Financial Planning for Builders
I built software.
Now I build wealth strategies
for people like us.
Financial planning for tech founders, startup execs, and high-earning professionals who would rather focus on building than managing money.
Michigan-based. Nationally available.
About
Hey, I'm Malik.
I started my career writing code. I shipped products, sat in the meetings where equity and cap tables get discussed, and watched brilliant people build incredible things — while making terrible decisions with their money.
> smart enough to build a company
> too busy to manage the money from it
> that's where I come in
I made the switch to financial planning because I realized the people I respected most — founders, engineers, physicians — were underserved by traditional advisors who didn't understand their world.
I've written code, shipped products, and sat in the meetings where equity and cap tables get discussed. Now I use that context to build financial strategies for people who build things.
// not your parents' financial advisor
Who I Help
Built for builders.
The common thread? You're all too busy doing important work to micromanage your money. That's not a problem. That's smart delegation.
Tech Founders & Startup Execs
Navigating equity comp, liquidity events, and the transition from founder salary to real wealth.
High-Earning Physicians
From residency debt to attending wealth. Student loans, practice buy-ins, and tax-efficient investing.
Executives & Business Owners
Complex comp packages, deferred income, and building wealth beyond the W-2.
How It Works
Three steps. No complexity.
We talk.
A 30-minute conversation about your situation. No sales pitch. Just honest assessment of where you are and where you want to be.
I build a plan.
A personalized financial strategy based on your goals, your timeline, and the complexity of your situation.
You get back to building.
I handle the execution. You get regular updates and clear reporting. Your job is to keep doing what you do best.
// what I cover
Notes
Ideas worth reading.
Quick insights on equity comp, tax strategy, and wealth building. No fluff. Just useful stuff.
When to Exercise Your Stock Options
The decision of when to exercise stock options is one of the most consequential financial choices a startup employee will make. Here's a framework for thinking about it clearly — without the panic.
Most people either exercise too early (wasting cash) or too late (missing tax advantages). The right answer depends on your strike price, current 409A valuation, and your personal cash flow situation. Let's break down the three scenarios...
Contact
Let's build something.
// ready to talk about your money? found this site? want to connect?
~/contact/new-message
or just book directly at calendly.com/moneytalkwithmalik