Michelle Smalenberger has been Chief Executive Officer of Financial Design Studio since January 2017, is a control person of the firm and directly owns between 25% and 50% of it. Michelle Smalenberger holds an Undergraduate degree in Family Financial Planning from Kansas State University.
Financial Design Studio, Inc. is a Deer Park, IL firm with $106M under management, 134 clients and 3 advisers in one office, as of its July 2026 filing.
Michelle Smalenberger is Financial Advisor and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Design Studio. After over 16 years working at a nationally-recognized firm, she and Steve Smalenberger launched Financial Design Studio in 2017, and she now serves clients in Deer Park.
Michelle Smalenberger’s longest registration is the current one, 9 years at Financial Design Studio since 2017. Before joining Financial Design Studio in 2017, Michelle Smalenberger was registered through Kabarec Financial Advisors LTD.
- – present · 9 yearsDeer Park, IL · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 286686
- Kabarec Financial Advisors LTD– · 4 yearsPalatine, IL · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 105689
Professional designations
Listed by Financial Design Studio
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
Investment adviser representative registrations
Michelle Smalenberger is registered as an investment adviser representative in 3 states, as a resident of Texas. The first approvals date from February 2017; the most recent is Kansas, in August 2021.
- IllinoisSince 9 February 2017
- KansasSince 27 August 2021
- TexasResidentSince 16 September 2019
Examinations
| Exam | Name | Passed |
|---|---|---|
| Series 65 | Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination | 22 August 2012 |
- Name
- Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination
- Full name
- Michelle Lynn Smalenberger
- CRD
- 6058074
- Firm
- Financial Design Studio · CRD 286686
- Role
- Chief Executive Officer
- Office
- 21660 WEST FIELD PARKWAY, SUITE 118, Deer Park, IL 60010
- Registration
- Investment adviser registration
- In the industry since
- August 2012
- Disciplinary history
- Not yet shown here · SEC record
- Firm bio
- financialdesignstudio.com
Where does Michelle Smalenberger work?
Michelle Smalenberger has been Chief Executive Officer of Financial Design Studio, Inc. since January 2017, and is a control person of the firm.
Is Michelle Smalenberger a financial advisor?
Yes. Michelle Smalenberger has a current investment-adviser registration in Illinois, Kansas and Texas, through Financial Design Studio since February 2017.
How many years of experience does Michelle Smalenberger have?
Michelle Smalenberger has 14 years in the financial industry, since August 2012, across 2 adviser firms.
What exams has Michelle Smalenberger passed?
Michelle Smalenberger passed the Series 65 in August 2012.
Where is Michelle Smalenberger based?
Michelle Smalenberger’s registered office is in Deer Park, IL.
Is Michelle Smalenberger registered with FINRA?
No. Michelle Smalenberger has no current broker registration.
Is Michelle Smalenberger a CFP?
Financial Design Studio lists Michelle Smalenberger with the CFP credential (“CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)”) on its website. CFP Board confirms certification status.
Source: Michelle Smalenberger biography, financialdesignstudio.com
How can I verify Michelle Smalenberger’s record?
Search CRD 6058074 on the SEC’s adviser search (adviserinfo.sec.gov), which publishes Michelle Smalenberger’s full registration record.
