James Wong is the Founder of The Founder’s Chair and Managing Partner of TFC Capital Fund I. With a career spanning wealth management, insurance distribution, and early-stage strategic investment, he has built and led organizations serving advisors, agents, and distribution platforms nationwide.
James founded and scaled a national insurance distribution business before selling it to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in 2019 He later advised IMOs, BGAs, carriers, and technology vendors on growth and M&A strategy and continues to serve a senior strategy role with TransGlobal.
James launched TFC to create a curated environment where founders receive operator-level insight and investors gain access to high-quality opportunities. He leads the Fund’s sourcing, diligence, and execution, working alongside an Investment Committee and Anchor LPs whose industry backgrounds shape the Fund’s investment decisions.
He is based in Southern California with his wife and two sons and frequently speaks on distribution strategy and the future of insurance and wealthtech.
Stephen Goldstein brings nearly two decades of insurance expertise spanning the U.S., Europe, and Asia, shaping strategy and execution for carriers, reinsurers, and venture-backed startups alike. His career has covered every angle of the business: from distribution and operations to corporate strategy, audit, and market entry.
At the helm of TETRA G, Stephen now advises a range of high-growth companies on go-to-market strategy and operational excellence. His track record includes senior leadership roles at a Fortune 250 global insurer and a multinational reinsurer, along with strategic advisory to insurtech innovators like ProNavigator and Navierre.
Stephen’s value to Founders and Funders lies in his rare combination of deep industry fluency, investor empathy, and startup savvy. He’s also a licensed Life & Health and P&C agent—proof that he doesn’t just understand the theory, he knows the business from the ground up.
Whether you are starting a business, taking your agency to the next level, or transitioning your career, The Founder’s Chair is focused on helping you take your seat at the table with a group of individuals who have been in your shoes and come back to the table and to help you experience the level of success, they did.
