Jason Vanclef

Read every day. Whatever your topic of choice find two or three books and just read. Never stop learning and realize success is attained over years and decades, not days or months.

 

Jason Vanclef, the CEO of Vanclef Financial Group, is dedicated to serving his customer base with accurate, up-to-date information. He believes that financial advice is a deeply personal business, and he understands that financial constraints can have a strong effect on a person’s overall quality of life. His goal is to bring quality financial information to every investor so they can make the best possible decisions.

Vanclef was originally in criminal justice, but he came to understand that his true interests lay in the financial world. He enjoyed managing his own finances, and he became passionate about helping others succeed in with their own porfolio’s. He founded the Vanclef Financial Group in 2002, expanding his business portfolio and offering his services to more clients than ever before. Soon he was managing dozens of portfolios, bringing a personal touch to his clients’ financial holdings.

Jason Vanclef helps his clients diversify their holdings, moving from traditional investments like stocks and bonds to other diverse holdings comprised of real estate, private equity, debt, infrastructure and many more. His financial instincts have helped many clients find solutions in a competitive environment.

Where did the idea for Vanclef Financial Group come from?

The idea for the Vanclef Financial Group came while I was still working in criminal justice. I was managing my own finances, and helping some colleagues with their own investments. One of my friends asked whether I had ever considered going into business as a financial advisor, and that idea took root in my mind.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I get up early because I like to get a lot of work done before many of my colleagues are in the office. By the time the rest of my office arrives at work, I am fully primed and ready for a day spent interacting with my clients. I love spending my day in client meetings, helping them potentially achieve their financial goals.

How do you bring ideas to life?

My process for bringing ideas to life is in collaboration with my coworkers. I believe that as a business owner, listening to my trusted employees is one of my best qualities.

What’s one trend that excites you?

One trend that excites me is people are becoming more and more educated about alternative investments to the stock market. For so long, one typically had two basic choices; stocks or bonds. Now today with more and more financial vehicles available to the average Joe or Jane, they too can participate in some areas only the very wealthy were able to get access to in the past. For instance, seeing the aging population and recognizing the baby boomers are turning 65 by the tens of thousands per day, one could invest directly in areas that may be positively impacted by the large numbers of baby boomers. Long term care and assisted living is one area as an example.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Always keeping lines of communication open is something that helps me succeed. I believe that no one can succeed on their own, they need their partners and coworkers to back them up. Luckily, I have an excellent staff who can provide information I am missing and provide an important secondary point-of-view.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Always believe in yourself no matter how many people tell you what you are doing is not the normal pathway to success. Starting my financial firm focused on alternative investments was very difficult with nay Sayers everywhere. I believed in offering a different viewpoint and knew there would be a group of like-minded investors who saw my vision and would join my firm. Needless to say, the first year or so was filled with second guessing.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Common sense is not so common.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Read every day. Whatever your topic of choice find two or three books and just read. Never stop learning and realize success is attained over years and decades, not days or months.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Having a different approach to a problem and finding like-minded clients. Instead of selling a widget or tool, sell a philosophy. If people believe in your philosophy they will tell their friends and so forth. Word of mouth has been huge for me. When my clients are successful, they pass along their experiences to others.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I take my clients portfolio’s very personally. Every investment is thoroughly considered with each client in terms of their financial goals. Inevitably some investments will not succeed and I’ve spent years learning to accept this fact. Part of me used to believe you could predict everything but that is simply not possible.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Never be complacent and sit on your butt. Life moves too darn fast and will leave you in the dust.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

It wasn’t recent but rather five years ago and it was $19. On a whim while shopping at Trader Joe’s, I bought a nutritional supplement called Trader Joe’s Green Drink. It’s a powder you mix in with juice or water. I have not been sick in five years. Maybe it’s just a coincidence but that was the only deviation I’ve made in my diet in the last five years.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I like to use a dictation service called Copy Talk. Just speak into the phone and the dictated notes are emailed back within an hour. Great for simple record keeping of meetings or anything.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. I believe this is a foundation everyone can benefit from.

What is your favorite quote?

Not to be repetitive but “Common sense is not so common” by Voltaire. Reminds me every day to keep things simple.

Key Learnings:

• Working as a team is the most important aspect of business.
• Make sure that you are working from a current data set when you are making decisions about your money.
• Even if you make a mistake, you can regain your clients’ trust by refusing to make the same mistake twice. Mistakes are part of learning and growing as a person.

Securities offered through American Trust Investment Services, Inc. (ATIS) Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Delta Investment Management, LLC.(DIM) ATIS and DIM are not affiliated entities. Vanclef Financial Group, Inc. (VFG) is not a broker/dealer or Registered Investment Advisor. VFG is not affiliated with either ATIS or DIM. Vanclef Financial Insurance Services: CA License #OF13092. Additional information can be found at www.brokercheck.com.