Investing for Small Business Owners:  3 Tips to a Better Portfolio

/ Castle Wealth Advisros, LLC/

For many small business owners, their business is their biggest asset as well as the largest producer of their family’s income. Business owners are entrepreneurs and are generally more comfortable taking on risks. For these reasons, small business owners face unique challenges when considering and selecting investments for their portfolios, and it’s important to keep in mind some basic investment principals. Not doing so can cause business owners to take on too much risk unnecessarily and can endanger their business and their income.

Here are three tips that small business owners should use to guide their investing decisions:

1.    Establish an emergency fund

Business is cyclical for many small business owners, meaning that there will be times throughout the year when business is better than at other times, and income can vary from month to month.

That’s why it’s especially important to set up an emergency funds account containing enough cash or liquid funds to cover the months when your income does not cover your family’s living expenses. Keeping at least three to six months’ living expenses is a good rule of thumb, and more is even better. Money market accounts are good places to store these emergency funds, because they give you a better return than traditional savings accounts while remaining free of stock market volatility, which is important for a shorter-term savings vehicle.

Setting up this safety net will help to provide you some security for the times when business is down or your other investments perform poorly.

 

2.    Diversify, diversify, diversify

I’m sure you have heard, probably more than once, that diversification is one of the most important concepts in investing. For small business owners this is a critical point, because many small business owners invest all of their assets back into their businesses. While investing in your business is a good idea, you should consider setting limits on the amount of money you invest back into it.

When small business owners invest all of their funds back into their companies, they are concentrating more funds into one asset. Doing this increases their level of risk. If something were to happen to their business, it could be extremely dangerous to their family’s financial security. When reviewing investment options, make sure that you are putting as much money as possible outside of your business, too. Don’t expose yourself to more risk than necessary. 

While we are on the topic of diversification, small business owners should diversify outside of their industries and sectors, as well. Doing this will help to protect your portfolio if the markets change and your business’s sector goes out of favor. Not doing it means not only does your business suffer, but your other investments do as well.

Again: Diversify, diversify, diversify.

 

3.    Consider customization

When evaluating the many different types of investment options, vehicles, risks and their impact to your portfolio, don’t overlook getting help when and where needed. There is no one-size-fits-all investment approach, and many times business owners and individuals get bogged down with research and choices. Often when considering their overall portfolio holdings, business owners forget to include some of the other investments they have like their companies or real estate investments.

Working with a professional can help you to factor in all of your investment holdings, determine your right time horizon, evaluate your risk tolerance and weigh them against your current holdings and proposed investments to help you select an investment strategy that is tailored to you.  

 

If you are a small business owner consider these tips the next time you are evaluating or adding to your investment portfolio. They will help you avoid some common mistake others make.  If you don’t have a trusted advisor to help,  are unsure/ have questions about your business, and are located in California or Alabama Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC would be happy to discuss your situation and offer guidance.  Check us out to learn more who we are.

 

 

This information is general in nature and may be subject to change.  Financial professionals and other representatives are not authorized to give legal, tax or accounting advice. Applicable laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. Any tax statements in this material are not intended to suggest the avoidance of U.S. federal, state or local tax penalties. For advice concerning your individual circumstances, consult a professional attorney, tax advisor or accountant.

Securities offered through NMS Capital Advisors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory products and services offered through Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. NMS Capital Advisors, LLC and Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC are unaffiliated entities.

 

/ Castle Wealth Advisros, LLC/ /
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Heather Castle

I am originally from Virginia and grew up in Tuscaloosa, Al.  I completed both of my degrees at the University of Alabama.  My undergrad degree in Finance and then later my MBA from the Manderson Business School through their Executive MBA program. 

I started Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC because I wanted to provide ethical and approachable financial planning and investment management to individuals and business owners, concerned with their financial futures, regardless of age, sex, race, or net worth.

I've always believed clients should work with reputable, qualified, and experienced advisors.  So it was important to me to gain industry experience as well as pursuing additional industry specific designations.  I have passed the following licensing exams:

     Series 7, General Securities Representative

     Series 66, Investment Advisor Representative 

     Series 9 & 10, General Securities Sales Supervisor

     California Life, Health, and Variable Insurance (License #0K01554)

I have been in the financial services industry since 2006 and have work with many differing type of clients over the years.  One thing I know to be true, everyone wants to feel heard and cared about.  Meaning everyone I have ever worked with wants to feel like their desires, wants and needs have been heard and taken into consideration when speaking about their personal financial matters.

Many people have the same goals, they just express them differently, and then there are a few who’s view and desires are completely different.  This is one of the aspects I love about my job.  The PEOPLE!  I get to meet some many interesting people and they challenge me daily.  No day in my line of work is the same.  Today I could be planning for a family who owns a small business and tomorrow working with a women going through a painful divorce.  Listening and building financial plans and strategies around personal needs is why many of my clients have said they do business with me and have stayed with me. 

Another reason I love my job… I get to truly HELP people.  I get to make a living and provide for my family while helping others.  Over my career I have felt a need to dive deeper into financial planning and working with high net worth individuals who have greater planning and investing needs.  Listed below I have highlighted a few of the areas I specialize in:

·      Women in transition (divorce/ death)

·      Corporate Executives

·      Young Entrepreneurs

·      Small Business Owners

·      Family with Special Needs Members

·      Complex Retirement and Estate Planning Needs

Currently I live in Brentwood and really enjoy the West Side of Los Angeles.  I am actively involved with the Junior League of Los Angeles.  I have a passion for trying new things and new experiences.  So, in my free time I love traveling and scuba diving.  I also am interested in learning French, taking pilot’s lessons and dancing the tango!