Managing Tech Millions
Welcome to Managing Tech Millions! http://www.managingtechmillions.com/ is where you could hang out with experienced tech industry executives, ask them about career growth, equity compensation, money, investing, financial strategies, and more; then take an insight or two to guide your own career and lifestyle? That’s what we do each week on Managing Tech Millions. Hosted by Christopher Nelson –– author, tech exec, and Principal and Co-Founder of Wealthward Capital –– every episode is an in-depth look at how to navigate tech careers in hyper-growth companies, select the right companies to work for, earn equity, and build a passive income portfolio...
126: The 4 Biggest Mistakes Every New Millionaire Makes
Becoming a millionaire overnight doesn’t mean you automatically know how to manage wealth. In this video, I break down the 4 biggest mistakes new millionaires make—and how to avoid them.
After my IPO at Splunk, I realized the financial industry wasn’t built for people with $1M–$30M net worth. Instead of cookie-cutter advice like “60/40 portfolios” and “withdraw 4%,” I learned the hard way that the wrong moves can cost you millions.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
Why buying liabilities like houses and cars too early destroys long-term wealthHow “knee-jerk investing” leads to massive portfolio riskWhy t...125: A middle-class money mindset is DESTROYING your millions. Here's how to fix it.
If you've built a seven — or even eight-figure net worth but still find yourself approaching wealth with a middle-class mindset, you're not alone — and it’s costing you.
I’ve worked with countless high earners who’ve mastered complexity in their careers, yet when it comes to managing their personal wealth, they unknowingly fall back on outdated strategies designed for $50k incomes. This mindset trap often leads to massive opportunity loss, increased risk, and delayed financial freedom.
Here’s the harsh truth: you can't build generational wealth using accumulation strategies built for retirement consumption. That “buy and hold f...
124: $100K vs $1M vs $5M - Best Wealth Management Strategies by Portfolio Size
Most people don’t realize this, but the same wealth strategy that helps you build your first $100K is exactly what holds you back at $1M. And once you hit $5M? That strategy can actually become a risk.
In this episode, you'll learn why your financial approach must evolve as your net worth grows—and how staying in your comfort zone could be costing you millions.
We break down the key mindset and strategy shifts that should happen at three major milestones: $100K, $1 million, and $5 million. If you’re using the same tactics at every stage, you’...
123: How Trump, Bezos & Musk Legally Pay $0 in Taxes
Every year, headlines spark outrage when names like Donald Trump, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Michael Bloomberg, and George Soros appear alongside one shocking number: $0 in federal income taxes.
Most people assume this must be illegal, or at the very least, reserved for those with tens of billions of dollars. But here’s the truth: it’s 100% legal, and the real tragedy isn’t that billionaires pay too little—it’s that most high earners are paying way too much.
After three IPOs and more than a decade studying wealth management, I’ve discovered that the strategies b...
122: How to Start a Micro Family Office From Scratch (3 Steps)
If your net worth is between $1M and $30M, chances are you’re stuck in the financial dead zone. You’ve outgrown basic financial advice, but you're still not being served by the exclusive strategies reserved for ultra-wealthy families.
That’s exactly why I created the Wealth Ops Framework — a practical system that lets you operate like a full-scale family office, without needing $100M or a full-time staff.
The structure is built around three simple phases:
Architect – Define your strategy through a clear legacy statement and investment thesis.Build – Create a business structure for your portfol...121: Best Family Office for Your Net Worth
There are 70 million millionaires in the world — but only about 30,000 qualify for a single family office with a $100M minimum. That means 99.95% of millionaires are either stuck in the wrong wealth management system or don’t even realize there’s a better way.
Most people think you need a huge fortune and a full-time team to manage wealth like the ultra-rich. But that’s just not true.
A single family office gives full control and privacy, but the $2–$5M annual cost makes it impractical unless you're in the top 0.01%. On the other hand, multi-family offices offer shar...
120: How Wealthy Parents Raise Their Kids (Without Spoiling Them)
👉 Have $1-$30m net worth and want to run your wealth like a business?
Click here to learn how to build your own "micro family office": https://wealthops.io
70% of wealthy families lose everything by the second generation. I could be one of them.
I’m Christopher Nelson, and despite building a $7M cash-flowing portfolio and going through three tech IPOs, none of it prepared me for the realization that I might be raising kids who would destroy it all.
Living in Silic...
119: Don't invest in private equity until you watch this...
Eight years ago, I was stuck in a Manhattan office despite having millions in the bank. Today, I’m unemployed by choice because my portfolio—40% private equity—covers all my living expenses. But before you jump into private equity, you need to know the four benefits that convinced me to invest heavily… and the four costly mistakes that nearly wiped me out.
118: $20K+ monthly income from a $3M portfolio, here’s how…
What if you could generate over $250,000 in annual income from a $3 million portfolio — without selling assets and paying less than $10,000 in taxes?
That’s exactly what I’ve structured through the Evergreen Income Framework, designed for people who feel stuck in the middle: too wealthy for typical advisors, but not quite large enough for traditional family offices. If you’re sitting on $1 million to $30 million in assets, you’ve likely felt this gap.
Most financial advice follows the outdated growth and drawdown model — work for decades, invest in index funds, then start selling pieces of your portfol...
Want to get rich as a W-2 employee? Do This.
Most people spend their entire careers chasing higher salaries. I used to be one of them—until I realized I was playing the wrong game. Wealth isn’t built through salary alone. It’s built through equity.
In this episode, I’ll share the wealth strategy no one talks about—but that transformed my life. Through smart use of equity compensation, I built a $6 million net worth, retired early, and created the freedom to truly live life on my terms.
I break it all down with real-world examples. You’ll meet Sara...
116: You're probably ALREADY an Accredited Investor (here's how to check and what you can access)
Did you know that you might already qualify as an accredited investor—but no one ever told you what that actually means or how to take advantage of it?
I used to think that growing wealth meant sticking to index funds and stock options. But once I discovered how Rule 506(b) and Rule 506(c) work, it unlocked a completely different financial world. A world filled with exclusive investment opportunities—private equity, hedge funds, commercial real estate syndications, and high-yield alternative assets—that most people never get to see.
In this walkthrough, I break down the key di...
115: 3 Types of 'Passive Income' - Only One Lets You Keep 96%
Most people talk about passive income like it's a magic solution: do something once, and money just keeps rolling in. But the reality is a lot more complex — especially when it comes to how different types of income are taxed.
What many don't realize is that there’s a huge difference between portfolio income (like dividends or capital gains) and what the IRS truly considers passive income (like rental income). Misunderstanding these terms can lead to overpaying taxes — sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars.
In this breakdown, I walk through how the IRS classifies income...
114: The Only Asset Class That Can Replace Your W-2
If you're looking for a way to replace your paycheck—whether it's $150K or $200K a year—with consistent income from investments, you're in the right place. I want to share how I personally made that transition using private equity real estate. This isn't just theory—I've replaced my W-2 income with $175,000 annually, and it's all thanks to this strategy.
Private equity real estate has long been the go-to strategy for the ultra-wealthy. It's not only a powerful income generator, but it's also a smart way to reduce taxes and build long-lasting, generational wealth. I want to break...
113: Private Equity Investing Explained Simply
Have you ever wondered how the ultra-wealthy consistently earn 15% to 25% returns while most investors settle for just 7% to 10% from stocks and index funds? This content dives deep into private equity investing—what it is, how it works, and why it's become a powerful tool for building wealth that many high-earning professionals still overlook.
You’ll get a clear explanation of what makes private equity such an attractive asset class, how it compares to traditional investments, and the risks and rewards involved. If you’ve ever felt like there’s a hidden side to how the top 1% grow their mo...
112: Your Current Portfolio Strategy is Costing You $135K (per year)
What if I told you that your current portfolio strategy could be costing you up to $135,000 per year? That’s right. In episode, I’ll show you how you can turn a $3 million portfolio into a steady income of $240,000 a year, pay as little as $5,000 to $10,000 in taxes, and never sell a single asset.
If you have high income, stock-based compensation, or you’re someone seriously looking to build financial freedom, not just for retirement but for life, this video is exactly what you need. I’m breaking down how to stop relying on a growth-and-drawdown strategy, which fo...
How I Built $6M Net Worth as a Tech Employee (copy this method)
👉🏼 Ready to take action? Join me for the WealthOps way:
https://www.wealthops.io/
What if your next job offer wasn’t just about a bigger paycheck but a life-changing wealth opportunity? In this episode, I’ll share how I built a $6 million net worth—not by launching a startup, not by investing in crypto, but by mastering one powerful strategy: trading time and talent for equity compensation.
I’ll walk you through how I shifted from thinking like a regular employee to thinking like a founder, even while wor...
My $1M Salary Wasn't Making Me Wealthy, So I Quit And Did This...
Last summer, I spent six amazing weeks in Europe with my family — no Zoom calls, no emergencies, no distractions. That experience wasn’t just a vacation; it was proof that I had successfully transitioned from being a scattered moneymaker to becoming a strategic money manager.
I stopped chasing titles and started building something bigger: a micro family office that gives me freedom, control, and purpose.
This episode is part of my Foundation Series, where I guide you step-by-step through how to build and run your own micro family office. I walk you through the exact mind...
109: How I Built a Life I Don't Need a Vacation From
For years, I chased the dream that everyone told me would bring happiness—big title, high salary, working at the top of my industry in New York City. In 2016, I had it all: I was the Chief Information Officer, working on Madison Avenue, climbing toward an IPO with equity and prestige. But deep down, it felt like hell.
I remember the breaking point clearly—another phone call to my wife, telling her I wouldn’t make it home for dinner. Again. I had three young kids at home, a beautiful family I barely saw, and despite all the mo...
108: Tech Execs: 6 Skills You Already Have That Buy Your Freedom
I didn’t wake up one day saying, “I’m going to start a micro family office.”
What really happened was — after an IPO —I suddenly found myself a multimillionaire on paper, and completely lost when it came to managing that wealth. I had no systems, no processes, and no real strategy in place. Then it hit me: I spend my days in tech startups setting vision, building teams, solving complex problems, and hitting big goals... so why wasn’t I doing that for my most valuable asset—my portfolio?
That realizati...
107: Building Financial Flow: Inside the WealthOps Run Cycle
Episode 107: Building Financial Flow: Inside the WealthOps Run Cycle
Discover how to turn your financial overwhelm into calm, confident action using the Run Cycle—the operating rhythm of a high-functioning Micro Family Office with our Free Master Class - The WealthOps Way!
🎧 If you're drowning in spreadsheets, unsure what to do next, or struggling to get your money to work for you, this episode will change the game. In Episode 107 of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson breaks down the Run Cycle of WealthOps—the secret to building flow into your financial life.
This is wher...
106: WealthOps the Accelerator to Building Your Micro Family Office
Episode 106: WealthOps the Accelerator to Building Your Micro Family Office
Discover how to design your wealth like a product, implement it like a startup, and build a scalable Micro Family Office in just 12 weeks with our Free Master Class - The WealthOps Way!
🎧 If your financial life feels more like a patchwork of spreadsheets than a cohesive system, this episode is for you. In Episode 106 of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson walks you through the Architect and Build phases of WealthOps—the two most critical steps in building a Micro Family Office that runs like a bus...
105: 5 Advantages of Starting Your Own Micro Family Office
Episode 105: 5 Advantages of Starting Your Own Micro Family Office
Discover how to future-proof your finances, build generational impact, and take full control with our Free Master Class - The WealthOps Way!
🎧 If you’ve built $1M–$30M in tech wealth, you’re likely stuck in a financial gray zone: too complex for a single advisor, but not quite ready for a $100M family office. In this essential episode, Christopher Nelson breaks down the five key advantages of a Micro Family Office—and why it’s the most strategic move you can make.
Stop reacting to m...
104: The Micro Family Office Strategy to Run Your Portfolio as a Business
Episode 104: The Micro Family Office Strategy to Run Your Portfolio as a Business
Discover how to future-proof your finances, build generational impact, and take full control with our Free Master Class - The WealthOps Way!
🎧 If you’ve built $1M–$30M in tech wealth, you’ve outgrown traditional financial advice. In this critical episode, Christopher Nelson introduces the Micro Family Office model: a proven, scalable system to run your wealth like a business.
Learn how the ultra-wealthy structure their financial operations—and how you can adopt a similar model (even without $100M in assets). Th...
103: The 5 Money Mindset Secrets of the Ultra High Net Worth
Episode 103: The 5 Money Mindset Secrets of the Ultra High Net Worth
Discover how to future-proof your finances, build generational impact, and take full control with our Free Master Class - The WealthOps Way!
🎧 Tech wealth is booming—but most new millionaires are stuck in survival mode. In this foundational episode, Christopher Nelson unveils the five money mindset shifts that separate the merely rich from the truly wealthy. This is your red pill moment to stop outsourcing and start operating like a Portfolio CEO.
Whether you’re a tech professional, founder, or executive, this episode...
102: The Buffett Blueprint: 7 Rules to Invest Through a Crisis
Episode 102: The Buffett Blueprint: 7 Rules to Invest Through a Crisis
🎧 Feeling anxious about the market drop? This episode is your guide to transforming panic into purpose with the mindset of a Portfolio CEO. Discover how to lead your portfolio like a business—even during turbulent times with our Free Master Class - The WealthOps Way!
In this solo episode, Christopher Nelson shares a step-by-step approach to staying focused and strategic while others spiral in uncertainty. He breaks down the difference between being a builder and a gambler, and how the wisdom of Warren Buffett can guide...
101: Raising Kids Who Aren’t Entitled: The Power of Wealth with Purpose
Episode 101: Raising Kids Who Aren’t Entitled: The Power of Wealth with Purpose
🎧 Ready to transform how you think about wealth and legacy? Tune in to this episode for powerful insights on raising grounded kids in a world of abundance with our Free Master Class - The WealthOps Way!
In this solo episode, Christopher Nelson addresses one of the biggest fears many wealth creators face: the potential for their kids to grow up entitled. While this is a common concern, it doesn’t have to be the outcome. In fact, your wealth can be a tool to...
100: Family Office Tactics for Small Portfolios with Ron Diamond
Episode 100: Family Office Tactics for Small Portfolios with Ron Diamond
🎧 Ready to take control of your financial future? Start your journey today with our Free Master Class - The WealthOps Way!
Host: Christopher Nelson
Guest: Ron Diamond, Chairperson of Tiger 21 Chicago & Founder of Diamond Wealth
http://linkedin.com/in/ronalddiamond/
In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher sits down with Ron Diamond to uncover the secrets of family office investment strategies. Many believe these strategies are only for billionaires, but Ron breaks down how individuals with a net wor...
099: Master Industrial Real Estate Diversification with Ben Fraser
Episode 99: Master Industrial Real Estate Diversification with Ben Fraser
🎧 Ready to take control of your financial future? Start your journey today with our Free Master Class - The WealthOps Way!
Host: Christopher Nelson
Guest: Ben Fraser, Chief Investment Officer, Aspen Funds
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwfraser/
In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson sits down with Ben Fraser of Aspen Funds to explore a new investment frontier—industrial real estate. While many investors focus on multifamily properties, industrial assets like warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and flex spaces offer...
098: Equity Compensation Tax Playbook with Greg O'Brien and John Malone
Episode 98: Equity Compensation Tax Playbook with Greg O'Brien and John Malone
🎧 Ready to take control of your financial future?
Start your journey today with our Free Master Class - The WealthOps Way!
Host: Christopher Nelson
Guests: Greg O'Brien & John Malone, Anomaly CPA
In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson is joined by certified tax planners Greg O'Brien and John Malone to break down essential tax strategies for managing tech equity. If you're a technology professional with stock options, RSUs, or other forms of equity compensation, this episode is...
097: Avoid These Common Investing Mistakes When Architecting Your Wealth
Episode 97: Avoid These Common Investing Mistakes When Architecting Your Wealth
🎧 Ready to take control of your financial future? Start your journey today at http://www.managingtechmillions.com/!
In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson takes a deep dive into the common mistakes investors make when managing their portfolios. Now that you understand how to architect your portfolio as a business, it’s time to refine your strategy, avoid pitfalls, and ensure long-term success.
Building on the foundational work from Episode 95 (with Marco Quevedo) and Episode 96 (on executing the architect phase), this episo...
096: How to Architect Your Wealth - Build a Portfolio Like a Business
Episode 96: How to Architect Your Wealth - Build a Portfolio Like a Business
🎧 Ready to take control of your financial future? Start your journey today at http://www.managingtechmillions.com/!
In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson breaks down the Architect phase of wealth building—helping you structure your investment portfolio like a business. Building on last week’s conversation with Marco Quevedo, this episode explores how single-family offices worth billions create investment theses and how you can apply the same principles to your own financial strategy.
Discover how to define your in...
095: Crafting Your Investment Thesis with Single Family Office CIO - Marco Quevedo
🎧 Ready to take control of your financial future? Start your journey today at http://www.managingtechmillions.com/!
Host: Christopher Nelson
Guest: Marco Quevedo
In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson sits down with Marco Quevedo, a chief investment officer with extensive experience in managing high-net-worth portfolios. They dive deep into why having an investment thesis is crucial for long-term financial success. Many technology professionals who achieve significant wealth often chase investments rather than follow a structured approach. Marco shares how building an investment policy statement can...
094: REWIND: Fueling Financial Independence - Inside my Portfolio Investment Strategy
Episode 94: REWIND: Fueling Financial Independence - Inside my Portfolio Investment Strategy
🎧 Ready to transform your finances into a legacy wealth machine? Start today at http://www.managingtechmillions.com!
In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson shares one of his most important financial strategies: the Evergreen Portfolio. Instead of simply managing money, this strategy is about building a financial engine that creates generational wealth.
Technology employees often focus heavily on growth assets—stocks, stock compensation, and high-growth investments. However, true financial independence comes from a balanced approach that includes income-generating assets. Christopher revea...
093: REWIND: Case Study - From Money Maker to Money Manager with David Banks
Episode 93: REWIND: Case Study - From Money Maker to Money Manager with David Banks
🎧 Ready to take control of your financial future? Start your journey today at http://www.managingtechmillions.com/!
Host: Christopher Nelson
Guest: David Banks
In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson sits down with David Banks to discuss his inspiring transition from tech sales to full-time investing. With experience from three IPOs (Interwoven, VMware, Splunk), David shares how he built Addison Financial and created a portfolio that generates consistent cash flow, offering listeners actionable insights into man...
092: REWIND: The Power of Portfolio Income to Unlock Financial Freedom
Episode 92: REWIND: The Power of Portfolio Income to Unlock Financial Freedom
Ready to take control of your financial future? Start your journey today at http://www.managingtechmillions.com/!
In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson revisits one of the most impactful conversations from Episode 60: The Power of Portfolio Income to Unlock Financial Freedom. We dive deep into how portfolio income can be a game-changer for financial independence and wealth creation.
Many professionals focus solely on salary-based earnings, but true financial freedom comes from building sustainable, diversified income streams. By structuring your...
091: REWIND: Cash Flow Portfolio Mastery - Crafting a $256k Per Year Strategy
Episode 91: REWIND: Cash Flow Portfolio Mastery - Crafting a $256k Per Year Strategy
Ready to explore the latest in tech careers and financial insights? Start your journey at http://www.managingtechmillions.com/!
Host: Christopher Nelson
Guest: Pascal Wagner, Founder of GrowyourCashflow.io
In this episode of Managing Tech Millions, Christopher Nelson reconnects with Pascal Wagner, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, to discuss the journey from building tech wealth to mastering cash flow through private equity and real estate investments.
Pascal shares his personal story of transitioning from venture capital...
090: Answering Your Biggest Questions About WealthOps
Ready to take control of your financial future? Start your WealthOps journey today at https://www.managingtechmillions.com/!
Ever wondered why WealthOps was created and how it can transform your approach to wealth management?
In this episode, Christopher Nelson gets personal, sharing the experiences that led to the creation of WealthOps. From the anxiety of managing sudden IPO wealth to the frustration with traditional wealth managers, Christopher reveals how these challenges inspired a system designed to empower tech professionals to manage their wealth with precision and confidence.
We discuss the mindset shift from...
089: Family Office Systems for Tech Professionals - WealthOps 101
Episode 89: Family Office Systems for Tech Professionals - WealthOps 101
Ready to explore the latest in tech careers and financial insights? Click here now for an eye-opening journey at http://www.managingtechmillions.com/!
Ever felt overwhelmed by managing wealth after a big windfall?
In this episode, we dive deep into the origins of WealthOps—a wealth management system designed specifically for tech professionals. The creator shares their journey from IPO to creating a blueprint for managing wealth as a business.
We’re talking about the challenges of sudden wealth, the emotional roller coas...
088: The Pivot to Managing Tech Millions
Episode 88: The Pivot to Managing Tech Millions
Ready to unlock the blueprint for managing your tech wealth like a pro? Click here now for more: http://www.managingtechmillions.com/!
In this episode, Christopher Nelson is back to break down how you can manage your tech equity like a CEO, not just a high earner.
We dive deep into why it’s time for tech professionals to stop relying on wealth managers and take control of their financial futures. From high salaries and equity compensation to building sustainable wealth, this episode explores a game-changing ap...
087: 2024 Lessons Learned and the Pivot to Managing Tech Millions
Episode 87: 2024 Lessons Learned and the Pivot to Managing Tech Millions
Ready to take your wealth journey to the next level? Click here now for a glimpse of what's to come at http://www.managingtechmillions.com/!
As we near the end of 2024, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the progress we've made and look ahead to exciting changes in the upcoming year.
In this episode, Christopher Nelson takes a step back to look at the journey of Managing Tech Millions, and he will share an important update: our pivot to Managing Tech Mi...
