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Pick your niche / Niche moments
Tech employees (RSUs, options)

10 moments for tech employees with stock compensation.

Name the moment, not the job title. Each one has a hook line to open a post or video with, its ringtone (the letter, bill or date people react to before they think) and what's at stake.

  1. First RSU grant

    “Your offer says $200K in RSUs. Here's what that's really worth after taxes and vesting.”
    Ringtone
    The equity grant email
    What's at stake
    Vesting schedules, tax withholding and concentration shape what the grant is worth.
  2. First vest

    “Your first RSUs just vested, and the withholding didn't cover the tax. Most people find out in April.”
    Ringtone
    The vesting confirmation
    What's at stake
    Supplemental withholding is often too low for high earners.
  3. ISO exercise decision

    “Exercising ISOs this year? Run the AMT numbers before December, not after.”
    Ringtone
    The option exercise window
    What's at stake
    ISO exercises can trigger AMT; timing matters.
  4. Tender offer at a startup

    “Your startup is running a tender offer. Sell some? All? None? Decide with numbers, not FOMO.”
    Ringtone
    The tender offer email
    What's at stake
    Liquidity before IPO is rare, and taxes depend on share type.
  5. IPO and lockup

    “Your company just went public. The lockup ends in six months. Have a plan before it does.”
    Ringtone
    The lockup expiration date
    What's at stake
    Concentration, taxes and trading windows need planning before shares become sellable.
  6. Too much in company stock

    “Half your net worth is in one stock. That's a risk you'd never take on purpose.”
    Ringtone
    The brokerage statement
    What's at stake
    Concentrated positions need a diversification plan that respects taxes.
  7. Leaving with vested options

    “Leaving your startup? You may have 90 days to exercise your options or lose them.”
    Ringtone
    The exit paperwork
    What's at stake
    Post-termination exercise windows force fast decisions with tax consequences.
  8. Layoff with unvested equity

    “Laid off with unvested RSUs? Read the severance terms before you sign anything.”
    Ringtone
    The severance agreement
    What's at stake
    Severance, COBRA and equity acceleration terms vary.
  9. ESPP shares piling up

    “Your ESPP shares are piling up. Know which sale is qualified before you sell.”
    Ringtone
    The ESPP purchase confirmation
    What's at stake
    Qualifying versus disqualifying dispositions change taxes.
  10. Startup acquisition

    “Your startup is being acquired. The deal changes your options, your taxes and maybe your job.”
    Ringtone
    The acquisition announcement
    What's at stake
    Option treatment, retention packages and taxes need review.

Make a video about one See advisors for tech employees with stock compensation

General education, not financial advice. Check rules and figures against current law before you publish.