The financial industry has a habit of being needlessly opaque. Here’s exactly what happens when you reach out — step by step, no surprises.
Step 1 — A free conversation
Time: 30-45 minutes, by phone or video.
You tell us about your situation: what you’ve built, what you’re working toward, what’s keeping you up at night. We tell you honestly what we’d do in your position — including whether working with us is the right fit. Sometimes it isn’t, and we’ll say so.
No paperwork. No fees. No pressure. Just a real conversation.
Schedule a free conversation →
Step 2 — Discovery
Time: 1-2 weeks, mostly asynchronous.
If we’re a fit, we’ll send you a discovery questionnaire — risk tolerance, goals, time horizon, current holdings, special situations. It’s the same questionnaire we use with every new client; nothing fancy, just the questions we need answered to build a portfolio that fits you specifically.
We’ll also ask for the most recent statement from each account you’d be moving to us. Those statements tell us what positions need to transfer, what cost basis you’re carrying, and whether there are any tax-aware moves we should make as part of the transition. We’ll send you a secure link to upload them — no email attachments with sensitive data.
Step 3 — ADV delivery and Investment Policy Statement
Time: 1 week from receiving your questionnaire.
Before any agreement, we deliver our current Form ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Those documents lay out — in the SEC’s language, not ours — who we are, how we’re paid, what conflicts we have, and what our disciplinary history looks like (clean). You should read them. Ask questions. We’ll walk you through anything that isn’t clear.
Then we draft a written Investment Policy Statement — the contract between your goals and your portfolio. It states explicitly:
- Your goals and time horizon
- Your stated risk tolerance and how we’ll honor it
- The asset allocation we’ll target
- Any restrictions you’ve placed (sectors to avoid, ESG preferences, concentrated positions to manage around)
- How and when we’ll review
You read it. You ask questions. We revise. When you’re comfortable, you sign the IPS and the advisory agreement together. Nothing happens with your money until both are signed.
Step 4 — Account opening + ACAT transfer
Time: 2-4 weeks, mostly handled by us.
You’ll open accounts at our qualified custodian (typically Charles Schwab). Account opening takes about 15 minutes online — we walk you through it.
Then we initiate ACAT (Automated Customer Account Transfer) to move your existing positions over from your current custodian. ACAT is the standard industry process. It typically takes 5-10 business days; longer if your existing custodian is slow about it. We track it for you and follow up if it stalls.
Throughout the transfer we stay in touch — text, email, or a quick call, whichever you prefer. If your existing positions need to be handled gingerly (concentrated low-basis stock, restricted shares, a non-transferable security), we flag it before initiating and tell you what the options are.
Step 5 — Portfolio construction
Time: Begins as soon as ACAT completes.
We don’t move everything at once. We assess what came over, flag anything tax-sensitive, and build into your target allocation gradually — typically over 30-90 days, faster if markets present opportunities. You’ll see every trade in your Schwab statement.
If you’re a covered-call or cash-secured-put candidate, we’ll discuss the options income overlay before initiating it. Here’s a primer on how that overlay works and the trade-off it makes.
Step 6 — Ongoing review and communication
Cadence: Quarterly minimum, more often when warranted.
You hear from us at least every quarter — a real review, not a marketing email. We discuss:
- What changed in the portfolio and why
- Where the markets are vs. where they were
- Anything you should know about your specific holdings
- Whether your situation has changed (it usually does — life happens)
Outside the quarterly cadence, you can reach us anytime by phone or email. We pride ourselves on actually answering.
What we’ll ask from you
- Honesty about your goals. Plans built on what you wish were true don’t survive contact with reality.
- Patience through volatility. The strategies we use reward time. The biggest mistake an investor can make is panicking at the bottom — we’ll talk you through those moments, but only if you let us.
- Communication when life changes. Job change, marriage, kids, inheritance, health event — these are the moments that should trigger a portfolio conversation. Don’t wait for the next quarterly call.
What you can expect from us
- Discipline on price. We don’t chase. We don’t time. We buy quality businesses at sensible prices and hold them until the thesis no longer holds. What we mean by margin of safety.
- Cash is the scorecard. Earnings are an opinion. Cash is a fact. Why we underwrite on free cash flow over earnings.
- Total transparency. Every trade, every fee, every decision is visible to you on your Schwab statement.
- A real human at the other end of the line. Not a call center, not a chatbot, not a portal. Tim or one of the team.
- Fiduciary duty, not a sales target. We’re paid by you, not by anyone selling products through us.
Ready to start the conversation?
Schedule your free 30-minute consultation →
Disclosure
T&T Capital Management LLC (TTCM) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. CRD #158407. This page describes the typical engagement process; the specifics of any individual relationship are governed by the signed advisory agreement and the then-current Form ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Timelines stated above are typical and depend on the cooperation of the transferring custodian and on the completeness of information provided by the prospective client. This page is not personalized investment advice. Past results of TTCM or any other adviser are not indicative of future results.
