence the 2025 presidential race.

Evan and Jennifer discuss:

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About Jennifer Fox:

Jennifer Fox is the Vice President of Federal Affairs at Finseca. She leads their lobbying initiatives, advocating for policies that support the financial security profession and educating policymakers and their staff on the importance of comprehensive financial planning, encompassing life insurance, retirement planning, and investments, to serve clients effectively. 

Jen led Finseca’s political advocacy initiatives, which included the Ambassador Program, fly-ins, and political fundraising, including Finseca’s PAC. She is committed to assisting members in becoming politically involved and empowering them to share their stories. 

Jen has spent time at the White House and Capitol Hill, which has helped shape her knowledge of small business, technology, labor, and tax issues. She also serves as the President of The Advocacy Association.

Non-compete clauses are often seen as essential safeguards for employers to protect their intellectual property.

However, did you know that recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rulings are set to eliminate most non-competes?

This week Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl sit down with Jim Magner, Head of Thought Leadership for Guardian Business Resource Center (BRC), to explore the recent FTC ban on non-competes and what it means for employers and employees alike. You’ll gain deep insights into the implications, legal challenges, and strategic decisions that both parties must navigate in this rapidly changing landscape.

Iván, Evan, and Jim discuss:

Resources:

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Connect with Jim Magner:

About Jim Magner:

Jim Magner is an advanced planning attorney at The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America®. Jim previously worked as an attorney advisor in the IRS’s Office of Chief Counsel in Washington, D.C., where he wrote private and public rulings on estate, gift, GST and charitable remainder trust issues.

How do you keep your tax records clean and avoid those dreaded IRS audits? 

This week, Mike Nulty from Matthews & Nulty, Inc. joins Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl to discuss effective tax strategies for individuals and small business owners. They dive into common mistakes, like poor record-keeping, and provide actionable tips on how to avoid them. 

So, tune in and learn how to keep your financial records clean and stay ahead of potential IRS audits!

Key episode discussion points include:

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About Our Guest:

Before becoming a partner of the firm, Michael spent seven years working under James, polishing his craft in accounting, auditing and tax. Together, James and Michael have a wealth of knowledge and have helped numerous entities both for profit and not for profit, become successful.

In today’s episode of WealthStyle, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl interview Elaine Floyd, Director of Retirement Life Planning at HorsesMouth about the intricacies of our nation’s support systems; Social Security and Medicare.

Listen as Elaine shares her expert knowledge by debunking some common misconceptions and detailing the benefits these programs provide using real-life examples and historical facts. 

Whether you’re approaching retirement, caring for a loved one, or simply curious about recent changes and restrictions regarding Social Security and Medicare, this episode is a must-listen!

Gain insight as Elaine discusses:

Resources:

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Connect with Elaine Floyd: