Building wealth can be tricky. Anyone stuck in a 9-to-5 has probably realized it’s not the path to a wealthy lifestyle where you don’t have to continuously trade your time for money. Real success is arguably measured in the ability to live life on your own terms, with a sense of freedom that doesn’t yield the Monday blues or a mid-week slump.
Learning how other people have succeeded in building their businesses and wealth to become millionaires and beyond can provide valuable insight into how anyone can follow in their footsteps (with the right drive and mindset).
One such person is Bob, the founder of a wealth management company based out of California. He has taken the time to let Debt Discipline pick his brain on what has helped him see all the success he has had in his career as a financial advisor so far. He offers great advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Give us a little glimpse into who you are and what you do.
I’m Bob Chitrathorn, Co-founder of Simplified Wealth Management, Inc., where I focus on offering a deeply personalized approach to financial planning. My journey started in the financial industry over twenty years ago. Over time, I’ve built a practice that aims to serve individuals, families, and business owners by simplifying the complexities of wealth management.
My goal has always been to create a transparent and empowering experience for clients, no matter their financial stage.
What are you most proud of in the work you do?
One of my key accomplishments has been establishing a thriving advisory business and nurturing strong, trust-based relationships with clients. I’m proud to help people find clarity and confidence in their financial paths, especially by offering accessible resources like free will creation, educational emails, and webinars on IRAs, tax efficiency, and estate planning.
What was the most important tip you followed to become a millionaire?
I’d say the most important tip that helped me become a millionaire was learning to truly leverage and engage in relationships over transactions. This mindset shift changed everything for me, not just in regard to work but life in general.
Early in my career, I realized that if I approached every client and connection intending to build long-term relationships rather than just closing a deal, the business would grow organically—and it did. Applying this to life would also do the same thing.
I made it my mission to invest in people, understand their unique needs, and genuinely care about their success. This meant dedicating extra time to each client, listening to their concerns beyond just financials, and tailoring my advice to their life goals. This approach naturally led to more referrals, deeper trust, and ultimately, a thriving business that scaled beyond what I could have achieved by chasing short-term wins.
How can other people follow in your footsteps?
My biggest tip is to see every interaction as an opportunity to add real value and build trust. Focus on relationships, not transactions, and you’ll find that wealth follows. Focus on truly wanting to help people, even if it costs you money. This will help you accomplish the things you set out for.
What does “making it” mean to you?
It’s not just about money or a lifestyle. It’s more about how I can help people and have a positive impact on the lives of those around me and beyond.
For me, “making it” means having the impact, influence, and trust that creates a ripple effect, where the value I bring extends well beyond my immediate clients. It isn’t just about “making it,”; it’s about continuing to stay true to your goals so that we as a society can continue to help one another “make it.”
When did you know you were going to “make it”?
I knew I was going to “make it” the day I realized my clients trusted me enough to introduce me to their friends and family without hesitation. It wasn’t about hitting a certain revenue milestone or seeing a specific number in my investments; it was about knowing I had earned a reputation for genuinely helping people improve their financial lives.
When clients start reaching out to thank you for the peace of mind they feel about their future. That feedback—the deep appreciation and loyalty from people whose lives I was able to change positively—gave me even more motivation to continue on my mission to help people. Helping people was the only way that I could ever “make it.” It was then that I understood my work had real value and that my approach of putting people first was not only sustainable but essential to long-term success. That’s when I knew I was on a path I could walk confidently, knowing I’d built something meaningful that would stand the test of time.
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
One insight I’d share with aspiring entrepreneurs is to build your business to be about more than just you from day one. Early on, I realized that if my business relied solely on my time and expertise, it would limit both its growth and my personal freedom. I knew I wanted to build something sustainable—something that could run smoothly whether I was in the office or not. And something that would have a positive impact on individuals and help to make all of us better.
Focus on creating systems, defining your values, and building a brand that resonates beyond just your own personality or skill set. Invest in tools and processes that streamline your work and keep everything organized. You want to create a reliable and repeatable experience—and that can’t rest on one person alone.
When you prioritize scalability and structure from the beginning, you’re setting yourself up for growth that doesn’t solely depend on you. This approach has allowed me to scale while also providing clients with consistency, which is the foundation of any strong business. I am still building out new processes and systems to continue to improve.
What are you currently working on to continually grow your business?
Currently, I’m focused on expanding my knowledge and changing the ways financial advisors help people. I’m trying to make it so that people get more than they ever have from advisors and learn to become more financially literate.
I’m also committed to developing my business systems to enhance client experience and streamline operations. Alongside this, I prioritize supporting my clients with educational content and am always refining my leadership approach to ensure my team feels supported and motivated.
I believe that by continually growing and embracing new challenges, I can offer even greater value to my clients, helping them achieve the financial freedom they’re looking for.
With a continued focus on client satisfaction and leading by example, it’s no wonder that Bob has found all the success he has. Thanks for sharing with us!