How we think.
Good financial thinking should be available to everyone, not just clients. Here's a look inside our philosophy, our methodology, and the ideas that shape how we plan and invest.
Articles, webinars, and conversations we share to pull back the curtain on how Black Barn plans and invests.We work with good people.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to what it's like to work with us and where to start.Answers to what it's like to work with us and where to start.
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Black Barn provides financial planning and investment management for growth-minded people, with expertise in the moments that reshape your financial picture: tech equity and liquidity events, divorce and financial independence, inheritance and sudden wealth, retirement for academics and nonprofit professionals, and sandwich generation caregiving. Portfolio management is conviction-based, and planning evolves with each client’s life stage, from early-career foundations through legacy decisions.
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Black Barn is based in Austin, Texas, at 2305 Hancock Drive, Suite 105, Austin, TX 78756, but our clients are located around the world. We meet with clients both in person and over Zoom, allowing us to build strong relationships wherever you call home. You can reach us at inquiry@blackbarnfinancial.com or (512) 368-9179, or start with our intake here.
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Our advisory team works collaboratively across financial planning and investment management. Sara Glakas (Founder & Managing Partner), Kacie Swartz (CFP®, CIMA®, Managing Partner), Lindsay Thorstenson (Assistant Financial Planner), and Amy Calistri (Senior Portfolio Manager) bring their complementary expertise together to support our clients’ financial lives and investment portfolios.
Our operations and client experience team includes Elisa Hanson (Chief Compliance Officer), Tima Brown (Director of Business Operations & Client Experience), and Marianne Darmstaedter (Executive Assistant), who help ensure a seamless experience for our clients and team.
Learn more about our team and the people behind Black Barn here.
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Yes. Tech professionals are one of the many groups we serve. Our real specialty is understanding each client’s unique financial picture and putting our team’s broad knowledge and expertise to work on their behalf. For tech professionals, that may include navigating equity compensation, RSU vesting, IPOs, startup exits, and other liquidity events.
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Yes. Academics and nonprofit leaders are among the many clients we serve. Our specialty is understanding each client’s unique financial picture and putting our team’s broad knowledge and expertise to work. For academics and nonprofit professionals, that may include navigating pensions, 403(b)s, phased retirement, and the specific rules and timelines that come with these careers.
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Black Barn is fee-only, with no commissions or kickbacks. Fees start at 1.50% of assets under management with a $7,500 minimum annual fee, and the percentage decreases as accounts grow. Householding multiple family accounts together can lower fees further.
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Our clients span a wide range of financial situations and net worth. What matters most is the relationship we build together. We work best with people who value a true partnership, thoughtful advice, and understanding the “why” behind their financial decisions. While every situation is unique, Black Barn typically works with clients who have $500,000 or more in investable assets.
Ready to talk?
If you have a growth mindset and are navigating or preparing for a defining financial moment, we'd love to hear from you.