Business & Finance Education | Financial Education

How Not to Buy Pre-IPO Shares Back Then: What About Today?

By Billy Ray Valentine • January 24, 2020

It's A Whole New World We have published a number of articles to help investors understand how to purchase pre-IPO shares and the potential risks and rewards of doing so. The Beginning Our first foray into the area was an…

Private Equity Fund of Funds: 2020 and Beyond

By David M. Freedman • January 23, 2020

A private equity fund of funds or FOF gives investors access to otherwise selective funds, but can it compete with the wider PE market in the future?

An Introduction to the World of Angel Investing

By Stephen A. Bornstein • January 21, 2020

Angel investors are wealthy individuals who invest in promising startups, but more than money, angel investing requires business savvy and good judgment.

Business Transition and Exit Planning

By The Financial Poise Editors • June 11, 2016

Alternative Assets and the "Average" Accredited Investor

By Jonathan Friedland • December 14, 2018

Recent Articles

A red crosswalk light, representing a warning against equity crowdfunding risks

Crowdfunding Risks: An Argument Against Investing Through Equity Crowdfunding

By Charles Smith • January 20, 2020
Crowdfunding Disadvantages Outweigh the Potential The private markets have been giving the public markets a run for their money due to fewer reporting regulations and an expanding definition of the…

family walking, symbolizing family succession planning

How Family Business Succession Planning Becomes Succession Implementation

By David Spitulnik • January 16, 2020
Family business succession planning requires discussions about ownership, leadership, payment and other issues to smoothly transition from Gen 1 to Gen 2.

blue skies at the seashore, representing blue sky laws and blue sky regulations

Blue Sky Laws: A Primer for Accredited Investors

By Robert Rapp • January 14, 2020
An Introduction to “Blue Sky” Regulations Blue Sky Laws – state securities laws – have been a part of the American legal landscape since the early days of the Twentieth…

A chess piece capture, symbolizing the concept of competitive bidding and pre-emptive bids

A Tale of Competitive Bidding and Pre-emptive Bids

By Bruce Werner • January 13, 2020
An owner selling his business gets 3 high pre-emptive bids. Should he take a deal or allow the competitive bidding process to continue?

Fancy World Map symbolizing important business plans without mistakes

6 Important Business Plan Mistakes to Avoid

By Akira Hirai • January 9, 2020
A long or hyperbolic business plan can turn off investors quickly. Eliminate red flags with these six important business plan tips.

A dewy apple, representing the fruits of your labor as tangible investments, not intangible assets

Accredited Investor Installment 12: Tangible Investments

By Jonathan Friedland • January 7, 2020
Tangible investments, or investments in things that you can touch and physically experience, can delight both your inner child and investment portfolio.

A fountain pen, symbolic of signing an LLC operating agreement

The LLC Operating Agreement Demystified

By Jeremy Waitzman • January 6, 2020
An LLC operating agreement is a set of rules and provisions that outlines company structure, management, compensation and other internal issues.

Website collage, symbolizing investment strategy of website flipping

Is Website Flipping a Worthy Investment?

By Melissa Rudy • January 2, 2020
Website flipping is investing in an existing website, improving it to increase value and selling it for a profit. Should you invest in virtual real estate?

a mixed pile of old coins, symbolizing investing in rare coins

Show Me the Money! A Closer Look at Investing in Coins

By Alicia Purdy • December 30, 2019
Investing in Rare Coins is More than a Hobby Having collectibles as an investment can be a great way to diversify your portfolio and cut down on risk. The general…

auto auction, representing the investing concept of real tangible assets

Do Real Assets Outperform Stocks and Bonds?

By Thomas Hill • December 26, 2019
The Pros and Cons of Real Assets You know what they say about investing in land: “They’re not making any more of it.” And you may have heard people say…

river running over rocks, representing deal flow, private investing, and crowdfunding

Finding Your Deal Flow in Private Investing

By Heather Schwarz-Lopes • December 23, 2019
Discover the three ways to increase your deal flow as a private investor: personal referrals, groups and associations, and online platforms.

beads of water on a leaf, symbolizing liquid alternative investments

Liquid Alternatives Feel More Fluid to New Investors

By Brigitte Yuille • December 19, 2019
Over the last decade, investors have pursued alternative investments that rival hedge funds without the same risks. The result: liquid alternative funds.

A financial advisor listens to clients in a conference room, symbolizing questions to ask a financial advisor

5 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor Before Hiring

By Alicia Purdy • December 17, 2019
Can your advisor prove their qualifications and track record? Know the questions to ask a financial advisor and what they mean for your financial future.

A globe, representing global trends in megatrend investing

Investing in Megatrends Means You’d Better be Good at Predictions

By David Moses • December 16, 2019
From urbanization to clean energy, changes in global attitudes made megatrend investing popular. But not everyone riding major trends will be successful.

a financial advisor meets their client, representing fiduciary obligations

My Financial Advisor Has Money Troubles: Fiduciary Obligations and Your Right to Know

By Mike Straus • December 10, 2019
Does your advisor have fiduciary obligations that require disclosure? Know how your investments may be affected by your financial investor’s money issues.

businessman on platform, contemplating online hedge fund platforms

Evaluating Online Hedge Fund Platforms: Not All are Created Equally

By Alon Goren • December 9, 2019
Since the SEC lifted a ban on general solicitation, hedge fund investors can now find deals online. But caveat emptor! Let the buyer beware.

a hedge maze, symbolizing hedge funds, risk management, and investing in hedge funds

Accredited Investor Installment 11: Investment in Hedge Funds

By Jonathan Friedland • December 5, 2019
Investment in hedge funds has become available to a wider audience in recent years. Learn how a hedge fund investment works.

wine grapes ripe for harvest and for wine investment

Assets in the Red (and White): Can Investing in Wine and Wine Funds Add Stability to Your Portfolio?

By Andrew Rosenbaum • December 3, 2019
Investing in wine has historically offered greater annual returns than both stocks and bonds. Learn about wine funds or how to make a DIY wine investment.

A mountainous horizon, symbolizing the obstacles of a venture capital term sheet

The Term Sheet: An Overview of Investor Rights and Controls in VC Investments

By J. Robert Tyler III • December 2, 2019
The provisions of a venture capital deal, known as a term sheet, include liquidation rights, management participation and exit rights.

silhouettes cavorting against a sunrise, representing management team positions and responsibilities

5 Management Responsibilities that Aid the Sales Process

By Thomas Apperson • November 26, 2019
Maintaining an honest dialogue with members of all management team positions during the negotiations can help lead to a successful outcome.

Statue of Liberty, representing famous supreme court cases

McCulloch v. Maryland and the Famous Supreme Court Cases that Changed Our Economy

By David M. Freedman • November 25, 2019
You may not have heard of McCulloch v. Maryland, but this famous supreme court case is one of three that fundamentally changed our nation’s economy.

pushpins on a map, symbolizing investment strategy

5 Investment Strategies PE Firms Use to Choose Portfolio Companies

By Kaja Kwasniewska • November 22, 2019
Private equity firms choose their portfolio companies by focusing their investment strategies on factors such as lifecycle, geography and industry.

mansion celebrating wealth management and the principles of family offices

What is a Family Office?

By Gay Jervey • November 21, 2019
Private Wealth Management for Well-To-Do Families Family offices date back to the 19th century, when the likes of John D. Rockefeller and other tycoons spearheaded them as effective tools to…

farmland, representing the investment value of physical, tangible assets

An Investor’s Guide to Productive Assets, Physical Assets and other Tangible Asset Types

By Alan G. Orlowsky • November 20, 2019
Why Buy Farmland if You’re Not a Farmer? Tangible Assets Explained Individuals invest in tangible assets (called physical assets, hard assets, fixed assets and more, depending on the asset itself)…

movie clapboard, representing risky investments in Hollywood and elsewhere

Film, Fine Dining and West Side Story: a Warning on Risky Investments

By Kristina Parren • November 19, 2019
Vanity Investments are All for Show "Hamilton" drove the masses to Broadway in 2016, making it seem as though Broadway shows were the next exciting investment. Through 2018, shows like…

mismatched shoes, symbolizing the differences between private equity and venture capital

Private Equity vs. Venture Capital 101

By David M. Freedman • November 18, 2019
Venture capital is often tucked under the umbrella of private equity, but investors should know the key differences in private equity vs venture capital.

barbershop representing small business investing

Taking Stock in Main Street: The Importance of Small Business

By John Arensmeyer • November 15, 2019
Small businesses make up 99.9% of all businesses and employ millions of Americans. Learn more about the importance of small business investing.

Pie piece, representing hedge fund fees taking a slice of profits

Do Managers Take Too Much of the Pie in Hedge Fund Fees?

By Joe Burns • November 14, 2019
Hedge funds have trailed the S&P 500 for years, so why are hedge fund fees so high? Hedge fund managers may be changing their tune, according to reports.

Business District representing financial statements

‘Know Thy Numbers’ Installment #3: Types of Financial Statements

By Jonathan Friedland • November 13, 2019
From the statement of income to the statement of cash flows, here's how various types of financial statements present a bigger picture of company health.

glasses resting on a textbook of accounting principles

‘Know Thy Numbers’ Installment #2 – Accounting Principles in a Nutshell

By Jonathan Friedland • November 12, 2019
GAAP rules are accounting principles and concepts that shape how we present financial information. These are the 12 “Commandments” of GAAP accounting.

a calculator which says Don’t leave numbers to the accountant. If you don't know your numbers, you don't know your business.

‘Know Thy Numbers’ Installment #1 – Welcome to the Jungle, an Introduction to the Series

By Jonathan Friedland • November 11, 2019
Don’t leave numbers to the accountant. An introduction to accounting and its basic concepts can equip you to make better business decisions.

blue skies, representing putting off the tax man with 1031 exchanges

Putting off the Tax Collector – The Basics of 1031 Exchange Rules

By Tracy Treger • November 8, 2019
Hold off the tax man by following these 1031 exchange rules when selling and reinvesting in new properties.

Thanksgiving buffets taste better with budget-friendly meals

Budget-Friendly Meals for the Holidays: Take the $100 Challenge

By Michelle Gershfeld • November 7, 2019
Your holiday meal is costing too much, but it is possible to create budget-friendly meals at just $100… if you can accept the challenge.

unshackled investor, representing Jobs Act 2019

What is the JOBS Act: 2019 Primer for the Private Company C-Suite Executive

By Vanessa J. Schoenthaler • November 6, 2019
A concise guide to each section of the JOBS Act and its effects on investors of various sizes interested in the private capital markets.

Band and audience, representing reasonable reliance

What ‘Animal House’ Can Teach Us About Reasonable Reliance in Fraud Cases

By Adam Hirsch • November 5, 2019
The boys of Delta Tau Chi unknowingly teach us about an important legal defence in fraud cases. What is reasonable reliance, and when is it effective?

gauzy beach scene symbolizing IRA beneficiaries, 401ks, and tax hikes

Will an Unapologetic Tax Hike Affect Your 401(k) or IRA Beneficiaries?

By Richard A. Sugar • November 4, 2019
You worked a lifetime to grow your retirement fund. Now, pending bills in DC may speed taxes on retirement benefits and impact 401k and IRA beneficiaries.

A building frame, symbolizing the 5 Legal M&A Deal Structures in business

A Visual Guide to the 5 Legal M&A Deal Structures

By Craig M. Carpenter • November 1, 2019
There are five basic M&A deal structures, including four share acquisition methods and one asset acquisition method. What are the benefits of each structure?

two men work in an industrial space, symbolizing successful startups

Successful Startups are ‘Investable’ Startups: Must-Have Traits and Helpful Practices

By Stephanie Strait • October 31, 2019
A good idea is not enough to attract investors. Does your startup have these 4 traits that successful and “investable” startups all share?

Women with raised hands, symbolizing consensus decision making and compromise

Consensus Decision Making: How Much Compromise is Too Much?

By David Spitulnik • October 30, 2019
In the decision making process, trying too hard to achieve consensus leads to suboptimal results. Consensus decision making should include the best of everyone’s input.

Monopoly board "Go to Jail" square, representing the consequences of investment fraud

Protection from Investment Fraud: Who’s Got Your Back?

By Adam Schlagman • October 29, 2019
If an investment opportunity sounds too good to be true, it may be a sign of investment fraud. Learn the signs with these 5 investment watchdog resources.

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