Joshua Chapin doesn’t think most investors know what they’re missing. He’s spent over 15 years watching people park money in the same markets, follow the same advisors and pay the same taxes. Most don’t realize there’s another way. That’s where Breakwater Capital comes in.
“We help educate clients on and provide access to investments and tax mitigation strategies that most other advisors cannot,” Chapin says.
The Newport Beach-based financial advisor and president of Breakwater Capital has made a career out of filling gaps. His firm specializes in alternative investments and tax planning strategies that typically remain out of reach for everyday investors. He’s delivered more than 200 seminars on topics like 1031 exchanges and alternative investing, breaking down concepts that often get buried in financial jargon.
Joshua Chapin Financial Advisor combines sophisticated investment strategies with plain talk. He wants clients to understand what they’re buying and why it makes sense for their specific situation. No smoke and mirrors. The seminars he’s conducted over the years reflect that teaching mindset. Each presentation aims to demystify investment vehicles that sound complicated but become clearer with proper explanation.
Breakwater Capital operates differently from many advisory firms. There’s no list of cookie-cutter investment options, no one-size-fits-all approach. Chapin focuses on building relationships that last beyond a single transaction.
“I always want to make my clients feel educated and comfortable with the decisions they make as well as be available to them if any needs arise,” he says. “I pride myself on having close relationships with many of them and being very responsive and attentive when they reach out with questions or any other needs.”
He also literally puts his money where his mouth is. Chapin invests alongside his clients in most of the firms Breakwater Capital works with.
“I treat my clients’ money as if it were my own,” he says. The approach is simple but not common.
His background extends across multiple licensing areas. The Series 7, Series 6, Series 63, Series 65, and SIE licenses allow him to navigate various investment landscapes. Life and Health credentials add another dimension to the services he can provide.
Breakwater Capital’s structure reflects Chapin’s philosophy. He doesn’t just provide access to investments; he walks clients through the entire process, starting with what he calls a discovery meeting.
“The client investment process always starts with a discovery meeting where we ask a variety of questions to determine what type of investments we will be discussing at future meetings,” Chapin says. “This absolutely includes the suitability of the investment where we want to understand client expectations, timelines and liquidity needs.”
That first conversation sets the tone. Chapin needs to know what clients expect, how long they can commit capital, and when they might need access to their money. Those details shape everything that follows.
Risk conversations happen early and often. “We always have conversations about the various risks involved in specific investments throughout the investment process,” Chapin says.
Clients receive detailed information and investment disclosures from the investment companies Breakwater Capital partners with before committing any funds.
The firm serves a specific niche. High net worth individuals and successful small business owners make up the bulk of Breakwater Capital’s client base.
“Our clients are accredited investors who typically have significant real estate portfolios, or those that are heavily invested in the stock market and are looking for diversification they cannot get through their current investment platform,” Chapin says.
The discovery process isn’t rushed. Chapin asks questions that reveal not just financial positions but also personal goals and comfort levels with different investment structures. Some clients come in knowing exactly what they want, others need guidance navigating unfamiliar territory. Either way, the initial meeting establishes a foundation for future decisions.
Fifteen years in the financial services industry change how an advisor sees the market. Chapin has watched cycles come and go, and he’s seen what happens when portfolios lack balance.
“Alternatives are a way to mitigate market risk and gain exposure to assets that do not correlate with the broader economy,” he says. “The longer I have been in this business, the more knowledge and options I have been able to provide my clients so they can remove some of the risk and volatility from changing market conditions.”
His goal is balance, not just alternatives, not just real estate or market instruments but a mix that gives investors options when conditions shift.
That philosophy extends to how he maintains compliance and stays current on regulatory changes. Chapin works with Emerson Equity, a broker-dealer that handles compliance and due diligence for his practice.
“If there are any regulatory changes or updates, they are communicated and implemented through them,” he says.
The partnership allows Joshua Chapin Financial Advisor to focus on clients while ensuring regulatory requirements are met. The financial services industry operates under constant regulatory scrutiny. Rules change and standards evolve. Having a dedicated compliance partner means Chapin can concentrate on strategy rather than paperwork.
His experience has taught him that market volatility affects people differently. Younger investors might weather downturns with time on their side but clients in their late 50s and beyond need stability; they need investments that won’t crater when headlines turn dark.
First, Breakwater Capital doesn’t limit itself to one investment type. Some competitors focus narrowly on a single asset class or provide clients with a basic menu of options. Chapin’s approach is broader.
“We do not just provide a list of available investments or only focus on one type like some of our competitors,” he says.
Second, the firm prioritizes long-term relationships over quick transactions. Clients aren’t viewed as one-time deals; they’re partners in an ongoing financial strategy.
“We also aim to establish long-term relationships with our clients as opposed to being simply transactions when needs arise,” Chapin says.
Third, access matters. Clients don’t get shuffled to junior advisors or customer service lines; they work directly with Chapin.
“Clients enjoy complimentary annual reviews and direct access to me at all times,” he says. “Some clients prefer a more hands-off approach, but the ones that like to have a relationship, I have become close with, and helping them grow their wealth is very satisfying.”
The satisfaction he describes goes beyond professional achievement. Watching clients reach financial milestones creates a sense of shared success. When a tax strategy works exactly as planned or an alternative investment performs well, both advisor and client benefit from the outcome.
Newport Beach provides an appropriate backdrop for the type of clientele Chapin serves. The area attracts successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and retirees with substantial assets. His location puts him in proximity to the people most likely to benefit from alternative investment strategies.
Chapin’s vision for Breakwater Capital centers on sustainable growth. He wants to bring in new clients while keeping current relationships strong.
“The goal is to continue to grow and acquire new clients while hopefully maintaining my current client base,” he says.
Outside the office, Joshua Chapin Financial Advisor lives in Newport Beach and enjoys golf, travel, and involvement with charitable and industry organizations. He’s built a life that balances work with personal interests. The travel exposes him to different perspectives and markets. Golf provides both recreation and networking opportunities. Charitable work keeps him connected to the broader community beyond finance.
His career has been defined by access. Giving clients opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have, explaining strategies that often remain hidden behind industry walls and making complex concepts understandable.
That’s the pitch. It’s also the practice.
For investors tired of the same old portfolio, Breakwater Capital offers something different. Not a guarantee of returns, not a promise of wealth, just access to alternatives and a financial advisor who treats their money like his own.
Chapin’s approach won’t work for everyone. Some investors prefer traditional markets and hands-off management but for those seeking diversification beyond stocks and bonds, his firm provides a path forward.
The alternative investment space will continue evolving, new regulations will emerge, market conditions will shift and operators will face challenges, but through it all, Chapin’s focus remains consistent.
Education. Access. Relationships.
He’s not trying to reinvent financial planning, he’s just trying to open doors most people don’t know exist.
