Meet Chad Willardson | Founder and CEO of Pacific Capital

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chad Willardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chad, is there something you believe many others might not?
I completely disagree with the idea that you have to sacrifice your family time, health or personal relationships in order to be financially successful. I wrote an article for Entrepreneur earlier this year called “Why the Hustle Culture is a Big Lie.” Don’t get me wrong: to get in the 1% financially, massive effort and discipline is required. I just never believed it had to be at the expense of your family relationships and health. From early on, I decided that I’d cut out a lot of the wasted time in my life so I could still keep my relationships strong while also working hard to excel in my career. My wife and I were married in 2001 and have five kids, ages 8 to 18. We’ve been fortunate to travel a lot and experience some great memories as a family while still growing my business and investment opportunities. Unlike what most of the online hustle gurus say, you don’t have to give up sleep and work 150 hours a week to become a multi-millionaire. You’ve just got to work smarter and keep yourself accountable for doing what matters most.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business journey began at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Southern California when I was just 24 years old. Starting from scratch, I immersed myself in the wealth management industry, steadily building a thriving client base. I’m proud to say that I managed around $330 million in investments for my clients. However, my entrepreneurial spirit led me to take a bold step in 2011, leaving the corporate world behind to establish Pacific Capital. As the founder and president of this fiduciary wealth management family office, my focus shifted to serving first generation entrepreneurs with a minimum of $10 million ready to invest. This specific mission sets us apart, and I’m excited about our role in helping these wealth creators achieve their financial goals.

My journey has been far from obstacle-free. The most significant challenge was venturing into entrepreneurship, particularly in the aftermath of the Great Recession. Starting anew was risky, and gaining trust for the fiduciary model in a climate of economic uncertainty proved to be quite challenging. However, my team and I saw an opportunity to cater to a niche market of first-generation entrepreneurs and their families who were seeking financial guidance beyond the traditional banking sphere. Despite initial doubts, we believed that this unique approach was the right path to take.

Embracing transparency and becoming an independent fiduciary have been essential aspects of our success. The lessons learned from the early struggles have shaped our business philosophy, emphasizing the importance of aligning our services with the needs of our high-income clientele. We realized that focusing on our clients’ mindsets and psychographics, rather than just their geographic location, was crucial for building strong, lasting relationships.
I want the world to recognize Pacific Capital as a dedicated partner for first-generation wealth-builders seeking to navigate the complexities of wealth management. Our commitment to transparency, independence, and understanding of our clients’ unique financial and lifestyle needs sets us apart. We stand as a testament to the fact that taking calculated risks, even in challenging times, can lead to incredible growth and a strong reputation in the industry. Our journey is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication to serving our clients’ best interests.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My go-to spot in Southern California has always been Newport Beach. I’d take them surfing in Newport, cruise around Balboa in a Duffy boat, and grab some tacos at Sanchos Tacos on PCH. We’d have to get over to Javier’s or Gulfstream for dinner, two of my favorites. Great food and great vibes, always packed at night with high energy. For a weeklong itinerary, we’d head out to LA to catch a Laker game – I’ve been a season ticket holder for 15+ years, and that’s an experience everyone needs to have, sports fan or not.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to my amazing mom, who is battling Parkinson’s Disease. I’m the oldest of four kids, and the only boy, and my mom and I have always been close. She grew up here in Orange County, CA, and eventually earned her bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in marketing. She taught me always to aim for big dreams and to realize that people and relationships matter more than anything materialistic. Mom also taught me to stand up for what I believe is right, even if I’m standing alone. She is courageous and bold and was totally supportive of me in every big jump or risk I’ve taken. Her attitude stays positive and optimistic as she fights through her health challenges today. I am successful because of who my mom raised me to be.

Website: www.chadwillardson.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chad.willardson/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadwillardson/

Other: www.pacificcapital.com