The most common questions we hear.

You’re likely a good fit if you’re looking for more than someone to manage accounts. Sano is built for people who want a steady partner—someone who understands the full picture and stays close through life’s changes. We work best with individuals, families, and business owners navigating complexity, transition, or uncertainty. If you value clarity, thoughtful guidance, and doing things the right way, we tend to work well together.

It starts with a conversation. You can reach out to schedule a meeting or give us a call, and we’ll take it from there. The first meeting is simply about getting to know you, understanding what’s on your mind, and seeing how we might help.

Sano is built around a multi-disciplinary team. That includes CFAs and CFP® professionals guiding financial strategy, EAs and tax advisors grounded in tax planning, and licensed Medicare and healthcare brokers who help you navigate healthcare options with confidence. It’s the combination of these perspectives, not just titles, that gives you a complete view of your financial life.

There’s no single number. What matters more is complexity and mindset. Our clients often have multiple moving parts—business interests, changing income, family considerations, or long-term planning needs—but the real fit comes down to whether you want a thoughtful, engaged partner who looks at the whole picture.

Many firms focus on investments alone. Others focus on one moment in time. Sano is built around integration and continuity. We look at your finances as a connected system—investments, taxes, business interests, medicare, and life changes—then guide you through it with patience and care.

No. While we are based in Michigan and value in-person relationships, we have offices and work with clients across the country. We meet in whatever way makes sense for you—virtually, in person, or a combination of both.

If it’s a good fit, we continue into an ongoing partnership. That means regular check-ins, proactive planning, coordination with other professionals, and a team that stays engaged as your life evolves. We don’t disappear after the plan—we stay with you as things change.

Planning isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about starting where you are and making sense of what’s possible. A good plan helps you see where small adjustments can make a difference and gives you a realistic path forward, one step at a time.

Sano is compensated through clearly defined, transparent fees. We don’t receive commissions or incentives for selling products, which means our advice isn’t influenced by anything other than what’s right for you. That structure allows us to stay focused on the long term and work hard to help you get the most out of what you’ve built.

You don’t need to bring a thing. If you have statements or documents you’d like to share, that can be helpful, but it’s not required. The first meeting is about talking things through and getting comfortable before diving into details.

Yes. We regularly work with founders, owners, and executives. That can include planning around cash flow, entity structure, succession, liquidity events, and aligning business decisions with personal goals. We help connect the dots between your business and your broader financial life.

That’s common. Many clients come to Sano with existing relationships or plans in place. We meet you where you are, review what’s been done, and build forward thoughtfully. There’s no need to start over—we focus on clarity, continuity, and improvement.

Yes. We manage portfolios directly and thoughtfully, without product pressure or one-size-fits-all models. Investment strategy is built around your goals, risk tolerance, tax considerations, and broader plan—and we make sure you understand the “why” behind every decision.

A financial plan is a way to step back and see the full picture. It looks at where you are today, where you want to go, and how to move forward with intention. When it’s done well, it helps turn big questions into clearer next steps.

No two lives look the same, and your plan shouldn’t either. We start by talking through what matters to you right now and what you’re working toward down the road. Understanding where you stand helps us figure out what deserves attention first and what can wait.

Yes. We review and coordinate life insurance, disability coverage, and long-term care planning so income can continue, care is accessible, and unexpected events don’t derail what you’ve built.

Yes. We help design plans tailored around your business size, starting with your goals and values and documenting decisions so responsibilities are clear. From vendor selection and fee review to investment menu design, we stay involved through ongoing monitoring and benchmarking so plans remain competitive and well supported.

Plans we support include:

• 401(k) Plans
• Profit Sharing Plans
• Simplified Employee Pensions (SEPs)
• SIMPLE IRAs
• Defined Benefit Pensions

We also partner with third-party administrators (TPA).

Yes. Tax planning is fully integrated into how we work. We review your tax return, look ahead at how today’s decisions affect future outcomes, and coordinate with your CPA when appropriate. We believe taxes shouldn’t be an afterthought—they’re part of nearly every financial decision, and planning without them leaves gaps.

Many tax strategies depend on timing, coordination, and flexibility. Year-round planning allows ideas to surface earlier, decisions to be made thoughtfully, and adjustments to happen as your life or income changes, rather than trying to force outcomes under a deadline.

When tax planning is handled in-house, your advisor and tax professionals are working from the same information and toward the same goals. This reduces gaps in communication, eliminates duplicated effort, and helps ensure tax strategy supports your broader financial plan.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for people age 65 and older, as well as some individuals under 65 with qualifying disabilities or health conditions. It includes different parts that cover hospital care, medical services, and prescription drugs, with additional options available to help cover gaps in coverage.

No. Our guidance, enrollment assistance, and ongoing support are provided at no cost to you. Agent compensation is built into plan pricing and paid by insurance carriers, so you pay the same whether you work with us or enroll directly.

Medicare decisions affect more than just healthcare—they influence monthly expenses, retirement income, tax planning, and long-term budgeting. Choosing the right coverage helps manage out-of-pocket costs, avoid unexpected expenses, and ensure healthcare fits comfortably within your broader financial plan.

Yes. In addition to Medicare, we help individuals explore related health insurance and supplemental coverage options. Our role is to help you understand what’s available and choose coverage that fits your healthcare needs and budget.

The easiest way to apply for Original Medicare is via the Social Security website.  There is a quick Medicare application that should take you no longer than 10 minutes. Our Medicare team is here to walk you through every step.

If you missed your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period, your next opportunity to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B is during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. Your coverage will become effective on the first day of the month following your enrollment. For example, if you enroll on February 10, your coverage will begin on March 1.