5 Minutes With… is a monthly spotlight on the visionaries shaping culture, business, and impact offering candid, story-rich moments that reveal not just what they’ve built, but why it matters.
Some leaders don’t just manage risk- they redefine it. Van Carlson, Founder & CEO of SRA 831(b) Admin, has built one of the nation’s most innovative firms around a little-known section of the tax code that transforms how business owners protect- and grow- their wealth. In this conversation, he shares the journey, insights, and vision behind helping business owners keep more of what they earn while building resilience for the future.
JM: What inspired you to start SRA 831(b) Admin, and how did you recognize the opportunity in a part of the tax code most business owners had never heard of?
VC: For years, I worked closely with business owners, advisors, and insurance professionals and saw the same problem over and over: owners paid high premiums year after year, yet remained exposed to “uninsurable risks” like supply chain disruption, regulatory changes, or reputational damage.
I watched companies get blindsided by events outside their control and thought, There has to be a better way to help businesses protect their cash flow and enterprise value.
That’s when I discovered Section 831(b) of the tax code, a legitimate, IRS-recognized provision since 1986. Hardly anyone was talking about it, yet it offered businesses a powerful way to self-insure against critical, uninsurable risks while building tax-advantaged reserves.
JM: If you could boil down the single biggest misconception business owners have about 831(b) plans, what would it be?
VC: The biggest misconception is that 831(b) plans are primarily about taxes. The real advantage is control. An 831(b) plan lets a business self-insure against real but hard-to-cover risks like supply chain disruption, reputational damage, key client loss, or regulatory changes. The tax benefits are simply a byproduct.
JM: You often say ‘turning risk into wealth’...can you share a story where an 831(b) literally saved or transformed a business during a crisis?
VC: “Turning risk into wealth” is about a mindset shift. Most owners see risk as something to avoid, but risk is everywhere, and the biggest threats are often the ones insurance won’t cover. An 831(b) plan lets owners take control by setting aside reserves for the “what-ifs” that could disrupt everything. When a disruption happens, those reserves protect cash flow, jobs, and enterprise value. If it doesn’t, the unused funds can eventually flow back to ownership, turning what would have been a sunk cost into a wealth-building strategy. It’s not about gaming the tax code. It’s about protecting what you’ve built and creating long-term strength and flexibility.
JM: From your perspective, why do you think 831(b) strategies are still underutilized, despite being IRS-recognized since 1986?
VC: Even after nearly four decades in the tax code, 831(b) plans are still overlooked. Many owners hear “831(b)” and think “tax shelter,” a stigma left by misuse in the early 2000s. The truth is that when structured and administered correctly, these are fully compliant risk management tools.
Another reason is lack of education among advisors. Many CPAs, advisors, and brokers don’t fully understand the strategy or don’t bring it up, leaving owners unaware of how powerful it can be.
JM: What’s the most unexpected, even personal, benefit you’ve seen a client experience by opening an 831(b)- something that went beyond money and numbers?
VC: The biggest surprise for many clients isn’t financial; it’s peace of mind. When owners have a plan for the risks insurance won’t cover, they gain confidence. They sleep better knowing their employees, families, and legacies are protected. It’s not just about numbers on a balance sheet. It’s about freedom to lead boldly, make strategic decisions, and focus on growth without constant fear of the unknown.
As business owners look for smarter ways to protect what they’ve built, strategies like the 831(b) stand out as both practical and visionary. Conversations like this are why I host roundtables and private discussions with leaders across industries- to uncover ideas that not only save money but also shape legacies.
If interested in attending my next Roundtable on 831(b)’s with Van Carlson as one of my speakers, please email me at jason.monczka@pomeroygroup.com
About Jason Monczka
PVCL columnist and principal at Pomeroy Group, Jason helps mid-market companies cut through insurance complexity with trust and clarity. A former construction exec, he built businesses where trust meant survival. He’s also the founder of Visionary Voices, a private series bringing bold conversations with leaders across business, entertainment, and culture.