Sarah Khuwaja

Sarah is one of the co-founders of Reins. She loves talking to and learning from small business owners.

How Does an ESOP Work? ESOP Guide for Small Business Owners

September 22, 2025

How does an ESOP work—trust, funding, share allocation, annual valuation, and ESOP distributions explained. Guide for business owners and a better alternative.

Explaining Phantom Equity To Your Employees

February 5, 2024

You've done the hard work of putting together a phantom stock incentive plan. How do you effectively explain the details to your employees?

Small Business Valuation: What Is Your Company Worth?

February 1, 2024

How much is my business worth? It's an important question to consider, even if you're not selling any time soon.

A Guide to Phantom Stock Equity Pools

How do equity pools work when it comes to phantom stock, specifically the MARE? A good place for small business owners to start is by asking themselves: what percent of the full underlying value of the company would I be willing share with employees upon a future sale?

4 Steps to Allocate Phantom Stock to Employees

While there's no one way to allocate phantom stock, there are some steps you can take to ensure you're thinking about equity grants from all angles.

How To Design A Profit Sharing Calculator

Designing your company's profit sharing calculator is a critical part of implementing a profit sharing program.

Phantom Stock vs. Stock Appreciation Rights: Key Differences

What is the difference between phantom stock and stock appreciation rights? This blog post outlines some key similarities and differences.

How to Navigate a Partial Company Sale as a Small Business Owner

Selling a fraction of your business has its upsides. Read on for considerations and impact on phantom stock allocation.

What Is Accelerated Vesting and How Does It Work In the MARE?

How should small business owners consider accelerated vesting conditions for their employees when they are granting phantom stock?

What Is A Long-Term Cash Award And How Does It Work In The MARE?

What exactly is a long-term cash award and how does it differ from phantom stock and profit sharing?

What Is 409A And How Does It Relate To Phantom Stock?

Learn about the MARE Stock Plan and how it complies with Section 409A.

What Is Nonqualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC)?

October 7, 2025

Nonqualified deferred compensation can be a great way to reward and incentivize key employees.