Wealthyist

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...

Perfect episode for any entrepreneur who knows they’ll eventually sell but hasn’t yet faced the question: “What then?” In this week’s Wealthiest episode, host Anthony Mlachnik sits down with Andy Oliver, a 30-year finance veteran, two-time business founder/exiter, and partner at Oak Hill Business Partners, a boutique consulting firm that helps lower-middle and middle-market owners dramatically inc...

In this episode of Wealthyist, host Dr. Brian Jacobsen speaks with Tom Berkholtz, Financial Planning Manager about Equity Compensation – what it is, why companies use it, the main types, tax pitfalls, and planning tips. Tom and Brian discuss why companies offer equity compensation, including its primary goal: to attract, retain, and motivate top talent (especially in tech/AI race – Google, Apple,...

Core Theme: How a middle-class Wisconsin upbringing, strong family values, and an athlete’s mindset of consistent small improvements shaped Steve Novak’s approach to money, lifestyle, and giving back — and kept him far away from the “broke ex-athlete” stereotype. Key Takeaways from the Conversation: Grounded Upbringing as the Anchor Grew up in Brown Deer, WI (middle/lower-middle class); dad was a...

In this episode of Wealthyist , host Brian Lamborne (Senior Wealth Strategist at Wealth Management) welcomes Nick Kozik, Director and Shareholder at TKO Miller, a Milwaukee-based boutique investment banking firm specializing in sell-side transactions for family-owned businesses (typically $15M–$250M enterprise value). The discussion dives into the current M&A landscape, strategies for business...

In this empowering episode of Wealthyist —the podcast exploring the lifestyles, choices, and strategies of the affluent—host Deanne Phillips (a CFP and bodybuilding enthusiast) interviews Dr. Tes Jordens. Dr. Jordens, founder of 1988 Wellness (named for the year U.S. women gained independent access to small business loans), shares insights on midlife women's health, debunking myths around menopaus...

Estate planning is uncomfortable (addresses incapacity and death) but essential; integrate it naturally into life/financial discussions for comprehensive planning. Key Checklist of Must-Have Documents & Designations Powers of Attorney (POA) : Financial & Healthcare POAs: Needed at age 18 (even for adult children, e.g., college prep). Parents lose decision rights post-18 without them. Will...

In this episode of the "Wealthyist" podcast, hosted by Anthony Mlachnik, senior wealth manager for Annex Private Client, the focus is on private investments and their role in a diversified portfolio. Mlachnik is joined by Brian Jacobsen, Annex’s chief economic strategist, to discuss the nuances of private markets and their relevance for high-net-worth individuals. The episode begins by defining pr...

The podcast "Wealthyist," hosted by Austin Grandinetti with guest Dr. Brian Jacobson from Annex Wealth Management, discusses a Forbes article highlighting shifts in the investment priorities of high net worth individuals. Key points include: Shift to Income Generation : 82% of affluent investors now prioritize generating income over growth, a change observed over the past two years. This shift fol...

Recently Dr. Brian Jacobsen and Brian Lamborne discussed implications of the OBBBA on Business Owners. In this episode of Wealthyist , hosted by Brian Jacobsen, Chief Economist at Annex Wealth Management, and featuring Brian Lamborne, Senior Wealth Strategist, the discussion focuses on the implications of the "one big beautiful bill" (likely referring to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act or a similar tax...

In this republished episode of "Wealthyist" podcast Episode 24, host Brandon Lehman interviews Dale Kooyenga, president of the Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce, about economic development in the Milwaukee region, specifically the Milwaukee Seven (M7), which represents seven counties in southeast Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Waukesha, and Washington. The M7 focus...

In this week's episode of the "Wealthyist" podcast, hosted by Dr. Brian Jacobsen, Chief Economist at Annex Wealth Management, with guest Brian Lamborne, Senior Wealth Strategist at Annex Private Client, discussion focused on Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and comparisons to the Qualified Business Income Deduction (QBID) from their previous episode.  Here's a summary: QSBS applies to stock i...

 Exploring key tax provisions like Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction and Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS), and their implications for starting and selling a business, as influenced by the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBB). Synopsis : In this episode of Wealthyist , Dr. Brian Jacobsen and Brian Lamborne dive into the complexities of business tax strategies, likening them to an "alphabet s...

In this episode of Wealthyist, host Anthony Mlachnik, a senior wealth manager at Annex Wealth Management, interviews Collin Yelich, a former professional baseball player turned high-end real estate professional in southeast Wisconsin. The discussion focuses on Yelich’s transition from athletics to real estate, his integration into the Milwaukee community, and his work helping professional athletes...

In this episode of "Wealthyist", hosted by Anthony Malachnik, Senior Wealth Manager, and Brian Jacobsen, Chief Economist at Annex Wealth Management, the discussion focuses on the implications of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB), signed into law on July 4, for business owners planning their exit strategies. Key points include: Importance of Exit Planning : Business owners are often deeply involv...