Wealth, when guided with purpose, is more than a measure of financial success. It is a foundation for family, faith, and future generations, offering stability, creating opportunities, and leaving a lasting legacy that goes beyond material prosperity. This belief is at the heart of Harmon Kong, CFP®, AIF®, who co-founded Apriem Advisors, a Southern California-based wealth management firm serving multi-generational families.
As founding principal, Harmon directs the firm’s vision and mission, shaping strategies that help clients thrive both financially and personally. His greatest passion lies in cultivating enduring relationships and guiding families toward meaningful success that transcends material wealth. This very principle he champions in Values Over Valuables: Daring to Live the Life Money Can’t Buy, his Amazon #1 Best Seller.
Founding Apriem Advisors
Harmon co-founded Apriem Advisors with a vision that stood in stark contrast to the mainstream advisory firms he saw dominating the financial world in the 1990s. At the time, revenue was king, and client relationships were often an afterthought. Advisors were expected to juggle hundreds of accounts, leaving little room for meaningful connections.
Harmon wanted something different. He envisioned a firm built on “Ohana,” the Hawaiian word for family, where trust, loyalty, and personal connection came first. From the very beginning, Apriem Advisors maintained a small client-to-advisor ratio, ensuring that every family received the attention and guidance they deserved.
Today, as the firm has grown, that philosophy hasn’t wavered. The vision has expanded in scope, but the heart of Apriem remains unchanged: meaningful relationships, values-driven guidance, and the unwavering commitment to helping families build and preserve wealth across generations.
New Way of Leadership in Wealth Management
For Harmon, visionary leadership in financial services isn’t just about market forecasts or chasing returns. It’s about looking further, into the lives of families, the legacies they hope to leave behind, and the impact financial decisions have on generations to come.
True leadership, he believes, requires challenging old models and finding new ways to meet evolving client needs. At Apriem, that philosophy translates into holistic wealth management solutions that go beyond numbers. Financial planning is woven together with legacy strategies and behavioral insights, equipping families to make wise, informed decisions.
Innovation, in Harmon’s view, isn’t about pushing the latest financial product. It’s about creativity, foresight, and the courage to question the status quo, all in service of clients. Success, in his view, is measured not by short-term gains but by the enduring impact on clients’ lives and the higher standard of care that Apriem sets for the industry.
Keeping Clients at the Center, Always
At Apriem Advisors, client-centricity is more than a buzzword; it’s the operating principle. Harmon and his team pride themselves on knowing their clients deeply, not just financially but personally. Unlike larger firms where advisors often stay in their silos, the entire Apriem team works collectively to understand each family they serve.
This approach is supported by a dedicated Client Services Department, focused on anticipating and addressing client needs. The team works side by side with advisors to ensure clients feel supported, whether they’re navigating routine financial questions or life’s biggest milestones. Apriem has also made an intentional effort to open its doors to those often overlooked by traditional wealth management firms, including women seeking financial independence, blue-collar workers building security for their families, and individuals still in the process of accumulating wealth.
But what truly sets Apriem apart is its involvement beyond balance sheets. Advisors attend funerals, celebrate weddings, and even officiate ceremonies. They join clients in philanthropic pursuits, living out the philosophy of “Ohana” in every interaction. At Apriem, this isn’t extraordinary service; it’s simply how business is done.
Navigating Volatility with Perspective and Trust
In a financial world where headlines scream about market swings, Harmon focuses on discipline and perspective. For Apriem, the journey begins with long-term goals, a roadmap that provides clarity even when markets become turbulent.
While the firm is grounded in continuous planning, it also builds in flexibility, adjusting strategies when necessary without losing sight of the bigger picture. Behavioral finance plays a critical role in helping clients avoid emotional decisions driven by fear or speculation.
The balance, Harmon believes, comes through trust, education, and ongoing communication. By keeping families informed and anchored in their values, Apriem ensures that volatility is seen as part of the process rather than a derailment. This steady approach allows families to pursue immediate needs while safeguarding aspirations for generations to come.
Values at the Core
According to Harmon, values are not abstract ideals; they are the compass by which he lives and works. Integrity, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to putting clients first have guided every decision he has made, both personally and in building Apriem Advisors.
Harmon views wealth management as more than charts, numbers, and projections. To him, it is about stewardship, understanding what matters most to each family, helping them pursue their goals, and ensuring their legacy extends to future generations. Trust is built not through transactions but through relationships grounded in honesty and respect.
“Values aren’t just part of our philosophy,” he often emphasizes. “They’re the driving force behind everything we do.” From the earliest days of Apriem to the firm’s success today, these principles have remained the foundation of its culture and its client relationships.
Aligning Innovation with the Human Touch
Harmon has never shied away from technology. At Apriem Advisors, he embraces advanced analytics, AI-driven tools, and digital platforms, not as replacements for human interaction, but as enhancers of it.
Technology enables his team to analyze trends, anticipate risks, and deliver more precise strategies for clients. Data provides insights that help families make better-informed decisions, optimize their planning, and identify opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked.
But while the tools have become smarter, Harmon is clear that they will never replace the personal connection at the heart of Apriem’s work. He continues to meet clients face-to-face, host events, and remain present for the moments that matter most. In his view, the future of financial services isn’t technology versus humanity, it’s the thoughtful blending of the two.
A Defining Decision
Early in Apriem’s journey, Harmon faced one of the most difficult choices of his career: remain a boutique advisor serving a limited number of clients himself, or grow the firm by bringing others alongside him.
The decision wasn’t simple. He worried whether others would share his values, treat clients with the same care, or uphold the standards of excellence he considered non-negotiable. On a personal level, he questioned his ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team.
It was a turning point, and, ultimately, a leap of faith. Reflecting on the African proverb, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,’ he recalls. By embracing a team-based approach, Harmon discovered that leadership meant shifting from “me” to “we.” The process wasn’t without missteps, but it became one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. Today, Apriem’s strength lies in the collective power of its team, a group united by shared values and a common mission to serve families with integrity and care.
Culture of Transparency and Trust
Within Apriem, culture is not an afterthought; it is deliberately nurtured. Harmon has made transparency and ethical responsibility cornerstones of the firm’s identity. Leading by example, he ensures that every client interaction and every internal decision is rooted in integrity and accountability.
The firm’s fiduciary standard is more than compliance; it is a commitment to put client interests above all else. Advisors are trained not just in technical expertise but in ethical responsibility, ensuring that honesty and clarity guide every conversation.
Open communication is actively encouraged, both within the team and with clients. Strategies, risks, and outcomes are explained with clarity, ensuring families understand their choices and feel empowered in decision-making.
To Harmon, ethics and transparency are not static principles; they are continuously reinforced through education, team discussions, and lived practice. It is this culture, one where trust is earned every day, that defines Apriem’s reputation and sets it apart in the wealth management landscape.
Financial Education as a Cornerstone of Trust
Harmon realizes that financial education isn’t an add-on; it’s the cornerstone of every client relationship. He believes that true empowerment comes when clients not only receive guidance but also understand the “why” behind each decision.
At Apriem Advisors, education takes many forms: one-on-one conversations, tailored workshops, and multigenerational programs that equip families to pass financial literacy down through the years. Complex concepts are distilled into clear, actionable insights, giving clients the confidence to make informed decisions that align with their values and goals.
Harmon sees education as the bridge to trust. “When clients see that we’re committed to helping them understand, not just transact, they become more engaged partners in the process,” he explains. The result is more than financial security; it’s a sense of ownership and confidence that empowers families to thrive for generations.
Managing Leadership, Clients, and Family
Running a firm, guiding clients, and honoring personal commitments requires intentional balance, something Harmon has worked to master over the years. For him, the answer lies in clear priorities and systems that allow him to be fully present, whether at the office or at home.
Family remains his compass. He invests time in milestones, celebrations, and everyday moments with loved ones, bringing the same values-driven approach to his work with clients. Harmon ensures financial strategies reflect not just numbers but the people and legacies behind them.
At Apriem, he has cultivated a culture that mirrors this balance. Through collaboration and thoughtful delegation, the team is empowered to deliver exceptional service without sacrificing personal well-being. By living out the principle of intentional living himself, Harmon sets the tone for his team and reinforces Apriem’s commitment to relationships both inside and outside the firm.
Note for the Next Generation of Financial Leaders
Asked what guidance he would offer to aspiring financial professionals, Harmon doesn’t hesitate: find a mentor. “Mentorship is imperative,” he says. “It accelerates growth, provides perspective, and teaches you how to lead with integrity.” He also highlights the power of teamwork. In an industry often seen as competitive, Harmon believes success comes not from working in isolation but from collaborating, sharing knowledge, and building resilient teams that better serve clients.
Equally important is embracing both sides of wealth management, the technical and the human. Mastery of markets, tax strategies, and investments is critical, but so too is the ability to connect deeply with clients, understand their values, and anticipate their needs. Innovation, in his view, lies at the intersection of these skills, where technology enhances but never replaces human connection.
For those beginning their journey, Harmon’s advice is simple yet profound: stay curious, remain humble, and keep learning. With mentorship, collaboration, technical expertise, and empathy, the next generation can build meaningful careers, and make a lasting difference in the lives of the families they serve.
Stewardship Across Generations
Looking ahead, Harmon sees wealth management entering a defining era, one shaped by the largest generational wealth transfer in history. Often referred to as the “tsunami of wealth,” trillions of dollars will move from one generation to the next over the coming decades. Yet statistics show a sobering reality: nearly 70% of wealth is lost by the second generation, and 90% by the third generation if families are not prepared.
Harmon recognizes this as both a challenge and an opportunity. At Apriem, he works with families to do more than simply plan financial transfers. He underlines the importance of instilling values, fostering stewardship, and preparing heirs with the confidence and education needed to manage wealth responsibly. Women, he notes, are increasingly leading these conversations, shaping the direction of family financial decisions and embedding values into strategies.
Alongside generational planning, Harmon sees impact investing as a growing priority. More and more, families want their portfolios to reflect their values, generating not only financial returns but also measurable benefits for their communities and the world. For advisors, this requires a holistic, forward-thinking approach that integrates purpose with profit.
“The future will favor advisors who are proactive, relationship-driven, and able to align financial strategy with family values,” Harmon reflects. “Families can’t afford to wait until the transfer happens. Preparation now is key to ensuring wealth not only endures but also makes a meaningful impact.”
A Legacy of Service, Integrity, and Impact
When Harmon reflects on his life’s work, he hopes to be remembered not only for helping families build and preserve wealth but also for redefining what the profession itself can represent.
His vision for Apriem Advisors has always gone beyond numbers. He wants clients to feel truly understood, supported, and empowered, equipped with knowledge and strategies that align their financial lives with their deepest values and aspirations.
On a broader scale, he imagines a financial services industry seen as a noble profession, on par with teaching, social work, or firefighting, a field defined by service and stewardship rather than personal gain. “What if people entered this industry to genuinely help others, to guide families through life’s most complex decisions, and to make a lasting difference?” he asks. “That’s the profession I want to help elevate.”
Through Values Over Valuables: Daring to Live the Life Money Can’t Buy, Harmon highlights that true wealth is about aligning money with meaning, encouraging individuals to use their resources as a tool for impact rather than an end in itself.
Harmon hopes his legacy will be one of integrity, leadership, and meaningful impact. If his work inspires future advisors to embrace empathy, ethics, and service as their guiding principles, then he will have made a contribution that reaches far beyond balance sheets and investment returns.
