Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Danielle Patterson | CEO of Family Office List

Danielle Patterson, a California native with a background in fine arts, began her career managing a prestigious fine art gallery under the guidance of renowned National Geographic Photographer Frans Lanting. Armed with a BA in fine arts, Danielle’s journey took a turn in 2008 during the financial crisis, leading her and her husband to the East Coast.

In this challenging economic climate, Danielle pivoted towards sales, marketing, and business development, showcasing her resilience and adaptability. However, her entrepreneurial spirit continued to drive her aspirations for creating something truly her own.

The pivotal moment arrived when Danielle seized the opportunity to partner with the Founder of Family Office List, eventually acquiring the business in 2016. Over the past eight years, she has been instrumental in transforming the company into the dynamic platform it stands as today. Continually adapting and innovating, her leadership has been instrumental in preparing for the launch of version 2.0 this summer, where her focus remains on addressing the evolving needs of those seeking capital and aligning family offices with compatible partnerships. 

Danielle’s journey with Family Office List is a testament to her visionary leadership and commitment to excellence in the financial sector. Her goal is to continue guiding clients toward success in this unique and complex landscape.

Blue Ocean: How did the Family Office List come into being? What does it do?

Danielle Patterson: The Family Office List was established in the early 2000s by Douglas Fathers, a Fund Manager, who was raising capital for his first hedge fund. After exhausting friends and family, he began exploring Ultra-High-Net-Worth individuals and discovered the world of Family Offices, which being largely private was relatively unknown. As he started to learn more about their inherent value and witnessed firsthand success in raising capital, he recognized Family Offices as a compelling avenue for emerging managers seeking capital. The resources Douglas had created for his Family Office prospecting were marketable. 

In 2009, my husband Warren and I moved to Charlotte to be near his family. I struggled to find anything exciting in Charlotte like my previous job as a Gallery Manager in California. Around that time, when the company my husband worked at was undergoing an acquisition, he met Douglas to learn more about Family Office List and how we could potentially partner. When I began collaborating with Douglas, my familiarity with the world of Family Offices was limited. However, drawing upon my expertise in sales and marketing, I quickly recognized the potential for leveraging our offerings to guide clients toward successful outreach strategies. As I delved deeper into understanding how our data could be effectively utilized and how I could support clients in achieving their objectives, I realized that our current approach to the list—albeit valuable—was not aligned with its full potential.

Recognizing the immense potential within the sector due to its lack of competitors, I took a leap of faith and acquired the company from Douglas eight years ago. Determined to unlock its full potential, I embarked on a journey to grow the business into what it is today.

Central to our growth was the establishment of a dedicated research team, comprised of talented women with whom I shared a strong connection. As they diligently enhanced our data, we realized the need to categorize it effectively. We sought to understand not just who these family offices were, but also their structure, decision-makers, and investment objectives.

Our approach transformed the data from a mere list into a powerful tool for identifying, aligning, and understanding potential partners. Over the past year, we have emphasized the importance of strategy alongside the acquisition of names. We believe that having a comprehensive strategy is essential to complement any marketing plan.

In essence, our journey has been about more than just compiling data—it’s been about empowering our clients with the insights and tools they need to succeed in the ever-evolving landscape of family office partnerships.

Blue Ocean: What about the Family Offices industry excites you the most?

Danielle Patterson: A Family Office serves as a steward for managing a family’s wealth, often accrued through their business endeavors. Beyond financial management, it embodies a commitment to fostering intergenerational engagement and involvement in investment decisions. I view it as a catalyst for family unity, bridging generations to collectively shape a shared vision for the future. Integral to this is a reflection on the family’s core values and aspirations, guiding their investment choices towards impactful endeavors that align with their principles.

In recent years, technology has started revolutionizing this traditionally private sector, ushering in a new era of transparency and accessibility. As evidenced by my upcoming attendance at an event in New York focusing on governance and technology, there’s a palpable hunger within family offices for knowledge and collaboration. This reflects the understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all approach in this dynamic landscape. Such gatherings provide a platform for shared learning and exchange, crucial in navigating the rapid evolution of the sector, akin to the transformative pace of advancements in AI and technology.

Blue Ocean: What are your passions or interests in life outside of work?

Danielle Patterson: I absolutely love spending time with my family and being surrounded by nature. Seabrook Island is like paradise, with its beautiful beaches and lush live oaks. Our house overlooks the marsh, and we’re always spotting wildlife.

Being outdoors, going for walks, gardening, and seeing all the amazing shorebirds—it’s just perfect. And I still love doing art, especially with the kids. It’s fun and helps me be more creative. Plus, our morning workout group keeps me active and feeling great. Seabrook Island is truly my happy place, where I feel connected and inspired every day.

Blue Ocean: How do you strike a balance between the various hats you don – a CEO, a mother of three, and a wife?

Danielle Patterson: I’m fortunate to have a supportive husband who encourages my entrepreneurial pursuits without hesitation. Together, we share parenting responsibilities, from cooking to cleaning, ensuring a harmonious balance between work and home life.

To maintain this equilibrium, I’ve learned the importance of setting clear boundaries between my professional and personal spheres. Without these boundaries, work can easily encroach on every aspect of life. While it was initially challenging to ask for help, having been raised by a hardworking mother of four, I’ve come to realize that seeking support is not a sign of weakness but a pathway to success.

Moreover, it’s empowering for our children to witness me building a business. I want to instill in them the belief that they can pursue their dreams, regardless of gender or background. By demonstrating the importance of balance and self-care, I hope to impart valuable life lessons that will guide them in their own journeys.

Blue Ocean: What has underpinned your success and helped you differentiate yourself?

Danielle Patterson: One thing that matters to me is supporting startup founders and emerging fund managers. I understand the challenges they face in raising capital, and I’m committed to making strategies for success accessible to them. Many competitors offer data at price points that are simply unattainable. Therefore, I’ve prioritized a flexible and affordable model, ensuring that those with the potential to create groundbreaking companies have the opportunity to thrive. Recognizing that families seek direct investments and promising founders, I’ve structured my pricing to be accessible with easy, affordable monthly options, setting me apart from competitors.

My approach extends beyond providing data. I offer regular MasterClasses to facilitate collective learning and engagement. Clients can also schedule strategy calls with me, fostering a sense of community beyond mere access to data and technology. By staying attuned to our subscribers’ needs, we continuously improve our solutions, ensuring we deliver what matters most to them.

Blue Ocean: What advice would you give your younger self or other young people aspiring to venture into this dynamic industry?

Danielle Patterson:  One thing I wish I had done years earlier is to be more vocal about my journey. While I spent years quietly building my business and engaging with clients, I hesitated to publicly acknowledge myself as the CEO or owner. Imposter syndrome made me feel like I didn’t belong in the exclusive world of ultra-high-net-worth wealth. Recently, however, I’ve begun participating in investor and founder communities, where we openly discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship. This shift has alleviated the isolation that comes with being a founder. Opening up about our experiences fosters connections and partnerships. My business has flourished with new opportunities since embracing this approach over the past year. My advice to my younger self and other aspiring entrepreneurs is to start sharing your journey, seek guidance and mentorship, and actively engage with supportive communities. Never stop learning and growing.

Blue Ocean: What is something that you’re grateful for?

Danielle Patterson: I am grateful for my husband and children; they are why I work hard. I want to create a great future for them. One where they are free to choose and pursue the life they want. I am also immensely grateful for where I live. I find so much grounding and peace in nature, so to be able to just walk out my door enables me to feel restored.

Blue Ocean: What inspires you?

Danielle Patterson: I have a positive outlook on life because I believe the energy you bring is a choice. I realized at a young age that positivity is contagious, creating a ripple effect that touches everyone around us. I draw inspiration from various sources, with a particular passion for learning.. Therefore, I constantly listen to podcasts—even when I’m on my way to pick the kids up from school, I’m tuned in. It’s a means not only to acquire knowledge but also to stay motivated. 

Blue Ocean: What is a quote that resonates with you?

Danielle Patterson:  My all-time favorite quote is “Gratitude turns what we have into enough”. I just love it as it reminds us to appreciate what we already have instead of always wanting more. When we’re grateful, we realize that we already have everything we need. It’s like putting on glasses that help us see how lucky we are!

Conclusion

Danielle Patterson, the owner and CEO of Family Offices List, is an optimist who loves to find value in everything she does. She elevates her company’s services by ensuring that a community is formed with her clientele beyond a platform.