When is the right time to start financial planning? Is it only after you’ve “made it,” or is it something you should be thinking about much earlier as a business owner?

For many entrepreneurs, financial planning feels like something they’ll get to later. But the truth is, real planning isn’t about perfect timing or complex spreadsheets—it’s about clarity. It’s about understanding your goals, your values, and the “why” behind your decisions. Saving money is important, but planning is what turns uncertainty into confidence and gives your future direction.

In this episode, Oliver Kotelnikov sits down with Tim Melia, Principal at Embolden Financial Planning, for an honest and practical conversation. Tim shares his journey from the tech world into wealth management, lessons learned as a business owner, and his passion for helping clients—from Gen Z to Baby Boomers—make smart, values-aligned financial decisions.

If you’re looking for clear guidance and want to start financial planning in a way that actually fits your life, this episode is for you. Listen in, reflect on what truly matters to you, and take the first step forward.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/timjmelia
Company: https://www.emboldenfp.com/
Email: tim.melia@emboldenfp.com

Connect with Oliver:
Email: oliver@ibainc.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliverkotelnikov
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextVentureAlliance
Instagram: instagram.com/nextventurealliance

• (00:00:00) - What Does It Take to Build a Startup?
• (00:00:31) - Startups and Real Estate: The Venture Alliance
• (00:02:30) - How to Start a Business and Get Paid
• (00:08:43) - How to Talk About Financial Planning in a Vocabulary
• (00:15:07) - Should I Offer Financial Planning as an Advice Only Fee?
• (00:21:23) - The Importance of Financial Planning for Kids
• (00:28:57) - What is College Planning for Your Kids?
• (00:31:05) - How to Plan for the Business's eventual sale
• (00:35:42) - How Much Money Do You Need to Sell Your Business?
• (00:39:18) - The Non-Numbers Conversations
• (00:43:57) - How Do You Integrate Your Personal and Professional Lives?
• (00:48:40) - Do Tax Laws Affect How You Structure Your Advice?
• (00:56:53) - The Importance of Talking About Goals With Clients
• (01:01:18) - Will Money Advice Be Replaced by Artificial Intelligence?
• (01:08:42) - In the Elevator With Madison Management
• (01:09:34) - Turnaround: Starting a Business on Your Own
• (01:14:53) - A. Work-Life Balance
• (01:17:02) - In the Transition of a Business
• (01:18:47) - Starting a Business: Flexible Plans
• (01:19:35) - How to Die With Zero
• (01:28:12) - A Financial Planner's Introduction Meeting