The 18-Year 'Overnight' Success: Self-Insure Tax-Free Dollars & Dominate a Niche Market with Van Carlson

In the world of entrepreneurship, they say success takes 10 years and a lot of grit. For Van Carlson, Founder & CEO of SRA 831(b) Admin, it took 18 years to become the largest manager of self-insured 831(b) plans—a true testament to niche mastery and resilience.

Van’s journey was forged in fire: the 2008 Great Recession hit his commercial clients hard, forcing him to completely reinvent his approach to business risk. Out of that challenge, he built a company that re-engineered how small businesses protect their wealth and operations.

If you’re a high-growth founder looking to shield your company from economic turbulence and utilize advanced tax-advantaged strategies, this episode is essential listening.

In this episode, Van breaks down:

• The 2008 Pivot: How a massive economic downturn forced him to rethink his entire business model, leading to the creation of SRA and the 18-year path to industry dominance.
• The Tax Advantage CEO: The powerful, often overlooked 831(b) strategy that allows small businesses to self-insure tax-deferred dollars, creating a financial fortress against economic dips, natural disasters, and unforeseen events.
• Becoming the Industry Leader: The specific market positioning, strategy, and dedication required to become the largest manager in a highly specialized financial niche.
• Navigating Headwinds: How Van helps clients tackle modern market challenges like increased tariffs and regulatory red tape by empowering them with self-insurance tools.

Tune in to discover the strategic risk management that high-level entrepreneurs use to maintain market advantage and long-term financial security.