Ryan Shane is the President of The Housing Guild Management Co., a property management company based in San Francisco that specializes in managing apartments, homes, and commercial spaces throughout the Bay Area. Under his leadership, the company continues the legacy established by his father, Lawrence Shane, who founded The Housing Guild in 1977 with a commitment to providing exceptional service to property investors. Ryan brings a personal perspective to property management as an owner and investor, which ensures that clients' investments are well cared for and their returns maximized.

Buying and owning investment property is one thing, but managing it successfully is another. Individual property investors can get blindsided by making emotional investment decisions or focusing solely on the bottom line. What if I told you that the key to long-term success was finding the right balance between the two?

According to Ryan Shane, a seasoned real estate investor and second-generation property manager, adopting an investor and owner’s mindset is critical for maintaining a thriving real estate portfolio while maximizing returns. He highlights the importance of viewing each property decision through an ROI lens, from maintenance choices to tenant selection. By thinking beyond short-term gains and prioritizing long-term value, owners can avoid costly mistakes and increase profitability.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar sits down with Ryan Shane, President of The Housing Guild Management Co., to discuss why every property owner needs an investor and owner’s mindset. Ryan shares key strategies for evaluating real estate opportunities, making cost-effective property decisions, and balancing cash flow with long-term appreciation. He also explains the common pitfalls that owners face and how professional management can help you avoid them.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Ryan Shane on LinkedIn
• The Housing Guild Management Co.
• Email: hello@housingguild.com
• San Francisco Apartment Association (SFAA)
• California Apartment Association
• San Francisco Association of Realtors
• “Unlocking DSTs: A Hidden Tool in 1031 Exchanges With Amit Urban” on the Pillar6 Podcast
• Nothing Down for the 2000s: Dynamic New Wealth Strategies in Real Estate by Robert G. Allen
• Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz

Michelle Lerman is an attorney specializing in estate planning, real estate law, and business law, with a focus on serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and real estate investors. Michelle and her husband co-founded Lerman Law Partners, LLP, and joined forces with Cunningham Legal to enhance their collective expertise. She has been named a Top Attorney and received the Top Women Attorneys award in Northern California by San Francisco Magazine multiple times. In 2018, Michelle released the third edition of her book, Create Your Best Legacy: What Every Homeowner, Real Estate Investor, and Parent Must Know About Estate Planning, Living Trusts, and Probate.

Increased wealth brings increased options and opportunities — but also complexities, especially when it comes to estate planning. With recent tax law changes and potential changes on the horizon, ultra-high-net-worth individuals need proactive strategies to safeguard their assets and minimize estate taxes. What key planning techniques should affluent families consider right now to protect their wealth for future generations?

According to Michelle Lerman, a renowned estate planning attorney with over 35 years of experience, ultra-high-net-worth individuals must act to give themselves options in advance of any significant estate and gift tax changes. She highlights the importance of irrevocable trusts as a powerful tool to preserve wealth while maintaining flexibility. Strategic gifting, life insurance planning, and entity structuring can also help minimize tax burdens and protect family assets. Without a proactive approach, wealthy families risk losing millions to unnecessary taxation and legal complications.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with Michelle Lerman, an Attorney at Cunningham Legal, to discuss advanced estate planning strategies for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. They explore the impact of upcoming estate tax changes, why now is the time to establish irrevocable trusts, and how to protect family wealth from divorce or legal risks. Michelle also shares key liquidity strategies, including how life insurance can cover estate taxes.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Michelle Lerman: LinkedIn | Contact no.: (415) 308-3640
• Cunningham Legal
• “Estate Planning for Families with Non-Taxable Estates With Rachel Dodson” on the Pillar6 Podcast
• The Other Einstein: A Novel by Marie Benedict
• Nexus by Ramez Naam

Amit grew up in a family of real estate professionals, and early on, he saw how smart investing has helped people generate wealth and help them to live the way they dreamed.

Now, as a real estate professional with Fortitude Investment Group, Amit helps rental property owners and investors navigate 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), and passive real estate investment opportunities.

With over 15 years of experience in real estate, Amit has worked in both domestic and international markets, including developing shopping malls in China.

Many real estate investors know that 1031 exchanges are a powerful way to defer capital gains taxes, but few have explored the Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) as an alternative to traditional 1031 exchanges. Could this lesser-known tool provide greater flexibility, diversification, and passive income for investors looking to simplify their portfolios?

According to Amit Urban, a seasoned real estate expert, DSTs are highly effective tools that allow investors to reinvest their 1031 exchange proceeds into institutional-grade properties without the burden of direct management. He highlights that DSTs provide diversification across multiple asset classes, passive income, and estate planning benefits, making them an attractive option for those transitioning out of hands-on property management. Amit highlights common examples and reasons investors are turning to DSTs as a way to preserve and grow their wealth while reducing taxes and operational headaches.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with Amit Urban, Registered Representative at Fortitude Investment Group, to discuss how DSTs fit into the 1031 exchange landscape. They break down who benefits most from DSTs, how they compare to direct property ownership, and why they offer a compelling tax-deferral strategy. Amit also shares key considerations, risks, and estate planning advantages of using DSTs as a long-term wealth-building tool.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Amit Urban on LinkedIn
• Fortitude Investment Group
• The Go-Giver, Expanded Edition: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg and John David Mann

Becky Barton is the CEO of People415, a human resources consulting firm that helps growing businesses grow faster with streamlined workflow policies, talent management, and HR compliance. With over 20 years of experience in HR strategy and operations, she specializes in aligning workforce planning with business goals. She has worked with companies across various industries, advising on hiring practices, employee classification, compensation, and compliance. Becky also speaks on HR trends and workplace regulations, providing guidance to business owners and leaders.

The landscape of HR is shifting once again with the second Trump administration, which will impact companies in different ways. Naturally, employers are left wondering: how will this administration impact my business, and what should we be doing? How can business owners and HR professionals stay ahead and ensure they’re making the right moves?

According to Becky Barton, a leading HR expert and thought leader, in the short term, employers should prepare for a pro-business shift in federal labor policies, with many regulations likely being rolled back. She highlights how this could reduce compliance burdens at the national level but increase complexity for multistate employers as states like California continue to enforce stricter employment laws. With expected changes in wage laws, worker classification, workplace safety, and immigration enforcement, businesses must be proactive in auditing their HR policies to mitigate risk and adapt to new realities. In the longer term, continue to focus on best practices, building your corporate culture, and building a strong, committed, and motivated workforce.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with Becky Barton, CEO of People415, to discuss what the Trump 2.0 presidency means for HR and business owners. They explore the likely rollback of federal labor regulations, key compliance risks for employers, and strategies to prepare for shifting workplace policies. Becky also shares actionable insights on worker classification, AI’s role in HR, and best practices for building a resilient workforce.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Becky Barton on LinkedIn
• People415
• Fisher Phillips
• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Becky Brown and Morgan Holmes are the Founders of Stride, a comprehensive tax planning, bookkeeping, and accounting firm that helps companies accelerate growth. With a combined background in bookkeeping and taxation, Morgan and Becky joined forces to help MSPs, digital agencies, and professional services achieve their business goals through better financial planning and accounting. Focusing on small to midsize companies, Becky and Morgan help streamline financial operations, strategic planning, and effective tax management.

Keeping your books in order may be a chore, but it is essential to the financial success of any business. Whether it’s setting strategy, improving profitability, minimizing expenses, managing payroll, or navigating tax laws, accurate financial records are essential to making informed decisions and achieving sustainable growth. How can you incorporate all these elements into your annual business plan?

According to financial experts Becky Brown and Morgan Holmes, start with a check-up of your balance sheet and income statement. They highlight the importance of not only recording transactions accurately but also understanding the interplay between your balance sheet and income statement. Then, set cash flow projections and ensure that your “accounting team” is on the same page.

A holistic approach ensures accurate record-keeping, tax filing, and improves forward-looking projections. When paired with proactive tax planning, business owners can make more strategic decisions, maximize deductions, manage liabilities, and free up cash to invest in the growth of their business or personal financial goals. With these tools, businesses can reduce friction, improve efficiency, and gain peace of mind.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar sits down with Becky Brown and Morgan Holmes, Founders of Stride, to discuss the essential strategies for smarter bookkeeping and tax planning. They cover the critical importance of monthly financial reviews, the benefits of aligning bookkeeping and tax services under one team, and actionable year-end tax-saving tips. Becky and Morgan also share insights on choosing the right entity structure for your business and planning for future financial changes.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Becky Brown on LinkedIn
• Morgan Holmes on LinkedIn
• Stride: Website | Email
• Pilot
• Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki
• Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System–and Themselves by Andrew Ross Sorkin
• “Avoiding Pitfalls of Business Entity Formation With Doug Bend” on the Pillar6 Podcast

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