E380: How Billionaire Family Offices Actually Invest
What if the greatest threat to generational wealth isn’t bad investing—but the inability to think beyond the next liquidity event? In this episode, I sit down with Eric Becker, Founder and Chairman of Cresset, to discuss why he built a modern multi-family office after decades as an entrepreneur and investor. Eric explains the structural conflicts inside traditional wealth management, why most ultra-high-net-worth families lack true family office infrastructure, and how long-term thinking changes the way businesses, portfolios, and families compound over generations. We also explore governance, tax-aware investing, succession planning, and lessons from companies that have endured for centuries.
Highlights:
- Why most wealth management firms fail entrepreneurs after liquidity events
- The hidden conflicts embedded inside traditional wirehouses
- Why family governance matters as much as investment performance
- The concept of “asset protection as compartments in a submarine”
- Why the next generation is often the greatest risk to family wealth
- How enduring companies survive across centuries and multiple crises
- Why building a business for the long term paradoxically accelerates growth
- The overlooked importance of stewardship in investing and leadership
Guest Bio:
Eric Becker is the Founder and Chairman of Cresset, a multi-family office and wealth management platform overseeing more than $250 billion in assets under management and advisement. Prior to founding Cresset, Eric built and invested in multiple businesses as an entrepreneur, beginning with a healthcare technology company he launched while attending the University of Chicago. He is also the author of The Long Game, a book exploring the lessons behind companies and families that have endured for generations, drawing on interviews with some of the world’s longest-lasting organizations and business leaders.
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Sponsor:
AlphaSense is the AI-powered market intelligence platform trusted by 85% of the S&P 100, helping investment professionals make faster, more confident, data-driven decisions. Built for hedge funds, asset allocators, private venture capital firms, and investment bankers, AlphaSense uses advanced AI and powerful search across premium proprietary content to surface the insights that matter most—before the market moves. Elevate your research and stay ahead of the competition. Visit https://www.alpha-sense.com/howiinvest/ to learn more.
Stay Connected with David Weisburd:
X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/
Stay Connected with Eric Becker:
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebecker1/
Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at [email protected].
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to participate in any investment strategy. All opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Weisburd Capital. Participants may hold positions or have financial interests in the companies, funds, or investments discussed. Any references to specific investments are for illustrative purposes only. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any third-party data or opinions have not been independently verified. Listeners should conduct their own research and consult their own advisors before making any investment decisions.
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Transcript
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