Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Bradford sat down with Jarred, a former Tesla engineer and current Rebellionaire client, to hear his story—how he transitioned from legacy energy to cutting-edge tech, made a bold bet on Tesla stock options, and navigated the complexities of exercising those options with the help of our team.
Jarred shares the highs, the tough decisions, and the thought process behind going all in on Tesla. If you're a Tesla employee, investor, or just curious how someone used firsthand experience to build real wealth, this one's for you.
📍 Timestamps
00:00 – Why Jarred avoided traditional funds
00:11 – Meet Jarred: Tesla alum & Rebellionaire client
01:01 – Jarred’s background in automation and engineering
02:01 – From Rockwell to Tesla: the transition
03:17 – Discovering Tesla and becoming an investor
04:28 – Choosing options over RSUs: the bold bet
05:33 – Jarred’s role at Giga Nevada
06:44 – Old tech vs. new tech at Tesla
08:26 – Did he sleep at the factory?
08:53 – Stock options explained: ISO vs. non-qualified
10:03 – Learning stock option strategy on the job
11:19 – Why Jarred reached out to Rebellionaire
13:00 – Wanting to stay concentrated in Tesla
14:11 – Why he believed in Tesla’s long-term vision
15:19 – First strategy: minimizing AMT and using margin
17:08 – Using margin smartly, not excessively
18:24 – Understanding every financial move
18:45 – The 90-day post-employment option exercise window
20:02 – Realizing he could rebuild his share count
21:15 – Why they sold in early 2025, not 2024
22:49 – Still all-in, just better positioned
23:42 – Keeping margin conservative
24:37 – What Jarred wanted in a financial advisor
25:18 – Why he stayed in tech and avoided the S&P 500
26:03 – Final thoughts and takeaways
💡 Not all strategies are suitable for everyone. Talk to a qualified advisor before making decisions related to stock options, margin, or concentrated positions.
📩 Ready to make your Tesla stock work smarter for you? Reach out at rebellionaire.com
Rebellionaire is a brand of Halter Ferguson Financial. hffinancial.com/disclaimer
As of March 27th, 2025, clients and employees of our firm Halter Ferguson Financial own Tesla stock and/or options and thereby stand to materially benefit from a rise in the share price. Past performance is no assurance of future results. Halter Ferguson Financial, Inc. (“Halter Ferguson Financial”) is a registered investment adviser with its principal place of business in the State of Indiana. A complete list of all recommendations will be provided if requested for the preceding period of not less than one year. It should not be assumed that recommendations made in the future will be profitable or will equal the performance of the securities in this list. Opinions expressed are those of Halter Ferguson Financial, Inc. and are subject to change, not guaranteed and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.
Halter Ferguson Financial is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Registration as an investment advisor does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission nor does it indicate that the advisor has attained a particular level of skill or ability.
Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author/presenter as of the date of publication and are subject to change and do not constitute personalized investment advice. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies presented. No content should be construed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein.
Halter Ferguson Financial does not represent, warranty, or imply that the services or methods of analysis employed by the Firm can or will predict future results, successfully identify market tops or bottoms, or insulate clients from losses due to market corrections or declines.
Investments are subject to market risks and potential loss of principal invested, and all investment strategies likewise have the potential for profit or loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will either be suitable or profitable for a client's portfolio. There are also no assurances that any portfolio will match or outperform any particular benchmark.
Bradford sat down with Jarred, a former Tesla engineer and current Rebellionaire client, to hear his story—how he transitioned from legacy energy to cutting-edge tech, made a bold bet on Tesla stock options, and navigated the complexities of exercising those options with the help of our team.
Jarred shares the highs, the tough decisions, and the thought process behind going all in on Tesla. If you're a Tesla employee, investor, or just curious how someone used firsthand experience to build real wealth, this one's for you.
📍 Timestamps
00:00 – Why Jarred avoided traditional funds
00:11 – Meet Jarred: Tesla alum & Rebellionaire client
01:01 – Jarred’s background in automation and engineering
02:01 – From Rockwell to Tesla: the transition
03:17 – Discovering Tesla and becoming an investor
04:28 – Choosing options over RSUs: the bold bet
05:33 – Jarred’s role at Giga Nevada
06:44 – Old tech vs. new tech at Tesla
08:26 – Did he sleep at the factory?
08:53 – Stock options explained: ISO vs. non-qualified
10:03 – Learning stock option strategy on the job
11:19 – Why Jarred reached out to Rebellionaire
13:00 – Wanting to stay concentrated in Tesla
14:11 – Why he believed in Tesla’s long-term vision
15:19 – First strategy: minimizing AMT and using margin
17:08 – Using margin smartly, not excessively
18:24 – Understanding every financial move
18:45 – The 90-day post-employment option exercise window
20:02 – Realizing he could rebuild his share count
21:15 – Why they sold in early 2025, not 2024
22:49 – Still all-in, just better positioned
23:42 – Keeping margin conservative
24:37 – What Jarred wanted in a financial advisor
25:18 – Why he stayed in tech and avoided the S&P 500
26:03 – Final thoughts and takeaways
💡 Not all strategies are suitable for everyone. Talk to a qualified advisor before making decisions related to stock options, margin, or concentrated positions.
📩 Ready to make your Tesla stock work smarter for you? Reach out at rebellionaire.com
Rebellionaire is a brand of Halter Ferguson Financial. hffinancial.com/disclaimer
As of March 27th, 2025, clients and employees of our firm Halter Ferguson Financial own Tesla stock and/or options and thereby stand to materially benefit from a rise in the share price. Past performance is no assurance of future results. Halter Ferguson Financial, Inc. (“Halter Ferguson Financial”) is a registered investment adviser with its principal place of business in the State of Indiana. A complete list of all recommendations will be provided if requested for the preceding period of not less than one year. It should not be assumed that recommendations made in the future will be profitable or will equal the performance of the securities in this list. Opinions expressed are those of Halter Ferguson Financial, Inc. and are subject to change, not guaranteed and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.
Halter Ferguson Financial is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Registration as an investment advisor does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission nor does it indicate that the advisor has attained a particular level of skill or ability.
Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author/presenter as of the date of publication and are subject to change and do not constitute personalized investment advice. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies presented. No content should be construed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein.
Halter Ferguson Financial does not represent, warranty, or imply that the services or methods of analysis employed by the Firm can or will predict future results, successfully identify market tops or bottoms, or insulate clients from losses due to market corrections or declines.
Investments are subject to market risks and potential loss of principal invested, and all investment strategies likewise have the potential for profit or loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will either be suitable or profitable for a client's portfolio. There are also no assurances that any portfolio will match or outperform any particular benchmark.
