Financial Design Studio provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, and educational seminars. Financial planning was provided to 101–250 clients last fiscal year.
Financial Design Studio reports 134 clients. They include 102 individual clients and 32 high-net-worth individuals. Of its assets, 100.0% ($106M across 452 accounts) are managed with discretion.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 76% | 32% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 24% | 68% |
| Charitable organizations | Fewer than 5 | <1% |
Client shares use reported counts. Client types without a reported count are excluded from that total.
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 102 | $33.7M | 31.9% | $330K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 32 | $71.4M | 67.7% | $2.23M |
| Charitable organizations | Fewer than 5 | $400K | 0.4% | — |
| Total | 134 | $106M | 100% | — |
- Clients
- 102
- Regulatory AUM
- $33.7M
- AUM share
- 31.9%
- Avg. per client
- $330K
- Clients
- 32
- Regulatory AUM
- $71.4M
- AUM share
- 67.7%
- Avg. per client
- $2.23M
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $400K
- AUM share
- 0.4%
- Avg. per client
- —
Total
- Clients
- 134
- Regulatory AUM
- $106M
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- —
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 0
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 101–250
Financial Design Studio charges 0.60%–1.25% a year for its Investment Management Services. Each asset band is charged at its own rate. The fee is billed in arrears, is negotiable and requires an account of at least $875,000. The brochure also prices 2 other services, listed under fee details.
| Asset band | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| $0–$500K | 1.25% |
| $500K–$1M | 1.00% |
| $1M–$3M | 0.80% |
| $3M and above | 0.60% |
Fee details and sources
Other fees
- Hourly planning and consulting
- Hourly planning and consulting is typically $250 per hour, which may be negotiated, with a half-fee estimate payable on signing.
- Ongoing financial planning
- Ongoing financial planning is a flat fee typically $10,000 a year, paid in 12 monthly installments; it is included at no extra cost for clients who use Investment Management Services.
Michelle Smalenberger owns 25% to 50% of Financial Design Studio. Michelle Smalenberger is CEO; the leadership team includes Chief Financial Officer Stephen Smalenberger and Chief Compliance Officer Robert Stoll. It has 4 employees, 3 of them in advisory roles.
Leadership
Michelle SmalenbergerChief Executive Officer
Stephen SmalenbergerChief Financial Officer
Robert StollChief Compliance Officer
Trevore MeyerChief Operations Officer
Investment adviser representatives
3 representatives listed in the SEC register as of 9 October 2026.
Staff
- 4 employees
- 3 in advisory functions
- 3 state-registered reps
- 1 insurance agent
- Owns 25% to 50% of Financial Design Studio, Inc.
Michelle Smalenberger
Control person · since January 2017
- Owns 25% to 50% of Financial Design Studio, Inc.
Robert Stoll
Control person · since August 2019
- Owns 25% to 50% of Financial Design Studio, Inc.
Trevore Meyer
Control person · since August 2019
- Owns 25% to 50% of Financial Design Studio, Inc.
Stephen Smalenberger
Control person · since August 2019
Besides its headquarters, Financial Design Studio has 0 offices, with 1 listed address in Illinois.
Illinois · 1 listed address
- 21660 West Field Parkway, Suite 118, Deer ParkHQ
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Financial Design Studio, Inc.
- Headquarters
- 21660 West Field Parkway, Suite 118, Deer Park, IL 60010
- Website
- financialdesignstudio.com
- Phone
- 847-238-8050
- @financial-design-studio-inc.
- SEC file
- 801-134607
- Structure
- Illinois corporation
- Fiscal year end
- December
Financial Design Studio uses Charles Schwab ($102M) as custodian for its separately managed accounts. Financial Design Studio has custody of $41.7M in client assets for 46 clients.
- Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. · Omaha, NE · $102M100%
At year end, Financial Design Studio’s separately managed accounts were mostly in stocks (76%) and funds (20%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks76%
- Funds20%
- Cash4%
How many clients does Financial Design Studio have?
Financial Design Studio has 134 clients and manages $106 million for them, as of July 2026. They include 102 individual clients and 32 high-net-worth individuals.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 16 July 2026
What services does Financial Design Studio offer?
Financial Design Studio provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, and educational seminars.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
How much does Financial Design Studio charge?
Financial Design Studio charges 0.60%–1.25% a year for its Investment Management Services. Each asset band is charged at its own rate. The fee is billed in arrears, is negotiable and requires an account of at least $875,000.
Which custodians does Financial Design Studio use?
Financial Design Studio’s separately managed account assets are held at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Omaha, NE), with $102M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 16 July 2026
How many financial advisors does Financial Design Studio have?
Financial Design Studio has 3 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 4 employees, and 3 perform investment advisory functions. 0 employees are registered representatives of a broker-dealer and 1 employee is a licensed insurance agent.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does Financial Design Studio invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Financial Design Studio’s separately managed accounts held 76% exchange-traded equities, 20% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs) and 4% cash and equivalents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Does Financial Design Studio have a minimum investment?
Yes, Financial Design Studio’s minimum account size for its Investment Management Services is $875K.
Who owns Financial Design Studio?
Financial Design Studio’s direct owners are Michelle Smalenberger, Robert Stoll, Trevore Meyer and Stephen Smalenberger, each holding 50% or less.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 16 July 2026
How does Financial Design Studio get paid?
Financial Design Studio is paid through a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges and fixed fees. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Is Financial Design Studio registered with the SEC?
Yes, Financial Design Studio has been registered with the SEC as an investment adviser since 18 November 2025. Its CRD number is 286686 and its SEC file number is 801-134607.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 1, filed 16 July 2026; IAPD firm record
How do I contact Financial Design Studio?
Financial Design Studio’s main office is at 21660 West Field Parkway, Suite 118, Deer Park, IL 60010. Its phone number is 847-238-8050. Its website is financialdesignstudio.com.