Latest news with #Bethesda-based
Business Journals
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
SDR Properties builds portfolio of innovative residential redevelopment projects with artisanal features
When Roshini Thinakaran decided to get more involved in the residential real estate industry in 2019, she knew she wanted to do so with a twist. Rather than new construction or light renovations, Thinakaran was drawn to the more sustainable approach of redeveloping older, obsolete properties. Six years later, she has built Bethesda-based SDR Properties into a boutique business focused on just that, repositioning those properties as modern residential assets. 'There's a lot of cost, damage and waste when you tear something down,' said Thinakaran, the company's founder. 'Tearing down brick and just throwing it away is not sensible.' The company has completed more than five projects across the Bethesda, Northwest D.C. and Chevy Chase area. Each one includes a custom architectural design and extensive work that always involves tearing down structural components to update everything, from the mechanical systems to the home's layout, to create a space that works for modern family living. expand 'There is no template,' Thinakaran said. 'The process of even drawing the design takes longer. It takes a lot more creativity to do a redevelopment and reposition an asset than it does to just build a new house that may not even fit the neighborhood.' New life for a sprawling Bethesda home built in1938 SDR Properties' newest project — a 7,500-square-foot lot with a 3,000-plus-square-foot, four-bedroom home at 5522 Lincoln St. in Bethesda — is coming to market soon. One of the company's largest projects to date, the home includes a separate, two-level studio apartment that can function as an in-law suite or a rental space. 'You're looking at a house that a family can hopefully grow and age in,' Thinakaran said. 'It's not a place where they live for a couple of years and then outgrow.' The home was originally constructed in 1938. SDR Properties' redevelopment included a gourmet eat-in kitchen, upstairs laundry, built-in mudroom storage and plenty of space to entertain. The work increased the property's energy efficiency by using foam insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, tightly insulated roof construction and an HVAC system that is designed for more of an environmental impact and cost savings. For this project, Thinakaran focused on selecting artisan fixtures, many of which are designed and manufactured in the U.S. 'I like it when people treat their work as art,' she said. 'If you put that in a home, people appreciate it.' Thinakaran chose 5522 Lincoln St. based on its location. The home sits on a quiet street a few blocks from Bradley and Greenwich neighborhood parks and the Bethesda Trolley. It also has easy Metro access. Additionally, it's close to her home, which gave her deep insight into the neighborhood and made it easy to be on site frequently during the redevelopment process. 'There's one rule my mentor told me,' she said. 'When you find a location, become an expert in it. Know where they go to the store, which park is available to their kids, where they can take a walk. I know this area and what people love about it.' The longstanding drive to nurture sustainable communities Prior to founding SDR Properties, Thinakaran worked in multimedia, earning recognition as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and TED Global Fellow. Her projects included Women at the Forefront, which examined the lives of women in conflict and post-conflict zones such as Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan. This work fueled her interest in the importance of nurturing communities where people can thrive. She plans to continue to lean into these values as she grows the business with a focus on sustainable design. 'It influences you,' she said of her time connecting with other change makers through National Geographic and TED. 'You're surrounded by people who are always talking about making the world better, more sustainable and with less waste. It makes you want to do more.' Making the shift from multimedia to real estate came naturally, Thinakaran said. Early in her career, she had experience working on real estate projects with her father, and she later earned her master's degree in real estate, finance track, at American University. If market conditions are right, SDR Properties will accelerate the number of projects it takes on. In addition, Thinakaran plans to give a portion of the profit from the Lincoln Street project to a local family shelter. 'We want to help support communities,' she said. Beyond real estate, Thinakaran is exploring a potential tech venture. She is considering developing an app where people rate and review products used in home construction, redevelopment and renovations. This project would draw on her multimedia expertise and her mission to improve quality and sustainability in the industry. 'There are a lot of people who have questions,' she said. 'I'm constantly learning and sharing information that could help others.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wall Street Veteran Launches Titan Capital to Bring Institutional Wealth Strategies to Entrepreneurs
Bethesda-based advisory firm introduces a new framework for risk mitigation, tax efficiency, and strategic capital access tailored to visionary business owners. Bethesda, MD, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Titan Capital Strategies, a boutique financial advisory firm founded by former Wall Street portfolio strategist Nareena Khan, officially announces its mission to bring elite financial planning tools to high-performing business owners. After managing over $10 billion in institutional portfolios, Khan is shifting her focus to an under-served demographic: high-net-worth entrepreneurs scaling ambitious ventures in real estate, healthcare, and an environment where traditional financial systems often overlook the complexity and pace of founder-led businesses, Titan Capital Strategies aims to fill the gap. The firm delivers customized strategic capital planning services with a clear goal: to help entrepreneurs protect, scale, and sustain the businesses they've risked everything to build without compromising their personal financial safety. Nareena positions herself as a strategic partner, not a product pusher, for founders building something bigger than themselves. From Wall Street to Founder-Focused Solutions Nareena Khan's pivot to entrepreneurship was sparked by a powerful realization: the same tools she used to manage multi-billion-dollar portfolios on Wall Street could—and should—be accessible to the entrepreneurs driving the real economy from the ground up. As a seasoned wealth strategist, Nareena brings an institutional-level lens to business owner financial planning, cutting through the noise to offer clarity in a landscape often clouded by complexity. 'Too many founders operate without a true capital strategy,' says Khan. 'They're navigating risk blind—under-leveraged, overexposed, and often unsupported. We help them design smarter financial structures that evolve with their business and protect what they've built.' That mindset led Nareena to launch Titan Capital Strategies, a firm built not around institutions, but around individuals such as entrepreneurs, founders, and value creators. It was a bold step away from the high-stakes world of capital markets and elite portfolios—and into something far more personal. 'I wanted more than spreadsheets and returns,' she reflects. 'I wanted to know the people behind the numbers—the builders, the visionaries, the ones taking all the risk but getting none of the tailored support.' Then the pandemic hit—and deepened her clarity. 'Watching people say goodbye to loved ones over video, seeing lives cut short with no closure... it made me ask: What am I doing with my time? What legacy do I want to leave behind?' That moment redefined her path—not away from finance, but toward a more human-centered approach. Today, Nareena helps business owners unlock liquidity, minimize tax drag, and preserve generational wealth—using elite strategies once reserved for institutions, now tailored for the founders shaping our future. A Framework Built for Visionaries Titan Capital Strategies applies a proprietary four-step model that guides founders from idea to execution. The process begins with clarifying the entrepreneur's long-term vision, then mapping out exposure and risk. From there, the firm crafts tailored financial and succession planning solutions, integrating efforts with clients' existing legal, tax, and accounting teams. Khan's strategic plans often include alternative funding pathways such as premium financing, asset-backed lending, advanced insurance structures, and IUL for entrepreneurs. These strategies deliver tax-efficient growth while limiting reliance on personal guarantees or traditional loans. Addressing a Market Gap The need is urgent. According to PwC, 70% of business owners lack a formal risk mitigation or succession planning strategy. CNBC reports that over 60% of high-income entrepreneurs do not have access to advanced tax-free strategies. Titan Capital Strategies is responding with solutions that match the complexity of modern entrepreneurial ventures. By focusing on execution, not product sales, Khan positions herself not as a financial salesperson but as a strategic partner aligned with her clients' broader ambitions. Reaching Underserved Founders with Smarter Capital Titan Capital Strategies serves founders who are rapidly scaling and need a capital strategy to match their momentum. Whether transitioning from seven to eight figures in revenue or preparing for an exit, clients work with Khan and her team to access capital in ways that preserve control and accelerate growth. Nareena's experience managing institutional assets has uniquely prepared her to help clients unlock funding without exposing personal wealth. In recent cases, she has helped entrepreneurs restructure their financial positions to access multimillion-dollar capital while reducing tax liabilities and personal risk. New Chapter, Same Strategic Excellence The founding of Titan Capital Strategies marks a significant transition for Khan from portfolio manager to entrepreneurial ally. It's also a shift that signals an evolving financial services landscape, one that demands agility, innovation, and transparency. The firm's approach is especially timely in a post-2020 economy where founders are seeking financial strategies as dynamic as their ventures. Titan Capital Strategies does not offer one-size-fits-all products. Instead, each engagement is rooted in deep collaboration and long-term alignment. This methodology has already attracted interest from growth-stage companies and seasoned entrepreneurs looking for a financial advisor who understands the urgency, complexity, and stakes of founder-led growth. About Titan Capital Strategies Titan Capital Strategies is a strategic financial advisory firm based in Bethesda, Maryland, serving high-net-worth entrepreneurs across the U.S. The firm specializes in strategic capital planning, premium financing, alternative funding, and risk mitigation for business owners in high-growth sectors. Founded by former Wall Street strategist Nareena Khan, Titan Capital Strategies is committed to helping visionary entrepreneurs achieve tax-efficient growth and long-term wealth protection through fully customized planning frameworks. For more information or to explore a private strategy session, visit CONTACT: Media Contact Company Name: Titan Capital Strategies Contact Person: Nareena Khan Email: nareena@ Phone: 202-787-1397 Country: United States Website: while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Business Journals
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Jackie Fontana CFP®, CDFA®
Wealth Management | New Hire Jackie Fontana CFP®, CDFA® Hired at Chevy Chase Trust Chevy Chase Trust welcomes Jackie Fontana as Director, Wealth Advisor & Relationship Manager. As a Certified Financial Planner™ & Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, she advises clients on investment management, trust administration, estate & financial planning. Prior to joining the firm, she was a portfolio manager at a Bethesda-based firm & held roles at Sanford Bernstein & Deutsche Bank in Los Angeles. Jackie earned a B.A. in History from UC Davis & an M.A. in International Affairs from AU.
Washington Post
06-04-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
D.C. needs housing. Why has it taken 25 years to build on this parking lot?
When Metro selected a developer to turn the parking lot next to its Takoma station into housing, Wikipedia and Gmail didn't exist, the 20-year U.S. war in Afghanistan hadn't started, and Donald Trump hadn't yet appeared on 'The Apprentice.' Twenty-five years later, no shovel has even pierced the ground of what is still a parking lot in a corner of Northwest D.C. But the project finally appears to be moving forward, with EYA, the Bethesda-based company that won the contract, hoping to start building next year.
