Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Willardson.
Hi Chad, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Southern California when I was 24 years old. I learned the ins and outs of the wealth management industry while building my business from scratch. Over time, I grew my client base from zero to many and managed approximately $330 million of investments for my clients. However, I decided to start all over when I left the corporate world in 2011 to become an entrepreneur. As the founder and president of Pacific Capital, a fiduciary wealth management family office, my mission is to serve First Generation Entrepreneurs – wealth creators and entrepreneurs with at least $10 million to invest. Currently, this is our focus. Our clients are not only based in California but also spread across the country. We serve 40% of our clients in California and 60% outside of it. Our goal is to help clients enjoy life by removing their stress about money. We strive to increase their financial and lifestyle freedom, reduce their taxes, and give them more time to enjoy the things they love. Ultimately, our focus is on clients’ mindsets and psychographics rather than their geographic location.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest struggle I faced was becoming an entrepreneur back in 2011, especially after the Great Recession. At the time, starting over was a big risk, and trusting that the fiduciary model would be accepted by clients was a challenge. Due to the economic turmoil, there was a lot of distrust in big banks, and clients were hesitant to invest their money. However, we decided to take a chance on serving a niche market of the highest-income High Net Worth entrepreneurs – first-generation wealth creators and their families. We believed that this was the right move, and it paid off. Our decision to become an independent fiduciary and embrace transparency has been integral to our success. Over time, our business has become very well established, and we have an incredible reputation. Looking back, I can say that the struggles we faced in the early days were worth it, and they have helped us become who we are today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Pacific Capital. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Our ideal clients are individuals who have achieved financial freedom, builders, and growers. We work with ambitious entrepreneurs who are focused on creating a lifestyle of freedom and abundance. We don’t cater to retirees or individuals who have just graduated from college. As a completely independent fiduciary, we offer services that set us apart in the industry. As the founder of the firm, I am not only a visionary but also an active investor and entrepreneur involved in many ventures. We are well-versed in discussing complex tax planning, proactive tax strategies, real estate investments, and private equity. Our resources extend beyond most financial professionals in the industry, and we serve the entire family of the entrepreneur. We have a minimum investment standard of $10 million for all new clients, which sets us apart and defines our niche.
I have authored three best-selling books, “Stress-Free Money,” “Smart, Not Spoiled,” and “Beyond the Money.” My fourth book, “Fit for Wealth,” is set to release in the fall of 2023. Our focus is on the client, and we look at their entire life picture to provide services that cater to their needs. We are transparent about our services and know exactly who is fit and who is not. We are proud to serve our clients and to be open about who we work with.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
We believe that our success stems from our ability to identify and understand who we are and who we serve best. We prioritize transparency and honesty, and we won’t hesitate to politely inform individuals that they may be better suited working with someone else if they aren’t a fit for our services. Our clients appreciate this level of transparency and honesty, which has contributed to our success. I want to emphasize that our focus is on serving entrepreneurs with a minimum of $10 million dollars to invest. This is a critical detail that sets us apart, including our pricing and minimum standards. While this may limit our audience, it helps us identify who is and isn’t a fit for our services. I invite those who are interested to visit my website at chadwillardson.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Additionally, my books can be found on Amazon.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chadwillardson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chad.willardson/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadwillardson
- Other: https://www.smartmoneyparenting.com/
