If you’re reading this, chances are you’re doing well. You’re a top-producing real estate agent, a business owner, a high-performing service provider—or someone who’s worked hard to build a powerful income stream. In many ways, you’ve made it.

But I want to let you in on something I see far too often: high earners who are crushing it in their business, but leaking money behind the scenes because they haven’t made one crucial shift.

They’re still thinking like producers—not like CFOs.

I work with successful professionals all across California. I see the same pattern over and over again: tons of revenue, minimal structure, avoidable tax bills, and very little long-term planning. You’re working in your business but not on your wealth strategy. And in a high-tax state like California? That can cost you hundreds of thousands over time.

Let’s talk about how to fix that.

Step One: Stop Thinking Like a Top Producer

Yes, being a producer is important. You have to be visible, market-savvy, and ready to close. But if you’re earning six or seven figures and still operating without a CFO mindset, you’re capping your long-term financial potential.

Producers focus on gross income.
CFOs focus on net worth.

Producers track deals.
CFOs track cash flow, taxes, and scalable wealth vehicles.

If that mindset shift feels foreign, don’t worry—that’s what I’m here for.

Step Two: Choose the Right Entity

One of the first things I look at with clients is how their business is structured. In California, this is not a one-size-fits-all decision.

A sole proprietorship or even a basic LLC might have been fine when you started. But if you’re earning $100K or more, it’s time to explore a better option—especially the S-Corp election.

With an S-Corp, you pay yourself a reasonable salary (subject to payroll taxes) and take the rest as distributions (not subject to self-employment tax). This one move alone can save my clients thousands per year. And in California, where taxes are some of the highest in the country, that adds up fast.

I can’t tell you how many high-income earners come to me after they’ve overpaid for years. Let’s not make that your story.

Step Three: Treat Taxes Like Your Biggest Expense—Because They Are

The average high earner spends more on taxes than their mortgage, lifestyle, or business expenses. Yet most people treat taxes like something they only think about in April.

That’s a huge mistake.

I help my clients take a proactive approach. We look at how to legally and strategically reduce tax exposure all year long—not just at filing time.

Here’s what that looks like in real life:

Deduct With Intention

If you’re already spending the money, let’s make sure it’s deductible.

• Hosting events at your home? Use the Augusta Rule to rent it back to your business.
  
• Driving to showings or networking events? Track every single mile—in 2025, you’re looking at 67 cents per mile.
  
• Investing in masterminds or coaching? That’s not just personal growth—it’s a business write-off.
  

Stack the Right Retirement Plans

If you’re a high-income earner, traditional retirement tools aren’t enough. That’s why I help my clients explore:

• Solo 401(k)s – Defer up to $69,000 annually if structured correctly.
  
• Cash Balance Pension Plans – Perfect for six- and seven-figure earners looking to defer $150K+ per year.
  
• SEP IRAs – Great for business owners who want flexibility and high contribution limits without a lot of complexity.
  

Not only do these reduce your current tax bill—they help you grow long-term wealth in a tax-advantaged way.

Step Four: Build Tax-Free Wealth with LIRPs

One of my favorite strategies for long-term tax-free income is the Life Insurance Retirement Plan (LIRP). This is something most financial advisors don’t talk about, but here’s why I love it for my clients:

• It’s not tied to the stock market—there’s a 0% floor, so you don’t lose your principal during a bad year.
  
• It grows tax-deferred and lets you borrow from it tax-free in retirement.
  
• It’s liquid, flexible, and provides protection + growth—a rare combo.
  

If you’re an agent or entrepreneur whose income ebbs and flows with the market, this kind of strategy brings stability—and that’s priceless.

You’re Not Just an Agent. You’re a Business.

I say this to my clients all the time: You are not just a salesperson. You are the CEO and CFO of a thriving brand. That means your money deserves structure, strategy, and attention.

When you stop thinking like a producer and start thinking like a financial strategist, everything changes. Your income becomes a tool. Your business becomes a wealth-building machine. And your taxes? They stop being a burden and start becoming an opportunity.

I help high earners like you optimize, protect, and multiply your money—without giving up the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to build.

Ready to think like a CFO? I’m here when you are.