Category: Financial Planning
Action Steps After Loss With Delaney Orozco (Ep. 45)

Action Steps After Loss With Delaney Orozco (Ep. 45)

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Despite the certainty of life’s endpoint, many individuals find themselves unprepared for the emotional and financial implications when a loved one suddenly passes away.

Do you have the right people and processes in place?

Join Nicole Romito and guest Delaney Orozco for an insightful dive into the complexities surrounding the sudden death of a loved one, providing knowledge and compassion for those faced with this challenging situation. From establishing a “key person” to assist with the immediate steps to engaging in self-care practices and managing financial protocols, this episode offers support, guidance, and actionable tips for navigating through one of life’s most difficult times.

Nicole and Delaney discuss: 

  • The importance of identifying a “key person” for immediate and supportive action
  • Developing practical checklists for financial and personal affairs
  • The significance of self-care and seeking emotional support during the grieving process
  • The different roles of importance such as trustees, executors, and powers of attorney
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Delaney Orozco:

About Our Guest: 

Delaney Orozco, CFP®, began in the financial services industry in 2015 as a service advisor. Throughout her career, she has focused on finding the intersection between the day-to-day processes of the financial world and bigger-picture planning, with the goal of assisting her clients in achieving their private vista. Delaney also has a deep passion for developing guides for her clients, helping them navigate the psychology behind finance and the numbers they see on the page. Her experience as a collegiate athlete has equipped her with the work ethic and dedication necessary to perform at a high level, which she hopes to offer her clients.

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Credit Building Essentials With Kenneth Ashford (Ep. 44)

Credit Building Essentials With Kenneth Ashford (Ep. 44)

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Ever wondered how your credit score affects your life beyond loans and credit cards? 

Join Nicole Romito alongside relationship banker at Wintrust Bank, Kenneth Ashford for a deep dive into the far-reaching effects of credit. From the basics of starting your credit journey to advanced strategies for maximizing your score, Kenneth sheds light on the critical role credit plays in financial health and decision-making. Follow along for a comprehensive overview, essential for anyone looking to enhance their financial literacy and navigate the credit landscape effectively.

Nicole and Kenneth discuss: 

  • The importance of establishing a healthy credit foundation early on
  • Key components that impact your credit score and tips on how to improve it
  • Common myths about credit and how to avoid misuse 
  • Real-life implications of credit scores on renting apartments, securing loans, and more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Kenneth Ashford:

About Our Guest: 

Kenneth Ashford is currently a relationship banker and officer at Wintrust Bank. However, his professional journey spans over four decades, predominantly in customer service roles, showcasing his extensive background in the field.

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Strategies for Maximizing Executive Compensation with Matt Parenti – Part Two (Ep. 43)

Strategies for Maximizing Executive Compensation with Matt Parenti – Part Two (Ep. 43)

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In this final installment of this two-part series, host Nicole Romito and guest Matt Parenti delve into executive compensation, providing valuable insights for navigating this complex realm. They discuss essential strategies for maximizing compensation plans, minimizing risk, addressing tax implications, and integrating these elements into long-term financial planning to achieve personal goals.

Nicole and Matt discuss: 

  • Strategies to maximize different executive compensation plans
  • Techniques for reducing exposure in equity and share investments
  • Tax implications related to various compensation components
  • Aligning executive compensation with long-term financial planning and charitable giving
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Matt Parenti:

About Matt Parenti: 

Matt Parenti is a seasoned financial planner specializing in assisting corporate executives, startup entrepreneurs, and business owners. With a focus on legacy planning, Matt ensures his clients’ financial security and longevity. He is deeply committed to building meaningful relationships, both professionally and personally. As Chair of the Growth & Marketing Committee at his firm, he emphasizes the importance of the “Private Vista Experience” for clients and colleagues alike. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Economics and a Minor in International Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, along with a Master’s Degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame.

Outside of work, Matt treasures time with family and friends, enjoys outdoor activities, and seeks to share his knowledge through mentorship and teaching.

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Strategies for Maximizing Executive Compensation with Matt Parenti – Part One (Ep. 42)

Strategies for Maximizing Executive Compensation with Matt Parenti – Part One (Ep. 42)

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Are you a corporate executive navigating the complexities of executive compensation? 

Follow along in this installment as Nicole Romito is joined by Matt Parenti a fellow partner at Private Vista. Learn the ABCs of executive compensation and how to maximize your compensation plans for financial success and security in today’s ever-evolving market landscape.

Nicole & Matt discuss: 

  • Different ways corporate executives are compensated
  • Challenges and considerations faced by executives 
  • Managing company stock and deferred compensation plans as part of a financial strategy
  • And more!

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Matt Parenti:

About Matt Parenti: 

Matt Parenti is a seasoned financial planner specializing in assisting corporate executives, startup entrepreneurs, and business owners. With a focus on legacy planning, Matt ensures his clients’ financial security and longevity. He is deeply committed to building meaningful relationships, both professionally and personally. As Chair of the Growth & Marketing Committee at his firm, he emphasizes the importance of the “Private Vista Experience” for clients and colleagues alike. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Economics and a Minor in International Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, along with a Master’s Degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame.

Outside of work, Matt treasures time with family and friends, enjoys outdoor activities, and seeks to share his knowledge through mentorship and teaching.

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Living Your Fulfilled Life With Julie Liss (Ep. 41)

Living Your Fulfilled Life With Julie Liss (Ep. 41)

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When thinking about your financial plan, are you focusing on the serious aspects and how adult the conversation is? Or are you adding in some humor to create a more fulfilling retirement 

plan?

In this episode, Nicole Romito speaks with Julie Liss, Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director at Hal Riney, on the importance of incorporating humor into financial strategies and focusing on present joy and fulfillment rather than solely retirement and financial numbers. They explore the importance of creativity, managing a busy schedule, remote work, community, and the freedom that wealth can bring.

Nicole and Julie discuss: 

  • The importance of humor and not taking financial life too seriously
  • Why advisors and their clients should have discussions about the client’s life beyond careers and finances
  • Redefining what retirement means beyond leaving the job
  • How to balance a busy schedule with personal time for creativity
  • And more

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Julie Liss:

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Preparing For The Sale of Your Business: Part 3 with Matthew Hammer & Dawn Mase (Ep. 40)

Preparing For The Sale of Your Business: Part 3 with Matthew Hammer & Dawn Mase (Ep. 40)

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Are you grappling with the complexities of selling your business, unsure of where to start or how to navigate the process?

In this enlightening episode, Nicole is joined by seasoned professionals, Matthew Hammer and Dawn Mase from Wintrust Commercial Banking, to shed light on the intricacies of selling a business. Through their experiences and insights, they demystify the process and provide valuable advice to help business owners overcome different hurdles to successfully exit their business and leave it in the right hands.

Nicole, Matthew Hammer & Dawn Mase discuss: 

  • Different ways to exit your business
  • Selling to strategic investors, financial investors, or through private sales
  • Structuring the sale transaction
  • Overcoming common pitfalls
  • Key components of the sale transaction, ie earnouts, rollover equity, and working capital adjustments
  • Continuing involvement post-sale
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Matthew Hammer:

About Matthew: 

Matthew Hammer is a Group Senior Vice President & Division Manager in Wintrust’s Commercial Bank managing Chicago-based middle market privately held businesses.  Matt has 21 years of commercial banking experience, including helping lead Wintrust’s growth since 2013 with diverse experience with manufacturing, distribution, and service companies.

Matt has a Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University, Krannert School of Management with a focus in Finance and Marketing.  Matt is an Evans Scholar alum and active in various leadership positions within the Western Golf Association and Purdue University Chapter. Before joining Wintrust in 2013, Matt worked for LaSalle Bank and its successor Bank of America for 10 years.

Connect with Dawn Mase:

About Dawn Mase: 

Dawn Mase is a Senior Vice President in Wintrust’s Commercial Bank where she serves as relationship manager identifying and developing new client relationships and providing comprehensive solutions to existing client relationships. Dawn has over 25 years of commercial banking experience in cash flow and collateralized lending, primarily to privately held companies covering a broad spectrum of industries. She has experience in many areas including financing, domestic and international treasury management, investment management, trade and FX, asset-based lending, equipment finance, derivatives as well as syndicated finance.

Dawn earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Illinois State University with a focus in finance. She has been actively involved in mentoring young bankers throughout her career. Prior to Wintrust, she worked for JPMorgan Chase within their capital markets group. She specialized in syndicated finance and private placements and was Series 7 licensed.

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Preparing For The Sale of Your Business: Part 2 with Deanna Salo and Eric VanderPloeg (Ep. 39)

Preparing For The Sale of Your Business: Part 2 with Deanna Salo and Eric VanderPloeg (Ep. 39)

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Whether you’re at the onset of selling your business or simply exploring your options, knowing what to look out for can help you make informed decisions.

In this episode, Nicole is joined by Deanna Salo Managing Principal with Cray Kaiser, and Eric Vanderploeg of Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella’s Litigation to share their wealth of knowledge and practical tips to guide you through the process.

Join us for an insightful discussion on the legal, tax, and financial considerations when preparing to sell your business.

Nicole, Eric & Deanna discuss: 

  • The importance of involving professionals early in the sale process.
  • The critical role of corporate agreements.
  • The importance of accurately valuing the business.
  • Involving key employees to protect the value of the business.
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Eric VanderPloeg:

Connect with Deanna Salo:

About Deanna:

Deanna Salo has been with Cray Kaiser for over 35 years, where she specializes in mergers, acquisitions, shareholder disputes, and ensuring strong agreements for companies. However, she emphasizes the personal impact of each engagement, viewing them as connections with individuals or families. 

Starting at Cray Kaiser in 1986 after graduating from the University of Arizona, Deanna has grown alongside the firm, which values a people-centric approach. As a Principal since 2001 and Managing Principal since 2021, she provides assurance, strategic, and tax planning services, particularly focusing on closely held and family-owned businesses and nonprofits. 

Deanna also leads Cray Kaiser’s relationship with DePaul University’s Entrepreneur and Family Business Council and is highly accessible to its members due to her dedication to their success.

About Eric:

Eric P. VanderPloeg is a partner at Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C. Mr. VanderPloeg is a member of the firm’s Automotive Franchise, Litigation, and Consumer Financial Services Litigation practice groups.

Eric started his career as a litigator, and he has handled an array of commercial matters in both state and federal court in several states and jurisdictions.  In addition to handling disputes, Eric now also acts as general counsel to businesses in several industries, providing advice on legal matters, including contractual, employment, regulatory, and corporate governance matters.

In 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, Mr. VanderPloeg was named as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers®, an attorney rating service from Thompson Reuters.

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Preparing For The Sale of Your Business: Part 1 with George Karavattuveetil (Ep. 38)

Preparing For The Sale of Your Business: Part 1 with George Karavattuveetil (Ep. 38)

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So you’re ready to sell your business or have been thinking about selling for a while, now what?

In this two-part episode, Nicole speaks with George Karavattuveetil, President of Psyched, LLC, about how to prepare yourself to sell your business. George shares his 3-step process to help business owners get ready to sell. Nicole and George draw attention to the lack of understanding and preparation among business owners for the emotional impact of selling their business, and the shift in private equity firms’ interest in long-term views when purchasing businesses. They go on to emphasize the importance of managing emotions during the sale of a business, and the value of teamwork and professional advice during the transition.

Nicole and George discuss: 

  • Emotional and psychological aspects of preparing to sell a business
  • Prioritizing goals and values when seeking a buyer
  • Private equity firms’ interest in long-term views when purchasing businesses
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with George Karavattuveetil:

About George Karavattuveetil: 

George Karavattuveetil is the President of Psyched, LLC. His unique experience has provided him with opportunities to gain critical perspectives of employees and management, entry-level and executive, within union and non-union environments, and across nearly every industry and functional classification. His success has always been with people. George’s goal is to maximize individual and team performance. Not in comparison to others, but relative to what one is capable of. 

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Municipal Bonds Unveiled with Matt Bernardi (Ep. 37)

Municipal Bonds Unveiled with Matt Bernardi (Ep. 37)

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There is a big part of the investing world that doesn’t get as much news as equity markets.

But it should.

In this installment of Dollar$ and $ense, Nicole is joined by Matt Bernardi from Bernardi Securities. Together, they demystify the municipal bond market, a key component in funding local infrastructure projects that are vital to our communities. Matt and Nicole expand on how today’s market has weathered the storm of the COVID-19 crisis and the role of stimulus funds in ensuring municipal stability. The discussion extends to the broader economic context, including consumer spending patterns and the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, to illustrate their impact on the bond market.

With this episode, you will gain insight into: 

  • The significance of the municipal bond market
  • Resilience and adaptability of municipal credit during and after COVID-19
  • How the Federal Reserve’s actions impact the municipal bond market
  • Pension liabilities and the potential effects of quantitative tightening on bond portfolios
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Matt Bernardi: 

About Our Guest: 

Matt Bernardi joined Bernardi Securities in August of 2013 after trading for 3 years at Chesapeake Partners, a hedge fund located in Baltimore, Maryland. Matt currently assists individuals, pension funds, banks, and other institutions regarding their municipal bond portfolios. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2010 with a B.A. in history and economics minor. Matt currently holds the Series 7, 24, 27, 52, 53, 63, and 65 licenses, serves on the Union League Boys & Girls Club investment committee, and is past President of the Associate Board.

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Building Your Team for a Successful Divorce Process with Susan Guthrie (Ep. 36)

Building Your Team for a Successful Divorce Process with Susan Guthrie (Ep. 36)

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Divorce is an emotional time for both spouses, but it’s important not to let emotions control the process. How can you build the best team for your divorce?

In this episode, Nicole Romito speaks with Susan Guthrie, a family law attorney, about the intricacies of divorce. They emphasize the value of a collaborative approach over litigation and the importance of assembling a professional team, including attorneys, financial advisors, and mental health professionals. Susan advises listeners on how to select the right attorney, stressing the need for one who genuinely practices collaborative law. They discuss the significance of experience and mindset in professionals guiding the divorce process and debunk the misconception that collaborative divorce requires a friendly relationship between spouses. Their conversation highlights the benefits of collaborative and mediated divorces for all parties involved, especially children.

Nicole and Susan discuss: 

  • The need for emotional support before hiring an attorney
  • The role of a divorce coach and a financial professional in managing emotions and making rational decisions
  • The benefits associated with a well-rounded professional team
  • The holistic approach to divorce which involves legal, emotional, and financial aspects
  • Misconceptions about collaborative divorce, the importance of commitment to the process, and how to find an attorney committed to the collaborative process
  • The importance of vetting professionals and asking the right questions
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Susan Guthrie:

About Our Guest: 

Susan Guthrie is a nationally recognized family law attorney. She had a successful practice in Connecticut for 32 years and now is a well-known, collaborative and mediation trainer. She aims to help other attorneys learn how to effectively help their clients choose a more productive and amicable way to divorce. She’s also the host of two podcasts, Divorce and Beyond, and Make Money Mediating. 

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