Journeys to the Summit

Direct Indexing What It Is and How It Can Benefit You

What if you could match the market and improve your after-tax returns?In this episode, Ilya sits down with Bob Holdsworth, Founder of Custom Harvest and a pioneer in ETF-based direct indexing, to break down one of the fastest-growing strategies in wealth management.Bob explains how direct indexing works, why it’s gaining traction, and how investors can use tax-loss harvesting to generate “tax alpha”—without taking on additional risk. The conversation also explores the evolution from traditional stock-based direct indexing to a more streamlined ETF-based approach, offering simplicity, flexibility, and powerful tax advantages.You'll hear more about:-What direct indexing actually is-How tax-loss harvesting boosts after-tax returns-Why ETFs may outperform individual stocks in this strategy-How volatility (like in 2022) creates opportunity-Real-world use cases, including offsetting business sale gains-The future of direct indexing and customizationWhether you're an advisor or investor, this is a must-watch if you're looking to build more tax-efficient portfolios.

Top Tax Matters to Consider for Business Owners and Individuals

Most business owners focus on revenue, growth, and brand when thinking about enterprise value—but overlook one critical factor: taxes.In this episode of Journeys to the Summit, Dean Pearson, Principal at PBG Financial and head of their State & Local Tax group, breaks down how tax decisions made today can directly impact your business valuation tomorrow. From missed filings to multi-state tax exposure, Dean explains how small oversights can lead to major reductions in purchase price during a sale.We also dive into one of the hottest trends right now: relocating to low-tax states like Florida. Dean unpacks the biggest misconceptions around residency changes, why simply moving doesn’t eliminate your tax obligations, and how business owners often get caught off guard.Key topics include:-How tax compliance impacts enterprise value during a sale-Why unfiled taxes can reduce your purchase price-The real cost of waiting to clean up tax issues-Multi-state tax obligations (even without physical presence)-The truth about moving to Florida and avoiding taxes-Residency audits and what states actually look for-Why most business sales still trigger state taxes—even after relocatingIf you’re a business owner thinking about scaling, selling, or relocating, this conversation could save you significant money and headaches.

An Entrepreneurial Journey to Reshape the Landscape of Health and Wellness

What if your health issues weren’t random, but signals your body is sending?In this episode of Journeys to the Summit, Ilya Zlotnik sits down with Irina Frenkel, founder of Retreat, a rapidly growing health and wellness boutique redefining modern medicine.Irina shares her journey from traditional healthcare to a personalized, root-cause approach after being misdiagnosed with diabetes at 21. That experience led her to challenge the system and build a model focused on lifestyle, nutrition, stress, and cellular health.They dive into:-Why traditional medicine often treats symptoms, not causes-The role of stress, hormones, and gut health in chronic illness-How personalized care can reverse long-term health issues-Irina's 56-pound transformation and what made it possible-The business behind building a fast-growing wellness brand-Why most people feel unheard in healthcare and how to fix itIrina's mission is simple: help people take ownership of their health and increase not just lifespan, but healthspan.If you’re tired of generic advice and want real answers about your body, this conversation is a must-watch.

A Conversation on Building & Selling a Successful Business and Transitioning into Retirement

What does it take to build a $100B business from scratch, without raising a single dollar?In this episode, Byron Udell shares the full story behind building AcuQuote into one of the largest life insurance brokerage firms in the country. And selling it in 2021 at exactly the right moment, just before markets shifted.From starting as a solo operator in 1986 to scaling a company with 250+ employees and 250,000 clients, Byron breaks down:-How he grew the business organically-Why he ignored conventional advice-The real reason most venture-backed competitors failed-How rising lead costs crushed margins across the industry-The unconventional way he sold his company -Why timing the sale made all the differenceHe also shares powerful insights on entrepreneurship, discipline, and why life insurance, often overlooked, is one of the most impactful financial tools in the world.If you're a founder, investor, or operator, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons you won’t hear anywhere else.

The Synergy of Health and Wealth Insights from Ilya Zlotnik and Daniel Chille

What if true wealth isn’t money—but your health?In this conversation, Ilya Zlotnik sits down with Daniel Chille, founder of TBD Fitness & Holistic Health, to explore the powerful intersection of health, longevity, and wealth.Daniel shares his journey from D1 athlete and professional soccer player to holistic health practitioner, and breaks down how optimizing your body can completely transform your life. From gut health and genetic testing to sleep, stress, and personalized nutrition, this episode dives deep into what it really means to pursue optimal health—not just “normal.”Key topics include:-Why “health is wealth” is more than a cliché-The SPEND framework: Sleep, Stress, Sunlight, Nutrition & more-How gut health impacts everything from immunity to mental clarity-The truth about diets (vegan vs. omnivore)-Why genetic testing is a game-changer for personalized health-The biggest mistakes people make when trying to get healthyIf you want more energy, better performance, and a longer, healthier life—this episode is for you.