The Weight She Carried
Sarah had built an impressive career in pharmaceuticals, but despite her success, she couldn’t shake the constant worry about money. Even with substantial assets, she felt like she was missing something important.
- Complex stock option package worth over $800K that she didn’t fully understand
- Constant anxiety about whether she was making the “right” financial decisions
- Dreams of early retirement to focus on philanthropy, but uncertain about feasibility
- Feeling overwhelmed by competing financial priorities and tax implications
She felt like she seemed successful on paper, but she still felt this underlying anxiety about money. That’s when she knew she needed someone who could help her see the bigger picture.
How Align360™ Worked for Sarah
01. ORGANIZE & ALIGN
Clarity First
We organized all her financial accounts and helped her define what “enough” truly meant for her personal and philanthropic goals.
02. ANALYZE & COLLABORATE
Exploring Possibilities
Together, we modeled different scenarios for her stock options and early retirement timeline, showing her exactly what was possible.
03. RECOMMEND & IMPLEMENT
Confident Action
We implemented a tax-efficient strategy for her equity compensation and created her “freedom fund” for philanthropic giving as well as her optimal lifestyle.
The Transformation
Within 18 months, Sarah had not only optimized her financial position but also gained the confidence to make the life changes she’d been dreaming about.
- Reduced tax liability on stock options through strategic timing
- Built her “freedom fund” to seven figures, making early retirement possible
- Transitioned to part-time consulting while increasing charitable giving and volunteering work
- Created a sustainable income plan supporting both lifestyle and philanthropy
The Real Result
She knew exactly what she could afford to give, when she could retire, and what her money could do for the causes she cared about. And most importantly, she feels genuinely excited about her financial future.