📈Chad Willardson, CFF®, CRPC®

PACIFIC CAPITAL

I ditched Wall Street on 11/11/11 to start Pacific Capital, a company of experts who only work for you, not the big banks, as an independent fiduciary. Our focus is to protect and grow your family's wealth, while you enjoy your hard-earned success and financial freedom. We help you achieve your goals while giving you a Ritz-Carlton service experience with Amazon Prime efficiency. Our clients are entrepreneurs with at least $10M to invest: Schedule a call at www.goalsconversation.com.

Founder, President

Platinum Elevated

I lead and mentor a select group of 100 visionary entrepreneurs, helping them reach breakthrough business and personal goals, leading to increased financial and lifestyle freedom. My focus is to create an environment and culture where growth and breakthrough transformations are inevitable. I love helping visionary go-getters simplify and clarify their big dreams and goals, and getting them to take courageous action to make all their big dreams become real. Our accountability coaches on my team make big impact on this process with their one on one weekly appointments with members.

Forbes Business Council

I’m a member of the Forbes Business Council for entrepreneurs to contribute thought leadership as an author and business leader. My entire career has been dedicated to advising and counseling with entrepreneurs and I appreciate being recognized as a thought leader in this space.

Official Member & Contributing Author

Entrepreneur Media

I’m proud to contribute to one of the industry's leading publications for entrepreneurs and founders, writing content that’s both insightful and actionable for our global audience. I enjoy being a credible voice for entrepreneurs, investors, startups, and business enthusiasts, giving them  insights and ideas to further their journey of learning and success!

Contributing Author

The Draft Sports Complex

We created the Draft Sports Complex to be the go-to venue for athletes who want to gain a competitive edge in their training and to be a premier host of sports tournaments in Southern California. Our space includes 73,000 square feet for sports activities, including primarily basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, and stunt. We also currently have a tutoring center for athletes who are doing remote learning.

Co-Founder, Co-Owner

Dinner Table

We’re waging a war on entitlement! Young kids need to learn how to earn and manage money. It’s not being taught in schools, so it must be taught at the dinner table. I’ve contributed significant financial content for this business from my 22+ years of experience advising families with their money management, as well as content from my best-selling book, “Smart, Not Spoiled.”

Co-Founder

City of Corona

I invest $600 million for taxpayers as an elected official. When I was first elected in 2016, the portfolio value was $229 million. I appreciate the trust and confidence of all the voters and taxpayers in our town of 170,000 residents. Each elected term of service is 4 years and I'm donating 100% of my gross salary for each 4-year term to a local charity that serves women's and children’s health care needs for those who cannot afford these services.

Elected City Treasurer

National Ethics Association

As a Certified Financial Fiduciary®, my entire business is based on trust and integrity. I'm a long-time member of the National Ethics Association, which helps consumers find business professionals who uphold the highest standards of integrity and excellence.  Membership requires annual background checks, license certifications, continuing education and regulatory verifications.

Certified Professional

Merrill Lynch

Before founding Pacific Capital, I spent nine years working for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and ranked in the top 2% nationally.  I reached the level of Senior Vice President and PIA Portfolio Manager, served on the California Advisory Leadership faculty, led our team to win the award "Wealth Management Team of the Year", and regularly spoke at conferences for other Financial Advisory teams throughout the country.

Senior Vice President-Investments

Wasatch Advisors

I worked directly with the Portfolio Manager of a $10 Billion mutual fund company, researching small and mid-size stocks and this experience ignited my passion for investing and financial planning.

Investment Analyst Intern

I help 8 and 9 figure entrepreneurs enjoy increased lifestyle and financial freedom by removing their stress about money, increasing their cash flow and freeing up a ton of their time.

I help 8 and 9-figure entrepreneurs enjoy increased lifestyle and financial freedom. I love being a brainstorming partner for your business, financial, and personal decisions.

If you’re in that group, you’ll relate to these issues:

1. You’re growing your business(es) and have many new ideas and opportunities to do more
2. You pay a ton of taxes
3. You own many investments in different places
4. Your financial life isn’t perfectly coordinated
5. Many people depend on you

You might be skeptical of “financial advisors” because you’ve met a bunch of them and they all sound the same. Here are a few ways I’m different:

1. I created The Financial Life Inspection® (featured in the WSJ)
2. I’m an elected official 🇺🇸 entrusted to manage $650 million of investments for taxpayers 
3. I eat my own cooking, investing in a lot of the same strategies we recommend to clients: stock portfolio, real estate, private equity, and private business ventures.
4. I’m a Certified Financial Fiduciary® and so is each person on my team.
5. I’m a 5x Best-Selling Author: "Stress Free Money, "Smart, Not Spoiled", "Beyond the Money", "Fit for Wealth', and "Wealth Wired Differently"
6. I’m the Co-Host of "The Smart Money Parenting Show" #2 Podcast on Apple worldwide for Parenting, Kids & Family.
7. I have an incredible network of professionals and rainmakers that I will include you in on to help your grow your business or improve your lifestyle.

Stop settling for mediocre advice/service from the financial people in your life. At your level, you need to upgrade the people on your team. Get unbiased advice from someone who will discuss wealth and business strategies from personal experience, not just from theory. 

My Pacific Capital team and I help you solve these issues, giving you more time and money to focus on whatever you love: SCHEDULE A GOALS CONVERSATION® by going to ➡️ www.goalsconversation.com ⬅️ to choose a time that works for you.

This is Yamamoto, World Series MVP, who won 3 games pitching in the series… and what’s his approach that sets him apart?

Incredible discipline. 

Focused on self improvement.

This dude is taking notes during his own game.

Writing what he did well, what he observed, what he can do better, etc.

When I think of the most successful entrepreneurs I’ve worked with, they’re just like this.

Obsessed with learning and getting better.

Not stuck in their pride.

Willing and eager to be coached.

Everyone else thinks they’re above being coached and taught.

Winners study the game—even while they’re winning it.

And that’s the success mindset, both on the field, in business, and in life.

I help 8 and 9-figure entrepreneurs enjoy increased lifestyle and financial freedom. I love being a brainstorming partner for your business, financial, and personal decisions.

If you’re in that group, you’ll relate to these issues:

1. You’re growing your business(es) and have many new ideas and opportunities to do more
2. You pay a ton of taxes
3. You own many investments in different places
4. Your financial life isn’t perfectly coordinated
5. Many people depend on you

You might be skeptical of “financial advisors” because you’ve met a bunch of them and they all sound the same. Here are a few ways I’m different:

1. I created The Financial Life Inspection® (featured in the WSJ)
2. I’m an elected official 🇺🇸 entrusted to manage $650 million of investments for taxpayers 
3. I eat my own cooking, investing in a lot of the same strategies we recommend to clients: stock portfolio, real estate, private equity, and private business ventures.
4. I’m a Certified Financial Fiduciary® and so is each person on my team.
5. I’m a 4x Best-Selling Author: "Stress Free Money, "Smart, Not Spoiled", "Beyond the Money" and "Fit for Wealth'.
6. I’m the Co-Host of "The Smart Money Parenting Show" #2 Podcast on Apple worldwide for Parenting, Kids & Family.
7. I have an incredible network of professionals and rainmakers that I will include you in on to help your grow your business or improve your lifestyle.

Stop settling for mediocre advice/service from the financial people in your life. At your level, you need to upgrade the people on your team. Get unbiased advice from someone who will discuss wealth and business strategies from personal experience, not just from theory. 

My Pacific Capital team and I help you solve these issues, giving you more time and money to focus on whatever you love: SCHEDULE A GOALS CONVERSATION® by going to ➡️ www.goalsconversation.com ⬅️ to choose a time that works for you.

I help 8 & 9 figure entrepreneurs increase financial and lifestyle freedom, while helping you win in business AND at home #FullyInvested™️| Schedule a call with us👇

10 non-PC truths I teach our five kids:

1. The world owes you nothing. Everything you want must be earned.

2. Comfort is the enemy of growth. Strive to be uncomfortable towards greatness. 

3. Proximity is power. You become just like your closest friends.

4. Your example matters. People believe more what you do than what you say.

5. God is the source of all goodness. All your success and joy is a gift from above.

6. Gratitude is powerful. You can’t be grateful and frustrated at the same time.

7. You have no competition. Your competition is your past self. That’s it.

8. You’ll be judged by your fitness and health. Like it or not, first impressions matter. People can see your habits and discipline when you walk in the room.

9. It’s okay to leave some people in your past. You owe nothing to people in your life who bring negative energy, jealousy, and complaining to your relationship.

10. You can have results or excuses, but not both. Own your outcomes with full accountability.

Ps. Our middle son is a freshman playing at the #5th football school in the country! 

First football player of my kids.

TE and DE.

So fun to watch.

Happy Sunday-

📈Chad Willardson, CF2, CRPC®

Had my son Pierce skip some college classes and fly home to Orange County, CA to walk on fire with me and Tony Robbins!

Day one was epic.

Lots of breakthroughs. 

He was taking notes non stop and engaging in the breakout conversations with people he’s never met.

I love exposing my kids to new ideas and growth mindsets.

These are the memories that stick with them for life.

Invest in experiences that stretch you.

Because the best education most often happens outside of a classroom.

Sometimes it’s walking on fire beside your son.

Sometimes it’s sitting in a room full of strangers who think differently about life and goals.

Sometimes it’s seeing what’s possible when you challenge your limits.

Your kids will remember the growth far longer than the grades.

Real-world lessons (esp with dad by their side) shape who they become…

far more than class lectures ever could.

2-Sport Student Athlete, Future Business Leader

#1 New York Times best-selling author, life and business strategist, philanthropist, entrepreneur

After 23 yrs advising entrepreneurs/investors, managing > $1 billion for others, writing 6 books, here are 15 smart money lessons I live by:

1. Start with purpose. Know why you’re building wealth. Money is just a tool anyway.

2. Pay yourself first. If you wait to see what’s left, there’s never anything left. Invest now.

3. Make your money work. Dusty money sitting idle at the bank will not create wealth.

4. Diversify intelligently. Not everything goes up at once, and that’s a good thing.

5. Be tax smart. It’s not what you earn, it’s what you keep.

6. Adjust your plan as your life evolves. Wealth is dynamic so your strategy should be too.

7. Stay fully invested. Every time someone tries to time the market perfectly, they end up with regrets.

8. Protect your downside. Insurance, estate planning, and access to liquidity aren’t optional.

9. Use debt strategically, not emotionally. It’s a tool (esp for entrepreneurs and savvy investors), not a lifestyle.

10. Avoid get-rich-quick speculation. If you can’t explain it, you probably shouldn’t own it.

11. Stay curious. Read, learn, and challenge your assumptions. Wealthiest people I know are teachable.

12. Assemble your all star team. Surround yourself with pros and experts who tell you the truth, not what you want to hear.

13. Teach your kids early. Money lessons compound faster than investments. Kids can be smart, not spoiled… if you parent right.

14. Be generous. Giving creates joy that no portfolio ever will.

15. Remember: money is just a magnifier. It amplifies who you already are.

Wealth isn’t built by chance. It’s built by clarity, consistency, and courage.

Be intentional. Be disciplined. 

Be Fully Invested.


#FullyInvested #WealthMindset #ELEVATED #EntrepreneurialFreedom

Took a lot of persuasion to get my wife on 📹 for this post, so pls go ahead and watch!! Then click the link in the comments. ⚡️ over 60,000 have registered!

Below is my text conversation last night during the Homecoming dance (w/ my freshman son) … 

And there’s actually a good lesson here:

Know your audience.

Communicate in THEIR way.

Don’t email or call a texter.

Give details to the one who loves details.

Be concise with the one who wants bottom line only.

Communicate in THEIR way.

Because communication isn’t about how you talk.

It’s about how they hear you.

Master this, and everything changes.

Simple skill. Massive impact.

Every year, the costumes and the themes change—but the tradition doesn’t.

Family traditions keep us grounded and connected.

Business success is great and very important. 

But it’s not the only thing that counts.

Here’s to showing up at home for the moments that matter most.

I’ve been posting here on LinkedIn since 2007 and it’s always been a mix of business and family topics.

Because I don’t want to encourage the pursuit of wealth and success without the pursuit of family success.

My wife and five children are far more important to me than any business or career accomplishments.

If you’ve followed me for any time, you know this already.

And tomorrow begins my 3-day virtual event called “FULLY INVESTED LIVE,” where I’m diving deeply personal into every idea I’ve got around these two topics.

Succeeding at work while struggling at home isn’t a life I want.

So I’m going to share and pull back the curtains on what I’ve learned about these topics.

Yes I have some all-star guest speakers, but I’ll be doing 95% of the teaching myself.

If you’ve liked any of my 6 books or any messages in my post, you won’t want to miss this event.

It’s free to register, or you can upgrade to under $30 or under $98 for some VIP perks…

It’s not about choosing between business or family.

It’s about learning how to win with both hands full.

That’s what Fully Invested Live is all about.

👉 Join me tomorrow [link in comments]

Hustling for 12-14 hours a day everyday won’t make you successful or wealthy.

It’ll break you.

Too many gurus believe the grind is everything. 

They encourage you to sleep less, push harder, outwork everyone.

But that’s often just ego disguised as hustle.

Exhaustion isn’t a badge of honor; it’s a warning signal.

When burnout hits:

*Strategy disappears
*Decisions get cloudy
*Creativity flatlines
*Health crumbles

Your brain doesn’t consistently produce breakthroughs at 11:30 p.m. under a laptop (or iphone) glow.

Those happen on a run, in the gym, walking in nature, in a conversation with a friend, or during real rest.

Recovery, recharging, and self-care isn’t laziness—it’s performance maintenance.

Can you imagine never fully re-charging your phone at night? 

Quality rest restores clarity, energy, and leadership presence.

Most people don’t rest, they collapse.

They grind until sickness or burnout forces them to stop.

That’s not rest. That’s recovery from damage.

So don’t wait. Schedule it. Protect it.

Rest and recover like it’s a non-negotiable meeting with your future self.

Here’s a challenge for you:

Block off a few hours (or a full day or weekend) for something that fills you up.

No emails. No podcasts. No productivity.

Because your best self, the one who leads with calm focus, shows up after you recharge.

Success isn’t about doing more.

It’s about creating space to think, breathe, and lead better.

This young man is the baseball GOAT.

Besides that, he’s one of the nicest humans ever.

I met him at an Angels special event his first year in the league.

He was really nice to my 3 sons (through a translator)…

He took pics with each of my boys.

It’s one thing to be the best ever.

It’s another thing to be the the best ever AND the nicest ever.

Not sure we’ve ever seen that combo.

I’ve never been so clear about what matters than I am today.

Maybe it’s my stage in life.

Two kids moved out, three still here.

Twenty four years married.

Maybe it’s the post-pandemic clarity.

Because the world stopped for a while.

Maybe it’s the decades of trying, failing, learning and growing.

Maybe it’s my mom’s disease and decline.

Maybe it’s losing my brother in law.

Maybe it’s prayers answered by God.

Probably a combination of all of it.

Whatever the reason, I just know this—

Success means nothing if you’re too distracted to enjoy the people you love while you still can.

And all of it’s reminded me: the goal was never just to build a big life.

It was to live one—fully present, fully invested, right where I am.

You want your version of “23 gold medals.”

But you don’t want to train 1,825 days in a row.

Social media glorifies the finish line… 

and hides the grind that built it.

Everyone loves the reward.

Nobody loves the repetition.

But here’s the truth:

Your growth happens in the unseen days— 

when you show up tired, bored, or doubting.

That’s where greatness is forged.

If you want your version of “23 gold medals,”

EARN IT on the days no one’s watching.

Happy Birthday to my dad, the man who taught me how to be a man, a husband and a father. 

He grew up in the surf town of Long Beach, playing sports and the guitar.

What I admire most about my dad is how much he loves and takes care of my mom (7th year of Parkinson’s).

I wrote about dad extensively in the first two chapters of my new book, FULLY INVESTED.

Because his approach to work and family shaped my approach to work and family.

He’s especially Fully Invested as a grandfather, coming to so many games of my kids… even to the point of researching scouting reports on the other colleges or high schools my kids are playing against!

Despite what Hollywood tells you, I can say that DADS MATTER.

Engaged fathers change the world and provide a strong foundation for kids.

Enjoyed celebrating in Laguna Beach this weekend, pops! Craig Willardson

Food Industry Executive Leader

This message is disgusting to me. Watch the video 🎥and join me (and 60,000+ who registered) next week. #FullyInvestedLive

You’ve been sold a lie.

The lie is called “work-life balance.”

If you feel the tug of war between family life and business, you’re not alone.

You’re building a company. You’re providing for your family.

But some days it feels like you’re failing both.

Not because you’re lazy or undisciplined.

It’s because the “balance” model was never built for entrepreneurs.

The truth is: life doesn’t balance. 

It integrates.

And when you finally align your business, family, and personal growth around one clear vision… everything accelerates.

That’s what Fully Invested LIVE is about.

It’s three days of clarity, breakthroughs, and realignment for high-performing entrepreneurs who refuse to sacrifice what matters most.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

	•	A reset mindset: how to win at home and scale your business without guilt or burnout.

	•	Strategic frameworks: systems that free your time and multiply your impact.

	•	Family alignment tools: because the real flex is a spouse and kids who thrive with you, not without you.

	•	Vision activation: your 3-year game plan for wealth, impact, and legacy.

If you’re done playing tug of war between the people you love and the purpose you’re chasing…

This event is where it ends.

Join me and over 30,0000 who’ve opted in and who are choosing to live Fully Invested.

👉 [link to register in comments]

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