{"url":"https://nivawealth.com/firms/financial-design-studio-286686","iapdUrl":"https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/286686","regulatoryAum":105500000,"crd":"286686","adviserRoster":{"asOf":"2026-10-09","items":[{"crd":"6747222","suffix":null,"lastName":"Meyer","firstName":"Trevore","middleName":"James"},{"crd":"6058074","suffix":null,"lastName":"SMALENBERGER","firstName":"MICHELLE","middleName":"LYNN"},{"crd":"6793378","suffix":null,"lastName":"STOLL","firstName":"ROBERT","middleName":"DAVID"}],"total":3,"loadedAt":"2026-10-10T00:20:19.761928+00:00","sourceUrl":"https://reports.adviserinfo.sec.gov/reports/CompilationReports/IA_INDVL_Feed_10_09_2026.xml.zip"},"secFileNumber":"801-134607","legalName":"Financial Design Studio, Inc.","displayName":"Financial Design Studio","slug":"financial-design-studio-286686","website":"https://financialdesignstudio.com/","logo":{"src":"https://rmkhnxnbeclogprvkfyl.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/firm-logos/286686/1c3d4b768788319a-r1.webp","tone":"light","width":548,"height":200,"sourceUrl":"https://financialdesignstudio.com/","sourceLabel":"Financial Design Studio, Inc., website"},"classification":{"segment":"individuals","segmentLabel":"Wealth management","type":"independent_wealth_manager","typeLabel":"RIA","feeDisclosure":"full"},"linkedinUrl":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-design-studio-inc.","founded":null,"organization":"Illinois corporation","fiscalYearEnd":"December","headquarters":{"street":"21660 West Field Parkway, Suite 118","city":"Deer Park","state":"IL","stateName":"Illinois","country":"United States","postalCode":"60010"},"tradeNames":[],"registration":{"secApproved":"18 November 2025","noticeFilings":null,"latestNoticeFiling":null},"wealthAumPerClient":784328.3582089553,"staff":{"employees":4,"advisory":3,"brokerDealerReps":0,"insuranceAgents":1,"promoters":0},"aum":{"regulatory":105500000,"discretionary":105500000,"discretionaryAccounts":452,"nonDiscretionary":0,"nonDiscretionaryAccounts":0,"wrapProgram":null,"nonUsClientsPct":0,"nonAumClients":0},"clientTypes":[{"label":"Individuals (other than HNW)","clients":102,"regulatoryAum":33700000},{"label":"High-net-worth individuals","clients":32,"regulatoryAum":71400000},{"label":"Charitable organizations","clients":null,"fewerThan5":true,"regulatoryAum":400000}],"feePrograms":[{"role":"main","program":"Investment Management Services","feeBasis":"marginal","fee_tiers":[{"to":500000,"pct":1.25,"from":0},{"to":1000000,"pct":1,"from":500000},{"to":3000000,"pct":0.8,"from":1000000},{"to":null,"pct":0.6,"from":3000000}],"sourceUrl":"https://files.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/Content/Common/crd_iapd_Brochure.aspx?BRCHR_VRSN_ID=1008171","versionId":1008171,"ratePeriod":"annual","fee_billing":"arrears","submittedOn":"2026-02-11","documentName":"FORM ADV PART 2A","fee_rate_low":0.6,"fee_rate_high":1.25,"fee_negotiable":true,"minimum_account":875000,"feeMinimumPeriod":null,"fee_minimum_annual":null},{"role":"other","program":"Hourly planning and consulting","summary":"Hourly planning and consulting is typically $250 per hour, which may be negotiated, with a half-fee estimate payable on signing.","sourceUrl":"https://files.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/Content/Common/crd_iapd_Brochure.aspx?BRCHR_VRSN_ID=1008171","versionId":1008171,"submittedOn":"2026-02-11","documentName":"FORM ADV PART 2A"},{"role":"other","program":"Ongoing financial planning","summary":"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.","sourceUrl":"https://files.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/Content/Common/crd_iapd_Brochure.aspx?BRCHR_VRSN_ID=1008171","versionId":1008171,"submittedOn":"2026-02-11","documentName":"FORM ADV PART 2A"}],"brochureCoverage":{"scope":"sec_inventory","status":"reviewed","checkedAt":"2026-10-22T15:41:55.460971+00:00","documents":[{"name":"FORM ADV PART 2A","status":"read","sourceUrl":"https://files.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/Content/Common/crd_iapd_Brochure.aspx?BRCHR_VRSN_ID=1008171","versionId":1008171,"submittedOn":"2026-02-11"}]},"custodians":[{"name":"Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.","shortName":"Charles Schwab","location":"Omaha, NE","smaAssets":101800000}],"custodyNote":"Financial Design Studio has custody of $41.7M in client assets for 46 clients.","leadership":[{"name":"Michelle Smalenberger","title":"Chief Executive Officer","crd":"6058074"},{"name":"Stephen Smalenberger","title":"Chief Financial Officer","crd":"5746997"},{"name":"Robert Stoll","title":"Chief Compliance Officer","crd":"6793378"},{"name":"Trevore Meyer","title":"Chief Operations Officer","crd":"6747222"}],"ownership":[{"label":"Michelle Smalenberger","detail":"Chief executive officer in the 25% to 50% ownership band and a control person, since January 2017."},{"label":"Robert Stoll","detail":"Chief compliance officer in the 25% to 50% ownership band and a control person, since August 2019."},{"label":"Trevore Meyer","detail":"Chief operations officer in the 25% to 50% ownership band and a control person, since August 2019."},{"label":"Stephen Smalenberger","detail":"Chief financial officer in the 25% to 50% ownership band and a control person, since August 2019."}],"filedOffices":{"otherThanPrincipal":0,"privateResidences":0},"listedOfficeAddresses":1,"foreignOffices":[],"officesByState":[{"state":"Illinois","offices":1,"addresses":[{"street":"21660 West Field Parkway, Suite 118","city":"Deer Park","headquarters":true}]}],"advFacts":{"source":{"file":"ia100226.zip","asOf":"2 October 2026"},"telephone":"847-238-8050","stateRegisteredReps":3,"otherAdviserReps":0,"compensation":["A percentage of assets under management","Hourly charges","Fixed fees (other than subscription fees)"],"activities":["Financial planning services","Portfolio management for individuals and/or small businesses","Educational seminars/workshops","Other"],"financialPlanningClients":"101-250","assetMix":[{"label":"Exchange-traded equity securities","percent":76},{"label":"Securities issued by registered investment companies or business development companies","percent":20},{"label":"Cash and cash equivalents","percent":4}],"privateFunds":0},"sources":{"adv1FilingDate":"16 July 2026","adv1Url":"https://reports.adviserinfo.sec.gov/reports/ADV/286686/PDF/286686.pdf","brochureDate":"11 February 2026","brochureUrl":"https://files.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/Content/Common/crd_iapd_Brochure.aspx?BRCHR_VRSN_ID=1008171","iapdCompiledDate":null,"retrievedDate":"15 October 2026","retrievedOn":"2026-10-15","updatedOn":"2026-10-22","holdingsUpdatedOn":"2026-10-21","adv1Pages":{},"brochurePages":{}},"otherBusiness":[],"faq":[{"question":"How many clients does Financial Design Studio have?","answer":"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","sourceRef":{"doc":"adv1","section":"employees"}},{"question":"What services does Financial Design Studio offer?","answer":"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","sourceRef":{"doc":"adv1","section":"employees"}},{"question":"How much does Financial Design Studio charge?","answer":"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.","source":"FORM ADV PART 2A, filed 11 February 2026","sourceRef":{"doc":"brochure","section":"fees"}},{"question":"Which custodians does Financial Design Studio use?","answer":"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","sourceRef":{"doc":"adv1","section":"custodians"}},{"question":"How many financial advisors does Financial Design Studio have?","answer":"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","sourceRef":{"doc":"adv1","section":"employees"}},{"question":"What does Financial Design Studio invest in?","answer":"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","sourceRef":{"doc":"adv1","section":"employees"}},{"question":"Does Financial Design Studio have a minimum investment?","answer":"Yes, Financial Design Studio’s minimum account size for its Investment Management Services is $875K.","source":"FORM ADV PART 2A, filed 11 February 2026","sourceRef":{"doc":"brochure","section":"fees"}},{"question":"Who owns Financial Design Studio?","answer":"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","sourceRef":{"doc":"adv1","section":"scheduleA"}},{"question":"How does Financial Design Studio get paid?","answer":"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","sourceRef":{"doc":"adv1","section":"employees"}},{"question":"Is Financial Design Studio registered with the SEC?","answer":"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","sourceRef":{"doc":"adv1","section":"identity"}},{"question":"How do I contact Financial Design Studio?","answer":"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.","source":"Form ADV Part 1A, Item 1.F, filed 16 July 2026","sourceRef":{"doc":"adv1","section":"offices"}}],"holdings":null,"notice":"Compiled from public SEC Form ADV filings on the dates in `sources`. Facts as filed; not a rating, ranking, or recommendation. Niva is not affiliated with this firm. Disciplinary history is deliberately not included here or on the page; the SEC publishes the complete record at the `iapdUrl` above."}