Your Wealth & Beyond

Over the years, we’ve received more questions about Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) than just about anything else - and because there’s so much information out there, I’m tackling this topic in a three-part series. In today’s episode (Part 1), I dive into the basics of the required minimum distributions, how they relate to your IRA, Roth IRA, and 401(k), as well as how to calculate this amount. If you’re not careful, the required minimum distribution can become a ticking tax time bomb. However, you can effectively utilize the benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as smart financial strategy, to ultimately reduce the total amount of taxes you have to pay. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: Why you have to take money out from your qualified retirement accounts (401k, IRA, SEP IRA, etc) - and how to calculate what you're going to need to withdraw. What happens if you delay your required minimum distribution - and why it likely doesn't make a lot of tax sense. The one benefit the IRS gives yo

As the owner of a financial planning firm that has helped hundreds of families plan their retirement, it’s clear that many people overlook how Social Security can fit into their financial and income planning puzzle - and there’s a lot of misinformation out there. A lot of so-called "financial advisors" or CPAs don’t educate their clients about the pros, cons and specific options that are available to you. As a result, few people know how to truly utilize it to hedge against longevity, healthcare costs, and inflation. To make matters worse, Social Security won't give you advice. If you say a wrong word, you're setting yourself up to lose tens - if not hundreds - of thousands of dollars. That’s why you need to know how to invest, get out efficiently, and avoid feeling like you need to constantly beat the market. In short, I want you to create a game plan with a purpose - which is what today’s episode is all about. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: Why a law that took effect in 2016 made us change many o

Most people aren’t born great leaders. However, there’s one organization that often produces incredible entrepreneurs and startup power players in the private sector - the Navy SEALs - and Jeff Boss is living proof. After serving as a SEAL for 13 years, Jeff uses the principles he learned to help people build businesses, become better leaders, and find their purpose through leadership and team coaching. Jeff knows how to persevere through challenges and adversity - even when faced with setbacks, do-overs, and disappointments. He helps team players thrive under chaos, position themselves for success, and build organizations that are efficient, powerful, and positioned to grow. He is a regular contributor to Forbes, the author of a new book called Navigating Chaos, and the host of a new podcast called Shut Up and Show Up - all of which are incredible resources for anyone looking to transform their business. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: Why great leadership skills are so hard to learn, no matter who

If you’re a business owner or a solo entrepreneur, you have a variety of options when it comes to planning your retirement, paying your taxes, and avoiding penalties along the way. With over 25 years’ experience working with business owners and CPAs, Brian Hartstein, Director of Corporate Development at Bayntree Wealth Advisors, helps his clients utilize their pre-tax dollars as effectively as possible. Using his background in the pension business (he’s worked in his parents’ third-party administration firm starting in middle school) and with his knowledge of finance and taxes, Brian develops effective retirement plans to meet the specific needs of businesses of all sizes. We talked in-depth about different plan options available to entrepreneurs, corporate employees with side hustles, and everyone in between - and the major reasons why you should consider them. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: Why the SEP and Solo 401k are great starting points for many business owners - and which may be best for yo

In 2010 Michael Messinger faced an extraordinary challenge; continue his successful career at a large institutional financial firm that paid well, provided fantastic benefits and gave him the flexibility to control his schedule or leave it all behind to start his own firm Redwood Investment Management. Based in Beverly Hills, CA  and working almost exclusively with financial advisors, Redwood now manages over $1.2 billion in assets between their Mutual Funds, SMA and Hedge Fund strategies. Additionally, the firm is creating a lineup of ETFs that will allow them to run their strategies across even more platforms. This amazing growth would not have happened if Michael hadn’t been willing to take risks - and if he hadn’t been able to build a sustainable, win-win model for himself and his clients. Today, we spoke about how he achieved this, what holds so many businesses back, and why passion is so crucial to success. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: Why Michael walked away from a comfortable and highly l

No matter what kind of business you run, finding your purpose - and bringing your company into alignment with it - is key to long-term, sustainable success. Adam Goodman knows this better than almost anyone else. As the 3rd-generation leader of Goodmans Interior Structures, he initially had no desire to become part of the family business - but then realized that he could do more than just sell cubicles. In fact, he discovered how to use the business to make a meaningful impact on his community. Today, Adam and I talk about creating environments to achieve objectives, the power of focusing on a higher purpose, and what happens when you think of everyone - not just shareholders - as stakeholders in your business. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: What Adam did to make his mark when taking over the reins of the family business  The key event that transformed Goodmans - and made it much easier to attract and retain top talent. What we can learn from how the Grateful Dead built a business, community, and l

As you grow your firm, there’s a very good chance that you will eventually need to reach out to your community—or the whole world—in order to find great clients. That’s where PR comes in, and few people know more about PR than Alana Kohl. After working for a Fortune 500 company and a career in corporate finance, she used her know-how and talent to succeed in large-scale national marketing campaigns to build AdvisorPR in 2005. Alana is known for innovative, all-inclusive marketing communications programs designed to help her clients stand out in a crowded field and become prominent voices in their communities. We spoke about what exactly PR entails, when and why financial advisors need it, creative ways to reach your prospects, and much more. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: Common myths and notions that many business owners have about PR—and putting together a strategic plan to get your message out into the world. How to prepare for your first live TV appearance. What Business Owners can do to stay r

At some point in your life, you will face a fork in the road: do you want to stay on a career track that simply pays you, or do you want to follow your true passion, build something of your own, and write your own story?   Melissa L. Hart did just that. She mastered human resources working at Fortune 50 companies all over the United States, then quit to start her own firm, The HumanVantage® Consulting Group, where she helps to bridge the gap between corporate executives and the teams they manage. But that’s not all.. Melissa is also the Founder of The HART of CHANGE™, which was her answer to a corporate lifestyle of poor eating habits, lack of sleep, endless travel, and stress associated with juggling career and family. When she realized the impact it was having on her health, she knew things had to change. Today, I’m speaking with Melissa about finding your purpose in life and how to share it with the people around you as you work toward your greatest good, no matter what you do. In this podcast interview, y

Few people live and breathe accounting like Liz Mason. She graduated college early and got her CPA by the age of 22, then spent several years in the corporate world. During this time, she learned how to automate some of the most grueling tasks that occupied so many accountants’ time, then discovered her vision to make people truly enjoy - rather than dread - accounting. At High Rock Accounting, Liz was one of the first to move her clients into the cloud, creating solutions designed to make their numbers correct from the moment they’re entered - not when they’re fixed at tax time. Today, she joins the podcast to talk about her unique journey, how to find your perfect accountant, and tools to make your life exponentially easier. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: Why the relationship between business and accountant is often adversarial—and how Liz envisioned a better way to do things Tools your business can use to make managing cash flow, bill payments, and other aspects of your day-to-day operation much

At some point in their history, virtually every successful company has needed to raise money—and there are now more ways than ever to do it. Do you rely on your friends and family? Do you bring in outside investors? If so, who? Are you looking for an infusion of cash, or a long-term partner to help you grow and sustain your vision? Kevin Fechtmeyer knows these tough situations and questions very well. With 25 years of experience in private equity both on Wall Street and at his own firm, Cave Creek Capital, he has helped fund over $1 billion in equity and made countless acquisitions, empowering a number of modern leaders in their respective industries, including Dell Computer, Qualcomm, and Hickory Farms. Today, we spoke about his journey, the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship, and why company culture—and being able to cultivate great talent—is key to long-term success. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: When and if you should partner with a private equity firm—and what to avoid in the process. Why

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is the most sweeping overhaul of the US tax code since 1986. While its creators insist that it’s going to make filing easier for many Americans; the bill itself is hugely complicated, changes what benefits you may be eligible for and has led to some surprising outcomes. To help you navigate the new legislature as we gear up for tax season, Jeffrey Levine, CEO and Director of Financial Planning at Blueprint Wealth Alliance, joins me on the podcast after appearances on CNBC and CBS to talk about key takeaways and what you and your financial advisors need to watch out for. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: The goals of tax reform, the new tax brackets and why you need to look at the tax bill in full to truly understand how it will affect your taxes. A number of different ways that high earners may be able to save money under the new tax code—as well as what deductions have changed or are no longer available. Child Tax Credit increases Roth IRA changes How the Pass-Thro

Intellectual property law can be scary – but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, just a few hours of an expert’s time can protect you from costly legal headaches down the line, and no one knows this better than Suzann Moskowitz.  Suzann is the Founder of The Moskowitz Firm, a boutique law firm specializing in helping individuals and businesses protect their intellectual property – trademarks, branding, logos, domain names, and more – in essence, everything businesses need to nurture in order to grow. Suzanne and I spoke about her journey, her passion for intellectual property law, how to protect yourself as an entrepreneur, and the major issues all business owners need to watch out for as they start, grow, and scale their companies. In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: The clear differences between trademarks, copyrights, and patents—and when it makes sense to use each. Common mistakes that entrepreneurs make when starting businesses, the potential legal issues you may face, and how to stop problems from bec

Why is it that some websites rank on page #1 of Google, while others  fail to get attention and attract an ideal audience? Today, you’re going to find out! In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: The biggest digital marketing mistakes entrepreneurs are making and how you can avoid and/or fix them! A 6-part SEO framework to improve your Google website ranking, increase credibility and position yourself as an industry expert. Learn how to tap into the power of video so you can generate leads and turn prospects into buyers. Show notes: bayntree.com/004

There’s no question that technology has the ability to help us create solutions that improve how we operate and do business.   In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: How technology can help you streamline, scale & serve your clients better.   The exact tools that we’ve used to improve company workflow and take our business to that next level. What you should know about hiring 3rd party tech support, the benefits of app integrations, and how to beef up security so your business is protected!    Show notes: http://www.bayntree.com/003

As an entrepreneur, you simply cannot do it on your own. You need a skilled team. One that will free you up from wearing a million different hats and can give you the support to finally focus on scaling your business. But how do you hire employees that can take you from where you are to where you need to go? Find out in today's episode! For a FREE Consultation on How to Efficiently and Cost Effectively Improve Your Hiring Practices visit our show notes: http://www.bayntree.com/002  

Welcome to Your Wealth and Beyond! My name is Andrew Rafal and I am the founder of Bayntree Wealth Advisors. I started this podcast as a way to empower YOU, the entrepreneur, with the insight and information you need to effectively manage and control your personal and professional finances. Far too often as entrepreneurs, we focus so much of our energy on serving our clients, that we neglect to handle our own internal business needs. I get it… it’s not easy. You’re probably wearing a million different hats and finding the time to manage all the moving pieces can be difficult. After building 2 successful Investment Advisory firms from the ground up, and facing many challenges along the way, my goal is to help you simplify the complex and arm you with the information you need to protect your biggest and most important asset—your business. This is NOT just another podcast about money! My focus is to help you grow your business, build your personal wealth and find purpose in what matters most. I’ll be interviewin