A Second Opinion
Most advice is surface-level — someone or AI pattern-matches your situation to the last thing they saw and gives you the obvious answer. I do the opposite.
I investigate. I go to primary sources. I look for what doesn't fit. Across software, real estate, finance, business, career, and education decisions.
What I can help with
Real background in each area — not just familiarity, but the kind of hands-on experience that lets me spot when something is off.
Software & IT
Something broken you can't figure out? A technology decision that feels risky? I debug systems, review code and architecture, help pick the right tools, and make sense of technical situations — whether you're technical yourself or not.
Real Estate Analysis
Is this property actually a good deal? I dig into the real numbers behind investment properties — market comps, cash flow, realistic assumptions — so you can decide based on facts rather than a sales pitch.
Financial Analysis
Does this financial plan actually hold up? I stress-test assumptions, build financial models, and look for the numbers that don't add up — in business budgets, investment theses, or personal financial decisions.
Business Consulting
Something in your business isn't working and you're not sure why. I look at operations, processes, and strategy from the outside — with no stake in the answer — and tell you what I actually find.
Career Advising
Facing a career decision and not sure if you're thinking about it clearly? I help evaluate job offers, plan transitions, prepare for negotiations, and identify options you might not have considered.
Education Advising
Is this degree or program actually worth it? I cut through the credential hype to help you evaluate programs, compare alternatives, and figure out what the right investment in education looks like for your specific situation.
How I approach problems
These aren't buzzwords. They're just what it actually takes to get to a correct answer.
Go to the Source
I track claims back to where they came from. Not summaries of summaries — primary data, original documents, direct sources. A lot of bad advice survives because no one bothered to check whether the underlying facts are actually true.
Question the Obvious Answer
The explanation everyone agrees on is often the first one that sounded plausible, not the correct one. I treat accepted wisdom as a hypothesis, not a conclusion — and look for the evidence that contradicts it.
Look for What Doesn't Fit
Anomalies are usually where the real answer lives. The number that's off, the exception to the pattern, the data point that contradicts the story — most people skip past these. I pay attention to them.
Work Without an Agenda
I have no product to sell, no referral arrangement, and no incentive to steer you toward a particular answer. The goal is an accurate assessment — including telling you when the answer is "don't do it."
One person. Real background.
I don't run a firm or hand your project off to a junior associate. When you work with me, you get me.
My background with problem solving covers software development, IT infrastructure, real estate investment analysis, financial modeling, business operations, career transitions, and education planning. Not as a tourist in each — as someone who has done the work and succeeded.
Most problems that feel domain-specific aren't. A real estate deal that doesn't add up often has the same root cause as a business plan that doesn't add up. Breadth helps.
I use AI tools as part of my research process. I also know where they get things wrong — confidently stating false information, reflecting common assumptions rather than actual facts, missing edge cases. Knowing how to catch those errors is part of the job.
How engagements work
Every situation is different, so rates are set after an initial conversation about scope. Below is how I typically think about size — this helps both of us figure out what kind of engagement makes sense before we talk numbers.
Focused Question
A few hours
You have one specific question and need a direct, researched answer — not a general overview. I look into it, verify the key facts, and give you a clear assessment with my reasoning.
Good for: sanity checks, specific decisions, evaluating a single claim or option
Full Analysis
Several days to a week
A defined problem that needs real depth. I investigate thoroughly — multiple sources, stress-tested assumptions, competing explanations considered. You get a complete written analysis with my conclusion and the reasoning behind it.
Good for: investment decisions, major purchases, career moves, evaluating a business plan or strategy
Ongoing Engagement
Weeks to months
Some situations evolve and need continued attention as new information comes in. I stay engaged — updating analysis, answering follow-ups, and helping you think through things as they develop.
Good for: business turnarounds, complex career transitions, multi-step investment strategies
Rates are set after an initial conversation. Scope, complexity, and timeline all vary — I'd rather talk through what you actually need than quote a number that doesn't fit. The initial conversation is free.
Get in Touch
Describe what you're dealing with. I'll read it and let you know if I think I can help — no pressure, no sales pitch.