About Us

Article by Cassandra Green

Photography by Abby Watkins

Originally published in Parker City Lifestyle

Sitting down with Seed Money Consulting founder, Shahab Maslehati and two of his business consultants, Sam Heitzer and Daniel Vaisberg reveals a team that is on your side when it comes to business support. Seed Money Consulting is an independent financial advisory. Their mission is to educate, resource and support their clients in tax preparation, business services, financial planning and investment management. Shahab has built a team of elite professionals with high-level skills that serve their clients with excellence while bringing support to each other as well.

Shahab addresses that when it comes to finances, it can be very personal. “More so than anything else, people will tell you about their medical diagnosis, but they will not tell you how much credit card debt they have,” Shahab says. His team is trained uniquely to understand this.

Sam talks about how they work hard to add a level of customer service that people are unfamiliar with when bringing business support. He explains, “Our level of customer service is really unmatched. [We provide] that soft touch that is really needed when people are talking about their issues and finances.”

Daniel adds, “Each of our customers has a direct line to us.” Shahab even mentions an emergency line for those that have time sensitive and urgent requests. Every aspect of their service is thought through to build trust and ensure not just customer satisfaction, but confidence that clients are in good hands.

When asked how to balance your personal life with work, they refer to strong teamwork. The entire team works hard to be familiar with each client and account. This allows for flexibility as personal matters come up. It also ensures that clients will always meet a person on the other side of their request.

Shahab leads the conversation in self-care. He states, “We put in the hours at work, but none of us will skip on our workouts or sleep. We make time... for me it’s the morning routine of lifting or running before work.... We can’t neglect our bodies. We do enough to stay excited and keep the business moving forward.” It’s this desire to keep the passion for what they do alive that makes the difference.

Shahab also takes time to go on retreats with his friends to recharge. He notes the importance of having a growth mindset. He goes hiking, does cold plunges and takes time to reset and come back energized.

“When we are off the clock, we are with family, traveling and having very focused down time. [It’s] very intentional and oftentimes we spend it together,” Shahab explains.

Sam also shares how important it is to know your why. He shares, “We are so mission oriented right now. We understand the importance of the clients that we’re serving and the bigger picture of what we’re trying to accomplish.”

The way Shahab, Daniel and Sam speak is energized in a way that gives weight to their longevity. Their heart is to serve, but they also prioritize collaboration with their clients. Sam talks about a network they’ve set up for their client groups. “Whether it’s holding client appreciation events, getting our clients in touch with each other or highlighting our clients through different marketing initiatives and client spotlights, we really try to connect and not just provide financial services but also provide community.”

Their advice is to be consistent and take small steps every day to make a difference in your life. “We like to see our clients succeed. That’s the fruit of our labor,” Shahab says. For Shahab and his team at Seed Money Consulting, it’s all about scaling your professional and personal life in tandem. They also give back to the community. Within a year they purchased 200 backpacks for an at-risk elementary school. They plan to expand this initiative annually with local partners. 

With their customized service and foresight to educate their clients, it makes business planning all the more seamless. Their efforts allow their clients the freedom to become stronger and better leaders themselves. Email financial.services@seedmoneyconsulting.com or join them on Facebook.com/SeedMoneyConsulting

Their advice, be consistent and take small steps every day to make a difference in your life.

See full article online here: Intuit

• Written by Scott Cytron
• Modified Oct 11, 2024
• 5 min read

Welcome to another profile in a series of articles about members of the Intuit® Tax Council. Meet Shahab Maslehati, owner of Seed Money Consulting. I sat down with Shahab to learn more about her firm, a bit about his background, and the Intuit Tax Council.

Scott Cytron: Tell our readers about your practice.

Shahab Maslehati: Seed Money Consulting is an independent financial advisory and consulting firm based in Greenwood Village, Colorado. We provide a range of services, including tax preparation, business consulting, financial planning, and investment management. We emphasize a tailored approach to meet the specific needs of our clients—whether individuals, families, or small businesses. Small business means a “solo-prenuer” to a business with under 15 employees or less than $3 million of annual revenue. Once companies grow above these general marks, we assist with other services such as mergers & acquisitions, business sales, and board consulting services. We also provide forensic audit services.

SC: So tell me what is unique about Seed Money Consulting compared to other firms.

SM:  There are three areas:

1. We took the very intentional approach of maintaining Registered Investment Advisory and Electronic Returns Originator registrations so that we have the service offerings and permissions to provide our community with tax-centric advice.
2. We found that most large advisories avoid providing tax advice and most tax preparation offices are unable to provide direct financial advice.
3. Our tax bills are the biggest expense we face over a lifetime and used by governing bodies to incent certain behaviors amongst individuals and communities. However, there is a large structural and service gap between professionals and individuals. Our mission is to eliminate the gap.

SC: What is your firm’s tech stack, and what Intuit products are you using?

SM: We always emphasize that we pair the best professionals with the best technology. An arborist would be very ineffective if asked to cut down a tree with a screwdriver! Having the best technology for that arborist is important; if you are not using the best professionals AND the best technology, you are at a significant disadvantage because your competition surely is using modern technology. 

Our advisory tools include Intuit’s QuickBooks® Online, Intuit® ProConnect™ Tax, and Intuit Tax Advisor. These applications have transformed our ability to effectively and efficiently provide tailored services in a timely and accessible fashion. 

SC: I know you’re a new member of the Tax Council. In what ways do you think the Council is important to the profession?

SM: Yes, I am a new member of the Council, and extremely grateful to be part of a group that is looking out for the little guy! The Council is significantly important to the industry to ensure Intuit platforms include the most accurate sound business practice guidance and guardrails as possible. This will build the confidence and credibility of the practitioner as they enable the benefits of the tax code into their community. The Council essentially bridges the gap between lawmakers and our communities to ensure benefits and incentives of the code are realized among everyday people.

SC: I understand you just started law school. What motivated you to do this and what do you envision doing with your law degree after you graduate?

SM:  That is true! I am happy to confirm I am a “1L” (year one JD student) attending Purdue Global Law Campus. The experience so far has been absolutely amazing. The professors and administrators established a completely immersive approach to online learning, and I couldn’t be more excited! 

The reason I am pursuing a Juris Doctorate in Law is to further our firm’s understanding of this critical area so that we can be more helpful for our clients facing legal issues, including business structuring, sales, and mergers & acquisitions, to name a few areas. SC: That’s great! What other volunteer work besides Tax Council are you doing?

SM: Our firm takes an active stance in our community by finding ways to give back. We have partnered with elementary schools to provide school supplies at “back to school night” events, and partnering with teachers to provide school supplies throughout the year. We also provide pro-bono services in some cases to start up nonprofit organizations.

SC: What was your very first job?

SM: My first paid job was working for a local city government’s park and recreation department. I was 15 years old and worked over the summer. I was definitely accustomed to “working” by then, but the only new part was actually getting paid! My dad always centered his parenting around principles such as dedication, determination, and discipline. My mom always centered her parenting around care, kindness, and family. I have carried these principles with me and implemented them as Seed Money Consulting’s guiding cultural lights.

SC: How can tax professionals keep up with all the changes in tax laws and regulations?

SM: Outside of the normal upkeep of continuing education requirements, staying connected with other practitioners is crucial. The U.S. law system is governed by statues, regulations, and other agency guidance. While the system is not generally governed by common law or judicial decisions, it is valuable to understand rules as interpreted by another practitioner in real life situations in different parts of the country. Staying appraised of issues facing other practitioners will help you avoid misapplication of common rules and stay informed of more nuanced or unique situations and how to handle them.

SC: If you were stranded on a desert island with access to just one kind of technology, what would it be, and why would you want it?

SM:  A water purifier. If you gave me a cell phone, it might accidentally get damaged … and that would be a shame lol!

Touching Lives, One Project at a Time

We are proud to be actively involved in a collaborative effort aimed at addressing the needs of local residents. Our focus is on providing essential resources and support to those who require assistance. We believe that no one should be left behind, and by working together, we can create a stronger and more inclusive community.

School Supplies Drive: Equipping Students for Success

Education is the foundation for a bright future. Unfortunately, many students lack access to necessary school supplies. Seed Money Consulting recognizes this challenge and organizes an annual School Supplies Drive. We collect and distribute backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and other essential items to ensure that every student has the tools they need to thrive academically.

Winter Coats for Warm Hearts: Spreading Warmth and Joy

Winter can be especially harsh for those without proper winter clothing. To combat this, Seed Money Consulting organizes a Winter Coats for Warm Hearts campaign. We collect gently used coats and jackets from the community and distribute them to individuals and families in need. By keeping our neighbors warm, we aim to make winter a more comfortable and secure season for everyone.

Fostering Athletic Excellence

We recognize the importance of extracurricular activities in the development of student's physical and mental well-being. Through our sponsorship, we contribute to the growth and success of the sports programs, providing the necessary resources for equipment, coaching, and training. We take great pride in helping young athletes pursue their passion and reach their full potential.