We specialize in working with individuals and families who are financially independent — or well on their way. If you're navigating complex decisions and want more than generic advice, you're in the right place. Our clients value clarity, strategy, and a team that understands how to make all the moving parts work together.

It means you’ve built enough sustainable income — from investments, real estate, business interests, or other sources — to cover your lifestyle without needing to work. You’re no longer dependent on a paycheck. You have options, flexibility, and the freedom to decide what’s next.

It’s one of the most common — and most important — questions we hear. Giving up a steady paycheck can feel risky if you’re not sure where you stand.

We help you run the numbers, explore scenarios, and understand what’s possible.Many of our clients are closer to a work-optional lifestyle than they think — they just need clarity.

Absolutely. We work with clients across the U.S. using secure, remote technology to stay connected and responsive. Whether you're based in one state, split time across several, or travel frequently, our goal is to meet you where you are—both geographically and strategically.

We build long-term partnerships with clients who value clarity, strategy, and a calm, coordinated approach. You might be a good fit if:

• You’re seeking a trusted, long-term relationship where your goals—not products—drive the advice.
• You want to protect the lifestyle you’ve built and free up time to enjoy it.
• You value working with an experienced, credentialed team that brings depth, not just data.
• You’re looking for deeply customized guidance designed around your unique needs—not a one-size-fits-all plan.

No. The initial consultation is provided as a courtesy—part of our commitment to thoughtful, relationship-driven service. In this first conversation, typically held via Zoom or phone, we’ll explore your financial landscape, discuss your goals, and understand what led you to reach out. It’s a chance to connect, share perspective, and decide if we’re the right strategic partner for your next chapter.

Yes. Because our process is comprehensive, strategic, and deeply personalized, it’s also time intensive. Most of our clients have at least $3,000,000 in investable assets and are navigating complex financial scenarios that benefit from our level of expertise.

That said, if you’re in the $2M–$3M range and believe your situation may be a fit, we’re happy to meet for an initial consultation. We’ll explore your goals, the complexity of your financial picture, and whether a long-term partnership makes sense.

In select cases, we may also offer hourly consulting for specific needs.

If you're looking for a simpler financial checkup, you can visit letsmakeaplan.org to find a Certified Financial Planner^® professional who may be a better fit for that stage of planning.

Yes—and that’s exactly where we excel. Our clients often come to us with multi-layered financial lives that require more than basic planning. We specialize in navigating:

• Multi-state or international relocation
• Concentrated stock positions and equity compensation
• Advanced tax strategy and coordination with CPAs
• Legacy and estate planning across generations
• Social Security optimization and timing
• Planning for healthcare, long-term care, and unexpected life events
• Integrating trusts, business interests, and real estate into a cohesive strategy

If your financial life feels too complex for traditional advice, you’re likely in the right place.

We partner with Raymond James, one of the largest and most respected independent broker-dealers in the U.S. With over 50 years of experience and a client-first philosophy, they provide the infrastructure behind our work—including account custody, document generation, tax forms, and cybersecurity.

All client accounts are held directly with Raymond James, ensuring institutional-grade security and compliance. Their dedicated cybersecurity, technology, and compliance teams support our work, allowing us to deliver deeply personalized service while leveraging their robust resources.

As an independent firm, we’re also free to collaborate with other carefully vetted professionals when your situation calls for it—always with your best interest at the center.

Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) is a professional designation for financial advisors. Having the RICP® designation means the advisor has a specialized education in retirement income and is committed to professional and ethical best practices. If you are already retired, preparing to retire, or plan to retire in the future, you may want to select a well-trained, educated, and qualified financial professional to help develop a retirement income plan that will meet your needs. When you find an RICP®, you know that he or she has the specific education and knowledge that can help you think through all the complexities of making your resources last throughout retirement.

CFP® stands for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. Most people think all financial planners are but this is not true. Only those who have fulfilled the certification and ongoing extensive renewal requirements of the CFP Board can display the CFP® certification trademarks which represent a high level of competency, ethics, and professionalism. And because they are held to a fiduciary standard of care when providing financial planning services, a CFP® professional is required to act in your best interest.

At all times when providing financial advice to a client, a CFP® professional must act as a fiduciary, and therefore, act in the best interests of the client. By choosing a CFP® professional, you know he or she is bound by this.

Independent advisors are just that Independent. We work with Raymond James as our Broker dealer, Registered Investment Adviser and Custodian, but we are free to utilize all the tools the entire market has to offer to best serve our clients.

We believe in full transparency when it comes to cost. Our primary model is fee-based: a flat percentage of the assets we manage for you, deducted quarterly. This structure aligns our interests with yours and avoids hidden charges or surprise add-ons.

For clients seeking financial planning only—without asset management—we offer a standalone planning engagement for $12,500. If you later choose to move forward with us for ongoing asset management, that planning fee is credited toward your first year’s advisory fees. Conditions apply.

In select cases, and only when it’s in your best interest, we may also offer commissioned brokerage services.

You absolutely can manage your own finances—and many of our clients could, too. But they choose to work with us because they value having a strategic partner who brings deep experience, objective insight, and the time to coordinate all the moving parts.

From relocation and concentrated stock positions to tax strategy, Social Security, and legacy planning, the decisions are interconnected—and a misstep or missed opportunity can be costly. We help you avoid those pitfalls, reduce risk, and bring clarity to complexity, so you can focus on living the life you’ve built.

Start by reaching out—use the Contact Us link, call us at (408) 713-2020, or email Mark Vivian directly at mark@vip-rj.com. We’ll schedule an initial conversation to learn more about your current financial picture and what brought you here.

From there, we’ll gather deeper insights into your goals, priorities, and what “ready” looks like for you. We’ll walk you through your options, help you understand what’s possible, and begin crafting a plan that evolves with you—through every stage of life.

We handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters most—rest, clarity, and confidence in your next chapter.

Yes. Many of our clients already have trusted professionals in place. We don’t replace them—we coordinate with them. Our role is to bring strategy and alignment across all areas of your financial life, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

It will—and your plan should be ready for that. Whether it’s a move, a business sale, a health event, or a shift in family dynamics, we build strategies with flexibility in mind. We stay in close contact and adjust your plan as life evolves, so you’re always prepared for what’s next.

Yes. If you’re unsure whether your current strategy is still serving you—or if you’ve simply outgrown it—we’re happy to provide a second opinion. We’ll review your current setup, identify any gaps or opportunities, and help you understand your options with clarity and objectivity.