DREAMS Investment Solutions
Institutional Wealth Management · Personalized

Built to Grow.
Designed to Protect.

PhD Risk Scientist
4 Model Portfolios
Institutional-Level Management Volatility-Triggered Repositioning Personalized Risk Number The Sleep-at-Night Factor Proprietary Model Portfolios Institutional-Level Management Volatility-Triggered Repositioning Personalized Risk Number The Sleep-at-Night Factor Proprietary Model Portfolios

Three steps to growing your wealth.

01

Discover Your Risk Number

Take our 5-minute Nitrogen Risk Assessment. You'll receive a unique personal risk score that tells us — and you — exactly how much market volatility you can genuinely tolerate. No guesswork. No generic boxes.

02

Strategy Conversation

We sit down together — in person, by phone, or video — to understand your complete picture. Your goals, your timeline, what keeps you up at night. Then we match you with the right approach, which may include strategies you've never heard of before.

03

Managed with Precision

Your wealth follows precision strategies engineered by our Model Architect — a PhD, Quantitative Analyst, and Risk Scientist. Volatility-triggered models reposition automatically as conditions shift: protecting your wealth on the way down, growing it on the way back up. You live your life. We handle the markets.

Every portfolio begins with a number.

The Nitrogen Risk Number is a scientifically derived score, unique to you, that maps exactly how much market volatility aligns with your financial goals and emotional comfort. It's the foundation of every recommendation we make.

Takes 5 minutes. No commitment. No cost. Just clarity.

65 Your Score
Your Personal Risk Number

Based on your unique financial profile and emotional tolerance for market movement.

Conservative Aggressive
Discover My Risk Number → ▶  Why Get Your Risk Number?

We plan for the bad days, not just the normal ones.

95

What Modern Portfolio Theory Misses

Traditional models are optimized for what happens 95% of the time. But the remaining 5% — market crashes, black swan events, systemic shocks — is where wealth is destroyed. We prepare for both.

4

Volatility-Triggered Model Portfolios

As market volatility rises, our portfolio models automatically, unemotionally reposition toward more conservative asset classes. When it dissipates, we move back to growth. No panic. No guesswork. Four models, one objective — protecting and growing your wealth through every market condition.

PhD

PhD. Quantitative Analyst. Risk Scientist.

Our Model Architect — a PhD Quantitative Analyst and Risk Scientist — brings institutional-level precision that most individual investors never access. Behind the science is an advisor who knows your name, your goals, and your number.

"Institutional-level strategy. Personalized for you."

The wealth management firms managing billions for institutions have access to strategies, risk models, and talent that most individual investors never see. We've changed that. Every client of DREAMS Investment Solutions receives the same caliber of portfolio science — regardless of account size.

The Sleep-at-Night Factor

Your portfolio should never cause you anxiety. We align every investment decision to your personal risk tolerance — your number — so your strategy matches your life.

Strategies Others Don't Discuss

Beyond traditional portfolios, we introduce clients to advanced approaches — including one powerful strategy that creates two simultaneous streams of growth using an asset most advisors overlook entirely.

A Team Behind the Relationship

You have one advisor who knows you — and behind that advisor, Ron Piccinini — a world-class Model Architect with a PhD in quantitative analysis — a Risk Scientist whose precision most managers could never replicate.

Advanced Strategy · By Invitation

What if your money could compound in two places simultaneously?

Both compounding simultaneously — one guaranteed to never go negative.

Most people think of investing as a single pool of capital growing at one rate of return. The Flex Method rewrites that equation — using one protected asset to generate two independent streams of compounding growth at the same time. Most advisors have never shown this to a client. Most clients have never heard of it.

It's not a product. It's a structure — and for the right client, the conversation changes the moment they understand it. Ask us about it.

Stream One
Protected Growth
Zero-floor compounding
× 2 streams compounding
Stream Two
Leveraged Capital
Borrowed against Tier 1 asset

Start with your number.

No commitment. No pressure. Just the most honest starting point your financial picture has ever had.

Important Disclosures

Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Dreams Investment Solutions LLC provides subadvisory and investment management services exclusively to institutional clients, including registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, and family offices.

There is no guarantee a portfolio will meet a target return or investment objective. Investing in securities involves risk of loss and clients should be prepared to bear any loss incurred. Equities rise and fall based on changes in an individual company's financial condition and overall market conditions. Stock prices can decline significantly in response to adverse market conditions, company-specific events, and other domestic and international political and economic developments. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. The value of the portfolio will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. ETFs may trade for less than their net asset value. The use of indexed funds is not fully guaranteed to track an intended market and may carry additional "product" risks such as price fluctuations.

Past Performance  Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any performance data shown on this website, including hypothetical backtested results, should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance. Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, including the benefit of hindsight.

No Investment Advice  The information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any security. This website does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. This communication shall not constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by Dreams Investment Solutions LLC. Investors should consult with their own financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decisions.

For our full Privacy Policy, click here. For our Form ADV and other regulatory filings, visit our regulatory page or the SEC's IAPD database.

We don't just chase returns.
We build portfolios that last.

Because a great portfolio isn't just about growth — it's about growth you can sleep through.

Foundation

The 5% nobody plans for

Modern Portfolio Theory has served investors reasonably well for decades. Its core assumption: build portfolios optimized for the outcomes that occur 95% of the time. Diversify across asset classes. Balance risk and return within normal market conditions.

But markets are not always normal. The 5% of outcomes that fall outside the model — the crashes, the crises, the once-in-a-generation dislocations — don't just underperform. They can permanently destroy wealth that took decades to build.

We plan for the bad days, not just the normal ones.

Hypothetical Scenario · Great Financial Crisis

Portfolio Value ($) 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 Jun '07 Jan '08 Jul '08 Jan '09 Jul '09 Jan '10 Mar '10 TACTICAL OUT OF MARKET Volatility triggered reposition $140 Tactical $80 S&P 500 Tactical Model S&P 500 Index (fully invested)

Hypothetical illustration only. Results do not represent actual trading or any specific investment strategy. Past performance and hypothetical scenarios are not indicative of future results. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index and cannot be invested in directly. Actual results will vary.

The Portfolios

Four models. One objective.

Based on your personal risk number, we align you with one of four carefully constructed model portfolios — each designed to optimize for growth within your specific tolerance for volatility. These aren't generic buckets. They are precision instruments, actively managed and dynamically repositioned.

When market signals trigger elevated volatility, models automatically shift toward protective asset classes — without emotion, without delay. When conditions normalize, they move back toward growth-oriented positions. The portfolio is always working, even when you're not watching.

Conservative
Capital Preservation
Risk Score: 1 – 20
Moderate
Balanced Stability
Risk Score: 20 – 40
Core / Balanced
Growth & Protection
Risk Score: 40 – 60
Growth
Aggressive Opportunity
Risk Score: 60 – 100
Important Disclosures

Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Dreams Investment Solutions LLC provides subadvisory and investment management services exclusively to institutional clients, including registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, and family offices.

There is no guarantee a portfolio will meet a target return or investment objective. Investing in securities involves risk of loss and clients should be prepared to bear any loss incurred. Equities rise and fall based on changes in an individual company's financial condition and overall market conditions. Stock prices can decline significantly in response to adverse market conditions, company-specific events, and other domestic and international political and economic developments. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. The value of the portfolio will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. ETFs may trade for less than their net asset value. The use of indexed funds is not fully guaranteed to track an intended market and may carry additional "product" risks such as price fluctuations.

Past Performance  Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any performance data shown on this website, including hypothetical backtested results, should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance. Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, including the benefit of hindsight.

No Investment Advice  The information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any security. This website does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. This communication shall not constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by Dreams Investment Solutions LLC. Investors should consult with their own financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decisions.

For our full Privacy Policy, click here. For our Form ADV and other regulatory filings, visit our regulatory page or the SEC's IAPD database.

The team behind your strategy.

DREAMS · A Complete Business Ecosystem

D
Debt

Strategic lines of credit placed before they're desperately needed.

R
Retirement

Traditional and non-traditional, highly cost-effective retirement alternatives — strategies most business owners have never been introduced to.

E
Expenses

Reducing healthcare costs, payroll taxes, and energy bills.

A
Assets

Growing your business and protecting your investment portfolio — this is DREAMS Investment Solutions.

M
Money

R&D tax credits, FICA tip tax credits, and cash-back programs most businesses don't know they qualify for.

S
Security & Tech

All things technology — from communications and connectivity to cybersecurity and cloud — fully covered for your business.

Meet the Team

Ed Smelich
Chief Advisor

Ed leads client advisory relationships and portfolio strategy at Dreams Investment Solutions, bringing decades of institutional investment experience to every engagement. His deep expertise in risk-aware portfolio construction enables him to translate complex quantitative methodologies into actionable strategies for advisors and their clients.

Ed manages relationships with RIAs, broker-dealers, and family offices, serving as the primary point of contact for institutional partners seeking to integrate Heavy-Tail Optimization into their practice. His ability to bridge the gap between rigorous research and practical portfolio implementation is central to the firm's advisory approach.

Edward Bertelsen
President & Chief Compliance Officer

Edward manages the day-to-day operations of Dreams Investment Solutions, overseeing compliance, regulatory affairs, and the operational infrastructure that supports the firm's institutional clients. As Chief Compliance Officer, he ensures that all activities meet SEC requirements and the highest fiduciary standards.

His responsibilities include advisor onboarding, portal operations, and maintaining the firm's regulatory framework. Edward's leadership ensures that Dreams operates with the transparency, rigor, and institutional-grade compliance that sophisticated clients demand.

Ron Piccinini, PhD
Model Architect

The analytical engine behind every portfolio model, Ron brings institutional-caliber credentials rarely seen outside the world's largest asset management firms. A PhD Quantitative Analyst and Risk Scientist, he develops and maintains four proprietary model portfolios with volatility-triggered repositioning — managing risk with mathematical precision so your wealth is defended when markets break, and growing when they recover.

Important Disclosures

Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Dreams Investment Solutions LLC provides subadvisory and investment management services exclusively to institutional clients, including registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, and family offices.

There is no guarantee a portfolio will meet a target return or investment objective. Investing in securities involves risk of loss and clients should be prepared to bear any loss incurred. Equities rise and fall based on changes in an individual company's financial condition and overall market conditions. Stock prices can decline significantly in response to adverse market conditions, company-specific events, and other domestic and international political and economic developments. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. The value of the portfolio will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. ETFs may trade for less than their net asset value. The use of indexed funds is not fully guaranteed to track an intended market and may carry additional "product" risks such as price fluctuations.

Past Performance  Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any performance data shown on this website, including hypothetical backtested results, should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance. Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, including the benefit of hindsight.

No Investment Advice  The information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any security. This website does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. This communication shall not constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by Dreams Investment Solutions LLC. Investors should consult with their own financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decisions.

For our full Privacy Policy, click here. For our Form ADV and other regulatory filings, visit our regulatory page or the SEC's IAPD database.

For Financial Advisors

What are you
best at?

The advisors who grow fastest aren't the ones who know the most about markets. They're the ones who spend the most time doing what they do best — and hand the rest to people who do it better.

01
What do you do best?

Building relationships. Earning trust. Solving problems for clients who need real guidance. That's your edge — and it's where every hour of your day should go.

02
What do you enjoy most?

Client conversations. Growing your practice. Making a real difference in someone's financial future. Not watching screens, second-guessing market moves, or managing trade execution.

03
What does your business need most from you?

New relationships. Deeper trust. More production. Your highest-value hours belong in front of people — not behind a portfolio management dashboard.

If all three answers point the same direction — it's time to talk to DREAMS.

Portfolios That Run Without You

Our Model Architect maintains four proprietary volatility-triggered model portfolios. When markets move, models reposition automatically — protecting client wealth without a single call, trade, or decision required from you. Your clients are covered. Your calendar is open.

No Firm Breathing Down Your Neck

You work independently. No quotas dictating what you sell. No manager approving your process. You bring the client relationships — we bring the institutional-grade infrastructure, the model architecture, and the compliance framework. You keep your autonomy. And your earnings.

Commission Structures That Scale With You

We match or beat the payout you're getting now — and as your production grows, so does your compensation. There's no ceiling. The advisors who bring the most, earn the most. That's the only math that matters.

Four models. Zero desk-watching.

Our Model Architect maintains four distinct model portfolios, each calibrated to a specific risk band. When market volatility hits preset thresholds, models reposition — unemotionally, automatically — from growth to protective positions and back. No intervention required. Your clients get consistent, disciplined management. You get your time back.

Conservative
Risk 1 – 20
Moderate
Risk 20 – 40
Core / Balanced
Risk 40 – 60
Growth
Risk 60 – 100

The Risk Number as a prospecting engine

Send any prospect to this site and let the Risk Number assessment start the conversation. It's free, takes five minutes, and gives you and your prospect a data-driven foundation for every conversation that follows.

When a prospect has their number, the conversation shifts from "what should I do?" to "here's exactly what you need." That's how you close.

See the Risk Number Tool

Prospect enters site

65

Their unique risk number

You receive a lead. They receive clarity.
The conversation has already begun.

Let's talk about what a better model
looks like for you.

Let's talk about how DREAMS Investment Solutions fits your practice, your clients, and your ambitions. One conversation can change your entire model.

Schedule an Advisor Conversation
Important Disclosures

Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Dreams Investment Solutions LLC provides subadvisory and investment management services exclusively to institutional clients, including registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, and family offices.

There is no guarantee a portfolio will meet a target return or investment objective. Investing in securities involves risk of loss and clients should be prepared to bear any loss incurred. Equities rise and fall based on changes in an individual company's financial condition and overall market conditions. Stock prices can decline significantly in response to adverse market conditions, company-specific events, and other domestic and international political and economic developments. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. The value of the portfolio will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. ETFs may trade for less than their net asset value. The use of indexed funds is not fully guaranteed to track an intended market and may carry additional "product" risks such as price fluctuations.

Past Performance  Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any performance data shown on this website, including hypothetical backtested results, should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance. Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, including the benefit of hindsight.

No Investment Advice  The information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any security. This website does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. This communication shall not constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by Dreams Investment Solutions LLC. Investors should consult with their own financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decisions.

For our full Privacy Policy, click here. For our Form ADV and other regulatory filings, visit our regulatory page or the SEC's IAPD database.

Let's talk about what's possible.

Primary Contact
Ed Smelich
Lead Advisor & Strategist
All new client and advisor inquiries begin with a direct conversation with Ed.
Schedule a Meeting
Portfolio Review
Strategy Session
Select the type of meeting that fits where you are in your journey.
Book a Time
Start Here
Not sure where to begin?
Get your Risk Number first.
It's free, takes 5 minutes, and gives our first conversation a foundation. No commitment required.
Get My Risk Number ▶  Why Get Your Risk Number?
Send a Message

Whether you're a prospective client, an existing client with a question, or a financial advisor exploring a conversation — we'd love to hear from you.

Schedule directly on Ed's calendar.

Choose from a portfolio review, strategy session, or introductory call — no staffers, no gatekeeping.

View Available Times →
Important Disclosures

Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Dreams Investment Solutions LLC provides subadvisory and investment management services exclusively to institutional clients, including registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, and family offices.

There is no guarantee a portfolio will meet a target return or investment objective. Investing in securities involves risk of loss and clients should be prepared to bear any loss incurred. Equities rise and fall based on changes in an individual company's financial condition and overall market conditions. Stock prices can decline significantly in response to adverse market conditions, company-specific events, and other domestic and international political and economic developments. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. The value of the portfolio will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. ETFs may trade for less than their net asset value. The use of indexed funds is not fully guaranteed to track an intended market and may carry additional "product" risks such as price fluctuations.

Past Performance  Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any performance data shown on this website, including hypothetical backtested results, should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance. Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, including the benefit of hindsight.

No Investment Advice  The information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any security. This website does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. This communication shall not constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by Dreams Investment Solutions LLC. Investors should consult with their own financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decisions.

For our full Privacy Policy, click here. For our Form ADV and other regulatory filings, visit our regulatory page or the SEC's IAPD database.