We’re looking forward to introducing you to Bob Chitrathorn. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Bob, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Honestly, it’s the moments when I’m helping someone see what’s possible with their money.
Not just numbers on a spreadsheet. But the life behind those numbers. The look on a parent’s face when they realize they can afford college for their kids. The calm in someone’s voice when they know retirement isn’t just a hope—it’s a plan. That’s when the hours disappear. Because in those moments, I’m not just doing my job.
I’m honoring my roots. The sacrifices my parents made. And passing that security forward, one conversation at a time. It’s more than finance. It’s purpose. And that always brings me back to who I am.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Bob Chitrathorn—financial advisor, founder of Wealth Planning by Bob Chitrathorn and proud son of Thai immigrants who taught me the value of hard work, sacrifice, and saving every penny.
My story didn’t start in a boardroom. It started in a small Inland Empire home where every dollar mattered. That upbringing shaped how I see money—not just as currency, but as a tool for security, freedom, and generational impact.
At Wealth Planning by Bob Chitrathorn, we do more than build portfolios. We help people take control of their financial story—clarifying what matters, simplifying the path, and walking alongside them with empathy and honesty.
What makes us different? We speak human, not jargon. We don’t sell—we guide. And we believe wealth is personal, not one-size-fits-all.
Right now, I’m focused on helping first- and second-generation families build legacies they never thought possible. Because I’ve lived that journey. And I know how powerful it is to go from surviving to thriving—without losing who you are along the way.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work?
My mom and dad
They didn’t give lectures or read leadership books. They showed up—every single day.
Sometimes working two or three jobs just to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads.
They didn’t complain…. Much….. They didn’t take shortcuts.
They just did what had to be done, with grit and grace, day in and day out.
Watching there hustle in silence—seeing how much they sacrificed—instilled something deep in me:
That real work isn’t about titles or recognition. It’s about responsibility. About showing up for the people who count on you.
That lesson stuck with me.
It’s why I work the way I do.
And it’s why I’m so committed to helping families find financial stability—because I know what it costs when you don’t have it.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me something success never could:
Perspective.
When you grow up watching your parents work themselves to the bone—barely making ends meet—you learn real quick what matters.
You learn to stretch a dollar. To find joy in little things. To carry weight without complaining.
But more than that, suffering taught me empathy.
It made me slow down and actually listen to people. To see the stress behind their smiles. To understand that money isn’t just math—it’s emotional.
Success can feel good, sure.
But suffering gave me depth.
It made me human in a way that no promotion, no paycheck, no recognition ever could.
And it’s why I don’t take my work—or my life—for granted.
Because I know what it took to get here.
And I never forget where I came from.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Is the public version of me the real me?
Yeah. It has to be. I am who I am and can only be who I am as I stive to be who I want to be.
I don’t have the energy—or the interest—to play a role.
What you see is what you get. Whether I’m talking to a client, a friend, or my family at the dinner table. The good, the bad, the funny and the a lot of times not so funny.
I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel. I’m not trying to be the loudest guy in the room.
I’m trying to be efficient, consistent grounded, and honest.
That comes from my upbringing. My parents didn’t pretend. They worked hard, stayed humble, and always told the truth—even when it was uncomfortable.
So, no, there’s no “public Bob” or “private Bob.”
There’s just one version.
And he shows up with the same values, no matter the setting.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people say:
“He showed up—for real.”
Not just in meetings or milestones, but in the moments that mattered.
I hope they say I made people feel seen. That I listened more than I spoke. That I gave without keeping score.
I want my nieces and nephews to remember an uncle who led with love and never forgot his roots.
I want my clients to remember a guy who didn’t just manage money—but helped them believe in their future.
And I hope the story isn’t about success or status.
I hope it’s about substance and love.
A man who honored his parents’ sacrifices.
Who turned struggle into service.
And who made life just a little easier—for the people who trusted him.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.planwithbob.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bob.chitrathorn
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobchitrathorn/
- Twitter: https://x.com/PlanWithBob
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/planwithbob
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WealthPlanningbyBobChitrathorn
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