Running Point Capital Advisors is a multifamily financial services office founded in early 2020 by veteran South Bay financial advisor Jim Schlager to offer families and families who own a business the many benefits of having a full slate of financial professionals all under one roof. Running Point takes one family, one-team approach, whereby family clients can utilize a team of professionals representing a broad array of financial disciplines, including wealth management, financial planning, tax strategies and preparation, trusts and estate planning, insurance services, and business management.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

“I began my financial professional career nearly 30 years ago, then merged my first wealth management firm with Moss Adams LLP, the highly respected tax and consulting firm. During my 18 years with the firm,

I worked alongside a talented tax and consulting team and saw firsthand how working with multiple financial professionals on a common goal resulted in great outcomes. But the process could be inefficient and take more time than necessary. Hence my vision of Running Point was born out of an increasing need for families and families who own a business to have all things financial delivered seamlessly, with key financial professionals all under one roof.”

HOW DOES “SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND AND THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD” APPLY TO YOUR WORK?

“One of our core values is taking the time to truly know our clients—their goals, their dreams, their families, their businesses. That personal but deeply professional approach is how we deliver solutions that are custom-tailored for each client’s family. One size never fits all.”

WHAT PROBLEMS DO YOU SOLVE FOR CLIENTS?

“The problem for so many families of wealth is the need to juggle countless financial balls in the course of creating and preserving wealth, filing tax returns, managing a business and so on. That’s extremely time-demanding. If you’re fortunate, maybe you have the time to be your own quarterback and coordinate the endless financial decisions you have to make with the array of professionals you work with. But every dropped ball, every email not answered or phone call not returned costs you precious time. That equates to lost hours with your family, opportunity costs and often extreme frustration.

Our unique approach at Running Point is ‘one family, one team.’ We are a multifamily office: a diverse group of advisory professionals with deep skills in a range of specialties who provide bespoke advice to our clients. We’re all within the same organization, working as a team for each family client. We save our clients a tremendous amount of time and frustration.”

IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR FIRM MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE?

“The South Bay community has provided our firm with the foundation for our success, so we feel it’s important to give back. I served three years as a Manhattan Beach city planning commissioner. I am a former member of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation Board, and I currently serve on the South Bay Police and Fire Department Memorial Foundation Board and the Manhattan Beach Rotary Board. My wife, Lisa, and I have raised two children here. I’ve coached practically every sport, helped lead Adventure Guide groups, and Lisa has been deeply involved with social and emotional wellness programs in the school district.”

WHAT FULFILLS YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR CAREER?

“Having earned the label ‘trusted advisor’ is greatly fulfilling. What does that take? Such a thorough understanding of our clients that we gain their deep trust. Our clients know we truly care about their families and that we always have their best interests in mind. That kind of rapport is hugely gratifying. It’s also fulfilling to work with clients whose values are aligned with ours, including devotion to family and community, service to others and always doing the right thing.”

HOW DO YOU DEEPEN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH CLIENTS?

“Quoting senior financial advisor Liz deSousa: ‘Running Point is not a huge, impersonal firm where advisors don’t know their colleagues or clients well. We know each other personally and genuinely care about each other. Each of us knows the name of every client. We are a family, and clients are part of our family. When clients know they have a smart, caring team behind them, they can make better financial decisions.’”

Jim Schlager is the founder and managing general partner of Running Point Capital Advisors, a multifamily office based in El Segundo, California. If you’re interested in exploring the advantages of a multifamily office, contact team@runningpointcapital.com; 424-502-3500.

Southbay Magazine

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Disclaimer: This should not be considered invest- ment advice or an offer to sell any product. Running Point is an independent investment adviser regis- tered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about Running Point, including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available upon request. The opinions expressed are those of Running Point Capital Advisors, LLC (Running Point) and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication, may be modified due to changes in the market or economic conditions, and may not neces- sarily come to pass. RP-21-36