Profile
“As my client base and staff have grown, it has become less about me and more about how I can empower others to embrace our carefully crafted culture”
David Pickler
Mayflower Advisors
Since establishing Silvia McColl Wealth Management with his business partner, Bill McColl, in 2018, Brandon Silvia has been steadfastly consistent in pursuing his mission: to create a superior client experience.
The 38-year-old is responsible for managing clients, portfolio construction, running financial plans, and handling the firm’s day-to-day operations.
Brandon began his career working for Sam Zell’s private investment firm in Chicago after graduating from college. “As an analyst, financial modeling excited me, but I knew sitting behind a desk grinding in Excel was not where I was going to thrive most. I loved interacting with people too much,” he says.
From there, he worked with a Denver-based startup tech company, Strategic Hardware, as a business development director. He experienced success in this role because he understood numbers and cherished his relationship with clients.
“I thought, ‘Where can I bridge this gap between the analytical side of finance and the entrepreneurial aspects of building a business and helping clients?’ Wealth Management was the answer.”
Brandon joined Morgan Stanley in 2013, and five years later, he left to start his own firm with his business partner.
Based in San Diego, Brandon has always approached his business with love and scrutiny.
“The love has allowed us to build a practice with clients we feel are family. We maintain this by only taking on five new clients a year. I prefer to go deep before I go wide and believe the better the question asked, the better the answer. If a meeting becomes a little uncomfortable, that is when I know we’re on the cusp of something worthwhile. The scrutiny is continuously asking how we can be better both individually and as a firm,” he says.
“I became a CFP® Professional so that I can be a better advisor for our clients, understanding all aspects of the wealth management process. We became a fee-only (fiduciary) firm so that transparency and full disclosure are what clients can always expect. 'Kaizen,' is a theme here, which is a Japanese term for constant improvement. Sharpen the sword every day!”
At the start of his career, Brandon felt like an imposter. He had a rough childhood where money was scarce and no one in his family had ever attended college. At one point, he, his siblings, and mother lived out of their car. It was hard for him to feel like he belonged.
“There’s no substitute for hard work, and the harder I worked, the more my imposter syndrome waned. The trick is to constantly challenge yourself and never become complacent. Complacency can slow a person down and hurt a firm. I like to say survive a short-term gain for a long-term benefit. This is a career in which you must take the long-term view, always doing right by your clients. The price of success is paid in private when no one is looking.”
Having mentors was also important for Brandon when starting out his career.
“I have several, and I call them my board. Whenever I’m thinking through a big decision, personally or professionally, I consult with my board. I love them and trust they have my best interest at heart. They also put me in my place when I need it, and let’s be honest, we all need it at times,” he explains.
“You become the average of the five people you surround yourself with most. So, surround yourself with great people. I have always wanted to be around people smarter than me that have a relentless work ethic. Every person we meet knows something we don’t and approaching life this way merits rewards.”
600 W Broadway, Suite 2625, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 637 9920
brandon@silviamccoll.com
linkedin.com/in/brandon-silvia-cfp®-0bb145a
www.silviamccoll.com
Brandon Silvia, CFP®
Managing Partner
Silvia McColl Wealth Management
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“Philanthropy is more than writing checks – it’s about community engagement and presence. Whether that means joining a local board to share our voice or spearheading a capital campaign to raise crucial funds for a non-profit, Pickler Wealth Advisors moves the needle through the lens of compassionate leadership”
David Pickler
Mayflower Advisors
2008–2010
2011–2013
2013–2018
2018–
present
2022–present
Equity Group Investments, Real Estate Analyst
2008–
2010
Strategic Hardware, Director - Rocky Mountain Region
2011–
2013
Morgan Stanley, Financial Advisor
2013–
2018
Silvia McColl Wealth Management, Managing Partner
2018–
present
2022: Qualified for Million-Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Membership
2022–2024: Named a ‘Five Star Wealth Manager Under 40’ by Five Star Professional
2022–
present
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
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