The Balance Sheet

Building Communities & Summer Traditions: Why Wisconsin Shines

On the latest episode of The Balance Sheet, host Derek Taylor sits down with Jim Villa, CEO of NAIOP Wisconsin, for a conversation about why Wisconsin continues to attract investors, business owners, and families seeking more than financial success. From commercial real estate and economic growth to Door County weekends, Summerfest, Brewers games, and lake country traditions, Derek and Jim explore how lifestyle, community, and experiences are becoming a key part of what defines true wealth today.

Suburban Multifamily in Focus: Insights with Carter Olles from Nautilus Real Estate

In this episode of The Balance Sheet, Derek Taylor sits down with Carter Olles of Nautilus Real Estate Investments to discuss suburban multifamily opportunities and the current private real estate landscape. They explore housing supply and affordability trends, why the Midwest is a focus, and how investment opportunities are sourced and evaluated. The conversation also highlights a recent Kansas City project and broader considerations around income potential, tax characteristics, and diversification within multifamily real estate. This episode is for educational purposes only and provides insight into how experienced operators approach today’s market environment. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Granite Harbor.

Mariner Fund I Launch Podcast | Granite Harbor Capital

In this special launch episode of The Balance Sheet podcast, Granite Harbor Managing Partner Nick Brown sits down with Derek Taylor, Managing Partner of Granite Harbor Capital, to announce the official launch of Mariner Fund I and discuss the firm’s expansion into private markets. Derek shares his professional background spanning transactional law, private equity real estate, owner-operator manufacturing, and lower middle-market investing, and explains how that experience informs the strategy behind Mariner Fund I. The conversation outlines why Granite Harbor formed a dedicated private markets platform and how the fund aligns with the firm’s long-standing fiduciary, planning-first approach. Mariner Fund I is structured as an opportunity fund, allowing Granite Harbor to deploy committed capital into a curated mix of private equity operating companies, commercial real estate, and select private credit opportunities. The fund emphasizes direct sourcing, off-market transactions, and operator-driven diligence, bringing investors closer to the deal, improving alignment, and enabling faster execution. A key focus of the fund is the Central United States, where the Granite Harbor team sees significant opportunity in overlooked lower middle-market businesses and growing secondary and tertiary real estate markets. These regions offer attractive fundamentals, strong employer-driven growth, and less competition from large institutional capital. Throughout the episode, Nick and Derek discuss why proximity to operators and sponsors matters in private investing, how Granite Harbor’s institutional diligence process is applied across all opportunities, the benefits of consolidating multiple private investments into a single fund commitment, the fund’s target size and investment horizon, and the firm’s exit-focused philosophy. They also share representative examples of real estate and operating company opportunities currently being evaluated for inclusion in the fund. The episode reinforces Granite Harbor’s belief that private markets can play a meaningful role in long-term portfolio construction when paired with disciplined underwriting, active oversight, and thoughtful integration into a client’s broader financial plan. Mariner Fund I is available exclusively to qualified investors. To learn more, visit GraniteHarbor.com or contact marinerinvestors@graniteharbor.com This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation. All investments involve risk. Please review all offering materials and consult your financial and legal advisors before investing.

Tax Code Shakeups & Smart Strategies: The Year-End Playbook

In this episode of The Balance Sheet, host Nicholas Brown, Managing Partner at Granite Harbor Advisors, sits down with longtime friend, CPA, and valuation expert Craig Fortson, owner of Fortson & Company, a Houston firm with nearly five decades of experience navigating the ever-shifting tax landscape. Together, Nick and Craig break down the big tax story of 2025: meaningful changes that didn’t happen, extensions that did, and what those updates really mean for business owners, high-net-worth families, and anyone trying to maximize tax efficiency before year-end. From the permanence of the 199A deduction to state and local tax updates, untaxed overtime provisions, bonus depreciation, and new nuances for seniors and teachers, Craig brings clarity to a year full of tax noise. Craig also leaves listeners with two powerful closing reminders you don't want to miss! Whether you're a business owner preparing for year-end, an investor looking ahead, or simply curious about what’s changing (and what’s not), this episode offers clear, actionable insight straight from a seasoned CPA. Resources: Learn more about Granite Harbor Advisors at graniteharbor.com Connect with Craig at fortsonandco.com Tune in, take notes, and walk into year-end with confidence.

Insuring Wellness: Underwriting Best Practices & the Health Factors That Matter

In this episode of The Balance Sheet, Managing Partner Brian Sak sits down with Tiffany Hyde, Head of Underwriting at Lion Street, for an in-depth look at the vital connection between health, lifestyle, and insurability. Together, they unpack the often-overlooked details behind the underwriting process — from what underwriters truly assess to how preparation and transparency can accelerate approval for high-net-worth clients. Listeners will gain insight into how healthy habits and proactive primary care can improve underwriting outcomes, and learn what a “strong medical profile” really looks like. Tiffany also shares how emerging technologies — like digital health records, wearables, and AI — are reshaping underwriting efficiency and personalization. Whether you’re an advisor helping clients navigate life insurance or an individual preparing for your own underwriting process, this 40-minute episode delivers practical takeaways, expert tips, and a forward-looking perspective on the evolving world of insuring wellness.