In this episode of HawkeTalk, I sit down with Chad Willardson, founder and CEO of Pacific Capital, to hear how he went from a young Merrill Lynch trainee during the tech bubble to building a premier boutique wealth management firm for entrepreneurs.

Chad shares how growing up in Orange County shaped his values, why basketball and Michael Jordan fueled his competitive spirit, and what it really took to survive in a “shark tank” Wall Street training program where only three of 140 made it through. After nine years at Merrill Lynch and a front-row seat to the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis, Chad walked away from a seven-figure salary, lucrative offers from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, and even a multimillion-dollar signing bonus. Instead, he chose freedom, authenticity, and the chance to start over from zero.

We dive into the struggles and triumphs of launching Pacific Capital in 2011, from fighting off frivolous lawsuits to learning the nuts and bolts of leases, payroll, and leadership. Chad opens up about finding his niche serving growth-minded entrepreneurs, scaling his firm to $25M+ minimums, and why taking care of clients above all else has been the key to long-term success.

Through it all, Chad’s story is a reminder that persistence, integrity, and the courage to leave comfort for calling can transform both a career and a life.

In this episode: 

• (00:00) The best advice Chad ever got: take care of clients first
• (04:34) Surviving Merrill Lynch’s “boiler room” training days
• (10:24) Walking away from Merrill Lynch despite seven-figure earnings
• (15:54) Building a boutique family office model
• (22:15) Expanding services like tax strategy and travel concierge
• (23:20) Why entrepreneurs are underserved in wealth management
• (24:58) Advice on persistence and always putting clients first

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About Our Guest

Chad Willardson is the founder and CEO of Pacific Capital, a boutique fiduciary wealth advisory firm in Southern California serving entrepreneurs and families with $25M+ in investable assets. Chad began his career at Merrill Lynch, where he rose to become one of the top advisors in his region before leaving in 2011 to launch his own firm.

At Pacific Capital, he and his team provide a true family office experience, from tax strategy and investment management to travel concierge and executive hiring support. He is also the author of Wealth Wired Differently, bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and financial professionals. Chad’s mission is simple: help entrepreneurs protect, grow, and enjoy their wealth while living life on their terms.

Chad Willardson

• Pacific Capital Website
• Chad Willardson on LinkedIn

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You set out to build wealth, then realized your family was getting the leftovers.

But it doesn’t have to be either-or, you can thrive in both.

Today, I’m talking with Chad Willardson—wealth advisor to 8 & 9-figure founders, serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and father of five—who’s figured out how to scale his wealth and stay fully present for his family. He runs a successful wealth advisory firm, owns multiple businesses, travels by private jet, and still makes it to his kids’ games.

In this conversation, Chad reveals the exact frameworks he uses to buy back time, build lasting wealth, and prioritize what matters most—insights he expands on in his upcoming book, Fully Invested: Why Work-Life Balance Is a Total Lie.

You’ll learn how he structures investments, leverages debt without stress, and designs a calendar around his life, not just his work.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

1.) The habits and systems Chad uses to prioritize family without sacrificing growth

2.) The “buy, borrow, die” strategy that Chad uses to grow his wealth tax-free

3.) The real cost (and benefit) of buying a private jet

4.) The “Right Brain / Left Brain” executive assistant system that saved his time and sanity

Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/244

Tax Strategy Masterclass

If you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/tax

Strategy Session 

For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultation

The Lifestyle Investor Insider

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Are you fully invested in your business, your relationships, and your life? In this episode, Chad Willardson, Founder & President of Pacific Capital and creator of Platinum Elevated, shares his philosophy on what it means to go all in—and why most entrepreneurs hold themselves back out of fear.

Chad’s journey from leaving a secure career at Merrill Lynch to building his own wealth management firm is proof that success comes from taking bold action. He also shares the powerful story of an 18-foot waterfall jump in New Zealand that transformed his mindset on risk, decision-making, and leadership.

From turning down multi-million dollar Wall Street recruitment bonuses to building a billion-dollar wealth management firm, Chad Willardson's entrepreneurial journey is anything but conventional. In this captivating episode of Startups with Stu, Chad reveals how he walked away from a $1.4M salary at Merrill Lynch to start Pacific Capital, taking a 70% pay cut to pursue his vision of serving entrepreneurs differently. He shares the fascinating story of surprising his wife with a private jet purchase (and her unexpected reaction), and explains why he turns down high-profile clients like NBA players to stay true to his entrepreneurial niche. Chad breaks down why he believes the "hustle culture" is a lie, revealing how he built a thriving business while maintaining an 8 AM-3 PM workday for his team and prioritizing family life. Drawing from his experience managing $1.45 billion in assets, Chad offers counter-intuitive wisdom about wealth building, arguing that diversification isn't always the answer. This episode is packed with invaluable insights for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses while building meaningful lives.

In this week’s episode of Building Wealthy Habits we are joined by Josh Coniglio to discuss the multifaceted role of real estate in financial planning, emphasizing its value as a diversifier in investment portfolios. We explore the various types of real estate investments, the importance of liquidity, and the potential pitfalls of investing solely for tax benefits. The conversation also covers structuring real estate investments through LLCs and trusts, the role of REITs, and the necessity of due diligence when evaluating real estate opportunities. We hope that if you take anything away from this week’s episode, it’s the importance of maintaining liquidity and a well-rounded investment strategy.

In This Episode:

00:00 Introduction to Real Estate Investment

03:02 The Value of Real Estate in Portfolios

05:46 When Real Estate Doesn't Make Sense

09:07 Understanding Tax Implications of Real Estate

11:55 Structuring Real Estate Investments

14:54 Evaluating Real Estate Opportunities

18:02 The Role of REITs and Partnerships

20:49 The Importance of Due Diligence

24:00 Conclusion and Resources

Connect with Josh:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaconiglio/ Connect with Jeremiah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiahjlee/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Laura: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-lee-59a83610/ Email: [email protected] Connect with Randy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rkbarkley/ Email: [email protected]

Looking to make 2025 your most intentional and successful year yet? In this episode, host Kirsten Tyrrel sits down with Chad Willardson, entrepreneur, author, and coach, to discuss how to build a thriving business while staying true to your values. Chad shares his journey from corporate America to launching Pacific Capital, along with insights into hiring the right people, setting clear goals, and maintaining balance between business and family life. Whether you're planning your next big move or navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, Chad's actionable advice will inspire you to align your vision, invest wisely, and create sustainable success!

+ Chad's journey from corporate to entrepreneurship

+ Hiring for character over skills

+ Setting clear, measurable goals

+ Balancing business and family life

+ Importance of mentorship and coaching

+ Realistic financial planning for startups

+ Power of vision and persistence

+ Early investments for long-term growth

+ Reflecting and writing down goals

+ Humility and openness lead to success

Check out ChadWillardson.com.

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It’s no secret—Americans are set to spend a mind-blowing $1.3 trillion this holiday season. But here’s the real question: how much of that spending is driven by guilt, stress, or emotional habits you just can’t shake?

In this episode, I’m joined by Chad Willardson, a Certified Financial Fiduciary (CFF), the President and Founder of Pacific Capital and Platinum Elevated, a five-time bestselling author, and a financial pro who helps 8-9 figure entrepreneurs take control of their money. Together, we’re diving deep into the chaos of holiday spending and how you can finally break the cycle of overspending.

We’ll talk about why guilt spending feels so hard to stop, why experiences almost always beat material gifts, and how to protect your wallet while still enjoying the season. If you’ve ever felt like your finances are out of control during the holidays, this episode is your permission slip to flip the script and start fresh.

What You’ll Learn:

LINKS

Chad's website and books

Chad on LinkedIn

Pacific Capital

CONNECT WITH SHANNAH

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Hello Happy People,

We are thrilled to share with you today Dianne's interview with Wealth Management Specialist, Chad Willardson. To say Chad has an impressive background in finance and publishing does not come close to painting an accurate picture of his achievements. He is the President and Founder of Pacific Capital, five-time bestselling author, long-time Certified Financial Fiduciary, and recently launched his latest book, Wealth Wired Differently. 

Following the success of his previous bestsellers, Fit for Wealth, Stress Free Money, Beyond the Money, and Smart, Not Spoiled, Wealth Wired Differently dives into essential topics for entrepreneurs navigating the financial landscape and looking for the best advice and strategies available. 

It is easy to understand how Chad could write such books when you look at his own entrepreneurial and financial background. Chad was a senior vice president of investments for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management from 2003–2011. He took that experience and used it as a launching pad for his own ventures. 

Embracing his entrepreneurial spirit, Chad would go on to create several companies of his own. Besides Pacific Capital, Chad is the Co-founder and Board Member of GravyStack and the Founder and President of Platinum Elevated. 

Through his businesses, Chad manages more than $1.4 billion in investments, offering specialized services to high-net-worth entrepreneurs. As successful as he is in the field, Chad has first-hand knowledge of what it is like for an entrepreneur to take great financial risks to build a company from concept to a lucrative enterprise. Don't wait, go listen now to learn more about Chad and his work.

Chad's Website
Chad on LinkedIn
Chad on Amazon

If you would like to book an interview with Chad Willardson please contact his PR representative at [email protected]

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While sports betting can be a hobby the cost of it can add up. We are joined by Tyler Thielmann, president and CEO of online lender Spring Financial, to take us through the dangers of betting on sports.

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