Wealthyist

In this episode of Wealthyist, host Austin Grandinetti sits down with Amber Kolacki-Hake, designer at Wise Design Builders, to explore how affluent homeowners in the Lake Country area (and beyond) are thoughtfully redesigning their homes to match evolving lifestyles. Key highlights include: The rise of multi-zone kitchens — entertainment/show kitchens with clean, streamlined islands for gathering,...

The episode of Wealthyist (the podcast exploring the lifestyles, choices, and strategies of the wealthy, produced by Annex Wealth Management) features host Tom Parks , Director of Retirement Plan Services, interviewing his colleague Deanne Phillips , Managing Director of Client and Community Engagement. The focus is on "passion assets" —personal items acquired out of genuine love and passion rathe...

In this episode of Wealthyist , host Kent Halleen sits down with Freddie Hoppe, co-owner and sales manager of Hoppe Tree Service and a third-generation arborist whose family business dates back to 1972. They explore how professional tree care and landscape management serve as essential services for high-net-worth properties and estates, where owners often invest six figures annually in maintenance...

In this episode of Wealthyist , host Greg Batiansila sits down with Tom Parks, Director of Retirement Plan Services at Annex Wealth Management. Tom leads Annex’s 401(k) advisory team and brings over 25 years of experience helping business owners optimize their retirement plans. The conversation challenges the common view of 401(k) plans as just another compliance checkbox or “fine for now” employe...

In this episode of Wealthyist , hosts Tom Berkholtz (CFP®, EA, ECA) and Eric Strom (CFP®, EA) break down the critical difference between tax preparation and tax planning — and why the distinction matters more than ever for high-net-worth individuals in 2026. Tax preparation is the annual filing process: gathering documents, accurately completing your return, and avoiding penalties. Tax planning ,...

Are Beneficiary Designations Undermining Your Estate Plan? Beneficiary designations are contractual instructions you give to financial institutions about who receives assets in accounts like: IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s Checking and savings accounts (often called Payable on Death - POD or Transfer on Death - TOD) These are legally binding contracts between you and the financial institution. They gene...

In this episode, host Austin Grandinetti sits down with Ashley Kuehnel of Midwestern Bride and Koryn Bennett   of Ivy Lane Photo Company . The conversation dives into the evolving world of luxury and premium weddings, particularly in the Midwest. Key highlights include: What "luxury" really means : It varies wildly by couple—some prioritize an intimate experience with 10 guests and heavy investmen...

In this engaging Wealthyist episode, host Kent Haleen and co-host David Panitzke (both proud new owners of the same-year manual-transmission Corvettes) welcome Jay Shiek , aka Jay the Car Guy — a passionate collector, appraiser, broker, and key figure reviving the Milwaukee Concours d’Elegance. Jay shares his origin story: a lifelong car enthusiast who turned his passion into a business helping cl...

In this episode of The Wealthyist , Kent Halleen sits down with John Choate — former Navy SEAL officer, successful entrepreneur, and founder of Apogee Travel , a transparent hotel booking platform that supports veteran causes and charities like St. Jude. John shares hard-earned leadership lessons from the SEAL teams that translate directly to building high-performing businesses and living a wealth...

In this engaging episode of Wealthyist , host Anthony Mlachnik (Senior Wealth Advisor at Annex Private Client) sits down with Joan Nesbitt , Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). With over 30 years in higher education fundraising—including more than a decade in a similar role at Missouri S&T—Nesbitt shares insights from the front lines of pa...

In this remote episode of Wealthyist , recorded live from Jet OUT’s new hangar in Waukesha, Wisconsin, host Anthony Mlachnik (Senior Wealth Advisor at Annex Private Client) sits down with Evan Rossiter , Sales Director at Jet OUT — a Milwaukee-based private aviation company. Evan clearly explains Jet OUT’s co-ownership model : it’s not traditional fractional ownership (like NetJets), not a jet car...

In this episode of Wealthyist , host Anthony Mlachnik interviews Jim Villa , CEO of NAIOP Wisconsin (the Commercial Real Estate Development Association). With 35 years in public policy, politics, and economic development—including roles under Governor Tommy Thompson and Scott Walker—Villa offers a grounded, insider perspective on commercial real estate as a vehicle for wealth creation and communit...

In this episode of Wealthyist , host Anthony Mlachnik(senior wealth advisor at Annex Private Client) interviews Dr. Tim Murray, an anesthesiologist and founder/CEO of Solstice Health. Murray launched the company in 2012 after witnessing pricing practices in traditional hospital systems, noting that medical bills remain the #1 cause of bankruptcy. Core Business Model: Solstice Health combines Direc...

The episode of Wealthyist (the podcast exploring the lifestyles, choices, and strategies of the wealthy, produced by Annex Wealth Management) features host Tom Parks , Director of Retirement Plan Services, interviewing his colleague Deanne Phillips , Managing Director of Client and Community Engagement. The focus is on "passion assets" —personal items acquired out of genuine love and passion rathe...

Host Anthony Mlachnik , Senior Wealth Advisor at Annex Private Client, interviews Rich Gray , founder of Rebrand NY—a sports and business development firm that connects brands with athletes for authentic marketing partnerships, while helping athletes (current, NIL-eligible, and retired) maximize their personal brands, off-field ventures, and long-term opportunities. Key Discussion Points: Rich's B...

In this week's episode of Wealthyist, hosted by Anthony Mlachnik, Senior Wealth Advisor for Annex Private Client, Anthony and Rose Gray from Fox World Travel explore how the definition of luxury travel has evolved dramatically. No longer about the most extravagant, showy accommodations or vehicles to "make a statement," today's affluent travelers prioritize exceptional service, bespoke and unique...

In this episode of Wealthyist , host Deanne Phillips , CFP® and Managing Director of Client and Community Engagement at Annex Wealth Management, interviews Dr. Suzanne Gehl (a board-certified family physician, former WAFP president, and owner of a solo Direct Primary Care practice in Hartford, Wisconsin. Dr. Gehl explains Direct Primary Care (DPC) as a membership-based model that provides unlimite...

This week's episode of Wealthyist (the podcast exploring the lifestyles, choices, and strategies of the wealthy, produced by Annex Private Client/Annex Wealth Management) is hosted by Anthony Mlachnik, a senior wealth advisor. The guest is Brian Weis, a serial entrepreneur deeply passionate about golf. He runs multiple golf-related businesses, including GolfTrips.com (focused on golf travel), Golf...

In this episode of Wealthyist , host Anthony Mlachnik, a senior wealth advisor at Annex Wealth Management, sits down with Amanda Payne, President and CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance (the local Chamber of Commerce). The conversation explores why Waukesha County ranks among Wisconsin's wealthiest and the top 200 in the U.S., highlighting its appeal as a hub for business success, family...

In this engaging episode of Wealthyist , hosted by Anthony Mlachnik (Senior Wealth Advisor at Annex Private Client), he interviews Karissa Gretebeck , Manager of Volunteer Engagement at United Way in Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County. With nearly 15 years at United Way, Karisa shares her journey from a small nonprofit to embracing the organization's global reach, brand strength, and collaborat...

This episode focuses on the realities of selling a business, especially in the lower middle market (businesses under ~$200M in revenue). Here's a breakdown of the main points Steve covers: Role of an Investment Banker (Sell-Side) : They guide owners through preparation and the structured sale process to maximize outcomes. The biggest "competitor" is often the owner trying to sell DIY—possible, but...

In this episode of Wealthyist , host Tom Berkholtz interviews Khaleel Ali, Senior Education Savings Consultant at TIAA-CREF (the plan manager for Edvest, Wisconsin's 529 college savings plan). Khaleel shares his 16+ years in financial services and his six-year tenure with the Edvest program, which has been managed by TIAA-CREF since 2012 and boasts over $6 billion in assets (with recent figures sh...

Guest : Jake Biernbaum, renowned horse trainer and founder of Pear Tree Ranch in Ocala, Florida. Known for his large YouTube following and expertise in natural horsemanship. Key Points from the Episode : Origin and Growth of Pear Tree Ranch Founded in 2011 when Jake went independent after working with Parelli Natural Horsemanship.  Started with almost nothing — living on ramen and PB&J, no tru...

In this episode of the Wealthiest podcast (hosted by Anthony Mlachnik, Senior Wealth Advisor at Annex Private Client), guest Chellee Siewert (President and Founder of Capture Sports & Entertainment) discusses how her firm helps professional athletes, entertainers, and organizations develop authentic philanthropic strategies. Key highlights include: End-of-Year Giving Trends — About 30% of annu...

Host: Anthony Mlachnik (Senior Wealth Advisor, Annex Private Client) Guest: Anna Franklin – Founder & Creative Director of Stonehouse Collective (Milwaukee/Wisconsin-based luxury interior design firm) Anna’s Journey Grew up in small-town Wisconsin → studied Public Relations → moved to Chicago for event planning & major-gift fundraising (10 years). Met husband in Chicago, moved back to Wisc...