From Merrill Lynch to Managing $1.5 Billion: Chad Willardson's Journey to True Wealth
7/6/20261 hr 4 min
Chad Willardson, founder of Pacific Capital, six-time author, father of five, and wealth advisor managing over $1.5 billion, joins The Determined Society for a powerful conversation on faith, family, money, leadership, risk, and building real wealth without losing what matters most. In this episode, Shawn and Chad discuss the moment Chad walked away from Merrill Lynch with no safety net, no clients to take with him, and everyone telling him he was making a mistake. Chad opens up about building Pacific Capital from the ground up, choosing family over hustle culture, walking away from millions of dollars when it did not align with his values, and why success means nothing if it costs you your marriage, your kids, your health, or your peace. This conversation is about wealth, principles, patience, leadership, vision, and the determination to build a life that is successful from the inside out. The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
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Shawn French· Host0:29
So why is it that we can seek failure in the gym, but in life, we try to run from failure?
Chad Willardson· Guest0:34
Because people are embarrassed. I tell my kids, "If you guys didn't fall down at least three times, do not... We're not meeting up for lunch." They told me it was a big mistake. They told me I would regret it. I would not be able to find clients, and I remember part of me worrying that, that, that they were right.
Shawn French· Host0:50
In 2011, on a Monday, he decides to pick everything up and walk out of everything he built. No safety net, no clients to take with you. Out of that, he built Pacific Capital. Will, now manages over $1.5 billion. A six-time author, father of five, married to the same woman for over 20 years. The man next to me is Chad Willardsen. Have there been any massive checks that you've walked away from because it wasn't in congru- it wasn't congruent with who you are?
Chad Willardson· Guest1:16
Well, I was offered $3 to $4 million. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan all offered between 3.5 and 4 million up front. I didn't completely tell my wife that there was that much money at stake.
Shawn French· Host1:27
After everything you've been through, experience,