Founder-Led ROBS Advisory From Real Business Experience
Jamie Darnow is the Founder of ROBS Advisory Group LLC, a firm dedicated to providing strategic guidance for entrepreneurs considering ROBS (Rollovers as Business Startups) and 401(k) business funding.
Unlike most advisors in the space, Jamie’s expertise is not based on theory, training programs, or transactional exposure.
It is built on direct, real-world experience.
Jamie has personally navigated the process of using retirement capital to fund and operate businesses—understanding firsthand the operational, financial, and compliance realities that come with it.
- Why Choose Us
Why ROBS Compliance Matters
ROBS funding involves retirement plan, tax, corporate, and operational requirements. While ROBS is not prohibited, the IRS has identified these arrangements as requiring careful attention and proper operation.
Why IRS ROBS Regulations Matter
Understanding IRS ROBS regulations is critical because mistakes can lead to serious consequences. For example, non-compliance may result in:
- Plan disqualification
- Immediate taxation of funds
- Early withdrawal penalties
- Additional IRS fines
Therefore, compliance is not optional—it is required from the beginning and throughout the life of the business.
- Why Choose Us
From Theory to Execution
Many professionals can explain how a ROBS structure works.
Very few have actually lived inside one.
Jamie has:
- Deployed significant retirement capital into business ventures
- Operated within a ROBS structure under real-world conditions
- Managed payroll, compensation, and compliance considerations
- Navigated growth, operational challenges, and strategic decision-making
This experience allows Jamie to speak to the practical realities many founders only discover after the structure is already in place.
Because once the structure is in place, the real challenge begins.
Why Jamie Built ROBS Advisory Group
After seeing how ROBS is commonly presented in the marketplace, Jamie recognized a consistent problem:
Most providers focus on setup—not reality.
Clients are often guided through the transaction, but left without a clear understanding of:
- What operating a ROBS-funded business actually requires
- How compliance impacts day-to-day decisions
- Where founders commonly make costly mistakes
- How long-term outcomes are shaped by early decisions
ROBS Advisory Group LLC was created to fill that gap.
Not as a processing firm—but as a strategic advisory resource.
A Different Approach to ROBS Consulting
Jamie’s approach is grounded in one principle:
You should fully understand what you’re stepping into before you commit your retirement capital.
Through ROBS Advisory Group LLC, Jamie works directly with entrepreneurs to provide:
- Strategic evaluation of ROBS as a funding option
- Real-world insight into operating within a ROBS structure
- Guidance on common mistakes and key planning questions
- Perspective on growth, providers, and long-term planning
This is not about selling a structure.
It’s about helping you make a high-stakes financial decision with clarity and confidence.
Who Jamie Works With
Jamie works with entrepreneurs who are:
- Considering using their 401(k) or IRA to start or acquire a business
- Evaluating alternatives to debt financing or outside investors
- Looking for experienced, independent ROBS advisory—not sales-driven guidance
Most clients have:
- $50,000+ in retirement funds
- A serious commitment to building or acquiring a business
- A desire to do things correctly from the start
Philosophy on ROBS & Business Ownership
ROBS can be a powerful tool.
But it is not simple—and it is not for everyone.
Jamie believes that before using retirement funds to start a business, every founder should understand:
- The operational realities
- The compliance obligations
- The financial risks
- The long-term implications
Because when your retirement is on the line,
clarity matters more than convenience.
Advisory Role & Professional Disclaimer
Jamie Darnow provides strategic advisory and consulting services only. He does not provide legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, bookkeeping services, investment advice, securities services, valuation services, fiduciary services, retirement plan administration, or ROBS setup.
Clients should work with licensed attorneys, CPAs, plan administrators, valuation professionals, and qualified third-party providers for technical implementation and compliance execution.
Connect with Jamie Darnow
If you are considering using retirement funds to start or acquire a business, you can schedule a ROBS advisory consultation call to evaluate whether ROBS is the right path for you.
- Make Appointment