Rachel Dodson is the Principal at Ayoub & Dodson LLP, a law firm in Oakland, California, specializing in estate planning, trust administration, and probate law. A certified specialist in estate planning by the California State Bar, she has over a decade of experience guiding families with young children and individuals with non-taxable estates to create practical and personalized estate plans. Rachel also serves as a Professor of Wills & Trusts at UCLaw SF (formerly Hastings) and has been recognized as a Northern California Rising Star each year by Super Lawyers since 2015.

Estate planning is often approached with trepidation and regarded as a complex task reserved for the wealthy. However, it’s a crucial aspect of lif, impacting everyone with assets, children, and specific wishes for the future. But why is estate planning so universally important, and how can you navigate its intricacies?

Rachel Dodson, an estate planning expert, provides crystal-clear answers as she underscores the importance of foresight and professional guidance. Rachel explains that the concept of an estate extends beyond lavish properties; it includes your everyday belongings and most importantly its about the people you care about. Developing a plan for your estate can be much more manageable than you might think, and she encourages a proactive approach to organizing your assets. It’s essential to create a revocable trust so heirs can avoid the costly and lengthy probate process. A trust facilitates the management of an estate when an individual cannot make decisions due to incapacity or death. The essence of estate planning is designed to ensure the efficient transfer of assets by creating essential documents such as trusts, wills, and health-care directives.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar hosts Rachel Dodson, Principal at Ayoub & Dodson LLP, about creating a tailored estate plan that resonates with individual needs and circumstances. Rachel analyses the vital components of a robust estate plan, shares insights on common pitfalls, such as writing your own will, and highlights the peace of mind that comes with a structured plan.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Rachel Dodson on LinkedIn
• Ayoub & Dodson LLP
• Free Estate Planning Resources

David Saxe is a Co-founder and Managing Principal at Calvera Partners, a real estate investment firm that finds, acquires, and optimizes multifamily properties in high-growth markets. Under his leadership, Calvera Partners has successfully grown from investing in seven-unit buildings to acquiring 300 unit apartment complexes in different markets. David's passion for real estate is influenced by his family's history, his academic background, and professional experience working with some of the largest real estate investment firms in the nation.

Building wealth through real estate may sound simple, but navigating constantly shifting markets, interest rates, housing trends and property features to build value and generate income requires professional insight. So what are some best practices and bright spots in real estate investing?

According to David Saxe, a seasoned real estate investor, multifamily properties remain one of the most stable and rewarding asset classes despite economic challenges. He highlights the importance of capitalizing on supply and demand imbalances, identifying distressed investment opportunities, and investing in growth markets. By focusing on value-add properties and leveraging innovative financing strategies, David demonstrates how thoughtful execution can transform underperforming assets into consistent income-generating investments. And how building an investment fund can provide additional flexibility, leverage and ability to take advantage of opportunities in a competitive market.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar sits down with David Saxe, a Co-founder and Managing Principal at Calvera Partners, to discuss building wealth through multifamily investments. David shares his journey from small-scale Bay Area properties to managing large multifamily funds, explains why out-of-state markets present unique opportunities, and offers practical advice for individual and professional investors.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• David Saxe on LinkedIn
• Calvera Partners: Website | LinkedIn | Education
• Fannie Mae
• Freddie Mac

Doug Bend is the Founder of Bend Law Group, PC, a boutique law firm based in San Francisco that advises startups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners on entity formation, entity maintenance and ongoing legal requirements. Providing tailored guidance, Doug’s team is integral in forming over 50 new entities each year. With years of experience helping businesses navigate the complexities of legal entity formation, liability protection, and ongoing business operations. Doug has been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Time, and The Washington Post.

Starting a business can be exciting, but choosing the proper legal structure and staying compliant can often feel like navigating an overwhelming maze. With many important considerations during the formation process and with various ongoing requirements, how do you ensure that your business is set up for success without being sidelined by unexpected issues?

According to Doug Bend, a seasoned business attorney and an expert in small business legal matters, the key is to assess your business’ unique needs and long-term goals before selecting an entity type. He highlights the importance of understanding factors like liability protection, tax considerations, and ongoing compliance obligations, which can vary significantly by state, like California’s high state franchise tax. Doug also stresses that maintaining your legal entity — renewing licenses and adhering to filing deadlines — is crucial for liability protection and to avoid penalties. He warns that failing to address these steps can result in expensive errors and exposure to potential liability.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with Doug Bend, Founder of Bend Law Group, PC, to discuss avoiding the pitfalls in business entity formation and compliance. Doug explains when and why to transition from a sole proprietorship to a formal entity, the impact of compliance requirements like the Corporate Transparency Act, and how to manage ongoing entity maintenance. Doug also shares actionable advice for effectively dissolving inactive entities to minimize costs.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Doug Bend: LinkedIn | X | Email
• Bend Law Group, PC
• ”Why Should I Work With An Experienced Business Attorney Instead of Using An Online Platform To Start My Business?” by Doug Bend
• The Daily Dad

Bradley Solomon is an Independent Educational Consultant at Solomon College Advising, a San Francisco-based counseling service dedicated to guiding students and families through the college admissions process. Students work closely with Bradley on pre-college planning, including developing a college list, editing college essays, and completing applications. After a successful career as a trial attorney with the California Attorney General's Office, Bradley decided to focus on guiding families through the college application process. He graduated with honors from the UCLA College Counseling Certificate Program and interned at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory High School and with private counselors at College Admission Coach.

The college admissions journey can be overwhelming, filled with questions about grades, extracurriculars, and essays. Families often wonder when it’s the right time to start planning and how students can position themselves for success. With acceptance rates shrinking and competition rising, how will students and parents navigate this high-stakes process without losing balance?

According to Bradley Solomon, a seasoned college counselor with years of experience guiding families, the best time to start planning is the first day of high school. He highlights that every decision — from course selection to summer activities — can significantly impact a student's application acceptance. Critical strategies are building strong teacher relationships, taking on meaningful extracurriculars, and maintaining focus on a few key activities rather than overloading themselves. These choices, combined with early college visits, not only enhance applications but also inspire students to strive for their best while staying organized and focused.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar sits down with Bradley Solomon, Independent Educational Consultant at Solomon College Advising, to discuss how families can approach the college planning process with confidence. They explore practical advice for each high school year, strategies for creating a strong application, and the importance of a well-balanced college list. Bradley also shares tips for reducing stress, maintaining balance, and finding the best college fit for every student.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Bradley Solomon on LinkedIn
• Solomon College Advising: Website | Free Consultation
• College Confidential
• The College Tour
• Forbes America’s Top Colleges
• College Kickstart
• CollegePlannerPro

Andy Cahill is a Leadership Development Consultant and an Associate Partner at KONU, an international boutique consultancy for leadership development and change management. As a transformative coach, he works with purpose-driven leaders and entrepreneurs to help them make a positive difference in the world. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed science-fiction novel Gradient and the host of The Wonder Dome podcast.

We are constantly faced with life's complexities, and without the proper tools, navigating through all the difficulties can be challenging and may even lead to despair. One way to overcome this is by letting go of things that no longer serve a purpose in our lives.

Andy Cahill, a seasoned consultant in leadership development, advocates for incorporating mindful practices to enhance conscious living. To achieve this, Andy recommends heightening your awareness of your immediate environment and taking the time to make well-informed decisions. He further emphasizes the importance of taking control of your life by carving out time for rest and slowing down, as this can play a pivotal role in facilitating effective adaptation to changes in your professional or personal life.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar interviews Andy Cahill, a Leadership Development Consultant and an Associate Partner at KONU, about strategies for managing life's complexities. They also discuss the need for conscious living, how to embrace change, and tips for slowing down.

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• KONU 
• Andy Cahill on LinkedIn
• Gradient by Anders Cahill 
• Adaptive Leadership Network
• Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization (Leadership for the Common Good) by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey
• The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrow
• The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Michael Koehler is the Founder and CEO of KONU, an international boutique consultancy for leadership development and change management. Michael also teaches leadership as an Adjunct Lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education and hosts the On The Balcony podcast, where he inspires change agents, executives, and others passionate about personal development.

According to studies, most people love change if it is in their favor. In organizations, people may be reluctant to change due to ineffective leadership or the fear of loss. 

It's essential for the company's visionary leader to implement strategies that inspire teams to embrace change. Employees may fear losing control, their status, or their sense of connection with others. Engaging and communicating effectively with your team encourages positive change. Identify all potential losses that may occur and help them overcome their fears.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar interviews Michael Koehler, the Founder and CEO of KONU, about change management strategies. They also discuss Michael's adaptive leadership framework, the difference between authority and leadership, and tips for overcoming loss.

• Pillar6 Advisors
• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• KONU
• Michael Koehler on LinkedIn
• Adaptive Leadership Network
• The Wexner Foundation
• On The Balcony podcast
• Leadership Without Easy Answers by Ronald A. Heifetz
• Out of the Shadows: Reimagining Gay Men's Lives by Walt Odets