Why a thriving business and a clear personal financial plan are two different things.

By Tyler Tilton, CFP®, CRPS®, CEPA®, Partner at Vance Wealth

Last year we met a business owner who had built something remarkable.

Years of early mornings, late nights and decisions that put the company first had grown the business well past what they first imagined. Revenue was strong. The team was busy. The business had real value. And the life they had hoped the business would create still felt out of reach.

The home they wanted to buy raised new questions. Their compensation had not kept pace with the role they were actually playing. Family ownership structures that made sense years earlier had become complicated. Profits were sitting inside the corporation, creating tax concerns without moving the family any closer to their goals.

We see this pattern more often than people realize.

A business can be successful on paper while the owner's personal financial picture still feels unclear. Usually it isn't because the business plan or the personal plan is broken. It's because the two have drifted apart. That gap grows slowly, then gets felt all at once.

"Business owners are often so focused on growing the company that their personal financial life gets left behind. Our job is to close that gap, so the success they've created actually shows up in their life."

Where the gap usually shows up first

If you own a business, the drift rarely announces itself. It tends to surface in a handful of familiar places:

• Compensation. Your pay reflects an earlier version of the company, not the role you're playing today.
• Trapped profits. Cash builds inside the business, creating a tax question without a clear purpose behind it.
• Ownership structure. An arrangement built for a smaller, simpler company now complicates transitions, partners or family.
• Tax planning. The business and the household are planned separately, so decisions in one create surprises in the other.
• Protection. Personal assets and business risk have never been formally separated or reviewed.
• Personal goals. The house, the timeline, the time off. All of it keeps moving to next year.

What closing the gap actually looks like

The work isn't flashy, but it matters. For this owner, it meant coordinating with their attorney and accountant, revisiting compensation, reviewing ownership structures, evaluating asset protection strategies and making sure tax planning supported both the business and the family's long-term goals.

Working steadily according to that plan, they eventually bought the home and eased their tax burden. They found a personal and professional alignment they didn't have before. And they finally started to enjoy some of the success they had worked so hard to build.

Questions worth asking this quarter:

Even without a formal review, these four questions tend to reveal how far the two plans have drifted:

• If I sold the business tomorrow, would my personal plan already be ready for it?
• Is my compensation set intentionally, or is it a number I inherited from an earlier stage of the company?
• Do my attorney, my accountant and my financial advisor talk to one another, or only to me?
• What is the money inside the business actually waiting for?

A cohesive plan brings clarity to compensation, taxes, ownership, protection and long-term planning, so the success inside the business better supports the life outside of it.

After all, the business was never meant to become your whole life. It was meant to help build one.

Vance Wealth is a wealth management firm serving business owners and families, with offices in Santa Clarita and Costa Mesa. Learn more at VanceWealth.com.

The client situations referenced above have been anonymized to protect privacy.

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and should not be relied upon as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. Consult your attorney or tax advisor regarding your individual situation.

This plan should not be considered tax advice. Clients should consult with a qualified tax consultant as to their particular situation and to discuss potential tax consequences.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP Certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification mark, and the CFP certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Get certified, get connected, get contracted

September 24, 2026 - September 24, 2026

Outreach , Workshops in 3355 E Gage Ave., Huntington Park, CA 90255

Attend this workshop to understand government contracting process from the ground up. Learn practical guidance on certification requirements, financial readiness, and procurement opportunities.

Thursday, September 24
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
3355 E Gage Ave Huntington Park, CA 90255

Event takeaways:

• Understand small business certifications
• Get financially ready to bid on government contracts
• Explore state and federal procurement options
• Access free resources and technical assistance
• Connect with knowledgeable experts

Hosted by New Economics for Women Women's Business Center

Contact

Ruth Garcia-Corrales

rgarciacorrales@neworg.us

Register to attend

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense will hold a field hearing in the Performing Arts Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. A public notice announcing the hearing was released this week by the committee and has more details. 

Entitled “Industrial Base and Workforce Development for Skilled Trades,” the hearing “will examine issues critical to our nation’s military, economy, and the future of warfare, including strengthening America’s defense industrial base, developing the skilled workforce needed to sustain it, and securing access to critical minerals and resources.”

Representatives from the Department of War, defense industry, and academia will provide testimony. It will be chaired by Rep. Ken Calvert, and attended by Republican and Democrat members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.  Congressman Whitesides is also expected to attend the hearing.

The hearing is open to the public, and anyone is welcome to attend, so please feel free to share the information with your members.  Although no public comment will be taken, it promises to be an engaging event that offers significant insight to the future of America’s industrial capacity and workforce development. 

Hearing Details

                                                                         Contact: Carrie Lujan

                                                                                                             (661) 255-4341

ROLL INTO THE FUTURE AT THE 2026 STATE OF THE CITY
Tickets on Sale Now

The City of Santa Clarita is Rolling into the Future at the 2026 State of the City! Join the Santa Clarita City Council on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., at the brand-new The Rink Sports Pavilion (George A. Carvalho Sports Complex at 20860 Centre Pointe Parkway) for an afternoon celebrating another year of progress, investment and exciting new amenities throughout our community.

This year’s theme, Santa Clarita State of the City – Rolling into the Future, highlights the many ways the City continues moving forward while enhancing the exceptional quality of life residents enjoy. Fittingly, this year’s event will take place at The Rink Sports Pavilion, the City’s newest recreation destination, offering roller skating and year-round opportunities for sports, recreation and community gatherings.

Guests will hear directly from the City Council through presentations and videos highlighting accomplishments from the past year and a look at what’s ahead. From the opening of The Rink Sports Pavilion and completion of the Haskell Canyon Bike Park, to the expansion of David March Park and the reopening of the William S. Hart Museum, the program will showcase the projects, programs and investments that are keeping Santa Clarita rolling forward.

State of the City will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. Guests will have an opportunity to experience The Rink while enjoying presentations and videos from the City Council, followed by music, appetizers and refreshments.

Tickets are $45 per person and $450 per table of 10 and include appetizers, drinks and a commemorative gift. For more information, please call the City of Santa Clarita at (661) 255-4939 or visit SantaClarita.gov.

On behalf of Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, we are pleased to invite you and your networks to our upcoming Homeowners’ Resource Fair in Van Nuys on Saturday, September 19, 2026. We are collaborating with Southland Regional Association of Realtors (SRAR) and the Office of Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel to provide a one-stop location to educate local residents on available property tax savings, family inheritance advice, and other resources from our office and participating partners.    

Event Details:  

• Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

• Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm  

• Address: SRAR Offices, 7232 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406

• Parking: Free and onsite with additional street parking  

Attendees will hear from a variety of speakers who will address pressing issues impacting homeowners across the area:  

• Proposition 19 and its impact on property transfers in the State of California  

• Advice for dealing with the death of a property owner and planning for family inheritance  

• Insights into the property tax system and home buying advice for potential homeowners  

Following the presentations, attendees are encouraged to visit our readily available resource tables where staff from the Assessor’s Office will be present to answer any questions and address individual, complex cases. 

While registration is not required, attendees are encouraged to register in advance.

LA County Financial Clinic

No-Cost Education and Counseling to Help Small Businesses Strengthen Financial Management, Stabilize Debt, Access Capital Responsibly, and Build Long-Term Resilience

APPLY NOW

LA County Financial Clinic

With support from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) and in partnership with Managed Career Solutions (MCS) and Money Management International (MMI), DEO is offering the LA County Financial Clinic—no-cost program designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners strengthen their financial health, access capital, improve financial management, reduce debt, and build long-term creditworthiness. 

The Financial Clinic addresses common financial barriers for small businesses through expert financial education and individualized business coaching, including profitability analysis, capital readiness services, debt counseling, and credit management. 

Program Services 

Business owners and entrepreneurs can either attend individual workshops and/or enroll in one-on-one financial counseling, including detailed debt and credit assistance.

Financial Counseling

• Financial assessment
• Financial/business planning
• Fiscal management
• Profitability and growth strategy

Debt & Credit Counseling

• Debt counseling with certified counselors
• Customized debt management plans
• Structured repayment services

Financial Workshops

In-person and virtual group sessions covering financial literacy, budgeting, money and debt management, and more!

Spanish translation available.

Access to Capital

• Loan readiness support
• Application preparation
• Financing options and referrals
• Documentation assistance

Program Highlights  

• Program Offerings: Workshops and one-on-one counseling (upcoming workshop dates and registration links listed below)
• Program Duration: Available through the end of September 2026
• Format: Virtual/In-person
• Language: English and Spanish

Successful Graduates 

By the end of the Financial Clinic, participating businesses will:  

• Improve Financial Literacy: Build a stronger understanding of business financial management
• Increase Financial Readiness: Establish sound and sustainable financial practices 
• Strengthen Capital Readiness: Prepare to pursue grants, loans, and other financing opportunities 
• Improve Credit Health: Enhance credit profiles and reduce debt
• Promote Long-Term Sustainability: Boost financial resilience and long-term business viability 
• Expand Access to County Resources: Connect with DEO’s Office of Small Business for ongoing support and technical assistance 

Application Assistance and Enrollment

For general application assistance or questions regarding financial consultations and workshops, contact MCS at info@mcscareergroup.com or (213) 355-5300.

For questions regarding debt & credit counseling, contact MMI by calling 1866-619-7435. Provide referral code: LA_COUNTY_DB

This program is funded through the CalOSBA’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) .

A new round of funding is now available through California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) Grant Program to help small businesses offset costs that can result from an employee taking paid family leave.

Eligible businesses may receive up to $2,000 per employee to help pay for things like cross-training current staff or bringing on new or temporary workers while an employee is out on paid family leave.

The California Paid Family Leave Program offers employees up to eight weeks of benefits that help replace part of their paycheck while they take time off for qualifying reasons, such as bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member.

California businesses with 1 to 100 employees are eligible to apply if at least one of their employees used paid family leave on or after June 30, 2026.

To qualify, businesses also must be registered to do business in the state, be in active status with the Secretary of State’s office, and have an active California employer account number.

Grants are available now through May 31, 2028, or until funding runs out. Small businesses interested in applying can learn more by visiting www.CaliforniaPFL.com.

For California employers, compliance is rarely a once-a-year task.

The IRS business mileage rate changed again on July 1, 2026, increasing to 76 cents per mile. For businesses that reimburse employees for work-related use of personal vehicles, the change is a timely reminder that policies and internal processes may need attention throughout the year.

What happens when a compliance benchmark changes in the middle of your business year?

The answer goes beyond updating a number.

Employers may also need to consider whether reimbursement policies, payroll or expense systems, documentation practices, and employee communications remain aligned with the way the business actually operates.

That is particularly important in California, where employers have obligations related to reimbursing employees for necessary business expenses. While the IRS mileage rate is commonly used as a reimbursement benchmark, businesses should understand how their own reimbursement practices fit within California requirements.

For Santa Clarita business owners, this is a practical example of why compliance works best as an ongoing process. Employees may drive between locations, meet with clients, run business errands, or use personal vehicles for other work-related purposes. As a business grows and operations evolve, reimbursement practices can evolve with them.

In our recent article, Koegle Law Group takes a closer look at:

• What changed with the mileage reimbursement rate in July 2026
• How mileage reimbursement relates to California employers
• Why written policies and actual reimbursement practices should remain aligned
• What businesses may want to review when rates change during the year

For employers, the bigger takeaway is simple: staying compliant often means having systems that can keep pace when the rules and benchmarks change.

Read the full article here: Mileage Reimbursement Rate for Business Use Increases in July 2026

At Koegle Law Group, we partner with California employers and business owners to provide practical guidance, clear communication, and proactive legal strategies designed to support informed decision-making over time.

This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

by Brian Schlick

Founder, Video & Content Strategist at SchlickArt

Over the last year, it feels like every business has been trying to figure out where AI belongs in their marketing.

I mean…AI is useful. It can help you brainstorm. It can organize your thoughts. It can summarize information, challenge an idea, clean up a messy outline, and it can help create an analytics report that used to take hours of research. I mean hell, it can build a full slide deck in 15 minutes that used to eat up half a day.

At SchlickArt we use it, literally every day.

But lately, I’ve been noticing something in the content I see from businesses in our community AND EVEN, at times, in our own marketing.

A lot of it is starting to sound the same. But the tricky part is, it’s not necessarily bad.

It sounds polished. Professional. Thoughtful, even. But sometimes it has that overly-marketed feeling. The kind of language that looks good on paper but doesn’t sound like something a real person would actually say to a client sitting across from them.

Words like “empower.”
“Unlock.”
“Elevate.”
“Move the needle.”

None of those words are wrong. We’ve used them. (Lindsay loves to "move the needle.") And plenty of good businesses have used them.

But when every business starts using the same phrases, the same rhythm and the same polished-but-vague ideas, the personality gets lost.

And when your personality gets lost, trust starts to fade.

I don’t think AI is the enemy of good marketing.

But I do think it has created a very easy trap.

AI can give you words. But it can’t tell when those words feel fake.

That's why one of the best things you can do right now is make sure your marketing has as much of YOU in it as possible. 

Your perspective. Your values. Your way of explaining things. Your way of talking to the people you actually care about helping.

That’s the part your audience needs from you. And that's also the part AI needs from you, too.

Because once you understand how your personality shows up in your marketing, you can give AI better direction and edit your voice back in.

You become the final word.

Not sure how to show your personality in marketing? It doesn’t mean you have to be funny, loud, overly personal or over-the-top. But it's not always as easy as it sounds either. In the full blog, we break down the difference between personality and performance in the age of AI marketing. 

Originally published by SchlickArt, a Santa Clarita-based marketing agency serving professional service organizations, growing businesses and personal brands.

Healing Palms Home Care is proud to join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and become part of the local business community. We provide compassionate, dependable, non-medical home care services designed to help seniors and individuals remain safe, comfortable, and independent in their own homes. Our services include personal care assistance, companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, transportation assistance, respite care, and customized care plans based on each client's needs. At Healing Palms Home Care, our mission is to provide families with peace of mind while delivering high-quality, personalized care with dignity and respect. We look forward to connecting with fellow Chamber members, healthcare professionals, senior communities, and local organizations while continuing to serve families throughout the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding areas. 

Adaptability and Resilience in an Evolving Art World

             Join us on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Canyon Country Community Center for the fifth annual Business for Artists Conference: Adaptability and Resilience in an Evolving Art World. Tailored for independent artists, small business owners, educators, students and creative professionals of all backgrounds, this conference provides the tools, knowledge and connections needed to build and strengthen a career in the arts.

            The theme of this year’s Business for Artists Conference is “Adaptability and Resilience in an Evolving Art World.” Through real-world insights and shared experiences attendees will learn how to sustain and grow their work while navigating shifting industries, connecting with new audiences and utilizing opportunities for growth and exposure. The conference will equip artists with the tools and strategies to remain creative and determined as the art space continues to evolve.

This highly anticipated FREE, all-day event fills quickly and space is limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged. The conference features a complimentary breakfast, engaging speaker sessions, an informative lunch reception with food available for purchase through Arts for Santa Clarita and countless opportunities to fuel your creative growth while connecting with fellow creatives.

For more information and to register for the 2026 Business for Artists Conference, please visit SantaClaritaArts.com.

City Ties for Top Ranking for the Fourth Consecutive Year

The City of Santa Clarita has once again been recognized as the "Most Business-Friendly City" in the Los Angeles County Business Federation's (BizFed) 2026 Pulse Poll. This marks the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall that the City has earned the distinction.

The annual BizFed Pulse Poll surveys business and civic leaders throughout Los Angeles County to identify key policy priorities, evaluate municipal support for the business community and recognize the region's most business-friendly cities. This year's survey included 427 respondents representing more than 35 industries. Of those surveyed, 83 percent represented businesses with 50 or fewer employees, providing valuable insight from the region’s small business community.

Santa Clarita tied with the City of Los Angeles for the top ranking, followed by the cities of Burbank, Industry, El Segundo, Long Beach and Torrance. This recognition adds to Santa Clarita's history as a leading destination for businesses, with the City previously earning the honor in 2017, 2018, 2019 and each year since 2023.

The City’s Economic Development Division supports businesses of all sizes by providing site selection assistance, demographic and market research, business retention and expansion services, permitting support, workforce resources and connections to regional partners. Through these services and strong partnerships with the local business community, the City continues to promote economic growth, attract investment and support job creation.

This latest recognition reinforces Santa Clarita's reputation as a regional leader in economic development and a premier location for business investment, innovation and long-term success.

For more information about the City's Economic Development Division and available business resources, visit ThinkSantaClarita.com.

The Retirement Puzzle: When Every Decision Feels Connected

After more than four decades with the same employer, a couple nearing retirement was ready for their next chapter, including purchasing their dream home.

But retirement brought several connected decisions. When should they take Social Security? Which pension option made sense? How would they replace a steady paycheck? How would the home purchase affect their income and taxes?

The excitement was real, but so was the pressure. After a lifetime of thoughtful decisions, they worried that one wrong move could affect everything they had built.

Bringing the Pieces Together

Jerrod Ferguson and the Vance Wealth team began by looking at the full picture.

They mapped the couple’s income sources, modeled the home purchase across multiple scenarios, and created a distribution strategy designed to provide structure and predictability. They also identified a proactive tax planning opportunity by carefully timing distributions across two years.

“Our goal isn’t just to answer the question in front of us. It’s to make sure every answer supports the bigger picture: the retirement they actually want to live.”

Jerrod Ferguson, CFP®

Partner at Vance Wealth

The plan did not remove the decisions. It made sense of them.

The couple moved forward with the home they envisioned, closer to family and designed for their next chapter. More importantly, they entered retirement understanding how each decision supported the life they wanted to live.

Retirement planning is not simply about choosing a Social Security date, selecting a pension option, or deciding how much to withdraw. It is about understanding how those choices work together.

If you are approaching retirement, Vance Wealth can help you bring the pieces together with a coordinated plan.

Vance Wealth, LLC. ("Vance Wealth") is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Vance Wealth and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. Vance Wealth does not provide tax or legal advice. You should contact your tax advisor and/or attorney before making any decisions with tax or legal implications.

The case study presented is hypothetical and provided for illustrative purposes only. It does not depict the experience of any actual client or guarantee any particular outcome. Actual recommendations and results will vary based on individual circumstances. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.