From pillars to pines, a grounded approach to investing.
Tim Schmitt
Founder, Investment Alternatives
I grew up in Manitowish Waters, surrounded by the pines and lakes of northern Wisconsin. After high school in Minocqua, I joined the Air Force and served four years as a medic, learning to stay calm, follow a process, and take care of people in real time.
From there, I went on to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and began what became a 25-year career with Stryker Orthopedics, first as a sales representative and eventually as a sales manager for Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula, and eastern Iowa. Those years formed the pillars of how I think about business, finance, and investing.
Two years ago, a series of well-timed opportunities–combined with the strategies I help clients use–allowed me to move back to the pines of my hometown and build a practice that fits the next chapter of my life.
Investment Alternatives LLC exists so that other investors can do something similar in their own way.
Who I Work With
Today my focus is on accredited investors who want thoughtful guidance on tax focused strategies and private market opportunities.
Most of the people I work with are:
Owners and professionals who have built meaningful wealth and face growing tax bills.
Real estate investors looking to exit properties without losing income.
Investors who appreciate public markets but want to explore a select set of alternative strategies in a disciplined way.
If this sounds like you, we may be a good fit.
What I Help Clients Evaluate
I do not try to be all things to all investors. My work centers on a focused set of strategies:
→ 1031 exchanges using Delaware Statutory Trusts
→ Qualified Opportunity Zone investments
→ Select private offerings and other tax mitigation strategies, reviewed on a case-by-case basis
These approaches are not and should not be for everyone. When they fit, they can offer unique combinations of income potential, diversification, and tax benefits. When they do not fit, the right answer is to say no.
My role is to help you sort that out with a clear process and careful due diligence, not to push product.
How My Background Shapes My Approach
Clients often tell me they appreciate three things about the way I work:
Straight talk.
The military and medical world taught me to speak plainly, even about complex or uncomfortable topics.
Process before product.
Years in orthopedic sales showed me the cost of shortcuts. We follow a repeatable review process before you consider any investment.
Local roots, broader reach.
Living and working in northern Wisconsin keeps me grounded. The strategies we evaluate together often reach far beyond state lines.
You will not hear hype.
You will hear what a strategy is, what it is not, and whether it fits your situation.
My goal is simple: give you a steady place to evaluate your options, understand what fits, and make confident decisions about your financial future.
What It Feels Like to Work Together
If we decide to work together, you can expect:
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We start with a short call to understand your goals, tax picture, and risk tolerance.
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I walk you through the structure, risks, and potential benefits of the strategies that may apply. No decisions required on the first call.
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If something seems appropriate, I will outline it in plain language along with alternatives, trade-offs, and next steps.
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You hear from me before, during, and after any investment decision, not only when a new offering appears.
Ready to talk?
Tim Schmitt Founder | Investment Broker
Tim.schmitt@investmentalternativesllc.com
Office (715) 543-1017 Cell (608) 235-0919
Whether you are building your financial pillars or looking toward a quieter season among the pines, I am here to help you evaluate your options with a clear and disciplined approach.
You can schedule a short introductory call or reach out by email any time.